darren r hill

the creative minimalist

  • There are many kinds of trap. Traps are used to capture something. They could trap an animal, like those in the image. They could trap humans, both foolish and wise. They could capture measurements and be completely benign. Traps we fall into. Traps we deliberately trigger. Traps set by others. Traps set by ourselves. There

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  • “I coughed. My chest felt tight. We had been told they were the first symptoms. Now I had them… “ A Friday Fiction Writing Prompt with a little nod toward the current season. As always these writing prompts are optional and entirely open to your own interpretation. Use them as a starting point for a

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  • I journal. I do a mixture of morning pages, planning and general thought dumps. I write to myself. Okay, I talk to myself too but this is a little more structured. I have recently been having a discussion with myself about ‘voice’ and the broader issue around identity. It is possible both are linked and

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  • The Last Emperox by John Scalzi A book review Creativity flows throughout the universe. To be creative we merely need to step into the flow and create. The flow is elusive, but it is there. Sometimes it is hard to find, other times it is clear. Creativity takes us from one place to another. The

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  • I made a mixtape of songs that have been bouncing between my ears recently. They all have a vague link, in my head, with the current lockdown and Beltane, which has just passed. It’s just under 40 minutes long, so if you want to have a musical meander for a bit, scroll down. The mixtape

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  • An quick update on the recording and mixing progress of Protomatic Renaissance.

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  • Imbolc and creativity

    Imbolc and creativity

    Imbolc and creativity text, an image of me and dark clouds

    Into February and despite the weather not quite being springlike I have been inspired by the festival of Imbolc for a creative nudge. FAWM and festivals combine in this week’s vlog, and also a little poetry.

    Thank you for reading this post. Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
    namaste
    d
    xox

    If you enjoyed this post please support my writing by making a donation of any amount.

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  • How to Create it all!

    How to Create it all!

    How to create it all text with an image of me

    I want to create it all! I have far too much clamouring for my attention, from social media to hundreds of unfinished creative projects. How can I create what I want and need to create? This week’s vlog explores how I am attempting to create all the create!

    Thank you for reading this post. Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
    namaste
    d
    xox

    If you enjoyed this post please support my writing by making a donation of any amount.

    Sign up for my (ir)regular newsletter to keep up to date with my creative adventures, including special offers, and join me on Instagram | YouTube | Twitter | Pinterest

  • 3 Steps to Creative Heaven?

    3 Steps to Creative Heaven?

    3 steps to creative heaven? text with an image of me walking

    3 steps that are helping me reach my creative goals. This vlog looks at what works in my planning, to-dos and habit tracking. After just a few weeks of the year, I am already noticing what does and doesn’t work.

    Thank you for reading this post. Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
    namaste
    d
    xox

    If you enjoyed this post please support my writing by making a donation of any amount.

    Sign up for my (ir)regular newsletter to keep up to date with my creative adventures, including special offers, and join me on Instagram | YouTube | Twitter | Pinterest

  • Creativity, Just do it! – vlog

    Creativity, Just do it! – vlog

    Creativity. Just do it! text with image of Darren

    Two simple steps are helping me get back on the creative journey. In this week’s vlog, despite tech issues and other annoying things, I am managing to be creative.

    Thank you for reading this post. Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
    namaste
    d
    xox

    If you enjoyed this post please support my writing by making a donation of any amount.

    Sign up for my (ir)regular newsletter to keep up to date with my creative adventures, including special offers, and join me on Instagram | YouTube | Twitter | Pinterest

  • rhythm as a metaphor: vlog

    rhythm as a metaphor: vlog

    rhythm as a metaphor, goals for 2024 a vlog - text overage of harbour

    A simple introduction to how I will be achieving my creative goals in 2024. Part vlog and part poetic metaphor. Watch here or on YouTube.

    Thank you for reading this post. Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
    namaste
    d
    xox

    If you enjoyed this post please support my writing by making a donation of any amount.

    Sign up for my (ir)regular newsletter to keep up to date with my creative adventures, including special offers, and join me on Instagram | YouTube | Twitter | Pinterest

  • My word for 2024

    Image of the word Intent, with the meaning of the word blurred in the background

    Each year I choose a word. A word to guide me, a word to inspire me, a word I can see above my desk when I doubt, or fear, or worry, or… celebrate. This year, 2024, my word is INTENT.

    “Too many wasted nights
    obsessed with the flickering things in my life”
    Ancient Water by Future Islands

    I get distracted too easily
    by the flickering,
    the incorporeal,
    the incorruptible,
    the sublime and the ridiculous

    But 2024 will be focused
    2024 will be met with INTENT

    Every flickering moment of my existence will be intentional.

    Thank you for reading this post. Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
    namaste
    d
    xox

    If you enjoyed this post please support my writing by making a donation of any amount.

    Sign up for my (ir)regular newsletter to keep up to date with my creative adventures, including special offers, and join me on Instagram | YouTube | Twitter | Pinterest