Inspired by my weekly creative prompt word, light, I took these pictures the other day. Nothing like a good light reflection to reflect upon.
Light Wordless Wednesday
Creativity
Weekly creative prompts for 2021
I want to make 2021 the most creative year of my life. My word for the year, if you’ve watched my vlog is ‘connect’ and the first step in many of my goals and dreams for the year is to create. Now 2020 has been difficult for us all in many ways. For me, I have struggled to maintain focus and that has impacted my creativity. I have struggled to start, work through and finish a whole host of creative projects.
One thing I have managed to do is keep posting the Friday Fiction Writing Prompts #ffwp. And that got me thinking. Could I expand the idea of prompts and use it to both my own and anyone else who is interested, benefit? So, I am going to share a weekly creative prompt. I’ll be using the prompt to inspire and guide my creativity, and to focus on some blog posts.
I am sure the prompts will evolve over the year but the intention is to keep them simple. This is an experiment, so I’ll see how it goes. I am hoping it won’t feel too prescriptive, I don’t like prescriptive, or rules or must dos… perhaps that’s why I’ve struggled creatively. So, we’ll see if this makes any difference. And, like all the prompts and ideas I share they are open to your interpretation.
Let the prompts inspire you in any area of creativity that you are interested:
- writing fiction
- art journaling
- songwriting
- journaling
- photography
- painting
- composing
- blog posts
- art therapy
- anything that could use a little nudge to begin
I’ll give a prompt, just one word each week, that we can use as a foundation for whatever art we want to create. I’ll share what I am creating and how it has helped or hindered, what I am working on. There will also be expanded fiction writing prompts each week and other posts.
As 2020 has passed, and we are trying to be a little optimistic for 2021, the first prompt seemed to choose itself. Of course, it is possible that it will lead you down darker pathways…
This week’s creative prompt word is:
“light”
I’ll add additional posts relating to the prompt through the week so do subscribe to stay in the loop.
This isn’t a ‘challenge’ but the prompts can be used that way if you want. And if you do create anything using them, I would love to see or hear about it. Leave a link in the comments below or tag me @darrenrhill or #thecreativeminimalist on any social platform.
Thank you for reading this post. Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
namaste
d
xox
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Free Christmas Holiday Music
I wrote a piece of music for the Christmas holidays. I now offer it to you. You can hear it below or download to keep and listen anytime you want. I hope it brings you a little pleasure in these difficult times. As you hear the bells jingle raise a prayer or intention and perhaps you’ll receive that Christmas miracle.
Please share this page with anyone you think might like to have a little uplifting tune
If you like the music be sure to check out my Bandcamp page and this temple eden homepage, where you’ll find more music and related news and information. In the meantime, enjoy the holidays safely when they arrive and have a lovely weekend.
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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Creative field notes from the creative minimalist
The incense fell straight and created these columns as it burned. Little creative accidents are nice when they occur. But creativity can also involve hard work and effort. In a bid to both motivate and make myself accountable, I thought it was time for some creative field notes. What exactly am I creating?
Website(s)
This past week I have been updating and creating websites. You should see a few changes here as I begin to roll out the changes. I have tried various designs over the years but, for this site – and quite rightly too – I find myself returning to a simple minimal feel.
This Temple Eden is also going through a few changes. This is taking a little longer to roll out, but you will be able to find things easier and quicker in the near future.
Waoao (freelance) has partly prompted these changes. I am working on simplifying and creating a couple of websites in a freelance capacity. This has meant going back to basics whilst keeping up with the ever-changing technology of the web. If you’re thinking of setting up a website and don’t know where to start, drop me a comment and I’ll get back to you. I offer a friendly service and tech talk-free solutions.
Music
This past week I finished the first draft of lyrics to a song that is now called ‘The Sun and the Moon’. I’m letting the lyrics settle for a while and will then work on an arrangement and get some recording done.
I have a couple of other tracks in progress and they are going well.
The music I have completed is available on Spotify and Apple Music, and Bandcamp. My Bandcamp site is still offering hours of music for the price of a couple of cups of coffee. And on September 4th Bandcamp are waiving their fees for artists to help during the pandemic. So if you want a little music, feel free to purchase and enjoy.
I still don’t quite feel like I have my song collection organised. I have it all in a database at the moment. However, I feel like I need to go old school with it all and use index cards. Will something tactile help me create more music, or am I just procrastinating again? That’s always possible.
Writing fiction
Well, let’s put it this way, I haven’t been. I could blame the virus but I don’t think it is that. It is more a question of time and priorities. I have been posting the writing prompts here and there will be more writing tips to follow. In conclusion…
‘Not blocked, just not’
darrenrhill
Journal
I have moved into a more visual journey in my journal and planner. I am sharing this process regularly on YouTube and cross-posting here. If you haven’t visited my YouTube channel, here’s the link and if you want, I would appreciate your subscription. And any stickers I use in my journals might be found on my pLAnarchy Etsy store, so do check that out.
So that’s the state of the creative minimalist as August draws to an end. There are plenty of other things I would like to share with you, but they need to wait for a later post. In the meantime, I need to get going with my freelance work, making some music and seeing if my fingers want to type a little fiction.
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
Getting trapped in the Traps
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 are traps that we can avoid if we see them and if we choose. There are traps that give us comfort, places we know too well.
There are traps. Then there is trapped.
… and trapped is bad.
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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imposter syndrome reasons to procrastinate No 157
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 solving one might help with the other, or vice versa.
I feel like I don’t have a voice. Or, I am unsure as to what my voice is. I don’t like genres and classification for a start, which might be part of the problem. But the problem is, worrying about my ‘voice’ stops me from creating. Which then enables me to fall into the imposter syndrome. No authentic voice? Then you must be a fake. And I sit and procrastinate.
Yet one of my musical heroes is Bowie. The eternal voice changer… the ultimate imposter? Glam rocker, space minstrel, ambient wanderer… one singer, many voices.
So I turned myself to face me
Changes by David Bowie
But I’ve never caught a glimpse
How the others must see the faker
I’m much too fast to take that test
Yes, but that’s music and music Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes, what about writing? I want to write in different styles and genres.
One of my favourite authors is Iain M Banks. His creativity pushed the boundaries of contemporary sci-fi. And yet he also wrote other books. He dropped the M when he wrote them. Some of his non-sci-fi books are also amongst my favourites. One author, multiple voices.
There is no reason I can’t create in different styles with different voices. I just have to be me. Me, expressed in different ways. Channel creativity. Creation then takes its form. Form follows unction.
Whether what I create is any good is subjective, and don’t get me started on quality and perfection… that is another reason for my procrastination and an altogether different blog post.
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