(It occured to me today that its a bit odd that I've interviewed a bunch of people on my blog about their experiences of doing The Artist's Way but not myself! So I sat down this afternoon and did my own interview)

What were you going before The Artists Way? What was your creative life like?

I’d graduated from Stirling University only a few years before. I had a degree in Film & Media Studies which was mostly focussed on film criticism but I wanted to create. I stumbled towards creativity but feeling at the same time very inadequate, not creative enough, not disciplined enough, not original enough. I was also hampered by a mother who was an artist and a string of artistic forbears. It was a lot to live up to.

How did you come across it?

I’m not sure it’s in the mists of time! My copy of The Artists Way is the first British edition of 1992 so it was a long long time ago. I think I found it in Waterstones. Read a lot of it in situ and eventually shelled out for it.

Did it sit on your shelf or did you dive in straight away?

Well bit of both. I first of all read it in an unsystematic way. I have a habit of opening books at random and taking what ever turns up. Then I had a period of underemployment and I really started doing the Morning Pages. Sitting on the steps outside our flat in Regent Terrace with a cup of coffee.

Did you do it alone or in a group?

I did it alone at first. I’d make a date with myself in a café after work. Take the book along with me and did the exercises over a cup of coffee and a pain au chocolat.  Since then I’ve done it in many groups ranging from one other to sixteen in size.  I think its better doing it in a group. Firstly you get committed to the group, which helps you to complete it. Secondly the input from others makes you see things differently quicker and thirdly it’s a huge resource to have others networks and knowledge to plug into.

What is your life like post The Artist’s Way?

Wow! What a huge question! One thing that has been transformed is my concept of self care and that I’m worth looking after. And the emphasis on self-care in The Artist’s Way is one thing that sets it as different to most thinking about creativity. 

Secondly it’s not just about the work it’s about living in a creative way.

Thirdly it’s about doing the work in itself. I’m more easily able to remove my ego from it and the more I do so the more I am able to be happily productive.

What Artist’s Way philosophy or techniques do you still use?

All of them! I need to do more Artist Dates though. I am convinced that they are key and the more I do them – the happier and more creative I am.

I use the Morning Pages to move through the mind gunk regularly. I used the Blasting Through Bocks exercise a lot when doing film work.

When I’m not being creative or resisting I go through a mental checklist.

“Am I not willing to be a beginner?”

“Am I afraid?”

“What am I afraid of?”

“What small first step can I do to start?”

I try to arrange my life around my creativity but at the same time integrate it seamlessly. I acknowledge that it essential for me to have a good life.

What is the one thing you would really like to tell my readers about being creative?

Life is too short not to be creative - its too short to stop yourself doing something because of what others think, or what what you Primary teacher said about your drawings. If you don't you will be haunted by 'if onlys'. Start now. Start small but start!

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If you have done The Artist's Way process and would like to do a interview on the blog please get in touch info AT creativevoyage.co.uk