by Tina Games | May 1, 2024 | Authenticity, Creative Expression, Creative Process, Creativity, Healing, Insights, Poetry, Professional Growth, Reflection, Self-Discovery, Spiritual Growth, Storytelling, Writing
In a world that often seems chaotic and overwhelming, the internal journey of self-discovery, healing, and finding connection is more critical than ever. This is where the creation of a regular writing practice can help – where we can process emotions and find clarity in the midst of life’s challenges.
How can we connect with ourselves and others with more depth and honesty? How can we turn past wounds and emotional hurdles into opportunities for growth?
These are questions that poet, educator, and author, Meredith Heller explores in her new book, Writing by Heart: A Poetry Path to Healing and Self-Discovery – published by New World Library.
I’ve invited Meredith to join me on my blog today to talk about the concept of “writing by the heart” – and how creative people can use it as a path for healing and self-discovery.
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Tell us about your book Writing by Heart and what inspired you to write it.
Writing by Heart is about tuning into your heart and writing about what’s here, honesty, authentically, and with compassionate curiosity. The book is an invitation into deep self to discover your truth, your voice, your heart. Something magical happens when we put pen to paper– we engage in creative process and we can tap our own wisdom, our own medicine, to heal and free ourselves. This book is about poetic writing as practice of presence, noticing and being true to what’s bubbling up in you, whether it’s sadness, anger, fear, grieving, loss, joy, or beauty, making room for all of it and finding the words to explore and express it. This kind of writing is healing, liberating, empowering, and transformative. It opens the way for new insights to arise.
What does “writing by heart” mean to you?
When we know something by heart, it’s part of us; we know it all the way down to our bones. Writing by heart is about following what you know, your truth, and seeing where it takes you. It’s about trusting yourself and the writing process, and when we do that, the path opens, healing happens, life force returns. (more…)
by Tina Games | Oct 5, 2022 | Calling, Courage, Creative Expression, Creative Process, Creative Voice, Creativity, Dreams, Fulfillment, Possibility, Potential, Storytelling
Someday — when the kids are grown, when work lightens up, when I win the lottery — I am going to start that business, become a yoga teacher, write that book, develop that app, paint that picture, finish my degree, pick up that musical instrument.
There’s a Japanese proverb: “The day you decide to do it is your lucky day.”
But how do we make the decision to actually start and complete creative things?
This is the question that author and nationally acclaimed storyteller Matthew Dicks explores in his new book, Someday Is Today: 22 Simple, Actionable Ways to Propel Your Creative Life – published by New World Library.
I’ve invited Matthew to join me on my blog today to talk about the concept of “someday” – and how creative people can embrace someday as today.
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by Tina Games | Aug 7, 2021 | Authenticity, Change, Confidence, Courage, Creative Expression, Creative Process, Creativity, Fun, Illuminate, Inner Child, Light, Magic, New Beginnings, New Moon, Playful, Sparkle, Summer
We’re moving into a new moon phase tomorrow – which might stir a strong desire for creative change or a new creative direction. It may even bring an awareness that NOW is the time to seed what might be necessary for a personal or professional transformation.
This particular new moon highlights the Leo qualities of self-expression, creativity, courage, confidence, and authentic visibility – while shining a light on certain life themes involving creative projects, fun and pleasure, children, and the inner child.
As we settle into the last full month of summer, you may feel a slight nudging toward something you might want to start in the fall – something that has a more joyful and playful energy to it.
It’s a good time now, in the playful season of summer, to begin to put the intention out there – to say to the universe, “Yes, I am ready for this change and I am open to approaching it from a more creative and playful direction!”
Where in your life do you desire a creative new start? Where in your life do you need more courage and confidence?
This Leo New Moon challenges you to “Ask for what you want – and be prepared to get it.”
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by Tina Games | Jun 20, 2021 | Abundance, Celebration, Creative Genius, Creative Process, Light, Magic, Summer, Summer Solstice
Tomorrow brings the summer solstice – and with it, the summer season.
It’s a wonderful time to immerse yourself in the creative process.
It’s a season of light and celebration – a magical time to witness a creative garden in full bloom.
It’s a perfect opportunity to call forth a long-held dream, one that you never thought would see the light of day.
As celebrated poet Mary Oliver asks in her poem, The Summer Day – “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
- What magic is waiting for you in the light of the summer solstice?
- What dream do you want to bring to fruition in the abundance of summer?
- What feels important in this stage of your wild and precious life?
Come join me in a special summer version of my Creative Alchemy Studio – where we’ll tap into the gifts of the summer season as we move through the phases of the moon, bringing light to your creative voice and giving birth to a new body of creative work.
Here’s to the creative magic of the summer season!
by Tina Games | Feb 21, 2021 | Authors, Creative Process, Creativity, Dreams, Professional Growth, Resources, Writing
As a certified creativity coach, I work a lot with authors and writers, many of whom are looking to publish their work with a traditional publisher. A question that comes up often is, “Do I need an agent?”
I invited Elizabeth Kracht, author of the book, The Author’s Checklist: An Agent’s Guide to Developing and Editing Your Manuscript – published by New World Library, to join me for a dialogue on my blog today about her role as a literary agent and what advice she has for aspiring authors.
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by Tina Games | Dec 16, 2020 | Creative Expression, Creative Process, Creative Voice, Darkness, Journal Writing, Letting Go, Life Journey, Light, Magic, Possibility, Reflection, Winter
The winter season is a wonderful time to immerse yourself in the creative process!
It brings a rich opportunity to awaken the “creative genius within” by exploring the gifts that are found in darkness. It allows us to reflect on our personal and creative journeys, taking a closer look at who we are – underneath the layers of life.
By looking for the “light” – and knowing that it’s there, somewhere, waiting to be discovered – we can reach a place where our personal reflection begins to shed its own light.
It’s a time to ponder where we’ve been, how we got to where we are now – and where to go from here. It’s an opportunity to explore new ways of thinking and to prepare for a new path of travel. It also marks an ideal time for connecting with our creative voice and our true heart’s desire.
- How will your “creative genius” be inspired by the darkness of the winter solstice?
- What magic will be created within you – as you move through the winter season and into spring?
- How will this magic be expressed through your creative work – and brought into springtime’s full bloom?
These are great questions to explore as we approach the winter solstice and move into the winter season – a time of rich reflection, introspection, renewal, and a thirst for all that is light.
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