This is the last of three parts about my resolution to develop a creative life in 2009. I’ve shared my reasons for doing this and the realities at play, as well as the requirements and rules. Now it’s time to talk about the goodies — those that will support me during this process and those that await me if I am successful.
Resources
Much like a business plan, this creativity plan needs resources attached to it. The most critical resource will be my own dedication to the plan, but there are other elements that I feel are important to articulate:
- Time: I estimate that at least 10 to 15 hours will be needed to successfully and happily work this plan. I currently have Fridays off, which is very helpful, but I’ll need to structure my time throughout the week so I don’t simply arrive at Friday and feel uninspired to plow through a day’s worth of creating.
- Money: I think the plan requirements, including events and supplies, will need a budget of about $500 over the course of the year. That’s assuming that every event I attend costs at least $25, but I’m sure I’ll be able to do better than that. I’m not about making this an elite experience, but I do realize that if I want to pursue so many diverse events and opportunities, money will be a factor. (Virginia Woolf got this so right.)
- Support: I am sharing this plan for input, ideas and awareness. I hope my blog will be an informal support, and I will share the plan with my husband Carl, as he’s been very supportive of me getting back in to writing, and I know he’ll enjoy the opportunity to help me be accountable.
Rewards
When I discussed this plan with my friend Tania, she was pretty adamant that a reward system was needed. She probably knows my creative tendencies and barriers better than anyone else, as we spent a lot of time together in poetry workshops and literature classes at Michigan State. So as much as I wanted to dismiss a rewards system (I’m so altruistic like that), I trusted her judgment and created one:
- By the end of the first quarter, if I have met my monthly reading and writing requirements, I will buy a subscription to Poets & Writers.
- By the end of the second quarter, if I have met my monthly reading and writing requirements, I will buy a new set of nice pens (a budget of $25).
- By the end of the third quarter, if I have met my monthly reading and writing requirements, I will spend $25 in new music on iTunes.
- By the end of the year, if I have met all my requirements, I will get a new laptop. Yeah. Blammo. Had to run that one by the hubby so I don’t shock our year-end finances. But honestly, if there is anything that I’d really love and that would be a good tool in my ongoing creative pursuits, it’s a new computer. That’s a pretty big reward, but it’s the one thing I can think of that has practical relevance and the thrill of a new toy.
As always, I appreciate your comments and ideas, either here on the blog or on Twitter! I’m starting to dive in to my plan and will continue posting to the blog as a way of keeping myself on task.
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Good luck! I had to write my novel while working full-time, which was incredibly difficult to manage, at times.
I certainly recommend rewarding yourself, even with simple things, like watching a favourite TV programme only when you’ve got so much work done.
I was also lucky enough (although it didn’t feel like it at the time!) to have deadlines as part of the MA Writing course I was doing. Personal deadlines can be equally helpful.
Like I say, good luck!
Oh Emmmmmmm. I have sincerely enjoyed reading this over the past week or so. All that is missing are a few pie graphs ;)
Seriously, I am very proud of you. You have been wanting to get back to a more creative space, and with that desire came pressure and fear and a little bit of self doubt. As adults, it is hard to find the time to justify creative endevors like we could in college. Often we talk ourselves out of creativity and the search for our muse because there are “better” things we can do with our time. This approach and plan are so you, and I think they will be good for you.
And thanks, by the way, for the props. I don’t know why, but so often I talk myself into thinking that I am not really an important part of your life. I don’t say that to make you feel bad at all- I think this is more of a me thing. Just as you tend to tell yourself that you might not “deserve” your creative space, I tend to tell myself that I don’t “deserve” the special and important people in my life because I don’t really contribute that much to theirs. Not like they do for me. Or something crazy and stupid like that.
Anyway. Thanks. Now I am warm and fuzzy, AND inspired to make more of my creative self.
Lubs.
Iain, thanks for your comment… in the perfect world where money, time, and other obligations were no object, my real reward probably would have been enrolling in an MFA program. :) I am hoping this plan can be a self-starter course of sorts… structure and everything, without the cost of an official program (the trade-off being the professional guidance and workshops, of course, which I could really use).
And Tania, I believe I owe you an email to thank you more personally for nudging me along my little creative path. :)