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My Credentials

jen1It has been implied recently that I am not a “real” writer because I am not “serious” about my career. I’m not naming names or anything like it. That is counterproductive to what I am doing here.

It is true that I don’t brag and send out press releases every time I have something going on. That’s my fault. And that will change. But for now, here is a list of–well–a lot.

I have over 20 years of experience in writing for publication. My work has appeared in WritingforDollars.com (unfortunately now out of publication), Writers JOURNAL, Ada Evening News in the main paper (series on meth in Ada) and in the annual Progress Edition, Ada Hub Magazine, Ada Magazine, 4HEALTH Magazine, World Of Myth Magazine, and the OWFI Report (a column of website reviews and Internet-based tools for writers that ran for five years). Articles have also appeared on eHow.com and Demand Studios.

I am a hybrid author, meaning I have been traditionally and independently published. I have two novels and three short stories out under the pen name Kat O’Reilly. I have a series of short ebooks (currently three titles have been released with more to come), a book of devotions, a book about Twitter, books about creativity, and books about planning. Currently, I am working with The Wild Rose Press toward the publication of a paranormal/mystery novel, which is the first in a trilogy.

The complete list of my titles is:

Devoted to Creating: Igniting the Creative Spark in Everyone (currently out of print)
Get “Twitter”pated: A Writer’s Handbook to Twitter
Windsong & Other Poems
80 Creativity Tips
Create Your Own DIY Planner
Project Planner for Creatives
8 Patterns to Crochet
Journal Your Way to Creativity

JEN Enterprises Presents:
Why You Need a Writing Practice
BOP Your Way Through Writer’s Block
3 Keys to the Kingdom

Written as Kat O’Reilly:
Navajo Rose
Kiernan’s Curse
“They Call Me Malak”
“This Is Your Karma”
“Sex, Politics, & Vampires”

My articles, novels, and poems have won various awards. I have been a writer-in-residence on several occasions at the Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow in Eureka Springs. I have presented at conferences, civic organizations, and even this group. I have served as a contest judge for OKRWA (the Oklahoma chapter of RWA – Romance Writers of America) and OWFI. I have served in numerous volunteer positions within OWFI, including as 1st and 2nd Vice-President. If you are unfamiliar with the OWFI organization, the 1st VP is the person in charge of the contest.

I do not present any of this to put-down or disparage anyone. I mention it only to correct the implication that I am not “serious” about my career.

A Couple Videos

I always watch videos and read articles about what other people have to say about creativity. I used to share them, but I haven’t done that in a while. I need to bring that back.

In this video, Sean Cannell interviews Claire Marshall about creativity tips in making videos/creating content. The video is a couple years old, but the tips are still relevant.

This video is a recording of a podcast.  It’s from a week ago and talks about demystifying creativity.

I’ll keep reading and watching for more things to share with you. In the meantime, feel free to share any resources you find as well.

An Off Day

Today is an off day for me. I don’t have many like it and I’m glad for that.

As a diabetic, I’m supposed to have my eyes checked once a year. As someone who has low vision/is legally blind, I have to monitor my eyesight for problems.

I get numbing drops to check for eye pressure. I get dilating drops to check for retinopathy. They both give me headaches and guarantee I can’t do anything the rest of the day and sometimes the next.

So when I’m finished here (I’m writing this as I’m waiting for my eyes to dilate), I’ll ride home with my eyes covered and then spend the rest of the day in a dark room or with sunglasses on in the house.

But you can believe I’ll be thinking about story ideas and projects to do in the meantime.

Sir Ken Robinson on Creativity (video)

From time to time, I do a search on creativity on YouTube, Google, etc. In doing that today, I was reminded of Sir Ken Robinson. In this video, he talks about “Can Creativity Be Taught?”

What do you think?

Happy creating.

7 Reasons I Know You’re Creative

Over the years, I have told many people that they are creative. More than once, they have ask me how I know. This question Millie comes from people who are absolutely convinced they had don’t have a creative bone in their body.

So, here are seven reasons I know you are creative.

  1. I believe everyone is creative. I haven’t seen anyone yet to prove me wrong.
  2. No matter your personal belief system, at some point, you were created. You didn’t just appear (and even if you did, you were still created at some point).
  3. As a created being, you are innately creative.
  4. People unconsciously used their creativity every day.
  5. You are your own worst critic.
  6. You don’t conform to stereotypes or what people expect of you.
  7. You think about things and don’t just react.

I actually has many more reasons than that but I don’t want to overwhelm you with a lot of irrelevant information right now. With as long as I’ve had this blog, why am I bringing this up now?

I’m working on a self-paced creativity course coaching program. I think everyone would benefit from it, but I’m not naive enough to think that everyone who hears about it will sign up. I think–hope–a few will.

I’ll be telling you more about this as time progresses though. I’m looking at a launch of January 1st, so you’ll be hearing about this frequently.

What about you? Do you think you’re creative? Why or why not? Leave a message in the comments and let’s get the conversation started.