Creativity Quest

I'm retiring the Creativity Quest podcast, but this is not goodbye! Join me for two exciting new podcasts - Tell Me Your Secrets: Off the Page with People Who Make Books, and Write Healthy, Write Whole.

Thank you so much for listening. Now, go do something creative!

Last week I sat down with artist and author Karen Kinney to talk about some of the concepts in her book, The Reluctant Artist. We talked about what to do when you you're not feeling your creative mojo, permission to take breaks, and even the complicated questions that arise at the intersection of art and commerce. You can find out more about Karen at her website, www.karenkinney.com

New York Time bestselling author Virginia Kantra has had a lifelong love affair with the novel Little Women. Her novel Meg and Jo is a revisioning of these beloved characters in a modern world. Listen in as we talk about creative courage and the ways real life fueled and informed her work.

Author Susan Spann had a dream. A big one. And she went for it, even in the face of incredible odds. Listen in for a totally inspiring story about one woman's quest to conquer her fears and pursue her creative dreams. 

Watch for Ghost of the Bamboo Road, her newest Hiro Hattori novel, releasing on November 12, and Climb: Leaving Safe and Finding Strength on a Hundred Summits in Japan releasing on January 28, 2020.

Learn more about Susan at www.susanspann.com

Donald M Rattner is not your average architect. He's spent years studying the impact of the physical environment on creativity and innovation and has just released a beautiful book on the subject called My Creative Space: How to Design Your Home to Stimulate Ideas and Spark Innovation. This fascinating interview is crammed full of tips on easy and inexpensive ways to leverage your creative process by making changes to your environment. 

Suzanne Kelman is a powerhouse. She is a playwright, actress, and author who typically has three book projects on the go at a time, in addition to all of the other things. Her most recent novel, A View Across the Rooftops, releases October 25. And is Suzanne frenetically preparing and frantically writing? Nope. She's taking a week off. Listen in to find out how important taking a break can be.

Host Kerry Schafer and author Dacia Arnold discuss creative mindset and how to bring it not only to writing but also to marketing. Find out more about Dacia's work at her website, www.daciamarnold.com.

Host Kerry Schafer gets vulnerable in this episode - talking about the way her own personal demons kick in around success and reading an inspiring and motivational letter from author friend Maddy Dawson.

Kerry Schafer interviews Michele Northwood about the events that led her to write her fascinating memoir, Fishnets in the Far East - A Dancer's Diary in Korea. In addition to being part of a cabaret dance routine in the middle east, Michele has said yes to working in the circus as a contortionist, trapeze and high wire artist, and more. Listen in to find out why Michele's favorite motto is "Say Yes to Everything" and how this philosophy can benefit your own creative life.

Patrick Crerand entertains fabulous and fantastic possibilities in his short stories, the answers to questions like: "What if an airline pilot decided the sky is not the limit? What if a teenager sent his car to school in his place? What if the drawings on the Pepperidge Farm box were alive?" Join us for a conversation about giving yourself permission to explore ideas and for dancing with the inner critic.