Episode 18: Creativity in Research and Writing

This episode is a conversation with Elaine Gale, a brilliant writer and writing teacher. She talks about creativity within both the research and writing process. We cover many topics including faith in the creative process, guilt, shame, building muscles around the creative process, resistance, surrendering to the beauty of the creative process, the connection between fear, love, and creativity, and tips to get past the creative blocks.

• Where guilt and shame stem from in creativity and writing
• How Michael Jackson can help you be more creative
• How to build muscles around the creative process
• The connection between fear, love, and creativity
• The importance of reconnecting what you love

Dr. Elaine Gale is a California-based writer, professor, comedian, speaker, trainer and journalist who co-founded the nonfiction literary series TrueStory and loves artists, writers, community, humor, play, possibility, healing, exploring and learning. She is a former reporter for the Los Angeles Times, and worked for the Utne Reader, the Star Tribune, the Boston Phoenix and has published in many national mainstream and literary magazines. She is the writing center director for Antioch University's PhD Program in Leadership and Change and a tenured professor at California State University Sacramento in Communication and Journalism.

• Book: The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
• Michael Jackson's Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'
• Dr. Andrea Lambert South's dissertation
• Elaine's website: elainegale.com
• Send Elaine an email if you'd like to receive a list of her favorite quotes about creativity. Email her at elainegale at gmail dot com.
• International Podcast Day (Sept 30) and contest
• How to Write a Review in iTunes

This week Elaine Gale challenges us to explore how we can bring a sense of curiosity in our life and examine what can we approach with a beginner's mind. More details in the podcast.