What am I doing?
...a bit about the creativity avalanche...
Hey there, lovely reader!
I’m Molly Ovenden, creative writing coach, author, visual artist. Tea & Coffee drinker. Wife of furniture-making bearded Englishman Max. Marathon runner. Circle lover. #bestshapeever I love Jesus and I love talking to people about who they love. I’m one who reads and dreams staring off into the clouds. I am Molly O. Thinker. Action-taker. Professional encourager. Creativity avalanche creator.
First of all, thanks so much for reading this. It is always humbling that people read what I write.
Second of all, I want to share a bit about what this newsletter might look like moving forward.
Third of all, I want to share some thoughts about creativity and avalanches.
ONE…
If you are a writer, you can relate to this, perhaps. When someone reads your words it’s a surreal sensation. For many years since I was a teenager, I believed that it was arrogant and big-headed to desire to have readers. Someone close to me told me that it was good to receive rejection so I’d not become conceited. Yet, to my teenage heart and mind, I heard, “It’s wrong to share anything or desire good things…and if in some freak accident you get something good, don’t tell anyone about it because that’s prideful, too.”
Well, I’ve had enough.
On 30 June 2022, I officially published Closer: Spiritual Reflections for Writers & Thinkers.
It’s a really good book. I’m so proud of myself and the work that went into it. It’s been such a blessing to hear from readers already who’ve been encouraged in their own writing, thinking, and spiritual reflecting. Thank you for reading my words.
TWO…
Sitting in a zoom room with a bunch of writers last week, we shared our plethora of creative ideas and celebrated the fun, shiny, joyous time of brainstorming, new projects, and…and then, the weight of so many ideas. It can be overwhelming. We decided to call it the “creativity avalanche.”
So so so fun for a time, and then, stuck…and….really cold.
Oofda.
But, piles of mountain snow are the most epic of playgrounds for snowboarders and skiiers, right? Because they know how to handle the snow. And they know how to handle themselves in the snow.
That’s a journey I’m continually on with my creativity. So, I named my newsletter after it. I have so many wonderful and flipping awesome ideas and projects in the works and they so often inform each other, overlap.
This is why I plan to share bits and pieces from my creative life with poetry, fiction, life story, spiritual works in progress with you here in each letter.
And also, I could easily feel (and have easily felt) overwhelmed by all of my cool project and not make any progress on any of them. But, I want to move forward.
I want to share my words.
I want to share my thoughts.
I want to share my art.
I imagine there will be points I share where you can purchase my courses on creativity, where to find my books, when we could possibly meet in person when I tour for workshops and promoting my work.
THREE…
In this creativity avalanche, here are some of my “Thursday Thoughts.”
I’ve really been struggling to combine my written art and my visual art. If you know me as a writer, creative writing coach or teacher, you may not know I’m also a visual artist. I’ve regularly exhibited and sold artwork in the UK and USA for over a decade. I have a long list of international collectors. I’m so thankful for them.
It took me over a decade of intentional inner work to admit to being a writer and artist, or, artist and writer without feeling shame.
For the past year in particular I’ve quietly stored my paintings and occasionally displayed them, but without actually telling many people.
I’ve kind of thought, I’m supposed to be a creative writing coach and author and “if you tell people you also make art, Molly, you’re going to confuse everybody. Stay focused. Write your words, and maybe your day to share your art more will come, but you’ll have to let go of your words.”
But you guys, I just can’t do that anymore. I’m not sure yet how to combine my paintings and my books, but…that’s what I’m thinking about. That’s the journey I’m on.
Weekly Creativity Avalanche Questions
1. Who is in your life?
My London Writers’ Salon crew of writers. They are who have really been encouraging me in the midst of book launch and moving forward with my writing, teaching, and coaching business.
2. What are you listening to?
I usually love listening to music when I write. Depending on my energy levels I tend to find a playlist to suit my mood. Here’s what I’m listening to as I write this letter to you.
3. What are you reading?
The Story Equation: How to Plot & Write a Brilliant Story from One Powerful Question by Susan May Warren. A few of my creative writing clients are deep in plotting. I’ve got 3-5 novels’ worth of my Thomas series written already. I need to tidy up what I have and Susan’s book and guidance are helping lots with unique perspectives from an extremely prolific author.
4. What are you eating?
It’s very summer. I had a green smoothie with peaches this morning with an iced coffee. For lunch I had a giant bowl of fruit…watermelon, oranges, pineapple, green & red grapes, kiwi, strawberries, blueberries…and a handful of salty almonds. I’ve got a can of room temperature tangerine sparkling water next to me…it was cold when I started. I’m a slow sipper.
5. What are you creating?
I have notecards available here. They are prints of my original “Scrapings.” There’s a calendar available, too, here. They’re actually half price right now—it’s Christmas in July…that’s why! #iamapoet 😎
Loving this? Brilliant! :)
Here are a few ways you can encourage me:
💌 Reply and let me know what you love this.
☕️ Buy me a coffee.
📖 Read my book and leave a review.
⭐️ Share this letter with a friend.
✍️ Grow as a writer—join my free facebook group.
One final thing I wrote for you…
Listen here for an excerpt from my book Closer: Spiritual Reflections for Writers & Thinkers.
Listen here for an excerpt from my silliness writing.
Listen here for an excerpt from my Thomas Goodun novel series.
Until the next creativity avalanche:
happy reading | writing | thinking & reflecting to you!
I’m Molly O.
Ooh, what a delicious way to phrase it ... the Creative Avalanche!! As a fellow Writer and Artist I can relate to the flood of ideas that has the power to both excite and overwhelm. I'm still figuring out that balance, too, but I do know it all works together beautifully, when we let it flow.
You are such an inspiration! ❤️