Day 5 prompt for a creative pause
Day 5 Prompt
Draw while listening to whale song — eyes open or closed. Free-write for 5 mins.
Note: Listen to Humpback whale song by scrolling down this wikipedia link. Materials: black pen, crayons, water colours. Music: whale song. I wrote about what it feels like when someone doesn’t have time for my whimsy and playfulness, and I see myself through their eyes. I understand their impatience, even their disgust at my time-wasting; and yet, the delight of doing projects (like this one — of my own invention, for no super-obvious practical reason) carries me along. I notice when what I’m doing isn’t landing. And I’m patient. Most of the things that matter to me take time to unfold. Lots of time. It takes time to go deep. But like the whale, I need to surface too, and breathe in the world.
xo, Carrie
Day 4 prompt for a creative pause
Day 4 Prompt
Draw & write. Something you asked for and did not receive. (Do you still want it?)
Notes: pen & watercolour; songs: “Basement Apartment” by Sarah Harmer and “Atlantic,” by The Weather Station. The text reads a bit like a series of grievances, which was not where I’d originally imagined this going. But I got somewhere interesting. The final scrawl on the page reads: I asked to not have to ask — and that did not happen.
xo, Carrie
Day 3 prompt for a creative pause
Day 3 Prompt
Draw & write. Gratitude dump!
Notes: I don’t like the phrasing I’ve decided to use here, but oh well. I went with it, and just dumped a random assortment of images and words onto the page, rather late in the day, to be honest. Songs: “Runnin’ Down A Dream,” by Tom Petty and “Love is Love,” by Grace Potter. Materials: pencil crayons and black pen.
xo, Carrie
Day 2 prompt for a creative pause
Day 2 Prompt
Draw yourself as an animal. If this animal could talk what would it say?
Notes: Watercolour and 0.4mm fine Sharpie pen. Songs: Sweet Jane, by Cowboy Junkies and Closer, by Tegan and Sara.
xo, Carrie
Day 1 prompt for a creative pause
Day 1 Prompt
Draw & write
A conversation you had in the last 24 hours
Notes. I like to draw while listening to music. If you’re on Spotify, you can follow my “Lynda Barry playlist” (carrieannesnyder) and listen along. Today’s song is “Bye River” by Sampa the Great. The song is almost 8 minutes. After that I set a timer to write for about 5 minutes (though I got into the conversation, and wrote a bit longer, till it felt complete.)
Final thought. Please change any or all of the above elements to fit your needs, interests, available materials, and time.
xo, Carrie