True Creative Blood: Charlaine Harris

"... by reminding myself that I can’t do a lot of things that other people manage with ease, I maintain an even keel most days."

This week The New Yorker said, "Przekop clearly has a gift for language." Awesome! (Never mind that I'm still looking for a new publisher.) On most days, I have to remind myself of comments like this one to boost my confidence. Being able to write (and paint) gives me hope that I just may be good at something after all.

Why is that so important? Well, because there are so many things I suck at. To name a few: I can't cook; I think too much for my own good; I'm terrible with managing money; my head is too often in the clouds; sometimes I'm a poor listener; I'm messy, forgetful, impulsive, obsessive, impatient; sometimes my motives are misunderstood due to my approach; and the list goes on.

I think there's something bad in my blood.

My guest today, author Charlaine Harris, is having phenomenal success. She knows a thing or two about blood types. I was interested to read that she also thinks about all the things she's not good at. Perhaps once you've reached a certain level of creative success, those things keep you grounded?

Okay, I'll shoot for that.

Meanwhile, I'm in New York City today writing this at a place called Earth Matters. It's a bit of a dream come true--venturing into the big apple on my own, hanging out in a hip joint surrounded by folks who are writing, reading, and surfing the Web. Later, I'm headed to The Pearl Lounge to meet artists, photographers, gallery owners, and all kinds of creative, interesting folks (more on the Pearl in an upcoming post).

During my hour-long train ride from Philly, I thought of all the girls I've wanted to be at one time or another, and how I either failed, was rejected, or missed the boat. To continue last post's Wicked theme, there were so many times I could have sang, I'm not that girl. But today as I watched Hamilton, Newark and Secaucus rush by, I was happy that I sucked at, got bored with, or fell just short of all the girls I could have been, despite any pain I've suffered.

I could have taken a hundred other paths but the life I have today has emerged as the best possible scenario. I could have married my high school sweetheart, the one who shattered my heart in college, or the one who gave me a child and then ran away. I could have become a teacher or a physician. I could have progressed as a corporate executive with little time for anything else.

Screw all that. I'm too busy attempting to defy gravity. So what if I'm not that girl. I'm on top of the world, swinging on the star I gazed at as a lonely, confused 15-year-old determined to find happiness.

If folks talented enough to work at The New Yorker believe I have something to offer, I'll not waste that gift--that chance. So what if I can't cook? So what if balancing a checkbook or keeping track of my spending feels like having my skin peeled. Other people can do that stuff.

Thank God for them. Amen.

Similar to Charlaine, I'm not surprised about where I've landed, but I am surprised that I'm sitting in the Lower East Side on a Wednesday afternoon. It thrills me to consider where I'll be next year, or in five years. Life is a wild ride, and I intend to stay on it. I know now that I can survive multiple falls and still keep moving forward. Like Charlaine's mother observed, "Women do whatever they have to do."

So what if I'm not that girl. I'm the best kind of girl.

What's your story (in a nutshell)? Are you surprised by your success, or did you always believe it would happen?

I decided to switch my career after I’d been a mystery writer for many years. I decided to write a book with a touch of everything in it. It took my agent two years to find a place for the first Sookie novel; a lot of editors hated it. Finally, he found an editor (John Morgan) at Ace who would take the book. I’m not surprised I’m successful, but I am very surprised by HOW successful I am.

With regard to your current creative focus, was there an "ah-ha" moment you can tell us about?

I’ve had a lot of “ah-ha” moments when I was working on the Sookie books. Since I’m not a great planner, almost every month I have an “ah-ha!” There was the day I realized Sookie had fairy blood, the day I realized why Bill had come to Bon Temps, and the day I realized that Elvis was a vampire.

For you, is writing more about creation or expression? It could be both, but does one dominate with regard to your need/urge/desire to be a writer?

I think more about creation. I love making my own world come alive. I love being the queen of that world with the power of life and death.

Do you believe that a highly creative person can give more than one art form 100% of their ability/soul (i.e., writing and painting, music and art, etc)? Can a person succeed at more than more, or does trying to do so dilute what they have to offer?

I’ve never thought about this before. The only comparison I can draw is with athletes, who eventually must commit to one sport. If a gifted athlete keeps trying to play several sports, eventually she’ll exhaust herself or incur an injury that will put her on the bench for the whole season.

If I follow that analogy, I think it’s best to select a main focus and only “play” the other ones as entertainment; holidays, if you will.

Do you believe some of the various attributes related to being highly creative have caused you aberrations in life, helped you deal with life's aberrations, or both?

I’ve certainly had some terrible and destructive things happen to me in my life that I managed to spin into gold. I think the creative force uses what raw materials it has to hand, be they wonderful or awful experiences, and transmits those events into something useful to the writer --- either emotionally or artistically.

Have you ever had to deal with people in your life failing to understand your creative personality, interests, or drive? If so, can you tell us about it and how you've dealt with it?

Of course I’ve had to deal with people who don’t understand why or how I do what I do. It’s like being a perpetual teenager, some days; perpetually misunderstood and disgruntled about it. However, by reminding myself that I can’t do a lot of things that other people manage with ease, I maintain an even keel most days.

Unfortunately, many creative people never achieve the success they dream about. Do you have any advice for those still struggling to make their creative mark? Is there ever a time when it's best to "give up" and find a new focus?

I’m sure there is a time to give up, but I’m never going to tell a struggling artist that he/she should abandon his art. That’s an individual decision, one that has to be based on many factors.

Do you ever wonder if what you're creating or expressing is as meaningful to others as it is to you? How important is that to you with regard to your overall goals?

I don’t care if people get my message or not. I’ve made it, it’s out there to accept or reject or ignore as the reader chooses.

Is there a difference between being creative and being talented? What are your thoughts on this?

Yes. There are lots of ways to be creative in your everyday life, but not all of these are driven by a specific talent. They’re just imaginative ways to make your life and the lives of those around you more interesting.

What is your primary motto or mantra in life? Why is this important to you?

“Women can do whatever they have to do.”

That’s what my mom always told me, and I think she’s right. She’s always felt that women are incredibly strong and resilient (on the whole), because they have to be to get through life – keeping a home running, raising children, and (now) working outside the home, too. My mom was raised in a different, but equally tough, time. I see the truth in that simple statement, and it’s kept me going when I felt like crumpling.

Defying Gravity: Lou Patrou

"I no longer want to work for other people's businesses, visions, and projects."

My new theme song is "Defying Gravity" from Wicked, recently covered by the cast of Glee. Today I listened to my Glee CD on the way to a lunch meeting that may result in some great pharma consulting work. I'd heard the CD before, but this time the last song hit me in a new way.

Potential consulting work is a good thing. When I stepped back from a full-time career in the industry, I thought having more time for my writing would be great. And it has been! But I was at my best when consulting and writing at a 50/50 split, which is what I'd been doing until September of 2009.

Now I'm getting a little stir crazy.

This brings me to the topic of multi-talent, and also the difference between focusing those talents on what others ask or direct you to do versus self-direction. My guest today, artist Lou Patrou, has been creating art for a lifetime. However, for years, his creative focus was utilized by others. Now he directs himself and is focused on promoting his own art. I get the impression that he somehow broke free or took a leap, and is determined to stay on a path of his own creation.

I'm also determined yet I'm realizing that perhaps I have multiple diverse skill sets--and that's okay. I wrote for years while working full time. During the 50/50 gig, I wrote a new novel over a nine-month period (probably my best work yet), kept Aberration Nation going, and managed to paint quite a bit. Every day held something different. I still had time to devote to my creative goals. I tapped into all my skill sets and directed myself.

Lou points out that there are no rules around multi-talent. Several of those whom I've interviewed feel there should always be a primary focus, while others believe there can be only one focus if you want to be the best. Although I fully understand all the opinions, I like Lou's approach. I'd like to believe there are no molds, rules, or boundaries for how much an individual can juggle and achieve.

I'm first and foremost a writer. I still don't fully know what it means to be a writer yet I know that's what I am. Becoming an artist has expanded my creative horizon. It's taught me a great deal about myself and subsequently improved my writing. I'll not stop painting, but I can't stop writing.

The other day, I asked myself,

"If you were in a jail cell with nothing but a pencil, what would you do with that pencil? Would your first inclination be to draw or to write?"

I knew the answer before I got through the question. I would write and write and write on the walls around me until my pencil turned to dust, and then I'd look for anything else that could create a mark. In the end, I'd want and need to leave my mark, and I know it would be in the form of words.

Does that mean that I'm not truly an artist?
I don't think so.

Does that mean that I should completely turn my back on all my years of pharma experience?
I don't think so.

As Lou has discovered, I think the key is finding a way to make it all work.

Yesterday I wrote 1,000 words of my latest novel, DUST. As I sat at my kitchen table, allowing myself to melt into the words, I remembered how much I love that feeling. How much I need to create characters and scenarios that express my own humanity. How I enjoy the complexity that writing calls for and allows.

I remembered why I write, and reminded myself that it doesn't matter if my work makes it to the top of the charts. Although I'd love for that to happen, it was never the driving force behind my calling. My need has always been to express something meaningful. To caste my eyes upon the world around me and into myself, and figure out what it means to me, and then express it in a way that enables someone else to share it. What drives me is that shining moment when we both become just a little less alone.

So as I sit here introducing you to Lou with a tear on my cheek, I hope you'll consider his idea that there are no rules about who we are and what we can achieve. I started this blog with the premise that normal is a farce. Let's not forget that we're all filled with aberrations. Let's allow our humanity to bring us together not pull us apart--whether we're writers, artists, corporate folks, teachers, religious, agnostic, gay, straight, black, Asian, white, physically challenged or fit, lonely, happy, introverted, extroverted, or whether we prefer Palin and tea bags or Obama in the house.

Perhaps I'm way too idealistic. Perhaps Lou won't succeed in marketing his art. Perhaps I'll never find a new publisher. Perhaps we'll all burn in hell or turn to dust with nothing to show for it. Believe what you will. I choose to believe in miracles, happy endings, fulfillment, and peace. These things happen everyday in every corner of our world, and as my Dad used to always say, "If it can happen for someone else, it can happen for you."

Studying Lou's art, I suspect he may also subscribe to the relative nature of gravity.

What's your story (in a nutshell)? Are you surprised by where you are or did you always see it coming?

I've always known that I would work in creative fields and never an office, for better or for worse. As far as my art is concerned, I've been drawing steadily since junior high school in the 60's. Over the years I've worked extensively in film and television production, custom photo labs, both color processing and black and white printing, neon design and installation for events, concerts and commercials, animation, advertising, prop and set design, product design, photography and product licensing.

Today I no longer want to work for other people's businesses, visions and projects. I'm concentrating only on my art, designs and product ideas. If a project doesn't have my name on it, I'm no longer inspired. I just have no interest in working on it.

With regard to your current creative focus, was there an "ah-ha" moment you can tell us about?

Not any one moment--more a continuum. Over time I get different ideas about concepts and during the exploration of them, new directions become apparent and details become clear.

For you, is art more about creation or expression? It could be both, but does one dominate with regard to your need/urge/desire to be an artist?

The urge is probably an urge to satisfy oneself with the work and whoever might appreciate it, the process is about different challenges along the way to creating the work, which also gives satisfaction.

Do you believe that a highly creative person can give more than one art form 100% of their ability/soul (i.e., writing and painting, music and art, etc)? Can a person succeed at more than more, or does trying to do so dilute what they have to offer?

I don't believe that there are rules about this. I've seen some with many talents and others with few. Some people can be multi-talented, and some people can think they're multi-talented.

Do you believe some of the various attributes related to being highly creative have caused you aberrations in life, helped you deal with life's aberrations, or both?

Do you mean a curse? I don't know about that. We all have to deal with our own set of life and personal problems that come along--even those people considered talented or gifted.

As far as using your talent, I have seen super talented people waste themselves away on drugs and others just lose interest in what they were good at.

We've also seen people that used to be very talented writers and musicians become less talented or less productive over time, so who knows? Maybe it's all because of contributing factors like lifestyle, greed, or loss of ambition.

Have you had to deal with people in your life failing to understand your creative personality, interests, or drive? If so, can you tell us about it and how you've dealt with it?

I figured out a long time ago that not everyone gets everything or everybody, which also goes to personal tastes. In my case, there are many people that I don't show my art to because they just don't get it or care to get it--so I just leave it at that.

Unfortunately, many creative people never achieve the success they dream about. Which of your dreams have come to pass and what do you dream about now?

I worked in the film business in Hollywood for years and had some of the best times of my life, along with an amount of success in the industry with my art and designs. I've amassed a body of work that goes back to the 70's yet have only been focused on marketing myself for the last five years. So even though I've been producing art for decades, you could say that when it comes to selling and showing my work, I'm only just getting started.

Is there a difference between being creative and being talented? What are your thoughts on this?

Let's look at it this way, many people can enjoy being creative yet if one of them is far more talented, it is evident to all.

What is your primary motto or mantra in life? Why is this important to you?

Because of changing circumstances and aging, these things change over time. At one point you think certain things are so important or admirable, and years later they seem foolish or unimportant.

Today my business motto is, "Push ahead, stay vigilant and stay focused."

My creative motto has been, "Keep a clear enough mind to be able to make uninfluenced discovery and then follow your instincts."

Just Getting Started: Christine Havrilla

"I've felt energized by my small accomplishments--especially knowing how tough it was to get where I am today."

I stumbled upon my guest today, singer/songwriter Christine Havrilla, in my kitchen while eating a bowl of Cream of Potato Soup and a handful of Spicy Sweet Chili Doritos. I usually make my lunch, take it to my office, and eat while I work. However, on the day I ran into Christine, I decided to plant myself in the kitchen for some reason. I turned on the television and began flipping through the channels.

Click. Stupid.
Click. Boring.
Click. Oh, brother.
Click. What the hell?

Click. And there she was on some kind of local programming channel. Her spicy sweet chili-packed voice and lyrics caught my attention. When her performance came to an end and her website address flashed across the screen, I knew I had to find out who this woman was. I absolutely loved her soulful, honest voice and the original song it relayed. Once I read about her and listened to some of the music she's written, I knew she'd be a wonderful addition to Aberration Nation.

And I was right!

Now here she is!

Her story reminds us to take joy in our small accomplishments. Over time, it's easy to grow numb to all the positives in an effort to survive the negatives. If you're like me, you tend to focus on the big picture, the end goal, the shimmering mountain top. Christine's made me realize that I've become highly skilled at squelching away the excitement I used to get from the small wins, those tiny shimmers of hope and support I so desperately needed and appreciated.

The first time an agent called to request a copy of my manuscript, I literally danced through the house. I screamed. I cried myself to sleep with tears of joy. It was as if I'd won the lottery. That was back in 1994, five years after I'd begun writing my first novel. I had no idea about all the twists and turns ahead. I wouldn't have cared anyway. I soaked in that moment of joy and accomplishment for all it was worth. It energized me and reminded me how hard I'd worked and how much it meant to me.

When I was offered the opportunity to write a book for McGraw-Hill, I walked on air for months. Again, I cried. I was going to be in print! Someone was interested in what I had to say. I was legitimized as an author. I knew it was a positive step, regardless of any other stumbling blocks yet to come.

Today when agents or editors love my work, a sad clamp closes across my heart and a little voice whispers, "It probably won't amount to anything. Don't let yourself get too excited." When people send me notes about how much they were moved by my novel, Aberrations, I feel myself shutting down, squelching the joy.

Does this feedback mean any less to me than it did in 1994? Absolutely not.

In fact, it means more to me with each passing year and with each word I write. It's difficult sometimes to explain the toll of surviving ongoing rejection, year after year after year. To walk away from it and keep going, I've become a bit numb. I hate that. I've become like some kind of dark prairie animal who tunnels through the terrain, ignoring the painful bumps and jabs, and also the clear, smooth silky pathways that seem to clear out on their own. It's almost like none of it--the negative or the positive--matters anymore as long as I'm moving forward.

I miss that early joy.

Someday I hope to stick my head up out of the tunnel and realize that I've achieved my goal. Christine has reminded me how much happiness and pride I may be missing by not allowing myself to celebrate all the A-list editors who now know my name and have acknowledged that I'm a talented writer despite not picking up my work; all the fantastic reviews Aberrations has received although it's not flying off the shelves at the moment; and all the people who've so appreciated reading and being highlighted here on Aberration Nation.

Once upon a time, as a twenty-something with low self-esteem, I feared that writing a novel was an impossible feat. It literally felt like an attempt to jump into the stars and fly. I wondered if people would laugh at me if they knew what I did late at night. I didn't tell anyone except my family that I was writing a book for three years.

Now I've written four.

Thanks to Christine, I realize it's time to remember where I started and get busy sucking that positive energy out of all those small accomplishments. I suspect she's just getting started. So am I. Those shimmering mountaintops may be just over the horizon.

What's your story (in a nutshell)? Are you surprised by where you are or did you always see it coming?

I picked up a guitar around the age of four and taught myself how to play. I was inspired by my dad who played as well as my aunt, two uncles, great grandfather, and great uncle who all had guitars, mandolins, accordions, drums etc. I was surrounded by a family who loved music! I used to take my guitar to school (I went to catholic school and played in church with the nuns!).

As I was growing up, I always had a friend around to play music with. I finally joined a band and then started my own band doing my own music…As I noticed more and more people coming out to hear us, I wanted to make an album & really go for this “music-thing” that had been pulsing in my veins from an early age. So now I am still making recordings, writing, and touring all over as a full-time musician. I'm not surprised because I knew I was always drawn to that flame of music. I had other interests (sports, drawing, photography) but always came back to music as my main passion!

With regard to your current creative focus, was there an "ah-ha" moment you can tell us about?

One of the first ones was about two years before my first recording when I realized people were coming out in large numbers to hear my music and support what I was doing. It hit me and touched me in a way that has made such a difference as far as really going for it. The fact that there was a very cool connection happening at shows made me feel like I was right where I was supposed to be.

As far as my current creative focus--that concept seems funny at times because I'm finding myself creating three different kinds of projects right now and not always having an easy time focusing. It is not a bad thing because I am still creating. I believe I'm gearing up for an “a-ha” moment very soon that will help me decide which direction to go!

For you, is music more about creation or expression? It could be both, but does one dominate with regard to your need/urge/desire to be a singer/songwriter?

My music is both. Yes, I create songs; however, I feel as though it is just as important how I am expressing it to an audience. A piece of work can be made, a song can be written … but there is more passion when it's being expressed from my heart and gut. To me, one does not dominate over the other. To be a singer/songwriter you need a song to tell your story and if you can tell it in a way that people see and hear the passion behind it, it will make much more of an impact.

Do you believe that a highly creative person can give more than one art form 100% of their ability/soul (i.e., writing and painting, music and art, etc)? Can a person succeed at more than more, or does trying to do so dilute what they have to offer?

I do believe an artist can be drawn to different types of creative outlets, but if you're giving 110% to a certain project, it should be your main focus and commitment. It should be sucking the life out of you. That is what propels me to want it and want to get somewhere with a new project. It works because it “matters” in a extreme way.

I do also find that mixing it up and finding another creative outlet can help you express yourself in a new way. It may help you see from another perspective and then that relate back to your main project.

The other issue I sometimes face while working on a song is that I end up getting ideas for a new song and then take a right turn. I eventually go back to the main song I was trying to work on. There are times when I just let myself be taken in a different direction by my music and ideas. It's great to see where it leads!

Do you believe some of the various attributes related to being highly creative have caused you aberrations in life, helped you deal with life's aberrations, or both?

Being creative and wanting to follow my heart and gut to be a musician has led me down a road that is different from others who might have chosen a “safer” path. Yes, this may have lead to aberrations in life but, in the long run, getting through those struggles and really getting over the huge mountains that were laid before me (I put them there sometimes) has turned out to be highly rewarding. I've felt energized by my small accomplishments--especially knowing how tough it was to get where I am today.

Have you had to deal with people in your life failing to understand your creative personality, interests, or drive? If so, can you tell us about it and how you've dealt with it?

Yes, I've had a few people in my life who may not have understood to the fullest extent what my passion for music is and why I must do what I do. I knew I could never convince them or make them see through my eyes so I had to slowly weed out some people from my life who were negative or trying to bring me down. Now it's all good. However, I will say that when challenged by people, you need to try to understand their motives. It may not be as simple as a failure to support you.

Unfortunately, many creative people never achieve the success they dream about. Which of your dreams have come to pass and what do you dream about now?

Many creative people never achieve their dreams but it's the pursuit of these dreams that keep up creativity and the ability to continuously challenge ourselves. I still have goals that I want to achieve but fortunately have been blessed by many accomplishments along the way that nudge me to keep going! I'm thankful that I've been able to do what I absolutely love and have had songs in films, won awards and grants, recorded albums, played amazing shows with bigger names and have also played at amazing venues. However, I DO want more! I want to continue all of this and reach out to larger audiences.

Do you ever wonder if what you're creating or expressing is as meaningful to others as it is to you? How important is that to you with regard to your overall goals? If you've created something that purely expresses who you are, is that enough, or is the circle only completed when someone else says that you understand them or how they feel?

I create a song with a story in mind or something that inspired it. When I share it with an audience, it can land on them as the way I see it or they can totally have their own interpretation of it. I'm satisfied if a song can “move” someone and there is a connection. At the end of the day, I don't need people to “get” me or my music to feel complete. When I can finish a song that is one satisfying feeling. When it goes over well, that is the second. If it compels someone to write in to tell me about how much it touched them and how life-changing it was for them, then that is the most amazing feeling there is!

Is there a difference between being creative and being talented? What are your thoughts on this?

Yes, I do believe there is a difference between being “creative” and being “talented.” If you can have both, that is amazing!

I know some musicians who can read music and play any song you lay in front of them; however, they can't create a song of their own from scratch. They are very talented musicians, but maybe not as creative.

For me, just playing a song is not enough. Getting back to the point I made about “HOW” you play a song, I feel that if you are creative and can write a song that is one thing. If you can write the song and then be talented enough to express it in the best possible way, there you have the collaboration of the two working for you.

What is your primary motto or mantra in life? Why is this important to you?

There is an Emerson quote I love that says, "What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." Those words always grounds me and remind me that no matter what great thing I've done, here I am now. No matter what is going to come, here I am NOW. What I've learned inside is more important that what I've accomplished. I try to take that with me and be “present” for every show and every moment. It's sometimes difficult, but a challenge I will always take on.

I also have a motto about music being, “How you sing … and how you play it.” I never want to go through the motions.

The last thing is that I will try any music experience once to see how it goes. Sometimes I'm pleasantly surprised by how amazing it is when I originally thought it was something to pass up.

Exposed in Chaos: My Latest Nude

Exposed in Chaos

36" x 48" Acrylic on Canvas, Mixed Media

This piece is the second in a series of paintings I'm creating called "Nudes in Chaos."

There are three layers of chaos in each piece that represent an emotional terrain:

(1) a personal dark, shadowy place filled with mysterious shapes like lost memories;

(2) the vibrant, crazy, exciting external world; and

(3) the black and white pockets of close-mindedness on top blocking, overshadowing, trying to blot it out, and getting in the way.

The women don't have perfectly formed bodies. (Who does?) I like the idea of things being a little off, yet still interesting and beautiful in the midst of all that chaos. I like that there is unrest yet it all feels right, if not in the moment ... the more you consider it. For me this best reflects life and the human condition. As I move forward, this "Nudes in Chaos" idea, as well as my technique, will evolve so things will likely be altered with each piece.

This piece portrays a woman exposed in chaos. She stands in a bit of an awkward pose as if she has no where to turn. She doesn't quite know what to do with her arms. She lacks the ability to shield herself as she has no hands. Her lack of hands represent wounds or missing pieces of herself.

So I wonder, Is she exposed because she is wounded or because she is naked?

Detail Pics:

















To view more of my art and to see Lost in Chaos, visit my site.

Who is Penelope? (My Google Search Story)

This is cool! I created a Google Search Story. Check it out!



Watch for two new interviews next week on Aberration Nation!

A Healthy Dose of Paranoia: Mollie Kellogg

"Creative is the secret room in the brain to which everyone has access. Talent is what you choose to do after you enter."

I've been thinking a lot about the difference between creative and talented. Here's what the dictionary says:

Creative:
1. Having the quality or power of creating.

2. Resulting from originality of thought, expression, etc.; imaginative

Talented:

1. A marked innate ability, as for artistic accomplishment.
2. Natural endowment or ability of a superior quality.

What I've heard from most of those I've asked is that everyone is creative, or can be creative. It simply takes either the act of producing something or somehow being original. At a basic level, most people express creativity as they are cooking, cleaning, gardening, decorating their home, choosing what to wear, or fixing their hair for the day.

I can do that.

You can do that.

Lots of folks take it a big step further by creating music, art, literature, architecture, computer programs, films, etc. If we put our minds to it, we could all create those things. They might suck, but in reality, we could actually create something we would feel comfortable labeling as a song, a book, a painting, a film, etc. We might even sell it to someone. Wow!

Being talented is another story altogether. My guest today, artist Mollie Kellogg, says that talent is what you choose to do with your creativity once you decide to exercise it. I'll go a step further and suggest that it's also what you are able to do. As hard as they may try, some people aren't capable of creating anything surprisingly different from what their neighbors are creating. Is it markedly above or superior to the work of others? No.

Does it suck?

Maybe not.

Maybe it's okay.

Yesterday I strolled around Chelsea, New York City's famed art district. While I enjoyed popping in and out of the galleries, I was a bit disappointed in the art displayed there. I wondered if it was just me. If I lacked some special filter, the one that tells a highly creative person that what they're viewing is magnificent. In other words, did I lack an appreciation for the art?

(Go ahead, tell me that I have no right to criticize the art since mine isn't there. I can handle it.)

During my visit, I was reminded that art appreciation is subjective. I was also reminded of the process for how artists' work lands in the top Chelsea galleries. I heard a lot about how the "art establishment" works.

After a while it began to sound a bit like corporate America. The art reminded me of those special people who rise to the top while the rest of the folks scratch their heads to the tune of "He's good at networking and politics ... doesn't matter how smart he actually is, how well he manages people and projects, or how much he actually knows about what the hell we do around here."

So here I sit this morning with a lot on my mind about where I want my art to land and why. I'm thinking again about the differences between producing and creating, and creative and talented. I'm wondering all over again who decides the value of art and why. If, in the end, art and music and writing are all just businesses ushered forward by "the establishment," then what is the purpose and where is the place for true talent?

Thomas Edison said, “Genius is 1 percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration.” I've always believed that Mr. Edison's sweat emerged from trying all those ways to make the light bulb work rather than pounding the political pavement. He also said things like, "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." Well, I'm getting the feeling that, at least in American culture, we've twisted these messages into, "Genius takes 1 percent talent and 90 percent politics," and "Opportunity is missed by most people because it's dressed in a business suit and looks like schmoozing."

Can you hear my screams of frustration?

I've always said that I hate to complain if I don't know how to fix it. Perhaps instead of getting smaller, the world has grown large and layered, a network that strangles rather than connects. Perhaps there is value in retreating back to a smaller circle where talent can shine through the B.S., beyond established procedures and steps created by folks with less talent or IQ points, and above the incessant chatter of the average, the political, and the bottom-line thinkers?

Who can possibly change our world now that we're surrounded on all sides by the establishment?

What are they establishing and where is that road leading us?

Mollie's mantra is "better paranoid than sorry." Maybe we should all take a shot of her paranoia and think this over. Otherwise, we may all end up sorry, with nothing to show for ourselves but cold, hard, lonely cash.

What's your story (in a nutshell)?

I am a full-time Creative, 24/7. Born that way. Art, dance, acting. At a cross-roads I chose commercial art over theatre with the thought that I might have a better chance at making a living. My career started in art direction and illustration. As time passed, I intensified my focus on fine art. Always figurative. Fine art and theatre collided in the early 90’s as co-founder of Planet Earth Theatre and Gallery in Phoenix, AZ (and eventually Seattle, WA). I primarily showed large, oversized nudes. After moving to San Diego, CA, I found myself without a space to show/store my work, so I focused on smaller personal works that I wouldn’t mind having around the house a while.

After a decade of theatre work, raising two children, facing health issues, and changing spiritual influences, my art evolved and transformed. Today my images contain a bit of magick, sometimes hidden, as in a portrait such as Onion Hill, or on full display, as in the Incognito Witch Project.

Are you surprised by where you are or did you always see it coming?

I am always surprised at where I am – that is why I won’t go anywhere without my GPS. But seriously, there is a hazard and correlation between getting lost in the creative mind when driving and getting “physically” lost!

With regard to your current creative focus, was there an "ah-ha" moment you can tell us about?

Divorce. Once nature has had its way with you and you have had your kids, (what I call the salmon swimming upstream syndrome), and you find yourself alone, as in divorced, without anyone besides yourself carrying the power to veto your dreams – then every single day has the potential to become an ah-ha moment.

For you, is art more about creation or expression? If could be both, but does one dominate with regard to your need/urge/desire to be an artist?

In my mind, creation without expression results in decorative art. My high school art teacher once chastised a cute little watercolor I showed her as “decorative.” Those word still sting. (Hand grasps at chest.)

Do you believe that a highly creative person can give more than one art form 100% of their ability/soul (i.e., writing and painting, music and art, etc)?

I think highly creative people are naturally drawn to multiple disciplines and can participate passionately in each. However, unless they have a team of people working with or for them, I think it would be very hard to market multiple art forms, from a time perspective, unless the art forms are integrated, somehow.

Can a person succeed at more than more, or does trying to do so dilute what they have to offer?

I think a creative person with multiple talents or even a knack for multiple mediums within a single art form, who finds everything easy for them, might find it hard to focus. And back to marketing, it is hard to tell people who you are if you haven’t discovered that for yourself.

Do you believe some of the various attributes related to being highly creative have caused you aberrations in life, helped you deal with life's aberrations, or both?

In Junior High I was targeted for being very white and very red-headed. Basically I stood out. It probably didn’t help that I wore two different colored socks at times and other much-too-embarrassing incidents to report here. Why did I not fit in? Because my parents just let me be who I was? Could they have taught me to assimilate? However, at the very same time I was hiding out in the classroom at lunch to avoid getting my butt kicked, I danced a solo to Love Will Keep Us Together in the school talent show and I somehow became captain of the Pom-Pom Line choreographing the team dances, despite the team not really liking me. The lesson? If you can’t Fit In, Stand Out. Discipline, talent, persistence and passion will eventually get you respect.

Have you had to deal with people in your life failing to understand your creative personality or drive? Does anyone really understand a Creative and their drive?

Other than another Creative with similar values? Spouses, friends, and other loved ones, even those who are creative, are jealous of sharing you with your other love and the time it takes away from them.

If so, can you tell us about it and how you've dealt with it?

Actually, I think I prefer that they do not understand me. Makes what I have to offer more “special” and “mysterious.” Just as long as they do not fear me. Just my kids should fear me.

Unfortunately, many creative people never achieve the success they dream about. Which of your dreams have come to pass and what do you dream about now?

Life is a Dream and I am not going to be satisfied until the final curtain.

Is there a difference between being creative and being talented?

Creative is the secret room in the brain to which everyone has access. Talent is what you choose to do after you enter. I live in my Creative Room. It is locked from the outside.

What is your primary motto or mantra in life?

Better paranoid than sorry.

Why is this important to you?

I have kids.

Be sure to check out Mollie's 3-part documentary focusing on her Incognito Witch project. Here's the first part:

ABERRATIONS: A Commercial Break

Every so often, I like to remind readers about my debut novel, ABERRATIONS (Greenleaf Book Group). If you haven't read it yet, I invite you to give it a try.

(If you've read ABERRATIONS, please consider sharing this post with your network!)

ABERRATIONS is the story of a young narcoleptic woman whose life has been overshadowed by the mysterious death of her mother. The coming-of-age drama explores how a family mystery influences the lives of those left behind.

Twenty-one-year-old narcoleptic Angel Duet knows her father harbors secrets. His suspicious refusal to discuss her mother's death drives Angel to worship an image created from the little history she does have: her father's sketchy stories and her mother's treasured photography, studies of clouds that have hung in the their foyer for more than twenty years.

When her father's girlfriend moves in, the photographs come down, and Angel's search for truth becomes an obsession. As she struggles to uncover the past and gain control over the narcolepsy that often fogs her world, Angel descends into a dizzying realm of drugs, adultery, and confused desire that further obscures reality.

As Angel begins to expose a history she could never have imagined, she discovers her entire life has been anchored around lies. To truly awaken, Angel must realize that sometimes the gifts we receive are not what we want--and only in time do we see their worth.

Here are a few of the great reviews for ABERRATIONS:

ABERRATIONS was a Book Blogger Top 10 for 2008. It was also recognized in PRINT Magazine's Regional Design Annual 2009 issue for outstanding cover art.

ABERRATIONS is deftly written ... very edgy ... engaging ... insightful ... and fascinating! 5 Stars! Small Press Bookwatch

"ABERRATIONS is a novel filled with gorgeous imagery, quirky characters and deep storytelling. It will stay with you long after you turn the final page!" --Melissa Walker, Lovestruck Summer (HarperTeen) and Violet by Design (Berkley)

"Never was a title so apt in correlation to a novel's theme than Penelope Przekop's debut ABERRATIONS... heavy stuff ..." --Detroit Metro Times

''ABERRATIONS alternates between stormy, stark, and poignant--contemporary Southern fiction at its finest. Aberrations is one of the best novels I've read in a long time. Przekop writes as if she's been a best-selling author for years. She's created a stunning page-turner packed with emotion and beautiful storytelling.'' --Kim Lenox, Night Darkly Falls and So Still the Night (Signet)

ABERRATIONS is accurately titled, full of domestic conflict, romances gone awry, and immature behavior. Yet it’s compelling. Angel is flawed, but interesting. The book makes its point. --The Baton Rouge Advocate

I loved the twists in ABERRATIONS! Very Clever! Przekop's ability to capture the poignancy and beauty of a moment and make it live on a page is truly a wonder. --DeAnna Cameron, The Belly Dancer (Berkley)

The ABERRATIONS book trailer:



And believe it or not, there's even an ABERRATIONS song. Philadelphia songwriter Rhashon Hamilton was so moved by ABERRATIONS that he wrote a song about it. Go here to listen.

ABERRATIONS is available wherever books are sold, and on Amazon.

To learn more about me and my writing, check out this new interview on author Sandra Carey Cody's site.

Hope Can Set You Free: Antwone Fisher

"What are the stereotypes? I know so many creative people who are so vastly different."

Since January I've interviewed an overflowing handful of gifted folks. Perhaps those few fail to statistically represent all creatives but hopefully they provide insight into the hearts and minds of this fascinating group.

Unfortunately, one thing I've learned through the exercise is that I'm as guilty as the next guy of having a few preconceived notions about creatives. There are certainly many similarities yet, in reality, there exist vast differences.

One of the main variations that stands out for me is childhood experience. Not every creative person had a difficult, tough, or downright tragic childhood. I continue to wonder how having such a start has molded many of us, and how that might impact the innate creativity we have. Yet I see more and more that we're all unique.

In the end, perhaps it comes down to:

• How we experience life, whatever our world may be

• How we breath stimuli in, assess it, and assimilate it into who we are

• What we take from our experiences and what we ultimately seek to give

Perhaps it's a breathtaking, complex mix of genetics and destiny that brings us together.

My guest today, Antwone Fisher, has a remarkable story. When I read his memoir, Finding Fish, it instantly jumped onto my short list of favorites. I fell in love with it not only because his story is so inspiring but also due to the way he expresses it--the way he relays his experiences and how he shows us who he was and who he became. In 2002, despite his lack of notoriety, Antwone's story managed to emerge as a powerful movie that marked the directorial debut of Denzel Washington.

I wasn't surprised.

Many of us have demons that vary in shape, size, density, etc. whether from the bowels of childhood or from more recent adult experiences--aberrations we long to forget. Yet often they ultimately drive us forward. Antwone's story and his ongoing courage expresses the very heart of Aberration Nation.

In reading his responses, I sense that he has done the work of forgiving and letting go. Now he marches on to the beat of his own personal drum, which seems to ring out with a tune of quiet strength.

His new book, A Boy Should Know How to Tie a Tie, will be released on April 20th. I can't wait to read it. I'm sure that whatever Antwone has to share about succeeding in life is valuable not only for boys, but also for me and you.

What's your story (in a nutshell)? How did you end up where you are today? Are you surprised by where you are, or did you always see it coming?

I was born to an incarcerated teen mother and placed in foster care until she was to claim me. She never did. My father died two months before I was born and neither family (my mother's or my father's) knew that I existed.

In the foster home, I endured physical, emotional and sexual abuse and as an adult, I had to learn to overcome the anger I had as a result of how I was treated as a child. I have lived my life day by day so I am not surprised by where I am nor did I see it coming.

It all happened gradually and with lots of work.

With regard to your current focus in life, was there an "ah-ha" moment you can tell us about?

When I was a teen, I was emancipated from foster care and I ended up homeless. At one point, I went to live with the daughter of my foster mother and I realized I was right back where I started, so I had to do something about it.

I went back to being homeless, then I saw a sign that read, "Join the Navy and see The World." It changed my life.

What are your thoughts on the stereotypes that creative people sometimes fall into?

What are the stereotypes? I know so many creative people who are so vastly different.

Do you believe being creative has caused you aberrations in life, helped you deal with life's aberrations, or both?

My creativity, my imagination, my ability to reason is what has saved me and helped me endure.

Have you had to deal with people in your life failing to understand your creative personality or drive? If so, can you tell us about it and how you've dealt with it?

No, I have been surrounded by people who have always encouraged my creativity.

So far, the majority of those I've interviewed about creativity say that the internal question of, "Am I truly creative or do I just think I am?" has never crossed their mind. Is this true for you? Am I the only one who has, at times, wondered if I'm just kidding myself?

I have always been an artist in some way. I thought I would become a paint important paintings, but now I paint with words. I never thought of myself as anything other than a creative person.

Unfortunately, many creative people never achieve the success they dream about. Which of your dreams have come to pass and what do you dream about now?

I dream of directing great films. I started thinking about that a few years ago. I just finished the editing on a short film that I wrote and directed. So ... I can't imagine that I won't direct films in the future.

I often wonder about the similarities and differences creative people have in terms of thought processes. Is there one method or way that you get most of your ideas, and if so, can you describe that? If not, can you tell us a little bit about how your mind works?

Many of my inspired thoughts come from music, but I also get ideas from being outside and feeling the breeze cross my face. The ocean inspires me. After all, I am a sailor.

What are the top three characteristics highly creative people need to be successful, in your opinion?

I need a clutter-free work environment, the belief that I can do or say anything and pull back later if I must and the freedom to dream.

What is your primary motto or mantra in life? Why is this important to you?

A quote from the Shawshank Redemption movie poster, "Fear Can Hold you Prisoner; Hope Can Set You Free."

The thought allows me to get over any apprehension I may have.