A year ago I got up early in the morning, grabbed my coffee, and sat in my garden to put the finishing touches on the first solid draft of a book. The morning writing pattern has repeated itself on another beautiful autumn day as I write this update to let you know where My Creative Journey has taken me.

I started this blog a little over seven years ago. I needed a place to be creatively free and separate from my day job as an art director. I found a community of writers who welcomed me with open arms and most surprising of all, people wanted to read what I wrote. My Creative Journey took me to unexpected places and my blog evolved. I started to write more about people who inspired me and who lived their lives creatively. I started a new section called Creative Heroes and my sweetie, Steve, filmed the interviews.

Two years ago an election happened that shook up the world. I started to ask myself, “What can I do to make the world a better place?” The answer that came to me was to write a book and write it on creativity. I believe creativity can fill your life with joy. I also believe it can make the world a better place. Understanding one’s creativity allows one to see things from a different perspective and that can prompt change.

“Growing Your Creativity” is a 6-week process book. It’s like a curriculum where one week builds on the last. It takes you step-by-step to understanding your creative roots so your life can blossom.

In the last year, I’ve had editors and friends read my draft. I’ve had a focus group go through the process. I incorporated the input and added stories, some of which I wrote in the Creative Heroes section of this blog. This Spring I put my art director hat on and designed it. It organically grew into a workbook.

I’ve now got a website to help spread the world, conniemcleod.com. I printed a few advance copies and I’ve started to put it out into the world. The seeds have been planted. I’m starting to book speaking engagements, guided book groups, and there’s even the probability of a creative retreat in 2019.

“Growing Your Creativity, The Live Your Life with Joy Workbook” officially goes on sale December 1. It can be bought on my website and I’ll mail you the spiral bound workbook or you can download a pdf ebook. Preorders are now being accepted.

In a few months my website will have more bells and whistles and I will move this blog to the new space. I will, of course, keep you updated.

The thing about creative journeys is that they make sense in hindsight. A need for creative freedom led me to blogging. Blogging turned me into a writer. A need to make the world a better place led me to write a book. A passion for gardening gave me a metaphor for my book idea to grow. My creative journey gave me the healthy roots to make this happen.

You can go to my website and read the first chapter for free. I am booking speaking engagements for 2019. You can contact me at connie@conniemcleod.com. I’m still polishing up my social media pages, but you can find me on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, or Twitter. If you’re in my area, I’m always up for a cup of coffee or a glass of wine.

Thank you for being a part of this journey of mine.