Writers on Writing: Cege Smith

Books That Inspired Me: Healing The Artist Within

The book presented itself to me exactly at the point in time when I was facing a harsh reality. Things in my life and with my writing felt hard. I felt downtrodden and like I would never accomplish anything close to my writing goals. And that’s when I read a blog post that mentioned The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron.

It was a 12-week, self-paced course in creativity geared towards all types of artists- not just writers. Its promise was intriguing. (Creativity!  Hey, I could use some of that!) So I downloaded it, and after reading the first chapter, I knew that this was the book I unknowingly had been looking for. This book would change my life (and I don’t make such a statements lightly). The very first lessons focus on healing and nurturing that lovely little spirit inside that calls you to create.

My own was broken, shattered really. And I decided that enough was enough. I dove into the required weekly exercises and started writing 3 long-hand journal pages everyday as she recommends, and is a habit that I continue today. Within a week I had dusted off my manuscript for Edge of Shadows and was actively re-editing it. Three weeks later I wrote the first draft for The Soul Garden. And less than two months later I published Edge of Shadows for all the world to see.

In less than 60 days, I went from a wallowing pool of self-pity to published author. I have been saying for years that I would do this and I never did. The Artist’s Way completely shifted my perspective and helped me see that the artist inside of me was worthy of care and love. I was one who was letting it down.

Although my day job keeps me incredibly busy, I completed the 12-week course on schedule, on the heels of yet another new manuscript. I am proud to say that now, less than five months later, I have published two novels and a novella, and am well into my next novel.

If you feel the despair of your inner artist, this book will rock your world. But as with anything, plan to get out of it what you put in. If you commit to the process, you will come out feeling like you can move mountains.

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Cege Smith survives and thrives on caffeine and cheesy, B-rated horror films. Her multitude of part-time jobs in early adulthood (plasma center processor and karaoke DJ to name a few) ensure a vast repository of content for novels for years to come. You can check out Cege's blog at www.cegesmith.com. 

Author of Edge of Shadows, a paranormal romance

My Goodreads profile: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5329790.Cege_Smith 

Purchase Edge of Shadows here.