Inside the creative process

I’m a sucker for any creator of anything talking at length, and with passion, about making something. I love when comedians discuss the craft of working and reworking their acts on stage and behind-the-scenes. I’ll sit, mouth agape, watching an actor or a musician pick apart their latest project.

You could paint orange frogs on ceramic coasters for a living, and the moment you started philosophizing about the craft, I’M SO THERE.

Inside the creative process is where creativity lives. It’s not about the idea striking you. (Waiting for the Muse is an excuse for why we don’t start, proceed, and ship. The Muse doesn’t exist.) The real magic happens during the act of creating, when things get messy, unplanned goodness is found, and new constraints force you to make compromises and unexpected decisions. In other words, creativity happens in the hidden moments, in the minutiae.

On Monday, August 31, I’d like to explore this idea with you. I’ve just launched my first documentary series, Against the Grain, and the producer, the DP/editor, and I as the host/writer/co-director, invite you to join us as we discuss the process and all the weird, wonderful, and yes, sometimes hand-wringing moments it entailed.

We’re going inside the making of the series — specifically, episode 1 featuring Death Wish Coffee. Click here to RSVP for free and get a free, early draft copy of my next book, too. (If you register, no marketing emails will follow. Not even one.)

Hope to see you on the live call — bring plenty of questions!