Create Art Podcast – Détails, épisodes et analyse

This podcast episode focuses on the importance of spreading kindness in our artistic pursuits, inspired by Michael Brennan's workbook, "Make Fun a Habit." Timothy Kimo Brien emphasizes that kindness should not only be directed outward to the audience and community but also inward, towards ourselves, as a way to acknowledge our skills and passions. The episode dives into a series of reflective questions designed to help creators assess their strengths, weaknesses, and resources, ultimately highlighting the need to understand our contributions to the world. Timothy shares personal insights from his creative journey, including his experiences with poetry and music, and offers actionable items for listeners to engage in acts of kindness through their art. The conversation encourages artists to be mindful of their intentions and to cultivate relationships with their community while remaining patient and open to feedback.

Making Fun A Habit Series

30 days to add fun to your creative practice. I will be going through Mike Brennan's Make Fun A Habit workbook and help you make fun a habit. I had the pleasure of interviewing Mike on my other podcast Find A Podcast About and talking about his podcast Creative Chats. This workbook leads you through steps to rekindle the fun in your life and get you into a space where you are your most creative. This is a 30-day book and I will tackle each day as if it were a week and provide insights on how to use his ideas in your creative practice. Each chapter is broken up with a short story, questions to ponder, action items, and tips.

Assignment

Questions

1. What are your strengths and weaknesses as a creator? What are you good at creating? What do you need to work on?
2. What are your resources? How much time do you have? What materials do you have access to?
3. What are your goals for serving others through your creations? What do you hope to achieve?
4. How will you measure your success? How will you know you are making a difference?

Action Items

1. Write a poem or a song for someone who is going through a rough time
2. Create a piece of art for a local charity
3. Design a website for a non-profit
4. Bake cookies for your neighbors
5. Volunteer your time to teach a class

Tips

1. Start with a clear intention
2. Consider the needs of your audience
3. Don't be afraid to ask for feedback
4. Be patient
5. Be mindful of your resources

Takeaways:

• Incorporating fun into your artistic practice can enhance creativity and joy in your work.
• Understanding your strengths and weaknesses as a creator is essential for personal growth.
• Creating art for others, such as writing poetry for those in need, spreads kindness.
• Consider the resources you have available, including time and materials, to maximize your creative efforts.
• Serving your audience with intention can lead to meaningful connections through your art.
• Measuring success in art can be about personal impact rather than just numbers or sales.

Links referenced in this episode:

• timothyreatartpodcast.com
• tkbpodcaststudio.com
• findapodcastabout.xyz

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• TKB Podcast Studio
• Podmatch
• Podcast Beacon

How do I get such great guests?

PodMatch I use Podmatch to get the best guests on the show. Check out PodMatch if you want to guest on other podcasts or if you have a podcast and need guests for your show. Guests from Podmatch

Make Sharing your podcast easier

Use Podcast Beacon for the best NFS products to share your podcast while out and about or at conferences.

Reach Out To The Podcast

To reach out to me, email timothy@createartpodcast.com I would love to hear about your journey and what you are working on. If you would like to be on the show or have me discuss a topic that is giving you trouble write in and let's start that conversation.

• Email: timothy@createartpodcast.com
• YouTube Channel: Create Art Podcast YT Channel
• IG: @createartpodcast
• Twitter: @createartpod

Create Art Podcast Newsletter

timothybrien.substack.com

Special Message

If you have found value in this podcast, please share it with a friend as that is the best way to discover new podcasts. I want this to be a 5-star podcast in your eyes so let me know what you would like to see.

Speaking about sharing with a friend, check out my other podcast Find A Podcast About where I help you outsmart the algorithm and find your next binge-worthy podcast. You can find that podcast at findapodcastabout.xyz.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

Create Art Podcast: Listener Reviews and Upcoming Events

Welcome to a special edition of the Create Art Podcast, where we delve into listener reviews and upcoming projects that are stirring excitement. My name is Timothy Kimo Brien, your host, and I'm thrilled to share some heartfelt interactions and future plans with you. As fall graces us here in Fredericksburg, Virginia, bringing its pumpkins, leaves, and crisp weather, it feels like the perfect time to pause and reflect on what we've accomplished together.

Listener Reviews and Acknowledgments

One of the highlights of this podcast journey has been the incredible feedback from listeners and collaborators. Recently, I received a touching message from a long-term listener and fellow collaborator, York Campbell, who runs the Welcome to Earth Stories podcast. York shared his thoughts on my episode about harnessing negativity for creativity, expressing how it resonated deeply with him. Feedback like this reminds me why sincerity and honesty are at the heart of this show.

Additionally, I took the opportunity to share reviews from various guests who have graced the podcast. Dr. Joshua Karbala praised the engaging and comfortable environment we've created here, while Shabana highlighted the inspiration she found in our conversations. It's words like these that affirm the connections and impact we are making.

Upcoming Events and Personal Growth

Looking forward, there are some exciting events and personal milestones on the horizon. I am participating in personal training for my health, tackling hypertension and diabetes, and have found great solace and balance through a 90-day meditation challenge led by Yogi Brian. This practice has brought calmness and clarity, reinforcing my belief in the power of meditation to aid personal development.

In terms of creative projects, November brings National Novel Writing Month, during which I'll be finishing a novel that I started years ago. I also plan on compiling a poetry book comprising five years of poems from NaPoWriMo. On the visual arts front, I'm working on a collage of show art and aspiring to host an exhibition of my string paintings.

New Ventures and Opportunities

I've recently launched TKB Podcast Studio, my podcast consulting agency, already gaining traction with my first client. If you're looking to start your own podcast, I'm here to help you cut through the noise. Furthermore, I'm exploring affiliate partnerships with services like Podcast Beacon, Podmatch, and Pod Page — all of which have significantly enhanced my podcasting experience.

Final Thoughts

The interactions and experiences shared in this post highlight the power of art to connect and inspire. Whether through personal transformation or creative endeavors, every step is about expressing and sharing our journey. I hope you find encouragement in these stories to tame your inner critic and create more than you consume.

If this resonates with you, share this post with friends and let them discover the stories and possibilities that creative involvement can unlock. Remember, as we move forward, keep showing your work, whether it’s writing, music, or podcasting. Encourage yourself and others, and let your art be a testament to your journey and growth.

Thank you for joining me in this reflection and for being a part of this creative community. Feel free to reach out at Timothy at createartpodcast.com. Together, let’s continue to pave the way for art and inspiration.

Links

1. York Campbell Welcome To Earth Stories
2. https://www.shebanacoelho.com/catalyst?ref=faraway-is-close.ghost.io
3. https://www.createartpodcast.com/latest-posts-6/
4. https://www.createartpodcast.com/latest-posts-2/
5. https://www.createartpodcast.com/interview-putting-the-spirit-back-into-your-art/
6. https://www.createartpodcast.com/interview-amy-bernstein-book-coach/
7. https://www.createartpodcast.com/commentary-hospitality/

How do I get such great guests?

PodMatch I use Podmatch to get the best guests on the show. Check out PodMatch if you want to guest on other podcasts or if you have a podcast and need guests for your show. Guests from Podmatch

Make Sharing your podcast easier

Use Podcast Beacon for the best NFS products to share your podcast while out and about or at conferences.

Reach Out To The Podcast

To reach out to me, email timothy@createartpodcast.com I would love to hear about your journey and what you are working on. If you would like to be on the show or have me discuss a topic that is giving you trouble write in and let's start that conversation.

• Email: timothy@createartpodcast.com
• YouTube Channel: Create Art Podcast YT Channel
• IG: @createartpodcast
• Twitter: @createartpod

Create Art Podcast Newsletter

timothybrien.substack.com

Special Message

If you have found value in this podcast, please share it with a friend as that is the best way to discover new podcasts. I want this to be a 5-star podcast in your eyes so let me know what you would like to see.

Speaking about sharing with a friend, check out my other podcast Find A Podcast About where I help you outsmart the algorithm and find your next binge-worthy podcast. You can find that podcast at findapodcastabout.xyz.

I am trying to utilize YouTube more, so make sure to check out my YouTube Channel to see me doing the episodes right in front of you.

Takeaways:

• The importance of listener feedback was highlighted, emphasizing how it can motivate creators.
• Ronica shared personal health challenges and the steps taken to improve fitness and well-being.
• Upcoming events and projects, including National Novel Writing Month, were discussed as opportunities for creativity.
• York Campbell's listener message emphasized the shared struggle with confidence in creativity.
• Ronica encouraged engaging with audiences and preserving positive feedback during challenging times.
• The episode underscored the value of building connections within the podcasting community.

Links referenced in this episode:

• welcometoearthstories.com
• tkbpodcaststudio.com

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Podmatch
• Yogi Brian

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

Making Fun A Habit Series

30 days to add fun into your creative practice. I will be going through Mike Brennan's Make Fun A Habit workbook and help you make fun a habit. I had the pleasure of interviewing Mike on my other podcast Find A Podcast About and talking about his podcast Creative Chats. This workbook leads you through steps to rekindle the fun in your life and get you in a space where you are your most creative. This is a 30 day book and I will be tackling each day as if it were a week and providing you insights on how you can use his ideas in your creative practice. Each chapter is broken up with a short story, questions to ponder, action items and tips.

Yes, And

Doing improv is not about being funny, its about taking what your scene partner gives you and running with it. Improv doesn't just happen on the stage, it happens when two or more people get together and trust each other enough that they can go along with whatever the other person gives them. Yes it can be funny and usually is when professionals do improv, but they have taken the time to get to know each other in order to know what the next person will do. Life doesn't have a script, neither should your art.

Question to ponder

• What seems exciting or scary about improv?
• How do you think improv can create some fun and impact specific areas of your life and work?
• Who do you know whom seems to be a master of improv? What makes them a master?

Action item: Learn some improv exercises such as Yes And, One word at a time, Scene swap, hot potato

Tips:

• Be prepared to fail
• Listen to your partner
• Be specific
• Be Honest
• Have Fun

Reach Out To The Podcast

To reach out to me, email timothy@createartpodcast.com I would love to hear about your journey and what you are working on. If you would like to be on the show or have me discuss a topic that is giving you trouble write in and let's start that conversation.

• Email: timothy@createartpodcast.com
• YouTube Channel: Create Art Podcast YT Channel
• IG: @createartpodcast
• Twitter: @createartpod

Create Art Podcast Newsletter

timothybrien.substack.com

Special Message

If you have found value in this podcast, please share it with a friend as that is the best way to discover new podcasts. I want this to be a 5-star podcast in your eyes so let me know what you would like to see.

Speaking about sharing with a friend, check out my other podcast Find A Podcast About where I help you outsmart the algorithm and find your next binge-worthy podcast. You can find that podcast at findapodcastabout.xyz.

I am trying to utilize YouTube more, so make sure to check out my YouTube Channel to see me doing the episodes right in front of you.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

History of National Poetry Writing Month

National Poetry Writing Month (also known as NaPoWriMo) is a creative writing project held annually in April in which participants attempt to write a poem each day for one month. NaPoWriMo coincides with National Poetry Month in the United States of America and Canada.

This website is owned and operated by Maureen Thorson, a poet living in Washington, DC. Inspired by NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month), she started writing a poem a day for the month of April back in 2003, posting the poems on her blog. When other people started writing poems for April and posting them on their own blogs, Maureen linked to them. After a few years, so many people were doing NaPoWriMo that Maureen decided to launch an independent website for the project.

My History with National Poetry Writing Month

I started writing poetry in 1988 after I had been exposed to T.S. Elliot in my honors English class in high school. In 1992 I started reading my poetry publicly at Espresso Europia Coffee Shop in Abilene Tx while I was in the United States Air Force. While living in Rockford Illinois I published my first book of poetry Throwing Yourself at the Ground and Missing in 2007 followed by Postcards From Someone You Don't Know in 2008 Wisdom From the Sack in 2010 and Shaving Crop Circles In My Chest Hair in 2017. You can get copies of all of these books in my merch section. In 2020 I started publishing my podcast version of the challenge and those can be viewed here for 2020 and here for 2021.

What I am doing differently for Poetry Month

For 2023 I am not going to be just writing poems in April, I will be writing poems all year round. Also, since I will be writing all year round, I am using a different source for my prompts. There is a blog called Think Written and you can find it here. I will also be performing these works at Katora Coffee House here in Fredericksburg Virginia on their Friday Night Snaps Open Mic Poetry reading. Some of the podcast episodes you will hear will be a live recording of me reading the poem to a live audience, other times I will be reading it in the comfort of my home studio. I do plan on posting my work to the NaPoWriMo site and interacting with the poets there and see if they want to read their work on this podcast.

Todays Poetry Prompt

Today’s prompt challenges you to also write a love poem, one that names at least one flower, contains one parenthetical statement, and in which at least some lines break in unusual places.  

Giving Love Another Try 

25 April 2023 

I wasn’t content  

With being  

Alone 

But I wasn’t interested 

In sharing 

Everything 

I wasn’t content 

With the 

Life 

But I wasn’t interested 

In starting  

Over 

I wasn’t content 

With the 

Past 

But I wasn’t interested 

In rehashing 

Us 

I wasn’t content 

With the 

Situation 

But I wasn’t interested 

In developing  

Feelings 

(I found contentment in your eyes, I found interest in your smile I found tulips where you walked)) 

You didn’t want 

Just another 

Body 

But you did 

Try to 

Love 

You didn’t want 

This to  

Fail 

But you did 

Rely on 

Defenses 

You didn’t want 

Me to  

Escape 

But you did 

Honor my 

Freedom 

(You found where I hid my heart, You found a way to trust me You found daisies to put everywhere) 

We weren’t sure 

About our  

Compatibility 

But we tried 

To make 

It 

We weren’t sure 

About being 

Dependent 

But we tried 

With open 

Minds 

We weren’t sure 

About our  

Lasting 

But we tried 

And are 

Trying 

(We were met with scoffs, We sometimes scoffed at ourselves we planted a family) 

We weren’t sure but we tried 

You didn’t want but you did 

I wasn’t content but I wasn’t interested  

(And so far, it’s the journey  

That we needed to be on 

Together) 

Sign Up for the Create Art Podcast Newsletter

Or Subscribe Here

Reaching Out To The Podcast

To reach out to me, email timothy@createartpodcast.com I would love to hear about your journey and what you are working on. If you would like to be on the show or have me discuss a topic that is giving you trouble write in and let's start that conversation.

• Email: timothy@createartpodcast.com
• YouTube Channel: Create Art Podcast YT Channel
• IG: @createartpodcast
• Twitter: @createartpod

Special Message

If you have found value in this podcast please feel free to share it with a friend as that is the best way to find new podcasts. I want this to be a 5-star podcast in your eyes so let me know what you would like to see. Speaking about sharing with a friend, check out my other podcast Find A Podcast About where I help you outsmart the algorithm and find your next binge-worthy podcast. . You can find that podcast at findapodcastabout.xyz.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

History of National Poetry Writing Month

National Poetry Writing Month (also known as NaPoWriMo) is a creative writing project held annually in April in which participants attempt to write a poem each day for one month. NaPoWriMo coincides with National Poetry Month in the United States of America and Canada.

This website is owned and operated by Maureen Thorson, a poet living in Washington, DC. Inspired by NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month), she started writing a poem a day for the month of April back in 2003, posting the poems on her blog. When other people started writing poems for April and posting them on their own blogs, Maureen linked to them. After a few years, so many people were doing NaPoWriMo that Maureen decided to launch an independent website for the project.

My History with National Poetry Writing Month

I started writing poetry in 1988 after I had been exposed to T.S. Elliot in my honors English class in high school. In 1992 I started reading my poetry publicly at Espresso Europia Coffee Shop in Abilene Tx while I was in the United States Air Force. While living in Rockford Illinois I published my first book of poetry Throwing Yourself at the Ground and Missing in 2007 followed by Postcards From Someone You Don't Know in 2008 Wisdom From the Sack in 2010 and Shaving Crop Circles In My Chest Hair in 2017. You can get copies of all of these books in my merch section. In 2020 I started publishing my podcast version of the challenge and those can be viewed here for 2020 and here for 2021.

What I am doing differently for Poetry Month

For 2023 I am not going to be just writing poems in April, I will be writing poems all year round. Also, since I will be writing all year round, I am using a different source for my prompts. There is a blog called Think Written and you can find it here. I will also be performing these works at Katora Coffee House here in Fredericksburg Virginia on their Friday Night Snaps Open Mic Poetry reading. Some of the podcast episodes you will hear will be a live recording of me reading the poem to a live audience, other times I will be reading it in the comfort of my home studio. I do plan on posting my work to the NaPoWriMo site and interacting with the poets there and see if they want to read their work on this podcast.

Todays Poetry Prompt

I’d like to challenge you to write a poem in the form of a review. But not a review of a book or a movie of a restaurant. Instead, I challenge you to write a poetic review of something that isn’t normally reviewed. For example, your mother-in-law, the moon, or the year you were ten years old. 

2 Stars 

24 April 2023 

Not a big fan of 2020 

I rated that year at zero stars 

If I could have, I would have gone into the negative numbers  

but your system doesn’t allow for that 

Someone is upper management needs to know what happened 

I usually like to give years the benefit of the doubt 

And think about them from a different perspective 

But 2020 was worse than 2016 

And that is saying something 

So I decided that maybe I was being a bit harsh 

 And I gave 2020 1 star in 2021 

There were a lot of lessons learned in that year 

Things seemed to be getting better 

I could find toilet paper everywhere I went 

I am talking 2 ply 

And the ads for bidets didn’t interest me anymore 

Kids were back in school  

The talk of mass extinction was quashed 

And except for that one day in January 

Things were okay, not normal but okay 

In 2022 I kept my 1-star rating of 2020 

Because it seems we still haven’t learned the lessons 

We needed to learn to prevent another 2020 from happening 

And we were 2 years out 

I mean come on folks 

I know some of our family trees don’t fork 

But at least lets really look at what happened  

And not do the same shit all over again 

At some points it looked like we were going to go back 

And then I would have had to go back down to zero stars 

So here we are in 2023 

I have to say I am not recommending 2020 under any circumstances 

However, I am raising my rating to 2 stars 

We got through it, and we are here right now 

A bit smarter 

A bit larger 

And all in the comfort of our homes 

If we are lucky enough to be able to have a stay-at-home job 

We praised the essential workers 

Until the next headline came by 

We praised some of our elected officials 

Until they were found making backdoor deals as usual 

Some of us have even found our true calling 

And left the world of bosses behind 

I don’t plan on shopping here for future years 

Nor can I recommend shopping here for the future 

Look what we are leaving the young with 

The four horsemen on red bull and bottom shelf vodka  

I won’t be here for the hangover that’s coming 

Sign Up for the Create Art Podcast Newsletter

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Reaching Out To The Podcast

To reach out to me, email timothy@createartpodcast.com I would love to hear about your journey and what you are working on. If you would like to be on the show or have me discuss a topic that is giving you trouble write in and let's start that conversation.

• Email: timothy@createartpodcast.com
• YouTube Channel: Create Art Podcast YT Channel
• IG: @createartpodcast
• Twitter: @createartpod

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Special Message

If you have found value in this podcast please feel free to share it with a friend as that is the best way to find new podcasts. I want this to be a 5-star podcast in your eyes so let me know what you would like to see. Speaking about sharing with a friend, check out my other podcast Find A Podcast About where I help you outsmart the algorithm and find your next binge-worthy podcast. . You can find that podcast at findapodcastabout.xyz.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

History of National Poetry Writing Month

National Poetry Writing Month (also known as NaPoWriMo) is a creative writing project held annually in April in which participants attempt to write a poem each day for one month. NaPoWriMo coincides with National Poetry Month in the United States of America and Canada.

This website is owned and operated by Maureen Thorson, a poet living in Washington, DC. Inspired by NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month), she started writing a poem a day for the month of April back in 2003, posting the poems on her blog. When other people started writing poems for April and posting them on their own blogs, Maureen linked to them. After a few years, so many people were doing NaPoWriMo that Maureen decided to launch an independent website for the project.

My History with National Poetry Writing Month

I started writing poetry in 1988 after I had been exposed to T.S. Elliot in my honors English class in high school. In 1992 I started reading my poetry publicly at Espresso Europia Coffee Shop in Abilene Tx while I was in the United States Air Force. While living in Rockford Illinois I published my first book of poetry Throwing Yourself at the Ground and Missing in 2007 followed by Postcards From Someone You Don't Know in 2008 Wisdom From the Sack in 2010 and Shaving Crop Circles In My Chest Hair in 2017. You can get copies of all of these books in my merch section. In 2020 I started publishing my podcast version of the challenge and those can be viewed here for 2020 and here for 2021.

What I am doing differently for Poetry Month

For 2023 I am not going to be just writing poems in April, I will be writing poems all year round. Also, since I will be writing all year round, I am using a different source for my prompts. There is a blog called Think Written and you can find it here. I will also be performing these works at Katora Coffee House here in Fredericksburg Virginia on their Friday Night Snaps Open Mic Poetry reading. Some of the podcast episodes you will hear will be a live recording of me reading the poem to a live audience, other times I will be reading it in the comfort of my home studio. I do plan on posting my work to the NaPoWriMo site and interacting with the poets there and see if they want to read their work on this podcast.

Todays Poetry Prompt

Now, cast your mind back to your own childhood and write a poem about something that scared you – or was used to scare you – and which still haunts you (if only a little bit) today. 

Summer Nightmare 

19 April 2023 

The heat had settled in for the season 

We were sweltering although the sun had gone down hours ago 

When building the house 

It was decided not to have central air or a basement 

Our neighborhood was rumored to have been built on a gravesite 

For the indigenous population 

It was the type of rumor to keep kids in at night 

But some rumors need to be heeded 

It was another night of sweating 

With the hum of fans that put us to sleep 

I knew I was dreaming 

Only to wake up to the sound of a broken window 

I peered over to my window 

The drapes were opened when they should have been shut 

And a figure was standing outside 

Readying what appeared to be a bow and arrow 

I heard a swoosh and then a thud in the wall  

Right above my stomach 

And then I sprang up 

Breaking the shaft of the arrow 

And ran to my parents' room 

I forgot about the fan in my startled state 

And ran right through the fan 

Slicing up my knee and leg 

Waking my father who took me to the bathroom 

We cleaned off the blood in the tub 

And I frantically told him what happened 

I had awakened everyone in the house 

As we turned on the light in my bedroom 

We found the window intact 

The drapes pulled back 

But no broken shaft 

Just two arrowheads lodged into the wall 

Right above where I slept 

My father thought I had planted the arrowheads 

As one could find them easily in our neighborhood 

And decided to yell at me for breaking his sleep 

Telling me this was all in my wild imagination 

When we moved away years later 

The arrowheads I recovered from that night 

Were lost in the move 

But I still can feel the figure pursuing me 

And I always make sure the drapes are closed  

Sign Up for the Create Art Podcast Newsletter

Or Subscribe Here

Reaching Out To The Podcast

To reach out to me, email timothy@createartpodcast.com I would love to hear about your journey and what you are working on. If you would like to be on the show or have me discuss a topic that is giving you trouble write in and let's start that conversation.

• Email: timothy@createartpodcast.com
• YouTube Channel: Create Art Podcast YT Channel
• IG: @createartpodcast
• Twitter: @createartpod

Special Message

If you have found value in this podcast please feel free to share it with a friend as that is the best way to find new podcasts. I want this to be a 5-star podcast in your eyes so let me know what you would like to see. Speaking about sharing with a friend, check out my other podcast Find A Podcast About where I help you outsmart the algorithm and find your next binge-worthy podcast. . You can find that podcast at findapodcastabout.xyz.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

History of National Poetry Writing Month

National Poetry Writing Month (also known as NaPoWriMo) is a creative writing project held annually in April in which participants attempt to write a poem each day for one month. NaPoWriMo coincides with National Poetry Month in the United States of America and Canada.

This website is owned and operated by Maureen Thorson, a poet living in Washington, DC. Inspired by NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month), she started writing a poem a day for the month of April back in 2003, posting the poems on her blog. When other people started writing poems for April and posting them on their own blogs, Maureen linked to them. After a few years, so many people were doing NaPoWriMo that Maureen decided to launch an independent website for the project.

My History with National Poetry Writing Month

I started writing poetry in 1988 after I had been exposed to T.S. Elliot in my honors English class in high school. In 1992 I started reading my poetry publicly at Espresso Europia Coffee Shop in Abilene Tx while I was in the United States Air Force. While living in Rockford Illinois I published my first book of poetry Throwing Yourself at the Ground and Missing in 2007 followed by Postcards From Someone You Don't Know in 2008 Wisdom From the Sack in 2010 and Shaving Crop Circles In My Chest Hair in 2017. You can get copies of all of these books in my merch section. In 2020 I started publishing my podcast version of the challenge and those can be viewed here for 2020 and here for 2021.

What I am doing differently for Poetry Month

For 2023 I am not going to be just writing poems in April, I will be writing poems all year round. Also, since I will be writing all year round, I am using a different source for my prompts. There is a blog called Think Written and you can find it here. I will also be performing these works at Katora Coffee House here in Fredericksburg Virginia on their Friday Night Snaps Open Mic Poetry reading. Some of the podcast episodes you will hear will be a live recording of me reading the poem to a live audience, other times I will be reading it in the comfort of my home studio. I do plan on posting my work to the NaPoWriMo site and interacting with the poets there and see if they want to read their work on this podcast.

Todays Poetry Prompt

Cafeteria: Create a poem inspired by the people who might be eating lunch in a cafeteria at school or at a hospital. 

Chicken Enchilada  

17 April 2023 

I was back in Illinois 

Not my hometown or the city I adopted 

But a small-town dependent on the base 

I had just puddle-jumped from St. Louis 

When in processing was done 

And I had raised my hand when asked  

Who was a musician 

I was whisked away to a special squadron 

A small group of us who raised our hands 

Stood in the day room of the squadron 

We were given rooms  

And a tour of our new temporary home 

We were told to drop off our luggage 

And return later that afternoon 

So, we all silently went to our rooms 

I knew at that time to pack lightly 

To tread lightly on this Earth 

And as I opened the door to my new home 

My new roommate was not there 

Heading back down to the dining facility 

I wanted to have a few moments of solitude   

I’d just spent 6 weeks living with 50 other soon-to-be men 

And my sociability jar had been exhausted 

Working my way through the food line 

Looking over my shoulder 

Waiting for a training instructor to slip in behind me 

And scare the shit out of me 

My head was on a swivel  

I grabbed the bare essentials for lunch 

Not wanting to draw attention to myself 

I crawled into an empty booth 

Breathed deeply and went to work on the food 

I tasted my food 

It had been weeks of rushing to shove groceries down my throat 

But now I had nowhere to be, no one to answer to for a few minutes 

I savored each bite 

It was at that time I was overcome with a feeling of certitude 

I felt that the decision was right 

It had been one of the first times I felt this way 

And the food cemented my feeling 

I am not sure how long I sat alone in that booth 

Others came and went without much fanfare 

My comrades in basic training found me 

And we all sat quietly  

Deep in thought 

Living like the kings we told ourselves we were 

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Reaching Out To The Podcast

To reach out to me, email timothy@createartpodcast.com I would love to hear about your journey and what you are working on. If you would like to be on the show or have me discuss a topic that is giving you trouble write in and let's start that conversation.

• Email: timothy@createartpodcast.com
• YouTube Channel: Create Art Podcast YT Channel
• IG: @createartpodcast
• Twitter: @createartpod

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Special Message

If you have found value in this podcast please feel free to share it with a friend as that is the best way to find new podcasts. I want this to be a 5-star podcast in your eyes so let me know what you would like to see. Speaking about sharing with a friend, check out my other podcast Find A Podcast About where I help you outsmart the algorithm and find your next binge-worthy podcast. Yo

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

History of National Poetry Writing Month

National Poetry Writing Month (also known as NaPoWriMo) is a creative writing project held annually in April in which participants attempt to write a poem each day for one month. NaPoWriMo coincides with National Poetry Month in the United States of America and Canada.

This website is owned and operated by Maureen Thorson, a poet living in Washington, DC. Inspired by NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month), she started writing a poem a day for the month of April back in 2003, posting the poems on her blog. When other people started writing poems for April and posting them on their own blogs, Maureen linked to them. After a few years, so many people were doing NaPoWriMo that Maureen decided to launch an independent website for the project.

My History with National Poetry Writing Month

I started writing poetry in 1988 after I had been exposed to T.S. Elliot in my honors English class in high school. In 1992 I started reading my poetry publicly at Espresso Europia Coffee Shop in Abilene Tx while I was in the United States Air Force. While living in Rockford Illinois I published my first book of poetry Throwing Yourself at the Ground and Missing in 2007 followed by Postcards From Someone You Don't Know in 2008 Wisdom From the Sack in 2010 and Shaving Crop Circles In My Chest Hair in 2017. You can get copies of all of these books in my merch section. In 2020 I started publishing my podcast version of the challenge and those can be viewed here for 2020 and here for 2021.

What I am doing differently for Poetry Month

For 2023 I am not going to be just writing poems in April, I will be writing poems all year round. Also, since I will be writing all year round, I am using a different source for my prompts. There is a blog called Think Written and you can find it here. I will also be performing these works at Katora Coffee House here in Fredericksburg Virginia on their Friday Night Snaps Open Mic Poetry reading. Some of the podcast episodes you will hear will be a live recording of me reading the poem to a live audience, other times I will be reading it in the comfort of my home studio. I do plan on posting my work to the NaPoWriMo site and interacting with the poets there and see if they want to read their work on this podcast.

Todays Poetry Prompt

Signs of the Times: How has a place you are familiar with changed over the past 10 years? 

Pacifying Uptown 

14 April 2023 

I lived in this neighborhood for a year or so 

Top floor, facing south, seeing Wrigley Field from a distance 

Two blocks from the Green Mill 

And the Red Line El 

Someone in the neighborhood had rescue greyhounds 

They would walk them around 

Stop for coffee and water at the local Starbucks 

The one that had a drive by when I was with my girl at the time 

A great Mexican restaurant that was open late 

Due to all the bars in the area 

Grabbing my first real horchata  

And just steps from Montrose Beach 

But I moved away 

To be with my wife 

To start a new life 

But I can’t let go of the place 

So I signed up for the Uptown Facebook group 

And I get notifications daily 

The Uptown Theater that had been closed for decades 

Being revamped and reopened 

Meaning that the bookstore next door 

Had to clean up its act or move out 

That bookstore stank of cigarettes and cat piss 

 Is no longer there 

Not able to get enough Chantix to quit their habit 

Not able to keep up with the bigger bookstores  

That closed down before I left 

I miss this place 

Even though I wasn’t there that long 

Moving through the crowds 

And having my doc just a few blocks away 

Having my dentist who played the rat Packs greatest hits 

And picked up conversations started months in-between visits 

I didn’t have to drive anywhere 

Even to get groceries 

Jewel, pronounced with an S at the end 

Again, was mere steps away 

But now they have changed the feeling 

They have changed the stores 

The rents have gone through the roof 

Now there is no one there I know 

The shops don’t have the same feel 

Even the thugs that did the drive by have moved away to the burbs 

I’d never move my family back there 

It would be cost prohibitive 

It would be safer than when I lived there 

But it isn’t the same space 

It isn’t as special as it used to be 

Its tame and expensive 

And the reason why I lived there  

Was not for safety, was not for being tame 

I wanted to have excitement 

I wanted to have stories to tell 

I wanted different things than I do now 

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Reaching Out To The Podcast

To reach out to me, email timothy@createartpodcast.com I would love to hear about your journey and what you are working on. If you would like to be on the show or have me discuss a topic that is giving you trouble write in and let's start that conversation.

• Email: timothy@createartpodcast.com
• YouTube Channel: Create Art Podcast YT Channel
• IG: @createartpodcast
• Twitter: @createartpod

Special Message

If you have found value in this podcast please feel free to share it with a friend as that is the best way to find new podcasts. I want this to be a 5-star podcast in your eyes so let me know what you would like to see. Speaking about sharing with a friend, check out my other podcast Find A Podcast About where I help you outsmart the algorithm and find your next binge-worthy podcast. You can find that podcast at findapodcastabout.xyz.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

History of National Poetry Writing Month

National Poetry Writing Month (also known as NaPoWriMo) is a creative writing project held annually in April in which participants attempt to write a poem each day for one month. NaPoWriMo coincides with National Poetry Month in the United States of America and Canada.

This website is owned and operated by Maureen Thorson, a poet living in Washington, DC. Inspired by NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month), she started writing a poem a day for the month of April back in 2003, posting the poems on her blog. When other people started writing poems for April and posting them on their own blogs, Maureen linked to them. After a few years, so many people were doing NaPoWriMo that Maureen decided to launch an independent website for the project.

My History with National Poetry Writing Month

I started writing poetry in 1988 after I had been exposed to T.S. Elliot in my honors English class in high school. In 1992 I started reading my poetry publicly at Espresso Europia Coffee Shop in Abilene Tx while I was in the United States Air Force. While living in Rockford Illinois I published my first book of poetry Throwing Yourself at the Ground and Missing in 2007 followed by Postcards From Someone You Don't Know in 2008 Wisdom From the Sack in 2010 and Shaving Crop Circles In My Chest Hair in 2017. You can get copies of all of these books in my merch section. In 2020 I started publishing my podcast version of the challenge and those can be viewed here for 2020 and here for 2021.

What I am doing differently for Poetry Month

For 2023 I am not going to be just writing poems in April, I will be writing poems all year round. Also, since I will be writing all year round, I am using a different source for my prompts. There is a blog called Think Written and you can find it here. I will also be performing these works at Katora Coffee House here in Fredericksburg Virginia on their Friday Night Snaps Open Mic Poetry reading. Some of the podcast episodes you will hear will be a live recording of me reading the poem to a live audience, other times I will be reading it in the comfort of my home studio. I do plan on posting my work to the NaPoWriMo site and interacting with the poets there and see if they want to read their work on this podcast.

Todays Poetry Prompt

First Car: Write an ode to your first car 

Old Baby Blue 

13 April 2023 

You did run like a scolded dawg 

That Marine was right 

To think I could have purchased my mid-life crisis car with busted rings 

For the same price as you 

I wouldn’t have been able to sleep in that car 

Nor could I fall asleep at the wheel 

And safely get through Bloomington Illinois 

Changing highways in the middle of the night 

The stereo system I bought for you  

Cost more than what you were worth 

And you reminded me when it rained 

And the DIY sunroof flooded and collected fish 

I drove you to escape from where I was 

I drove you to Texas to escape where I came from 

I drove you until something flashier caught my eye 

And then I sold you for a motorcycle 

Because I had only crashed 2 other motorcycles in my life 

So that seemed like a fair trade 

You never started up again 

When all the paperwork was done 

And your new owner took possession  

You refused to be traded away 

And as I crashed another motorcycle 

There you stood stoically in the parking lot 

Reminding me that I would still have transportation 

Hoping I would come to my senses and take you back 

But no, I was young back then 

And flashy new things, which was everything 

Took my attention away from you 

And I bought a shiny new red compact car 

It looked like a clown car when I stepped out of it 

And that car drove me away from Texas 

From you 

From the memories we made 

Sometimes I seek out your relatives 

I look at what others have done with your kind 

And I miss our days together 

You were protecting me 

Me fixing another alternator for you 

Changing your oil from inside the cab 

Hearing that 302 engine roar 

Wishing it was in a Mustang 

But was resigned to hauling around my possessions 

You were my first old baby blue 

And I’ll never forget your shag carpet interior,  

your tinted moon windows  

The swiveling captain chairs 

And the fish tank turned sunroof 

Sign Up for the Create Art Podcast Newsletter

Or Subscribe Here

Reaching Out To The Podcast

To reach out to me, email timothy@createartpodcast.com I would love to hear about your journey and what you are working on. If you would like to be on the show or have me discuss a topic that is giving you trouble write in and let's start that conversation.

• Email: timothy@createartpodcast.com
• YouTube Channel: Create Art Podcast YT Channel
• IG: @createartpodcast
• Twitter: @createartpod

Special Message

If you have found value in this podcast please feel free to share it with a friend as that is the best way to find new podcasts. I want this to be a 5-star podcast in your eyes so let me know what you would like to see. Speaking about sharing with a friend, check out my other podcast Find A Podcast About where I help you outsmart the algorithm and find your next binge-worthy podcast. You can find that podcast at findapodcastabout.xyz.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

History of National Poetry Writing Month

National Poetry Writing Month (also known as NaPoWriMo) is a creative writing project held annually in April in which participants attempt to write a poem each day for one month. NaPoWriMo coincides with National Poetry Month in the United States of America and Canada.

This website is owned and operated by Maureen Thorson, a poet living in Washington, DC. Inspired by NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month), she started writing a poem a day for the month of April back in 2003, posting the poems on her blog. When other people started writing poems for April and posting them on their own blogs, Maureen linked to them. After a few years, so many people were doing NaPoWriMo that Maureen decided to launch an independent website for the project.

My History with National Poetry Writing Month

I started writing poetry in 1988 after I had been exposed to T.S. Elliot in my honors English class in high school. In 1992 I started reading my poetry publicly at Espresso Europia Coffee Shop in Abilene Tx while I was in the United States Air Force. While living in Rockford Illinois I published my first book of poetry Throwing Yourself at the Ground and Missing in 2007 followed by Postcards From Someone You Don't Know in 2008 Wisdom From the Sack in 2010 and Shaving Crop Circles In My Chest Hair in 2017. You can get copies of all of these books in my merch section. In 2020 I started publishing my podcast version of the challenge and those can be viewed here for 2020 and here for 2021.

What I am doing differently for Poetry Month

For 2023 I am not going to be just writing poems in April, I will be writing poems all year round. Also, since I will be writing all year round, I am using a different source for my prompts. There is a blog called Think Written and you can find it here. I will also be performing these works at Katora Coffee House here in Fredericksburg Virginia on their Friday Night Snaps Open Mic Poetry reading. Some of the podcast episodes you will hear will be a live recording of me reading the poem to a live audience, other times I will be reading it in the comfort of my home studio. I do plan on posting my work to the NaPoWriMo site and interacting with the poets there and see if they want to read their work on this podcast.

Todays Poetry Prompt

Fast Food: Write a poem about fast food restaurants and experiences. 

After The Casino 

11 April 2023 

Driving through the fog of West Virginia 

Taking the backroads because my car can’t do 75 

Before everyone and their brother had cell phone coverage  

We both struggled to keep our eyes open 

We should have probably grabbed some food on the way out of the casino 

We had both won a tidy sum that paid for the trip and the rent for the next two months 

We didn’t notice when we crossed back into Virginia 

Because at night, most states look the same 

With the last cigarette tossed out of the window 

And a few hours until we arrived at home 

We pulled over at a gas station and Waffle House 

Conjoined at the hip  

The sun was still a few hours away 

We entered the gas station and purchased our brand of addiction 

Relived ourselves in the grimy bathroom 

And found a seat in the empty restaurant 

The sounds of the bells and whistles 

From the plethora of machines drowned out the waitress 

And it took longer than it should have to take our order 

All three of us were tired 

But only 1 was being paid to be here 

And it wasn’t my passenger and I 

My passenger stated his order  

as I was downing the first cup of coffee 

Then it was my turn to interact 

Mindlessly I ordered breakfast and some soup 

The waitress appeared to me 

Muttered crackers? 

And thinking she was referring to us 

Two white boys in the middle of the night 

Driving a car in need of serious repair 

Smelling of smoke and speaking loudly 

We both broke out in laughter 

The waitress asked what was so funny 

I replied you called us crackers 

No, crackers for your soup is what I asked 

You boys look a little rough tonight how far have you got to go 

We let her know and talked to her till the sun rose 

We were well fed 

Energized from the copious amount of coffee 

Ready to take on the final leg of the journey 

And to this day, when either of us hears the word crackers 

We are transported to that night 

Somewhere between West Virginia and home 

Sign Up for the Create Art Podcast Newsletter

Or Subscribe Here

Reaching Out To The Podcast

To reach out to me, email timothy@createartpodcast.com I would love to hear about your journey and what you are working on. If you would like to be on the show or have me discuss a topic that is giving you trouble write in and let's start that conversation.

• Email: timothy@createartpodcast.com
• YouTube Channel: Create Art Podcast YT Channel
• IG: @createartpodcast
• Twitter: @createartpod

Special Message

If you have found value in this podcast please feel free to share it with a friend as that is the best way to find new podcasts. I want this to be a 5-star podcast in your eyes so let me know what you would like to see. Speaking about sharing with a friend, check out my other podcast Find A Podcast About where I help you outsmart the algorithm and find your next binge-worthy podcast. You can find that podcast at findapodcastabout.xyz.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy