The Real Reason I Wrote The Artist’s Suitcase (and a Special Deal for Launch Week)
Today is a big day for me. It’s the official launch of my book The Artist’s Suitcase: 26 Essentials for the Creative Journey, and I couldn’t be more excited!
I had no idea that when I started to write the book in the Summer of 2013, it would be over two years before I would publish it. It’s not a long book. In fact, it’s only 121 pages (including endnotes). So what took me so long?
The answer lies in the real reason I wrote the book.
Most authors talk about their books as if they write them only for other people. But the truth is that you write first for yourself, then for your audience. If it connects with you, then it will connect with others.
To tell you the truth, I wrote The Artist’s Suitcase for myself. To understand my frame of mind when I wrote it, let me share a passage from the Introduction:
I remember the day vividly. It had been a long day of teaching, and it was almost time to head home. I wanted to enjoy a few minutes of silence before fighting traffic, so I slouched down in my office chair and stared at the bookcase next to me.
I was exhausted. I was in my mid-30’s and 40 lbs. overweight. I thought about the courses I was teaching: Introduction to Film, Worship Leading, Speech, Technology for Worship, Introduction to the Arts, and Guitar.
All of these courses, in some way or another, were based on creative expression. The irony was that I felt anything but creative. The energy and enthusiasm of my 20’s was long gone. I had no clear vision for my future, and I felt like a complete failure. I had lost my mojo and had no idea how to get it back. I knew I had to make some changes in my life to recapture the energy and momentum I once had.
It’s hard for me to admit this, but just a couple of years ago, I felt completely lost as a creative person. As I mentioned above, I had lost my drive and passion and didn’t know where to turn for help.
What do writers do when they don’t know what to do? They write. So that’s what I did.
I wanted to set down my basic beliefs about the creative process and what it means to be an artist. I decided to use the alphabet as a organizing tool, thereby limiting myself to 26 topics (each starting with a different letter of the alphabet).
Through the process of writing the first draft of The Artist’s Suitcase, and especially in sharing it with my students and getting feedback, I began to get excited about my creative life again.
Then a few months ago, I knew I had let my first draft of The Artist’s Suitcase sit around long enough. I dusted it off, revised the whole thing, and worked up the courage to share it with the world. In the book, I open my heart and share my journey as a creative person. I would be honored if you’d join me.
Sometimes we need a swift kick in the pants to get us moving in the right direction again. If that’s what you’re looking for, you won’t find it in The Artist’s Suitcase.
Rather than a kick in the pants, consider this an arm around your shoulder. This book is my way of coming alongside you, friend to friend, to remind you of all the reasons you were excited about being an artist in the first place. If you feel lost in a creative wilderness and need to find your way home again, I’m here to help.
I’ve taken great care to pack The Artist’s Suitcase full of great stuff. This week is a great time to pick up the book because the Kindle version is on sale for only $2.99. Not only that, I’m offering some awesome bonuses for launch week, including:
- An exclusive, printable workbook
- A playlist of songs I’ve hand-selected for the “creative journey”
- Nearly a dozen other bonuses, including music and books to help you be a better artists and leader.
You can check out all the details on my book launch page for The Artist’s Suitcase. Or, you can head on over to Amazon to purchase it. But don’t wait too long because the launch week bonuses disappear at midnight (CST) on Sunday night, September 6.
I wrote The Artist’s Suitcase at first for myself, but I can’t tell you how excited I am to share it with you. You weren’t mean to travel through life alone. The creative journey is so much better with friends. This book is one of the many ways I’m honored to come alongside you and support you in your journey.
