Release The Critic, Access Your Authentic Voice, Discover Your Extraordinary Stories
Story Greatly, Connect Deeply
Uncover Your Story Gold
In This Issue
- Confession of a Gift Pig
- The Gift: How the Creative Spirit Transforms the World by Lewis Hyde
- Writing Exercise - What Is a Gift: 
Mining the Rituals, Traditions & Beliefs around Gifts
 
Uncover Your Story Gold - Register by December 26 - SAVE $50
 
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Why We Need & Tell Stories
 
We Tell Stories because....
Stories make us more alive ― Madeleine L’Engle
Stories are a communal currency of humanity ― Tahir Shah
Listen, and you will realize that we are made not from cells or from atoms. We are made from stories - Mia Couto, Mozambican writer
We change the world one story at a time - Richard Wagames        
Inspiration & Guidance
 
 
As we approach the season of giving, I've been thinking about the giving and receiving of gifts.
 
What we want, what we do or don't ask for. What we secretly hope we'll receive. What we do or don't give. And all the rules, rituals, beliefs and traditions we hold around gifts.
 
I frequently use the concept of giving and receiving a gift, and apply it to the creative process, with my own work as well as with my workshop participants and clients, when they are developing work or a dream project.
 
So that the worth of our creative work isn't based on commerce, on a dollar amount or sale
 
But rather--  there's an intrinsic value of our creativity our imagination, our voice, the joy and power of our art that isn't dependent or contingent on commerce
 
 
As Artists and Creatives, we must honor our work, regardless of whether we get paid or not
 
Which is not to say that Artists shouldn't be paid. Art is one of the highest values that marks all cultures and civilizations. Artists should be well paid. Artists should be supported and making art must be sustainable.
 
I learned this concept from Lewis Hyde, a poet, essayist and cultural critic. 
 
He grappled with the value of his art based on the social markers of commerce. This quandary became his best-selling book:
 
The Gift: How The Creative Spirit Transforms The World, which I highly recommend for everyone who creates, wants to and especially for anyone who got discouraged, burned out and stopped creating.

Confession of a Gift Pig
 
My seventh birthday is the first one I remember and the first one I remember being given gifts by the kids I'd invited. Although it certainly didn't occur to me that it was the parents who were the actual gift givers.
 
That birthday was when and how I discovered-- that the more kids you invite, THE MORE PRESENTS YOU GET.
 
This was a eureka moment. You could want and then-- GET! And the ‘Getting’ was proof that magic exists.
 
Particularly because I was raised by a single, working parent Mother, who taught me to always be aware of prices, stay within a budget, save not spend. So whenever I was given birthday money, it immediately went into the bank.
 
I don't remember asking for them, but how this memory plays out, is that I remember every present I received was a Skediddle Kiddle (such a great toy name!)
 
They were 3 inch dolls with big, lashed eyes and groovy hair styles. Imagine what the Spice Girls would look like if they were 7 year old dolls. They had a lever handle on their back to push them across the floor and make their arms and legs a blur of “skediddling.”
 
 
I was in Kid(dle) heaven. I knew I was rich, because of all cute, fun, tiny dolls, who were in a hurry to play, that I now owned.
 
So what I learned was that getting gift made me feel special. It made me believe anything and everything was possible, that gifts are hope, excitement, and magic.
 
Of course gifts can also be fraught because expectations, disappointments, the pressure to find the perfect gift. The pressure to pretend you love the gift.
 
Below is a writing exercise to mine the rich terrain of Gifts.
Writing Prompt Exercise 
Practice to Release The Critic & Learn To Trust Your Instincts
 
Writing Prompt Exercises are a great way to practice not judging your writing, not trying to 'write well' by getting out of your head and away from the critical voice. You get to practice trusting your creative impulse and write whatever's coming into your head in the moment- even if it's "I want to get up. I can't think of anything to write, I feel stuck. I want to get some chocolate..."
 
Keep your pen or keyboard strokes going. Be surprised, be curious. Don't worry about going off on a tangent- trust where your imagination is taking you. AND give yourself permission to write about the fears, doubts and obstacles that may arise while you're writing.
 
Remind Yourself You Can't Do It Wrong
This isn't the finished product. The judgment, discomfort or chatter will pass in a few minutes. Write without worrying if the writing is good or bad. Enjoy, discover and investigate what's being expressed, without judgment.
 
For optimum results
DO NOT READ AHEAD until you've done each step
 
Writing Exercise - What Is & Isn't A Gift: Mining the Rituals, Traditions & Beliefs around Gifts
 
What's your definition of a gift?
Write about how you define a gift 
 
If it interests you, you can also write about one or more of the questions below
 Which you can apply to: 
Now, a time in your life, or a person or character in your story
  • What do you want? 
  • What do you (or don't you) ask for? 
  • Is it ok to ask?
  • What do you secretly hope for?
  • What are the rules, rituals, traditions and beliefs that you have around giving and receiving gifts?
  • What was modeled around the giving and receiving of gifts?
Write for 6-10 minutes, longer if you'd like
If you go off on a tangent-- trust it, see where it takes you!
 
You're welcome to share what came out, or reflections of where the exercise takes you
email - terrie@creativerites.com
 
In my workshops, we do a weekly in-class exercise to spark ideas, practice releasing the inner-critic and help you investigate your story.
 
The exercises can also be tailored to a story or character you're working on.
 
If you like writing exercises to spark ideas or guidance
I offer coaching and can tailor exercises for your writing practice or a project you're working on.

Don't Let 2025 Go Unstoried!
Stories are the way we understand ourselves, each other and the world
This photo illustrates what happens when we hear your stories
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We experience what is unique & fascinating about you.
We get to connect deeply and be inspired by who you really are
 
If you'd love to be seen, heard & championed
 Come Join us 
Uncover Your Story Gold Winter Session
 
REGISTER BY DECEMBER 26 - SAVE $50
 
Class Schedule, Choice of:
Tuesday 12pm, pst - Class starts 1/14
Wednesday 7pm, pst - Class starts 1/15
 
Keep Telling Your Stories! 
Your Faithful Story Champion,
terrie
P.O. Box 35404
Los Angeles, CA 90035, United States
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