The document discusses the creative process for bloggers and in life. It outlines eight tools used to help get past fears and self-doubt: 1) 15-minute timed writings to write freely without stopping, 2) breaking large tasks into small achievable goals, 3) separating the creator and editor roles to write freely first and edit later, 4) cultivating relationships with supportive people, 5) co-creating with one's online community, 6) making time to replenish one's creative energy, 7) focusing content by becoming an expert on a topic, and 8) noticing synchronicities as signs that larger forces are helping. The presentation is completed using these tools, especially short timed writings and breaking the work

1. The Creative Process
in Blogging
(and Life)
Jillian Tohber Leslie
catchmyparty.com
facebook.com/catchmyparty
twitter.com/catchmyparty
jillian@catchmyparty.com

2. Three seconds after I learned I
was speaking at Bloggy
Bootcamp...
100%
Happy & Excited

3. Five minutes later...
95%
5%
Happy & Excited Fear & Dread

4. What happened?

5. The “Voices”
• What if I’m lame?
• What if I don’t have anything to say?
• What if I come across as boring or
dumb?
• What if they tweet bad stuff about my
outfit?

6. What do I do?

7. Get my work done
anyway...

8. But how?

9. Eight tools I use to
help me get out of my
own way so I can
create...

10. Tool 1
15 Minute Timed
Writings

11. What is it?
• Write for 15 minutes every day without
stopping
• Write anything you want, and fast --
stream of consciousness
• The only way to fail is to stop writing
before the time is up

12. Tool 2
Small Goals

13. What is it?
• Break tasks down into manageable
chunks
• Set goals you can achieve and you will
achieve
• It’s an exercise in under-promising so
you can deliver

14. Tool 3
Write Now, Edit Later

15. What is it?
• Treat your creator and editor as two
separate entities with two very different
jobs
• Let the creator be free to make its mess,
let the editor do the clean up

16. Tool 4
The Golden Circle

17. What is it?
• Cultivate relationships with the people
who support your creative work
• Set boundaries with the people who do
not

18. Tool 5
Co-Create With Your
Online Community

19. What is it?
• Use your readers, fellow bloggers, and
anyone in your online community for
ideas, support, and feedback
• Realize you are not alone

20. Tool 6
Replenish the Well

21. What is it?
• Make time for yourself so you don’t
overdraw on your creative bank
account
• It doesn’t have to be anything big, but
it’s okay to step away to recharge

22. Tool 7
Become an Expert

23. What is it?
• To find your voice as a blogger, try
becoming an “expert” beginner at
something
• Go deeper, not broader in your posts
• Explore a topic from every angle
imaginable

24. Tool 8
Notice How the
Universe is Conspiring
to Help You

25. What is it?
• Pay attention to the synchronicities in
your life
• Have faith that there are larger forces at
work
• Remember... thought is creative

26. Yay, I finished my
presentation!

27. How I did it...
• 15 minute timed writings for warm up
• Broke my tasks down into manageable chunks
• Wrote the presentation as fast as possible to avoid my
editor jumping in too early
• Asked my community on Facebook about their own
creative struggles
• Got feedback from the people in my golden circle who
support my creativity

28. And how do I feel now?
100%
GREAT! *
* As long as no one tweets anything bad about my shoes or
hair or dress or makeup...