Saturday, December 9, 2017

The Creatives Project #2: Evangeline Yackel



Hello, friends!!

Welcome back to the second installment of the Creatives Project! The series kicked off with the wonderful Julia Ryan and continues with the gloriously creative and whimsically hilarious Evangeline of An Odd Blog. Be sure to stop by her blog and show her some love! And now, without further ado....

HERE ARE THE QUESTIONS!

Who or what inspires you to create?


"I get inspired by two people: Myself and God. God inspires me everyday in so many ways, but especially with writing. He is the ultimate wordbuilder, plotter and reviser. He was in love with His characters before anyone else. I know this is the cheesiest Christian writer thing to say, but it's true. Whenever I look around at the world, I try to remember that He created everything from nothing. He had no point of reference or something else to build on. It was all pure inspiration. When I put it in that perspective, my own writing struggles seem to melt away and I am filled with inspiration."  

What time of day do you do your best creative work?

rise and sine
Source: Pinterest
"I like to think that I'm one of those creative geniuses who write feverishly into the night, fueled by caffeine, but alas, I go to bed by 10:30 every night, and fall asleep at my computer if I stay up any later. I get my best creative work done between the hours of 7-10 a.m."

What has been your biggest challenge in your own creative journey?

"They say that writing is a lonely career, and it's very true. As much as I love my family, they all don't know the first thing when it comes to writing, so I always end up babbling about something novel-related, and they nod along. I've had to learn how to edit, rewrite, push through plot holes, how to do everything all on my own. I'm sure that's the case with a lot of writers. It's an isolating job, and I've had to word hard to not get used to that isolated feeling and stay there forever."

What's your favorite flavor of ice cream?


"Because I am pretty sure that everyone knows the best flavor: Mint Chocolate Chip. It has been my favorite for as long as I can remember, and it ain't about to change. I am very passionate in my love for Mint Chip."

(SAME, GIRL, SAME.)

What do you do when you're in a creative rut or have writer's block?

Old typewriters :)
Source: Pinterest
 "I haven't been in a creative rut in a long time for two reasons:

I treat myself kindly. It's been quite the process to let go of the sky-high expectations of myself (which was why I used to get writer's block all the time), and treat myself with some kindness. I give myself a lot more room for relaxation. My outlook on productivity is that as long as I'm moving forward, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, it makes the day worthwhile. Lack of pressure lets the creative juju flow easier (I don't know what "creative juju" means, but let's just go with it).

I quickly figure out what's stopping me up. On the rare occasion that I do find myself in a creative rut, I figure out what the issue is. For me, it's never just being drained creatively, it's always for another reason. So I figure out why, fix it (which sometimes involves curling in a ball and crying), and move on."

What is your favorite season?


"If I could live in a world of winter, I would. The White Witch had the right idea: casting a world into eternal ice and cold. #Lifegoals"

Evangeline's Advice for Creatives:

Source: Pinterest
"You are not doing this to please anyone else. It doesn't matter what people say or think. The advice "Write the book you want to read" gave me the book I'm proudest of. If you want to write a book that you think no one else will want to read, go for it. If you want to bake a zucchini chocolate pizza, do it. If you want to knit socks for lizards, reach for the stars. Just because someone else doesn't agree with or understand it doesn't mean that it is not valid and amazing. ALSO: Don't be afraid to be proud of your work. I know so many people who always shrug off compliments because they don't want to seem arrogant. Accept the compliment. Acknowledge that your work is good."

A huge thank you to Evangeline for being a part of the Creatives Project! Your answers were super enlightening and witty. Love it! Don't forget to check out Evangeline's blog here!

Would you like to be the next blogger featured in the Creatives Project? Check it out here! How do you power through a creative rut? And do you also love Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream as much as Evangeline and I do? 

16 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for the opportunity to be a part of this! It was a blast. :)

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    1. Thank YOU! :) It was so awesome to get to read your responses. They were super inspiring! Thanks again! <3

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  2. I LOVE THIS ONE.
    What Evangeline said about creative ruts: spot on. I need to take that advice more seriously. Also, I can relate to morning hours being more productive. There's just something about sunrise that motivates me like nothing else does.

    Being proud of your own work: YES and yes again.

    Thank you for another great installment in this series, Erin.
    k.

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    1. Yay, I'm glad you liked it! :) I know, right? She had the best advice! I especially like what she said about being kind to yourself. I put too much pressure on my creative pursuits sometimes and cease to enjoy them.

      Thanks for commenting, Keira!! :) <3

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  3. I have been meaning to check out Evangeline's blog for too long now - I must visit there next! I especially like her point about God not having any point of reference for His creation - that's amazing to ponder! This creatives project is a jolly good thing. (I keep meaning to email you and sign up for it, but obviously my intentions aren't always good at becoming actions.) Thank you! xx

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    1. You should totally check it out, she is the bomb! I know, right? She had some super wonderful insights. I can't even imagine how God created all of this out of nothing - it's baffling in the best way possible! :) Thank you so much! And you should totally shoot me that email if you get the time. No worries if not! Thanks so much for commenting, Jessica! :)

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  4. LOVE THE ADVICE AT THE END -- about not writing to please others! So great. :)

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    1. Right? I totally agree with that. Writing should be for yourself first and foremost. It's much easier to fall in love with a story that way and tell it properly. :) Thanks for commenting, Olivia! <3

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  5. Ok though this one is so inspiring <3 Your advice gives me life Evangeline xxx

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    1. Glad this inspired you, Anna! It motivated me, too. :) Thanks so much for commenting!!

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  6. I really like Evangeline's blog! I can somewhat relate with getting writing done earlier on in the day. At night, I usually feel super tired so I go to bed around 11pm. And my family isn't really a family of writers, either. haha xD

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    1. She's the bomb! :) I feel like I'm the opposite - I'll try to write during the day sometimes, but I'm only ever SUPER inspired at night, it seems. Thanks so much for commenting, Grace, I appreciate it! Have an awesome Christmas!

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  7. Ah yes, creative ruts. Really, I think her 'no pressure' thing is spot-on. Once there is pressure on me, even if I know exactly what I'm going to do, it just never ends well.

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    1. I totally agree! Whenever I pressure myself to write or create something, it goes HORRIBLY. I have been struggling with that recently and I think just allowing yourself to create something that YOU think is cool is awesome. She has a great mindset and was a wonderful interview! :) Thanks so much for commenting, Hanne! <3

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Go with grace.