Original Impulse Blog

Book Review: When Wanderers Cease to Roam

Charming and engaging, this illustrated book celebrates the pleasures of a life tucked in a cozy home. Swift guides us through the year, sharing images and stories from her life roaming the world and her life tending a garden.

Watercolors, poems, quotes, inspiring stories of life lived both large and small. A great winter read for travelers and homebodies alike.

Perfect with a cup of tea or pre-nap browsing, When Wanderers Cease to Roam is a lovely book.

Gap Year for Adults

At one point I was feeling a bit immature, shedding my life in Boulder and heading off to live as a Creative Nomad. After all, that was the kind of thing you did in your twenties, before you had things figured out. I was hoping for a regenerative effect on my work. A friend suggested that a career counselor might be a better approach.

But no! A recent article in the New York Times shows that more people (grownups!) are taking a Gap Year. They're refreshing their spirit and perspectives by shucking the routine and exploring things of interest. Susan Griffith even wrote a book about it, "Gap Years for Grownups".

Now I don't feel immature. I feel refreshed and reinvigorated. I'm not booking my ticket back to the States yet, but I now know that what I am doing is normal, trendy even. Time to go do something else.

If you were taking a Gap Year to refresh your creativity at work, home, or the studio, what would you do? Read the NY Times article for inspiration. And be sure to subscribe to the Journey Juju blog to glean inspiration from my story, firsthand.

The Tenth Resource for Creative Geniuses

In my end of the year edition of Impulses, I shared Original Impulse highlights, client highlights, personal highlights, and some goodies. I shared my top ten resources for creative people that I stumbled upon in 2008.

Well, I came up with nine. Here’s the tenth resource.

If you’re a book lover, you may already be enjoying National Public Radio’s (NPR) broadcasts that feature news from the American literary world. Enlightening interviews with authors, reviews of new books, the scoop on what’s happening in publishing…it’s all there.

But you may not be tuned in to the radio on a regular basis. Here’s where the NPR Books podcast is your new friend. Simply go to iTunes and subscribe to NPR Books podcast (yes, that’s what it’s called). Then you can listen to 20-30 minutes of bookish news while you scramble your eggs in the morning, while you sweat it out on the treadmill, while you walk the dog on your daily trek.

There. I feel better now that I’ve given at least ten resources this year. If you missed the first nine, it’s because you’re not in the Original Impulse tribe.

Join us by subscribing to Impulses. It’s free and easy and 2009 will bring a lot more resources to make creating in life, at work and in the studio easier.

Get the first nine resources and subscribe to Impulses.

Psst! This is the 500th Original Impulse blog post! I've been blogging since May, 2005 and loving it. Watch for a new class I'll be teaching in 2009 to help you build and sustain a blog for at least this long!

Serious Juju for My Novel

A couple of years ago, I wrote about how synchronicities happen all the time when you're on the right creative path. I mentioned how I had wanted to see les Halles in Paris back in the 30s. And how that Sunday there was an article in the NY Times about a contest for architects to develop a new project for les Halles. That article led me to a FILM of les Halles in the 30s. A film! It was amazing to see that place alive and moving, and completely informed a scene in my novel.

I'm experiencing an even bigger synchronicity and I'm jumping up and down and had to share it with you. Get this.

I'm writing about Paris just before World War II, and books, and how...well, I'm not telling any juicy details yet. But I needed to find information about how the Nazis were with books. I knew they burned piles of books in 1933, and I knew they launched a massive campaign against 'degenerate art'. I've even seen books about the stolen art and how people lost their collections to the Nazis.

But nothing about books. I searched online. I Googled it. I'm not the best (most thorough) research hound, and I was discouraged. I figured I'd just have to make stuff up. It is a novel, after all.

Listen to this! In the Carcassonne train station in November, I was looking at a French literary magazine. I found a page that talked about three new books dealing with the control of culture and information under the Occupation.

One of the books just published deals with exactly what I am looking for:

Livres pillés, lectures surveillées: Une histoire des biblioteques françaises sous l'Occupation by Martine Poulain

The translation of the title is, roughly: Looted Books, Reading Surveilled: The Story of French Libraries during the Occupation.

I've been reading several reviews of the book (translated online). I have to get it. I have to read it. I happen to be in France and can hopefully get it easily.

I'm so excited. This is going to add immensely to the historical flavor of my novel.

So, if you, too, are at a crossroads or a rut with a creative project, call on some juju (synchronicity, magic!) to help. It's there, waiting to aid your creative process.

I'd Rather Be in the Studio! Book Sale

Artists (and friends of artists): Start the New Year right with a commitment to promoting your art better than ever--and snag 13 gifts for yourself!

Order a copy of Alyson Stanfield's book I'd Rather Be in the Studio! The Artist's No-Excuse Guide to Self-Promotion, by December 21 and you'll get 13 bonus e-books, special reports, and audio programs. All for the price of a single book. If you're one of the lucky ones that has had the book on your shelf for awhile now, buy a copy for a friend and keep the bonuses for yourself!

 But you have to order from ArtBizCoach.com by midnight ET, December 21. Just go to the Big Book Sale.

I've contributed a bonus to Alyson's great sale, and the other bonuses will make you want to order right away! Check it out.

Naughty Paris Contest Winner

I hosted a contest for my friend Heather's book, Naughty Paris. The contestants had to submit a real or fictional sexy story set in Paris. The winner is Gina Verster, and here's her story. Be sure to check out her blogs about Paris, too!

A Pleasurable Way to turn 40, à Paris bien sûr... [as heartily recommended by a sated Madame V.]

You are luxuriating on a sumptuous bed in an 18th century salon-sized chambre à coucher. The clock in the hall chimes midnight and you have reluctantly arrived at that not so youthful sounding number - that dreaded round number that will barely escape your pouting lips now when queried about your age.

But never mind, your heavenly hot French Lover leaps into the room and throws himself wholeheartedly on top of you, singing "Happy Birthday" with his breathy french accent into your ear. He then proceeds to make mad passionate love to you, giving you many more happy returns than you could possibly bear. You black out, in a good way, of course!

Morning comes and you wake from the blissful abyss, smiling coyly... and glorying in your love-imprinted but still fairly firm body, forgetting that it is now officially four decades old - almost considered vintage, or at least somewhat cured. Definitely ripe, you convince yourself - no, perfectly ripe, like that Camembert you squeezed for its readiness at the fromagerie.

Ahhh, but you are ever so lucky to have such a considerate amant to help you feel like a fervid teenager again! It is time to thank him once more, and with the most ardent sincerity that you can muster before le petit-déjeuner...

Forget breakfast now. The lunch hour approaches and time again to untangle your hungry bodies for some gustatory sustenance. He takes you to an intimate celebratory lunch at a cozy lost-in-time bistro tucked behind the Palais Royal. You are cosseted and indulged throughout the longest eyes-only-for-you lunch you will ever have. When you finally emerge into the wintry street, the light is already waning, and a Jacques Prévert poem floats along with you, as sung only by the uber-siren Ute Lemper... "immense et rouge, au-dessus du Grand Palais, le soleil d'hiver apparaît et disparaît..."

 It is shivery cold. He whispers an urgent suggestion. You couldn't agree more. It is time to head back in to a warm bed for a late afternoon sieste. The fateful day is almost over, and you have lost count of everything, again! As it should be...

Later, (perhaps even 40 voluptuous turns later by now, you devilishly concede), a gentle evening stroll along the Seine, in the direction of its flow... a softly lit metaphor flowing on and on, liltingly through the heart of Paris... toujours Paris... "comme lui mon coeur va disparaître, et tout mon sang va s'en aller... s'en aller à ta recherche, mon amour, ma beauté... et te trouver, là où tu es..."

Submitted by: GINA VERSTER, who can be found at:

Paris Primitif Project Blog , an image blog of salvaged street ephemera and temporal images on planet Paris.

Parigigi a spirited and sensual romp through the City of Love]

Have You Put in Your Time?

We’re seeing Malcolm Gladwell’s mug all over the place again. Yes, it’s another book by the guy who writes those books that explain everything to us very simply, using interesting stories.

Oh, that’s simplifying, I know. Gladwell’s latest book, Outliers, is a study of what makes a genius. I haven’t read the book yet, but have read a couple articles – one in the Wall Street Journal and another in the Guardian’s weekend magazine. Here’s what I learned.

It takes at least 10,000 hours or 10 years to master something. Have you put in your hours at the easel, the potting wheel, the keyboard? Me neither. Though I’ve been writing assiduously since 1994, I doubt I’ve logged 10,000 hours.

And I’ve been coaching since 1999 and probably haven’t logged 10,000 hours, though I do think I have at least 2,500, which allows me to apply to be a Master Certified Coach. If I want to jump through the hoops, which right now I don’t.

Other factors contribute to genius: opportunities, or what some would call luck or even perhaps privilege. Gladwell pointed out that being born at the right time plays a huge part, as does not being poor so you don’t have to spend all your time working.

But all these factors, while important, only matter if you also have what the geniuses in the article also had: dedication, or might we call it, passion. The Beatles, Steve Jobs, Bill Joy, Bill Gates, they all spent time on their thing because they were into it. Nothing could keep them away.

The first question I ask people when they come to me is this:

What do you love about writing (or painting, or coaching, or business, or whatever they want more of)?

Love gets people into action, not the hope of being famous or a genius, or even producing something good. You just want to be with what you love. You want to be with what you love. I repeat it because even though it’s simple, I want you to connect that desire and love of your craft to your ambition. Actually, unplug your ambition and plug into your passion.

There are a few outliers in the world and then there’s the rest of us. I think Gladwell wrote this book because these days there’s still the sense that anyone can make it big. We just need the formula, the secret, the clue to our own greatness. It’s easy: just let yourself love what you love and the rest will all fall together.

Skethbook Project

I just joined the Sketchbook Project, hosted by ArtHouseCoop. This is a fun project where they send participants a Moleskine notebook. You fill it, send it back, and they include it in their multi-city show.

I can't wait to participate. I've got a couple of notebooks going, so it will be fun to see how I do this one, too.

Join the fun! Be part of the Sketchbook Project!

10-Day Naughty Paris Guide Sale

This from my friend Heather, author of Naughty Paris. If you've been holding back due to the price of the book, here's your chance to get a screamin' deal! If you live in North America.

Because not everyone can make it to the Naughty Paris Book Tour parties (where I'm selling signed copies of the guide for $25 instead of the $39 price charged by the US distributor), I'm offering a special 10-day sale of the Naughty Paris Guide for online purchases of the guide in North America for just $25 plus $4 shipping/packaging starting today through November 18.

How it works:

- send an email to naughtyparis@gmail.com with your name, shipping address, and number of copies you'd like to purchase

- you will receive a PayPal invoice by email for $29 per book (which you can pay with any credit card; you do not need to open a PayPal account)

- As soon as payment is made, your signed book will be shipped by Heather by USPS from Philadelphia.

** Note: This offer is only available for those with a shipping address in North America who place an order before November 18 **

For more info visit www.naughtyparisguide.com

Naughty Paris US Book Tour

Heather's on tour with her awesome book, Naughty Paris. If you're around in any of these cities, go meet her and check out this beautiful book! Watch for news on this blog about the Naughty Paris contest winner!

Upcoming Naughty Paris Events in Paris and North America

October 18
NAUGHTY PARIS BOOK SIGNING IN CANADA
Kirsten Loop, the photographer of the Naughty Paris Guide, will be signing books at Chapters Bookstore in Kitchener (135 Gateway Park Drive, Kitchener, ONTARIO, N2P  2J9) from noon-4pm.

October 28
BOOK LAUNCH PARTY IN BOSTON
Join Heather at the Gaslight Brasserie du Coin (560 Harrison Ave, South End Boston) from 5:30-7:30pm for a Naughty Paris Launch Party. Complimentary appetizers and cash bar featuring specialty cocktails made with St Germain Elderflower Liqueur. Books available at the event for $25 (retail price $39). RSVP at naughtyparis@gmail.com for the guest list!

November 11
BOOK LAUNCH PARTY IN NEW YORK CITY
Heather invites you to Champagne Happy Hour at Flûte Gramercy (40 East 20th Street) from 5-8pm. Flûte is the “Champagne speakeasy” with two locations in NY, one in Paris, and over 100 different Champagnes, many available by the glass. Enjoy two-for-one hors d'oeuvres and drinks (Champagne, cocktails, wine, spirits and soft drinks). Books available at the event for $25 (retail price $39). Everyone who purchases a book will be entered into a drawing for a bottle of Champagne! RSVP at naughtyparis@gmail.com.

November 14
NAUGHTY PARIS BOOK SIGNING IN CANADA
Kirsten Loop, the photographer of the Naughty Paris Guide, will be signing books at Chapters Bookstore in Waterloo (428 King Street North, Waterloo, Ontario N2J 2Z6, tel 519-886-4015) from 7-9pm.

November 17
BOOK LAUNCH PARTY IN PHILADELPHIA
Heather returns to her home town for a Happy Hour reception at Brasserie Perrier (1619 Walnut Street, Philadelphia) from 5-7pm. Brasserie Perrier is the more laid-back sister of the famous Le Bec Fin French Restaurant. Enjoy specially priced select cocktails and wines, as well as complimentary Happy Hour hors d'oeuvres. Books available at the event for $25 (retail price $39). RSVP at naughtyparis@gmail.com.

November 19
BOOK LAUNCH PARTY IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
Heather wraps up her East Coast book tour in Washington D.C.'s Bistrot Lepic & Wine Bar, in Upper Georgetown (1736 Wisconsin Ave, NW), from 6-8pm. Come sample the excellent French wines, cheeses and Champagne by the glass in a cozy environment. Books available at the event for $25 (retail price $39). Everyone who purchases a book will be entered into a drawing for a bottle of Champagne! RSVP at naughtyparis@gmail.com to get on the guest list!

December 2
NAUGHTY PARIS READING & SIGNING EVENT
Save the date for a Naughty Paris reading and book signing at WH Smith Paris (248 rue de Rivoli, 75001, métro Concorde), at 7:30pm. RSVP for this event at books@whsmith.fr.  For more info: www.whsmith.fr/evenementsE.htm
For the latest updates visit www.naughtyparisguide.com/naughty-events/