Writerly Play Kit: 011
Your Summertime Scavenger Hunt
WP Kit 011
Your SUmmertime Scavenger HUnt
What does filling up the creative well look like for you?
I find myself window shopping, wandering the aisles of our neighborhood used book store, or poking through bins of antique whatnots. I used to feel a little embarrassed about this exploration, because it seemed like it must be a waste of time. Often, I’d have a question in mind, something along the lines of:
I wonder how I might make my entryway more welcoming?
or
What’s the next step for me in learning to draw?
I’d follow the question through the maze of shelves filled with storied objects and find an interesting wire basket that would perfectly hold mail and keys. Or, I might spot a book with a cover image that reminded me–I have that blue glass vase and those interesting feathers. Maybe I could make a feather arrangement instead of a floral one.
Sometimes, I do buy a small item, but more often I leave with my head full of ideas rather than my hands full of objects. Many times the ideas I leave with solve problems unrelated to the initial question I followed into the store in the first place.
It struck me that these quests are like the scavenger hunts of my childhood–when I’m on the hunt, I feel like I’ve stepped into Nancy Drew’s shoes, or become an expert puzzle and problem-solver like Sherlock Holmes.
I’ve been re-reading The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron this summer, and thinking a lot about what play might look like for me. Julia Cameron calls them “artist dates,” and encourages us to not be stingy about the games we allow our artist to play. We don’t have to be productive with every single creative moment we have to spend. In fact, when we let ourselves explore, experiment, wander … good things happen.
In that spirit, I thought it would be fun to invite you into a summertime scavenger hunt over the next month. I’m proposing that you look for five specific items, and my hope is that while you’re on the hunt, you’ll also stumble across the very thing you need next, even though you and I may not currently know exactly what that is just yet. I hope this challenge is a lot of fun for you and also leads you to interesting places.
Each Writerly Play Kit is designed to fuel creative momentum. In this issue, we’re leaning into summertime energy and inviting our inner artist out to play. Don’t forget: Beyond this WP Kit, you can tap into weekly Writerly Play with the Creative Lift Podcast.
YOUR SUMMERTIME SCAVENGER HUNT
Instructions: Seek out each of these items wherever you choose. Remember, the hunt is an opportunity to stumble across the unexpected, so take your time, and widen your circle past the spaces you usually explore. Consider hunting among your own shelves, at local small businesses, at the library, or even at the homes of your family or friends (with their permission of course)! Once you find your item, snap a few photos to document the find or even to post in your space. Absolutely love what you find? If you choose, bring the item itself into your space as inspiration!
ITEM #1
A VISUAL FEAST
At the library or a bookstore, look for a book that is a visual feast. What kinds of images fuel you? A travel guide? A vibrant cookbook? A celebration of antique license plates?
ITEM #2
A childhood toy
Either in your own boxes, or out in the world, seek out a toy that reminds you of childhood play. Did you play with art materials, blocks, dolls, a Light Brite or Etch-a-Sketch?
ITEM #3
A PERSONAL ARTIFACT
Wherever you keep memories, look for a photo or document that shows an early example of you being vibrantly YOU. Maybe you can find a craft, an early piece of writing, or a photo of you sock-skating on your newly-polished wood floors.
ITEM #4
A SIGNATURE ITEM
Imagine you’re a costume designer. What item of clothing or accessory might be a perfect signature item for your creative self? Maybe a coat, a pair of shoes, or a literary scarf?
ITEM #5
AN INVITATION TO YOUR IMAGINATION
Imagine you’re a set designer. What object—or set of objects—might set the stage for a cozy, sensory-rich corner where you could curl up and imagine? Think about your five senses–especially sound and smell, since those are particularly evocative.
Remember, the goal in this scavenger hunt goes beyond finding this set of items. The items themselves will likely unlock curiosity and potential. However, I’m also hoping that your hunt will cause you to stumble across what Julia Cameron calls serendipity. What might you be looking for right now that you don’t even know you need to find? I can’t wait to see where your hunt leads you.
Don’t forget: I love to hear your stories. You can reply to me at any time to share what you discovered, which is such a treat for me. I love to celebrate you and your successes. You inspire me and lead me into serendipitous discoveries of my own, too!
JOIN ME FOR CREATIVE LIFT!
How can leveling up feel like a story? That’s the experience I’m building with Season One of Creative Lift–a story that features you. It’s your chance to step through a portal into an adventure that is both challenging and also full of the joy of discovery. The podcast will help you see the magical story you’re already living.
One reason that NaNoWriMo, PiBoWriMo, or 30 day Instagram challenges are so successful is that they make internal growth visible. When you take on a challenge to write a novel in a month, for instance, you can track your growth in resilience, problem-solving, and courage to face your fears. You’re measuring words and don’t-break-the-chain days, but even after a day or two of writing it becomes clear that the real goal is overcoming whatever internal challenges were in your way in the first place.
Each day as you show up at the page, you face those same obstacles and you experiment with ways to overcome them. You learn and grow, and you feel that growth happening as your word count rises.
Creative Lift is for writers, but it’s also for any creative thinker who wants to see beyond external goals to the deeper story. How might you tap into play in your life in a way that opens new possibilities for collaboration, innovative problem-solving, and courage?
I’ve been having a blast designing and sharing the podcast, and THANK YOU for sharing your discoveries and successes–such as giving yourselves permission to approach problems using your personal creative style, or finding a way to open a window for breathing room in your creative life. If you haven’t listened in yet, join us! You can find and follow the show at the links below. If you’re enjoying the show, I’d be so grateful if you’d take the time to share with a creative friend or two, and/or leave a review to help other listeners find Creative Lift. Thanks so much in advance!
DON’T MISS OUT!
There’s a special Creative Lift email list that YOU can be on if you’d like access to the episode reflection guides and a weekly reminder when each show arrives.
“Serious art is born from serious play.”
– Julia Cameron
