Want to Make Something Amazing? You've got to Start Ugly.
A life of everyday creativity is not without its struggles.
The creative life isn't simple. Perhaps that's one reason we've depended for so long on the muses and inspiration to get moving and overcome the many obstacles we face in making new things. It doesn't matter if you're a writer, a photographer, a painter, video game creator, or a small business owner. It doesn't even matter if you see yourself as creative (you are). What matters is that we do our work, in our own way, with greater freedom and productivity, and find within it the joy for which we picked up our tools to begin with. You're not alone and if you'll give me a chance, I'd like to help.
I'm David duChemin, and I've lived a life of daily creativity and beaten my own path for almost 50 years. In that time, I've been a professional comedian and motivational speaker, a humanitarian photographer, writer, blogger, publisher, and podcaster. I cannot imagine a life without chasing new ideas and creating new things, and I want to help you do the same. It's the reason I started my podcast, A Beautiful Anarchy, and it's the reason I get out of bed in the morning.
"Wow! Inspirational and dead on. David’s choice of topics is just what I needed to hear. From The Imposter Syndrome to Perfectionism. Suddenly I am not alone in my creative doubts and received sound advice for getting beyond them.”
~ MikeyL22 via Apple Podcasts
"I am so happy to see David’s words made even more accessible for creators of every walk of life. His words will speak to your soul and free you to embrace our humanity and move proudly towards creation"
~ Passitalong69 via Apple Podcasts
"Wise and inspiring words for any creative spirit longing for refreshment. David has wit, wisdom, insight, and humor in just the right blend. Each of these are worthy of a second or third listen with journal and pen for deeper reflection."
~simplykmc via Apple Podcasts
On July 19th, 2020, Start Ugly and The Problem with Muses were released into the world with the sincere hope that they will stir creative people of all stripes to understand and overcome the obstacles that we all encounter in the effort to make our best work.
Written with the kind of wisdom that can only be gained over 30 years of chasing down the muses, Start Ugly and The Problem with Muses will make you think deeply, laugh hard, and find freedom and practical insights to take your creativity further and more intentionally.
Start Ugly
"Creators must not fear the messy, the bad ideas, or the disastrous first attempts. Not only must we not fear those things, we must run wildly towards them."
The Problem with Muses
"We don’t wait for freedom to create; we create to find that freedom. We don’t wait to be fearless before we make our art; we make our art to discover our courage."
A Beautiful Anarchy
If you already identify as a creative person, this book is an invitation to more intentionally explore your creative process. If you've ever said, “But I’m not really creative,” it’s a call to exhume a part of yourself that desperately needs to get out and breathe.
This is an honest discussion about creativity and the obstacles that stand in your way on that journey. It’s an invitation to consider the creative in all of us, and to recognize that your best work will always be done when you colour outside the lines and listen first to your own voice. Truly exceptional, authentic lives have never belonged to the talented or the fearless, but to those who find the courage to do their work, and to be themselves.
Want More? Tell Me Where to Send it.
Once a month I send my readers and podcast listeners an issue of On The Make. Think of it as a written episode of the podcast or another chapter in one of my books. Helpful, heartfelt articles and stories about the joys and obstacles of everyday creativity. Ask me to start sending On The Make and I'll also send you a copy of my eBook Escape Your Creative Rut, 5 Ways to Get Your Groove Back, and once a month I'll draw the name of one subscriber to send a signed copy of one of my books. The moment I outlive my usefulness to you, just unsubscribe.
Meet David duChemin
I'm David duChemin and I'm working, one person at time, to build a world in which everyone sees themselves as creative and lives that life of everyday creativity with freedom and meaning. I've chased my muses (problematic as they are) in a lot of ways over the last 49 years: as a comedian and motivational speaker, humanitarian photographer, best-selling author of 32 books, entrepreneur, and podcaster. It has not always come easily and I've always found the creative life a bit of a fight, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. It has taken me to some of the remotest parts of the planet, allowed me to teach on all seven continents and—step by beautiful & challenging step—it has given me not only a living, but a life. I want to help you create whatever version of that you dream about. Let's talk about it.
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