Make Your Creative Dreams Real: A Plan for Procrastinators, Perfectionists, Busy People, and People Who Would Really Rather Sleep All Day (Hardcover)

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From Publishers Weekly
For those of us who pass our days in a meaningless miasma of obligations and responsibility, SARK's upbeat 12-step prescription for "making creative dreams" come true may be just the ticket. Designing the book herself, SARK (short for Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy, author of Succulent Wild Woman) applies function to form with big and small font sizes, wild and wavy typesetting, drawings scattered liberally throughout, various exercises, Mad Lib-like blanks to fill in ("choose a micromovement and write it here_____") and three 16-page full-color inserts (not seen by PW). In case you doubt SARK's enthusiasm for her version of the creative life, she includes testimonials ranging from "John, Teacher" to "Val, Expressive Arts Therapist." Despite SARK's admirably unrestrained support for the creative life, it's difficult not to cock a cynical eye at some of her suggestions, such as "let your dream vehicle out to play!" And while she encourages us to "feel free to color or draw in this book," there isn't actually all that much room to do so. SARK addresses the negativity toward creativity that so many artists face from family, schools and bosses, but the repetition of the word "dream" never quite seems to slide over into how to use it to tend an actual artistic career.
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Book Description

"I wanted to write a book to help all the creative dreamers make their creative dreams even more real....I have a lot to share about struggle and success, and the long flat places in between. My experiences as a recovering procrastinator and perfectionist give me a keen understanding of how they work to delay creative dreams (and why that's sometimes a good thing). I admit my 'splendid imperfections' because I know that my mistakes and stumblings can be of use to others."
-- From the Introduction

SARK (Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy) has lived one of her creative dreams by transforming herself from a struggling artist into a bestselling author, artist, and creative spiritualist. She is actively working with her other dreams, and she tells readers that making dreams real is not only about making dreams come true but also about living with all that is real about life -- the disappointments, frustrations, progress, quitting, and fulfillment. Now she tells readers how they can live their dreams in a guide that is practical, inspirational, realistic, and as inventive as only SARK can be. Whether your dream is to write a book or plant a garden, open a bed and breakfast or get a degree, help children with cancer or star in a musical, SARK guides you step-by-step on a journey toward making your dream REAL.

Are you wondering just what your creative dream is? SARK puts you in a "dream activator" state of mind and helps you figure it out. Are you lost in the Land of No? SARK can help you work with your fear and negativity, live with and transform procrastination and perfectionism, communicate with inside and outside critics, and work with inertia. Do you have a dream but it seems overwhelmingly impossible? SARK's famous microMOVEment technique will help you make your creative dream journey in tiny yet powerful steps. Need inspiration? Read the stories of others who are making their creative dreams real. Having difficulty fitting your dream into your real life? Let SARK show you how to think differently about time and find resources in unexpected places and people.

To begin, choose one of two tables of contents: one for the logical or linear mind that follows the steps in order or one for the more abstract thinker who would prefer to play the system like a game. No matter which path your journey follows, you'll encounter SARK's whimsical humor and tender understanding of human foibles, extensive resource sections, and lots of exercises that will help you get unstuck, activate creativity, and put plans into juicy action. Make Your Creative Dreams Real is the all-in-one book for everyone who has ever wanted to live a more deeply creative and satisfying life.

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