- 16
- Episodes
- 4
- Ratings
- 2022
- First episode
About Idle Writers Club
We want to know how, if possible, to create a creative practice that feels effortless, fun, and inspired most of the time. Each episode we’ll dive into a theme that has helped us see our process or our projects differently, or that we feel hasn’t really been explored in a way most helpful to artists and writers so that we can create with less pressure and more pleasure.
- Publisher
- Shaili Shah & Kate Maxwell
- Category
- society & culture
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- Yes
- First episode
- 1 Feb 2022
- Latest episode
- 22 Dec 2023
Latest episodes
16 episodes in the feed.
22 Dec 2023
S3 E2: Wintering
Shaili & Kate share their thoughts on winter & creating with the seasons. Happy holidays! Connect with Kate & Shaili - @idlewritersclub (https://www.instagram.com/idlewritersclub/) Shaili: Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/@creativejourneywithshaili) Insta: @createwithshaili (https://www.instagram.com/createwithshaili/) & writing practice journal @itsalwaysprogress (https://www.instagram.com/itsalwaysprogress/) https://shailishah.com/ (https://shailishah.com/) https://shailishah.com/book (https://shailishah.com/book) Kate LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-maxwell-coach/) www.katemaxwellcoach.com (www.katemaxwellcoach.com)
20 Nov 2023
S3 E1: Finding Momentum
We're back and we're troubleshooting how to find momentum again after a break from our creative practice. Links to Shaili's new website and brilliant Find Your Flow workbook! https://shailishah.com/ (https://shailishah.com/) https://shailishah.com/book (https://shailishah.com/book)
5 Apr 2023
S2 E6: Uncovering a Sense of Perseverance
It's the final chapter! Wow - what a ride, thank you for joining us on our follow along of Julia Cameron's FINDING WATER, we hope you enjoy this closing episode, we've loved sharing this journey with you! (FYI: we recorded this in December 2022!) Some of this episodes topics: What tools will we take away from this process? Keeping going despite our internal weather Spoiling your artist You don't have to act like a poet to be a poet Reading like a writer and more! Connect with Kate & Shaili - @idlewritersclub (https://www.instagram.com/idlewritersclub/) Shaili: Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/@creativejourneywithshaili) Insta: @createwithshaili (https://www.instagram.com/createwithshaili/) & writing practice journal @itsalwaysprogress (https://www.instagram.com/itsalwaysprogress/) https://wildheartcreative.net (https://wildheartcreative.net/) Kate Insta: @itskatemaxwell (https://www.instagram.com/itskatemaxwell/) LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-maxwell-coach/) www.katemaxwellcoach.com (www.katemaxwellcoach.com)
5 Apr 2023
S2 E5: Uncovering a Sense of Perspective
"you are asked to imagine yourself larger and more sure-footed than you may feel yourself to be" Welcome to our 5th 'week' in our follow along of Finding Water by Julia Cameron! This episode includes chat about: Asking for inspiration Automatic writing & connecting with the 'Great Artist' Humility - what would you do if you were more humble? Shitty first drafts & working with fragments TRUST THE SMALL ACTIONS - keep collecting! Back yourself - get your work out there without approval from the 'establishment' Celebrate your work the way you'd celebrate the work of someone you love And more! Connect with Kate & Shaili - @idlewritersclub (https://www.instagram.com/idlewritersclub/) Shaili: Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/@creativejourneywithshaili) Insta: @createwithshaili (https://www.instagram.com/createwithshaili/) & writing practice journal @itsalwaysprogress (https://www.instagram.com/itsalwaysprogress/) https://wildheartcreative.net (https://wildheartcreative.net/) Kate Insta: @itskatemaxwell (https://www.instagram.com/itskatemaxwell/) LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-maxwell-coach/) www.katemaxwellcoach.com (www.katemaxwellcoach.com)
5 Apr 2023
S2 E4: Uncovering a Sense of Truth
Join us in this episode as we talk about: how to find ways to connect with people that help us feel grounded practices that help us feel grounded different ways to think about perseverance that’s not about just “keeping on” or grinding it out Rituals that are sensory and “move you into a sense of safety and expansion” + preparing for success mentally by “telling yourself symbolically that you are fine” Connect with Kate & Shaili - @idlewritersclub (https://www.instagram.com/idlewritersclub/) Shaili: Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/@creativejourneywithshaili) Insta: @createwithshaili (https://www.instagram.com/createwithshaili/) & writing practice journal @itsalwaysprogress (https://www.instagram.com/itsalwaysprogress/) https://wildheartcreative.net (https://wildheartcreative.net/) Kate Insta: @itskatemaxwell (https://www.instagram.com/itskatemaxwell/) LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-maxwell-coach/) www.katemaxwellcoach.com (www.katemaxwellcoach.com)
4 Apr 2023
S2 E3: Uncovering A Sense of Safety
We loved this chapter! Kate actually did every exercise this week 😜 Join us in this episode as we chat about: the process of doing Finding Water out of sequence the unsung importance of a sense of safety to creativity the reconnection with something bigger than you 'Martha Stewart' risks (which we loved), do your mending! Learning to say 'yes I can', over 'no I can't' - "our reward must lie in doing the risk itself" Having a deep faith in what you're doing - defining our own success Julia's brilliant take on reviews - "how did I like the work?" 'Where are the people who get the work and get me?' Constantly expanding vs taking tiny nourishing risks Balancing safety & excitement Receiving inspiration in sacred spaces And more! Connect with Kate & Shaili - @idlewritersclub (https://www.instagram.com/idlewritersclub/) Shaili: Youtube (https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/dashboard/episode/%E2%81%A0https://www.youtube.com/@creativejourneywithshaili%E2%81%A0) Insta: @createwithshaili (https://www.instagram.com/createwithshaili/) Writing practice journal @itsalwaysprogress (https://www.instagram.com/itsalwaysprogress/) https://wildheartcreative.net (https://wildheartcreative.net/) Kate Insta: @itskatemaxwell (https://www.instagram.com/itskatemaxwell/) LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-maxwell-coach/) www.katemaxwellcoach.com (https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/dashboard/episode/www.katemaxwellcoach.com)
28 Feb 2023
S2 E2: Uncovering A Sense of Resolve
"All creativity requires grounded action. [...] Just as a bucket is filled a drop at a time, so too a creative life develops by the smallest acts." Julia Cameron In our responses to this week of Julia Camerons' Finding Water programme we talk about feeling upended in life and creative process and how these practices do (or don't!) ground us back into ourselves and our creativity. Connect with Kate & Shaili - @idlewritersclub (https://www.instagram.com/idlewritersclub/) Shaili: Youtube (https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/dashboard/episode/%E2%81%A0https://www.youtube.com/@creativejourneywithshaili%E2%81%A0) Insta: @createwithshaili (https://www.instagram.com/createwithshaili/) & writing practice journal @itsalwaysprogress (https://www.instagram.com/itsalwaysprogress/) https://wildheartcreative.net (https://wildheartcreative.net/) Kate Insta: @itskatemaxwell (https://www.instagram.com/itskatemaxwell/) LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-maxwell-coach/) www.katemaxwellcoach.com (https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/dashboard/episode/www.katemaxwellcoach.com)
24 Oct 2022
Bonus Episode: Community & Energy
Hey everyone! Here's an episode where we share with each other and with you dear listener about our projects outside of Idle Writers Club! In this episode we talk about the power of community and managing out energy levels. Join Kate's group coaching Making in the Middle here: www.katemaxwellcoach.com/making-in-the-middle Email Shaili here to find out about working with her here shailis90@gmail.com (Sorry for the poor sound on Kate's mic!!) Connect with Kate & Shaili - @idlewritersclub (https://www.instagram.com/idlewritersclub/) Shaili: Youtube (https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/dashboard/episode/%E2%81%A0https://www.youtube.com/@creativejourneywithshaili%E2%81%A0) Insta: @createwithshaili (https://www.instagram.com/createwithshaili/) & writing practice journal @itsalwaysprogress (https://www.instagram.com/itsalwaysprogress/) https://wildheartcreative.net (https://wildheartcreative.net/) Kate Insta: @itskatemaxwell (https://www.instagram.com/itskatemaxwell/) LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-maxwell-coach/) www.katemaxwellcoach.com (https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/dashboard/episode/www.katemaxwellcoach.com)
19 Oct 2022
S2 E1: The Basics & Uncovering a Sense of Optimism
For Idle Writers Club season 2, Shaili & Kate embark on a follow along of Julia Cameron's FINDING WATER: The Art of Perseverance. In this episode we chat about 'The Basics': Artist Dates, Morning Pages and Walks as well as Chapter 1: Finding a Sense of Optimism. Connect with Kate & Shaili - @idlewritersclub (https://www.instagram.com/idlewritersclub/) Shaili: Youtube (https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/dashboard/episode/%E2%81%A0https://www.youtube.com/@creativejourneywithshaili%E2%81%A0) Insta: @createwithshaili (https://www.instagram.com/createwithshaili/) & writing practice journal @itsalwaysprogress (https://www.instagram.com/itsalwaysprogress/) https://wildheartcreative.net (https://wildheartcreative.net/) Kate Insta: @itskatemaxwell (https://www.instagram.com/itskatemaxwell/) LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-maxwell-coach/) www.katemaxwellcoach.com (https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/dashboard/episode/www.katemaxwellcoach.com)
16 Aug 2022
Bonus Episode: The 'stories of our lives' interview
Welcome to this cheeky bonus episode! We thought it would be super fun to interview each other about the stories that have been with us at different stages in our lives, from childhood, through adolescents, reading slumps and returns to reading. This is also our first video podcast, enjoy! Connect with Kate & Shaili - @idlewritersclub (https://www.instagram.com/idlewritersclub/) Shaili: Youtube (https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/dashboard/episode/%E2%81%A0https://www.youtube.com/@creativejourneywithshaili%E2%81%A0) Insta: @createwithshaili (https://www.instagram.com/createwithshaili/) & writing practice journal @itsalwaysprogress (https://www.instagram.com/itsalwaysprogress/) https://wildheartcreative.net (https://wildheartcreative.net/) Kate Insta: @itskatemaxwell (https://www.instagram.com/itskatemaxwell/) LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-maxwell-coach/) www.katemaxwellcoach.com (https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/dashboard/episode/www.katemaxwellcoach.com)
20 Jul 2022
S1 E6: Going with the Flow & Nourishing our Creative Spirit
Connect with Kate & Shaili - @idlewritersclub (https://www.instagram.com/idlewritersclub/) Shaili: Youtube (https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/dashboard/episode/%E2%81%A0https://www.youtube.com/@creativejourneywithshaili%E2%81%A0) Insta: @createwithshaili (https://www.instagram.com/createwithshaili/) & writing practice journal @itsalwaysprogress (https://www.instagram.com/itsalwaysprogress/) https://wildheartcreative.net (https://wildheartcreative.net/) Kate Insta: @itskatemaxwell (https://www.instagram.com/itskatemaxwell/) LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-maxwell-coach/) www.katemaxwellcoach.com (https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/dashboard/episode/www.katemaxwellcoach.com) Episode 6: Going with the Flow + What Nourishes Our Creative Practice In the first part of this conversation, we talk about our experiences catching moments of inspiration in our daily life and allowing ourselves to go with the flow more. What happens when, as Kate put it, we think of our process as one of “hacking” or as collage/bricolage, just combining interesting bits as they come to us? What happens when we allow ourselves to be derailed by a shiny new idea in the middle of a longer project, and is it always a bad thing? (spoilers: Shaili had a great experience with doing just that 😂) We also unpack the moments when judgments creep into our creating sessions and how to reorient and soothe ourselves in those moments when fear of the worst case scenario overtakes us. And we talk about the magic of making the work feel new in the moment every time we come back to work on a project + muddling our way through the “messy middle”! In the second part, we explore what we consume and absorb in our lives that either helps or hinders our creative flow: social media and internet culture (like bookstagram vs TikTok), our routines and usual environments, time to space out, and blocking out certain noise/vibes in our environment. Plus some of our favorite creative solutions to protecting our headspace and our creative time! References: Griffin Maxwell Brooks (NB diver) @griffinmaxwellbrooks on IG & Tik Tok A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas Marie Howe (in Billy Collins’ Masterclass on writing poetry): “Art is an experience, not the record of an experience” Art as Therapy by Alain de Botton and John Armstrong Atmos playlists Aimee McNee @inspiredtowrite on Instagram E A Deverell, the Lady Writer https://www.eadeverell.com/ (https://www.eadeverell.com/) Storygraph, https://app.thestorygraph.com/ (https://app.thestorygraph.com/) The Unknown Unknown: Bookshops and the delight of not getting what you wanted by Mark Forsyth
7 Jun 2022
S1 E5: Learning Your Craft
Connect with Kate & Shaili - @idlewritersclub (https://www.instagram.com/idlewritersclub/) Shaili: Youtube (https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/dashboard/episode/%E2%81%A0https://www.youtube.com/@creativejourneywithshaili%E2%81%A0) Insta: @createwithshaili (https://www.instagram.com/createwithshaili/) & writing practice journal @itsalwaysprogress (https://www.instagram.com/itsalwaysprogress/) https://wildheartcreative.net (https://wildheartcreative.net/) Kate Insta: @itskatemaxwell (https://www.instagram.com/itskatemaxwell/) LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-maxwell-coach/) www.katemaxwellcoach.com (https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/dashboard/episode/www.katemaxwellcoach.com) --------------------- Episode 5: Learning Your Craft In this episode we explore the link between ‘good’ art, ‘good’ craft and the push to ‘do things properly’, we talk about curating a list of ‘greats’ to learn from, the power of imitating to learn, consuming things to fill our cup, as well as ask some personal questions: What does craft mean to us? How do we learn it? How can we make the kind of art we want to make? How do different creative or artistic crafts overlap? References: On Writing by Stephen King The Hearing Trumpet by Leonora Carrington Magnolia by Paul Thomas Anderson Free writing classes with Diana ?! Arvon Foundation: writing retreats The Tavistock Lectures, Analytical Psychology in theory and in practice by Carl Jung Free Play: Improvisation in Life and Art by Stephen Nachmanovitch Storygraph, reading tracker app Journaling prompts: What does craft mean to you? What wise word have stuck with you about the craft of writing? Who’s approach to craft do you find really inspiring?
21 Apr 2022
S1 E4: Creative Life Force
This conversation covers some really massive topics that we just cover briefly, but there are some important reminders about what it means to follow your energy and style and not anyone else’s way along with some strategies and exercises to try to tap into your unique expression of creative energy. We mentioned a lot of different influences and people, so here’s a list if there’s any particular one that resonated with or intrigued you: Hand drier IG account: @handdryers Emma, Ancient Wisdom coaching program, IG @emmajaneargent Marlee Grace Marie Forleo Asking why 5 times on the same topic to discover more insight about a situation: this is actually a human centered design exercise, not a coaching one, but you can find a more complete description here. Circle of Excellence NLP exercise: ? Hygge Locke & Key (TV show on Netflix) Eric Maisel, Coaching the Artist Within --------------------- Connect with Kate & Shaili - @idlewritersclub (https://www.instagram.com/idlewritersclub/) Shaili: Youtube (https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/dashboard/episode/%E2%81%A0https://www.youtube.com/@creativejourneywithshaili%E2%81%A0) Insta: @createwithshaili (https://www.instagram.com/createwithshaili/) & writing practice journal @itsalwaysprogress (https://www.instagram.com/itsalwaysprogress/) https://wildheartcreative.net (https://wildheartcreative.net/) Kate Insta: @itskatemaxwell (https://www.instagram.com/itskatemaxwell/) LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-maxwell-coach/) www.katemaxwellcoach.com (https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/dashboard/episode/www.katemaxwellcoach.com)
29 Mar 2022
S1 E3: Work and Play
In this episode we talk about the impact productivity and grind culture have on our creativity by making us striving for consistency. We talk about the opposite of this being freedom, playfulness, fun. Are effort and ‘hard work’ the only ways to create something of value? Is it useful to bring playfulness into our practice if it feels performative? How can we bring back lightness to our process when we get bogged down in making it ‘hard work’? --------------------- Connect with Kate & Shaili - @idlewritersclub (https://www.instagram.com/idlewritersclub/) Shaili: Youtube (https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/dashboard/episode/%E2%81%A0https://www.youtube.com/@creativejourneywithshaili%E2%81%A0) Insta: @createwithshaili (https://www.instagram.com/createwithshaili/) & writing practice journal @itsalwaysprogress (https://www.instagram.com/itsalwaysprogress/) https://wildheartcreative.net (https://wildheartcreative.net/) Kate Insta: @itskatemaxwell (https://www.instagram.com/itskatemaxwell/) LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-maxwell-coach/) www.katemaxwellcoach.com (https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/dashboard/episode/www.katemaxwellcoach.com)
22 Mar 2022
S1 E2: Idleness and Trying
This episode is about how creatives need time for idleness and how to create pockets of idleness in your day. We also talk about the difference between a more generative idleness and one that feels not very useful, and how to do our creative work in a way that takes the “trying,” or sense of effort, out of it. Some references we make in this episode; The Inner Game of Tennis by Timothy Gallwey Coaching the Artist Within by Eric Maisel The Right to Write by Julia Cameron The Mirror and the Light by Hilary Mantel Silvia Morena Garcia You can find journal prompts for this episode on our instagram @idlewritersclub as well as a space for comment and discussion, we'd love to hear your thoughts! --------------------------------------------------- Connect with Kate & Shaili - @idlewritersclub (https://www.instagram.com/idlewritersclub/) Shaili: Youtube (https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/dashboard/episode/%E2%81%A0https://www.youtube.com/@creativejourneywithshaili%E2%81%A0) Insta: @createwithshaili (https://www.instagram.com/createwithshaili/) & writing practice journal @itsalwaysprogress (https://www.instagram.com/itsalwaysprogress/) https://wildheartcreative.net (https://wildheartcreative.net/) Kate Insta: @itskatemaxwell (https://www.instagram.com/itskatemaxwell/) LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-maxwell-coach/) www.katemaxwellcoach.com (https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/dashboard/episode/www.katemaxwellcoach.com)
1 Feb 2022
S1 E1: Doing It 'Properly'
Connect with Kate & Shaili - @idlewritersclub (https://www.instagram.com/idlewritersclub/) Shaili: Youtube (https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/dashboard/episode/%E2%81%A0https://www.youtube.com/@creativejourneywithshaili%E2%81%A0) Insta: @createwithshaili (https://www.instagram.com/createwithshaili/) & writing practice journal @itsalwaysprogress (https://www.instagram.com/itsalwaysprogress/) https://wildheartcreative.net (https://wildheartcreative.net/) Kate Insta: @itskatemaxwell (https://www.instagram.com/itskatemaxwell/) LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-maxwell-coach/) www.katemaxwellcoach.com (https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/dashboard/episode/www.katemaxwellcoach.com) ----------- Welcome to the club! In this episode we explore the need to do things properly, how much it gets in our way and what we’re exploring to free ourselves up from trying to create ‘the right’ way. We talk about MFAs, writing everyday, ‘showing up’ online, sharing your work in progress, being a recovering snob, taking your process seriously whilst having a good time creating, resisting the first step or the first draft. It's great to have you here! Join in the conversation on instagram @idlewritersclub or leave us a voice message at anchor.fm/idlewritersclub Here’s a quick recap of the references we make in this episode: Kate mentions Morning Pages, they are from Julia Cameron’s ‘The Artist's Way’, Julia describes them like this: “Morning Pages are three pages of longhand, stream of consciousness writing, done first thing in the morning. *There is no wrong way to do Morning Pages*– they are not high art. They are not even “writing.” They are about anything and everything that crosses your mind– and they are for your eyes only. Morning Pages provoke, clarify, comfort, cajole, prioritize and synchronize the day at hand. Do not over-think Morning Pages: just put three pages of anything on the page...and then do three more pages tomorrow.” Virginia Woolf, in particular Mrs Dalloway Moby Dick, by Herman Melville Beach Read, by Emily Henry “Two Writers. One Holiday. A romcom waiting to happen.” Romanticise your life on Tiktok The 90-Day Novel: Unlock the Story Within, by Alan Watt Roger Love, voice coach, @theofficialrogerlove on instagram Sheila Heti, author Journaling prompts What is ‘doing it properly’ like for you? How does it help or hinder your creativity? If doing it wrong means you’re doing it right, how can you do it wrong? What brings you joy when you create? What would it be like to do the ‘bare minimum’? How could you allow yourself to explore this? How can you take ‘soft’ steps towards your creative goals? How can you bring more pleasure into your practice? What would be fun?
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- Apple Podcasts (US)
- 5.0 / 5
- 1 ratings
- Spotify
- 5.0 / 5
- 3 ratings
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