Receive a free short story when you subscribe

PR Isfeld

Reading: "The Artist's Way"
Reading: “The Artist’s Way”

“Do what intrigues you, explore what interests you; think mystery, not mastery.”

–Julia Cameron

Even if January doesn’t bring big changes to your personal calendar, it’s hard not to get caught up in a little New Year’s resolution energy.  If one of your goals is to rekindle your creativity, The Artist’s Way (1991) by Julia Cameron is a classic place to start.

Cameron’s 12-week program outlines a structured yet flexible framework to cultivate creativity, confront inner demons, and foster self-discovery. Immersing yourself in Cameron’s wisdom early in the year will set a tone of intentionality, resilience, and growth.

Cameron’s methodology, rooted in compassion and insight, resonates profoundly with the challenges writers often face—be it writer’s block, self-doubt, or the perennial struggle to find your authentic voice. By embracing practices like Morning Pages—a cathartic ritual of writing three pages of unfiltered thoughts—and Artist Dates—solo adventures to nourish the creative soul—writers can cultivate discipline, introspection, and a deeper connection with their craft.

There are many concrete take-aways from Cameron’s book, including the need to establish a consistent routine, confront your inner critics, and embrace creative exploration. The simplicity of the book’s message on the need to avoid being bogged down by negativity while staying true to your own voice is one of the keys to its success.

TL: DR: spending a couple of hours with Cameron’s timeless wisdom at the onset of the New Year will be worth it to anyone looking to get their creativity flowing in 2024.

Captives
A psychological mystery that explores the aftermath of a brutal abduction and the secrets that haunt the survivors.

Three years ago, Samantha Gilchrist and her friends Amanda, Kaylee and Maria forged an unbreakable bond when they survived a brutal kidnapping in Kandahar. Sam wrote a best-selling memoir about their ordeal and moved on to a great new career as a journalist and a happy relationship with Dave, a handsome intelligence officer she met in Afghanistan. Still, she can’t help wondering about the reasons behind their capture.

On their way to Maria’s remote Gatineau cottage to commemorate the anniversary of their escape and rescue, Sam and Kaylee hear news reports about a missing Afghan diplomat. Then, they think they see Ali, their former interpreter and the mastermind behind the hostage-taking, who was supposed to have died during their rescue. When Amanda’s lifeless body is found the next morning, the friends’ suspicions lead them down a dangerous path that uncovers dark secrets and hidden motives.

The narrative alternates between the present day and the version of events presented in Sam’s memoir, as she and her friends struggle with their grief over the loss of Amanda and lingering trauma and jealousy over their differing fortunes in the aftermath of the kidnapping. As tensions rise and secrets are revealed, Sam starts to question everything she thought she knew about her friends, her lover, and herself, not just in the past, but in the here and now. 

Full of suspense, complex characters, and unexpected twists, Captives will cause fans of mystery and psychological thrillers to make irresponsible decisions about their sleep. 

Learn more