Creativity is like a water table under the earth. It's not limited to writing or to painting; it's everywhere. It's a life force: You tap it with energy and effort, and it wells up through you. No matter what you do, the first step to tapping creativity is showing up. If you're a writer, you tell yourself that you're going to write for 10 minutes, and then physically move your hand across the page for that amount of time. Maybe you'll produce only one good line, but that's a lot more than you would accomplish by just sitting there. When you're pursuing a particular objective, you have a mind like a pistol. But the harder you chase something, the faster you go -- and the less you're able to let life meet life. If you're having difficulty coming up with new ideas, then slow down. For me, slowing down has been a tremendous source of creativity. It has allowed me to open up -- to know that there's life under the earth and that I have to let it come through me in a new way. Creativity exists in the present moment. You can't find it anywhere else.

Natalie Goldberg

Her book Writing Down The Bones has had a huge effect on me as a writer. If coming up with new projects this year is hard perhaps her words will help.

Its the advent calendar for film makers!

2 film competitions here at filmaka one deadline 17th Dec one the 28th Dec

Francis Ford Coppola

"You have to be willing to brave failure, which is when you lose all your money, or you are embarrassed because everyone is laughing at you. Most of my more interesting films were badly received at first. When Apocalypse Now came out, people said it was the worst movie ever made."

...

Now Coppola bubbles with the enthusiasm of a 25 - year old. He talks of embracing new technology and filming in 3-D. And he's intrigued to see how the internet will affect cinema.

" I think films and all art should be free," he says, controversially. "Everybody should be able to download movies and music and they shouldn't have to pay for it. The artists should all have another job that they use to make their living, that's what I would do."

(I picked up a copy of the Times sat colour mag on the train up from London and read this really interesting interview with Coppola in it. I must say that as soon as you give up ideas of 'making a living' while making films more things do become possible)

Underground Cinemas

a question...

Just been in London working on a corporate short. I've never worked on a short in London. Tell me oh people who live in this city... how do you cope with the tranport system? On Wed left the house just after 7am for a 9.30 crew call. By my reconing and the Londoner I was staying with we'd left an extra 45 mins to get to the location. When did I arrive... 10. 40... fire at Farringdon.. Another hour I could have made it the 500 miles home.. all I'd done is cross London... s l o w l y

Completion Fund for UK Shorts

apply to Maya Vision deadline 14th Dec. They have two rounds per year. More info here.