Why did John Steinbeck almost give up writing novels? In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby inaugurate a new series, Creative Case Studies. Their first installment is a story about American writer John Steinbeck. Specifically, Carter recounts Steinbeck’s creative collapse after writing The Grapes of Wrath. In the midst of personal and professional tumult, Steinbeck attempted to reinvent his craft and develop a new way of thinking. Carter and Colby discuss this creative transformation, considering how we might learn from Steinbeck’s crisis. ----Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 2:55 Steinbeck bio4:11 Crisis and reinvention 14:28 Takeaways ----Support The Craft:Subscribe to Dwelling - https://carterdavisjohnson.substack.comSend feedback or ideas - [email protected] art by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewell.work or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

Is my work improving? This is a crucial — yet difficult — question to answer.In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby discuss how to track creative growth, the difference between lead and lag metrics, and an interesting phenomenon they've seen unfold in many artistic careers.----Chapters:0:00 Introduction 2:15 Lead and lag metrics11:38 Evaluating growth 23:19 Refinement or reinvention31:11 Tracking growth 33:27 Comparing work38:38 Conclusion ----Support The Craft:Subscribe to Dwelling (Weekly writing from Carter)Send feedback or ideas to [email protected] art by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewell.work or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

You have probably heard the phrase “writing is revision,” but how do you actually revise? What does good revision — practically speaking — look like? In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby discus the central protocols that drive their revision processes. The conversation includes both paradigmatic approaches and practical tactics. ----Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:59 Protocol 1: Separate creation and revision2:28 Protocol 2: Accept the iterative process6:24 Protocol 3: What is the work actually doing?9:20 Protocol 4: Find root problems11:40 Protocol 5: Movement13:29 Protocol 6: The Car Test16:22 Protocol 7: Transitions20:44 Protocol 8: Necessity27:01 Protocol 9: References29:35 Protocol 10: Work Destructively33:32 Protocol 11: Collaborate39:35 Conclusion ---Support The Craft:Subscribe to Dwelling (Weekly writing from Carter)Send feedback or ideas to [email protected] art by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewell.work or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby do a year-end review for 2023. They survey the year’s successes, shortcomings, and lessons, reflecting on moments of inspiration and the second year of the podcast. ----Chapters:0:00 Introduction 1:19 What went well?7:16 What went poorly?13:51 What did you learn?24:26 What inspired you?30:10 Favorites 37:02 Year Two----Support The Craft:Subscribe to Dwelling (Weekly writing from Carter)Send feedback or ideas to [email protected] art by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewell.work or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

Do I need to create a category of one? In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby explore the role of category design in creative pursuits. Their conversation addresses a root problem: How do you avoid being “just another voice” in your craft? In addressing this challenge, they wrestle with multiple potential solutions and the consequent tensions. Do categories wrongly fetishize novelty? Are categories equally pertinent in business and creative endeavors? Their conversation is a general introduction to the subject of category, which will — no doubt — reemerge in later episodes. ----Chapters:0:00 Introduction and creative exigence 6:10 Should novelty be our goal? 12:22 Alternative ways to individualize15:40 Category size and limit 18:58 Innovation and functionality 24:48 Shifting definitions of category 28:00 The law of division 31:00 What to prioritize? 35:59 Concluding distinctions ----Links:The 22 Immutable Laws of MarketingCategory PiratesDada and the Pre-Raphaelites (Carter's Substack)----Support The Craft:Subscribe to Dwelling (Weekly writing from Carter)Send feedback or ideas to [email protected] art by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewell.work or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

How do you write a dissertation? We’re not sure, but Carter is about to find out. In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby discuss Carter’s recent benchmark in his doctoral program. He shares some advice he received during his last exam and thoughts about embarking on his largest project to date.----Chapters:0:00 Introduction 3:42 Setting parameters for daily work 12:07 Just typing16:29 Identifying themes 21:24 Trusting your voice 26:19 Stepping away30:06 Leaving a little in the tank 32:22 Conclusion----Links:Steven PressfieldGreg Mckeown, EffortlessPaul Jarvis, Company of OneCal Newport ----Support The Craft:Subscribe to Dwelling (Weekly writing from Carter)Send feedback or ideas to [email protected] art by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewell.work or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

Are you looking for sage creative advice from a master writer? Look no further. In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby discuss a number of quotes on the creative process from Annie Dillard. Their conversation, following Dillard, cuts across the Craft’s four creative first principles: create, revise, share, and sustain. ----Chapters:0:00 Introduction 2:05 #1 Live a life7:13 #2 Cut ruthlessly 18:08 #3 Spend it now29:23 #4 Return to the concrete 36:38 #5 Write as if you were dying 38:22 #6 Embrace the idiosyncratic 42:18 Conclusion ----Links:“Write as if you were dying.” Read Annie Dillard’s greatest writing adviceWhy an English Degree? (Dwelling)Annie Dillard’s Books----Support The Craft:Subscribe to Dwelling (Weekly writing from Carter)Send feedback or ideas to [email protected] art by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewell.work or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

I feel uninspired. What now? In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby discuss different types of creative roadblocks. They explore the phenomenon of “stuckness” in regard to artistic identity, specific projects, and skill development. They also share a list of actions/ideas that can help reinvigorate and reinspire. -----Chapters: 0:00 Introduction2:03 Pressfield and showing up5:32 What now?10:09 Types of creative roadblocks 12:29 Identity 17:37 Shoutout: Negative Space 20:23 Projects27:49 Skills34:42 Conclusion 35:05 Bonus: Freewrite Reaction ----Links:Steven Pressfield’s booksNegative Space #007: Falling back in love with PhotographyFreewrite: Distraction-free writing toolsMythic.computer----Support The Craft:Subscribe to Dwelling (Weekly writing from Carter)Send feedback or ideas to [email protected] art by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewell.work or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby elaborate on their recent conversation with painter, photographer, and mixed-media artist Warwick Saint. They share their favorite moments and lessons from the interview-----Chapters:0:00 Introduction 4:33 Cardboard boxes and creativity 7:39 The artistic edge10:03 Reinvention and renewal 18:50 Point of view  31:58 Categories and juxtaposition 34:42 Routine and telos37:30 Conclusion-----Links:Listen to the full interview with Warwick SaintColgate LasagnaLearn more about Saint's work-----Support The Craft:Subscribe to Dwelling (Weekly writing from Carter)Send feedback or ideas to [email protected] art by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewell.work or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby sit down with Warwick Saint. He is a prolific and award-winning artist who has photographed some of the most iconic actors/actresses, athletes, musicians, and brands, such as Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Zendaya, Miley Cyrus, Lebron James, John Legend, DJ Khaled, Beyoncé, Daniel Craig, Jamie Foxx, Nike, Puma, and many others. However, in 2018, Saint began a new chapter of his career. He started transforming his photography through painting, producing entirely new works of mixed-media art. In this interview, Carter and Colby talk with Saint about his creative evolution, focusing on the deep veins of continuity between mediums and processes. Saint also shares about his current routine, philosophy of art, and approach to overcoming creative fatigue.  -----Chapters: 0:00 Trailer0:38 Introduction 4:23 Saint’s new chapter10:16 Comparing mediums15:33 Painting as tactile presence 18:47 Layers and creative process 23:40 Capturing emotion 27:45 Revision process33:06 Routine and embodied creativity 41:46 Approaching a career in art47:10 Navigating commissioned work52:16 Creative fatigue and bravery 1:00:22 Recent inspiration and receptivity 1:05:37 Conclusion -----Links:See Saint's work at WarwickSaint.comFollow Saint on Instagram @warwicksaint-----Support The Craft:Subscribe to Dwelling (Weekly writing from Carter)Send feedback or ideas to [email protected] art by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewell.work or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.