On Being Creative…

DenaJuly 2, 2014

Last week I was asked to take part in a questionnaire on being creative. Carmen — the beautiful mama behind Little Blue Anchor — nominated me and I am happy to comply. Truthfully, I’ve seen lots of these “prompts” around the blogosphere and have always been a bit hurt that no one ever nominated me. So thank you, Carmen. I no longer feel like a questionnaire reject! 😉


What am I working on?
What am I not working on is probably the better question. In addition to wrangling a toddler 24/7, here are a few of the things that are taking up my time these days.

My photography business is steadily growing. I am always planning creative sessions with my clients. After each session, I have anywhere from 500-2000 images to sort through, cull, and edit. I blog my photography sessions, as well.

This blog is another one of my ongoing projects. At any moment, I’ve got at least 5-10 posts in the works. Parties, DIY’s, product reviews, personal thoughts, Roman updates — there is just so much to share! Finding the time to plan, organize, create, photograph, and share everything can be a real challenge. Still, blogging is one of my favourite things to do and I wouldn’t change it for a thing. (Although if I had a helper…)

Finally, I am working on my home. I am trying to “cook and clean” more — and generally be more domestic. As I’ve said many times before, housework tends to be one of the last things on my to-do list. I have a broad goal to firm up my weekly chore routine, organize a few rooms in our house, and invest in some storage & organization pieces this summer.

How does my work differ from others as a genre?
This is a great question. I think that it would be better answered by the readers of my blog then by me. I consider Live, Love, Simple to be a mommy/lifestyle blog. In some ways I think that it is similar to many of the other blogs out there. It’s a place for connection, sharing, and learning. Of course, because it is written by me, it is also unique to me. One of the things that makes this blog special is the fact that it features Roman, the cutest toddler in the universe. Silliness aside (although it’s true, right!?), I’ve received feedback telling me that this blog is so loved because I am not afraid to share the bad & the deep, as well as the good & the surface; I am honest — sometimes to a fault; I take lovely photographs, and I capture life’s beauty & magic in a special way. Of course, there are many blogs that do all of these things, but I am extremely humbled and grateful to be considered among them.

How do I write/create what I do?
I am a creative soul. When I was a little girl (before I could even write) I would draw pictures with crayons on colored construction paper. Then I would poke holes in the pages and weave them together with yarn to create little “books.” My mother still has at least one of these little treasures stored away in her closet of memories. When I was in second grade, I wrote my first poem. Around the age of 12, I started carrying disposable cameras around with me and snapping pictures of everything that moved me. When I was 13, I started my first novel and wrote a screenplay for film.

I have been creating for as long as I can remember. I am never not creating. I take after my grandmother who was an extremely talented artist and kept a garden that looked straight out of a fairytale. Creating is in my blood. This blog is an outlet. It’s a place to share my creations with the world and it is so fulfilling for me to be able to spill out all of the contents of my heart and to know that someone actually cares to witness it. That is why this space is so sacred to me.

How does your writing/creative process work?
There are a few different kinds of posts that I share here. First there are the photograph posts. These posts really just build themselves around the photographs that I take of a particular day or adventure. Then there are the content posts. These posts are more substantial and usually stem around some thought or idea that has moved me. These posts take the longest to compose and I typically create an outline to organize my thoughts and then flesh them out. And finally there are the free-thought posts, those happen when there is something on my heart or mind that needs to be spilled. I just start writing and watch what comes out.

My nominations…
Nicole of Rose Runs Wild. Nicole’s blog is one of my absolute favourites. She is the most darling, humble, and beautiful soul. She is a mama to the most handsome teenage boy and her style is impeccable.

Gillian of Comes in Colours. Gillian has become a dear friend. Her photography often takes my breath away. Her two boys — Roman and Asher — are as sweet as pie, just like her.

Misty of Momista Beginnings. Misty is a gem. I fell in love with her blog and its mixture of adorable adventure and brutal honesty. It’s rare for me to find another mama that I can relate to so deeply. She is a fiery kindred spirit and I adore her.


I hope that you enjoyed this little peek into my thoughts on creativity! Thanks again to Carmen for nominating me. xo


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Comments (6)

  • Tina

    July 2, 2014 at 3:36 pm

    Just reading this post gave me anxiety from how busy you are! Holy crap, you do a lot!!!! You are clearly super creative and it shows how dedicated you are 🙂

    1. Dena

      July 2, 2014 at 3:49 pm

      Haha… Yes, I am busy. So busy. I’m working on cutting back though. July is going to be my month of relaxation! (Well, at least I’m going to try…)

  • Gillian

    July 2, 2014 at 11:28 pm

    I loved reading this post and thank you for the nomination! This seems like a really fun post to do – I will have to work on it soon. You are seriously the sweetest Dena; your words about me mean SO much!! <3

    1. Dena

      July 3, 2014 at 10:23 am

      Thanks, Gillian! Can’t wait to read your post. xo

  • Momista Beginnings

    July 3, 2014 at 3:53 am

    First off, I’ve also seen posts all over (and Instagram pics) that require a nomination to participate and I’ve never been chosen, either! You’re my first, wink wink. And yeah, I was feeling a little left out also. Okay, moving on…WOWzers, you’ve got a full plate over there. I checked out your recent photography work and it’s just great. The wedding is beautiful! I’d be way too nervous and insecure to ever capture a wedding. How fantastic for you that you took on such an event AND that you nailed it. And dang, girl…with all of your creative projects. You pretty much sweat creativity. I actually saw a tank top from Target that said I don’t sweat, I sparkle. You need that top! I’m impressed with your ability to physically channel your ideas into actions. Most of my ideas are still circling around in my head. If we lived close by, I’d totally schedule crafting dates with you, wine included. Thanks again for the nomination! I promise I will participate, but I can’t promise when the post will be up. I can tell, this is the kind that will take me some time to hash out. I’m on it! xo -Misty

    1. Dena

      July 3, 2014 at 10:23 am

      Oh, I am so honored to be your first! 😉 “I don’t sweat, I sparkle!” I LOVE it. Can’t wait to read your post & take your sweet time. xo

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