Martha Alderson - Author, Boundless Creativity: A Spiritual Workbook for Overcoming Self-Doubt, Emotional Traps, and Other Creative Blocks
Martha Alderson
Martha Alderson is the author of the best-selling “The Plot Whisperer.” She writes novels for readers, plot books for writers, and most recently Boundless Creativity: A Spiritual Workbook for Overcoming Self-Doubt, Emotional Traps, and Other Creative Blocks for anyone looking to enrich their lives with more creativity and inspiration.
Boundless Creativity is designed to help writers, artists, and anyone feeling creatively blocked move beyond the self-doubt and criticism, past emotional wounds, and habits and patterns that keep you from realizing your artistic ambitions. Using a powerful technique called “The Universal Story”—a four-phase program with easy-to-follow steps and exercises—you’ll learn to identify and dissolve the emotional and energetic blocks that get in the way of your creativity.
Her other books are Writing Blockbuster Plots and Writing Deep Scenes, The Plot Whisperer Workbook, The Plot Whisperer Book of Writing Prompts, as well as several ebooks. Look for her latest novel Parallel Lives: A Love Story coming out summer 2020. She lives and writes in Santa Cruz.
I’m so excited for you to connect with Martha, check out work, and follow along as she continues to give others the keys to unlock creative inspiration, intuition, and new ways of seeing themselves and the world—with acceptance, emotional balance, and a tolerance of imperfection.
I'd love it if you'd introduce yourself, what you do, and what you're working on.
My name is Martha Alderson. I’m known as the Plot Whisperer for the plot help I’ve provided writers through my books, teaching, and consultations. After years of working with writers, I broadened my outreach to provide emotional support to all creative people. I care passionately about sharing what I know of the Universal Story as a way to view challenges and obstacles as a spiritual practice for overcoming self-doubt, emotional traps, and other creative blocks.
How did you get started?
I began writing fiction about thirty years ago after I sold my speech, language, and learning disabilities clinic for children. Immediately, I found myself baffled by plot – What is it? How do I integrate it into my stories? At the time, there weren’t many plot resources available for novelists. So, I began analyzing award-winning stories and the classics for plot. When I discovered the Universal Story at the core of all great stories, plot became clear to me. Soon after, writer friends began asking for guidance with their plots. As I helped others, I quickly learned why the expression is worded to follow your bliss; once you’re hooked all you can do is race from behind to keep up! That’s when I independently published my first plot book. And, before I knew it, I was the Plot Whisperer.
What inspired the work that you're doing?
In working with creatives of every ilk, I was dismayed to find how many writers, artists, and performers turn away from their brilliance and give up because of self-doubt. I hear how they tear themselves down unmercifully with negative self-talk and crippling beliefs about being unworthy and undeserving, or their lack of talent. The more innovators and makers I worked with, I found that they, just as with the protagonists in stories, hit universal turning points at nearly the same points in their careers and their own personal lives. I felt called to throw them a lifeline. I find joy in offering new ways to view their struggles and doubts, and how to overcome them.
What is your biggest passion? Do you feel like you're living your passion and purpose?
I feel called to nurture creative artists within the context of personal and spiritual growth. My life purpose is to empower women’s voices. First, I had to empower my own voice. Writing Boundless Creativity allowed me finally to own my own story, heal and transform. I’m passionate about helping others do the same.
What is your joy blueprint? What lights you up, brings you joy, and makes you feel the most alive?
Showing up for others has brought joy and light to my own life and allows me to live my best creative life.
Writing and painting and all kinds of creating bring me joy.
Nature lifts my spirit, along with gardening and rejoicing in the turning of the seasons and celebrating the lunar cycles.
Perceiving miracles and the Universal Story all around me connects me to my deepest self and strengthens my belief that anything is possible.
Spending time beachcombing and boogie boarding in the Monterey Bay make me feel the most alive.
How do you live intentionally? Are there tools/resources/practices that you rely on to help you stay mindful and grounded?
I live intentionally by being hyper-vigilant about what’s going on in my mind—what I’m saying to myself, and about what’s going on in my body—what I’m feeling. Rather than get swept away by negative thinking and tangled up in damaging emotions, I stop. I listen to my mind and my body. Then, I assess what’s happening inside and ask myself where the negativity is coming from and attempt to decipher the emotional message or lesson it is attempting to teach me. After I have acknowledged and accepted the shadow side of me, I chant uplifting affirmations and mantras to ground myself in the light.
What would your younger self think about what you're doing now?
My younger self would be surprised and delighted. Non-verbal, dyslexic, shy, and repeated molested as a child, I grew up broken, insecure, and self-destructive. To have healed and transformed into the person I am now, rediscovered who I’ve always been at my core, embrace joy, and own my own unique gifts are daily wonders to me.
Do you have a go-to mantra or affirmation?
“I am happy.” I have had to repeat that mantra more times than there are drops in the sea to finally rewire my brain and live in the light.
What is your biggest dream?
All my biggest dreams have been realized. I quit all my addictions. I believe in myself. I believe in miracles. I embrace nature and goodness. And, daily I am given the gift of helping others. I am at peace.
To learn more about Martha and her new book, visit her website https://marthaalderson.com and on Instagram @marthasalderson Facebook @PlotWhisperer Twitter @plotwhisperer and you can find her new book here
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