An important part of an artist's work is the ability to visualise a receptive audience, someone watching over your shoulder, who is pleased with your work. For some it is their significant other, for some it is a mentor, or a lover, for some (if you are a person of faith) its God... it really depends on the person. For the sake of simplifying things, we'll call this person your Angel.
Your Angel is always present, but "visible" only to you. They are your primary source of encouragement, personal affirmation, and often your muse. Some of you will already know what I'm talking about, some of you will already have met your Angel, and some of you barely have a clue.
This exercise it designed to help you visualise your Angel, bringing your Creative Self more in tune.

There are three parts to this exercise:

1.) Make a list of all the people in your life who have been an encouragement to your Creative Self. These can be parents, friends, authors you have never met but admire, etc. Your Angel should be included in this list.
Make a second list of people or things that are the enemy of your Creative Self. This could also be your parents and friends - often it includes yourself. This list can also include feelings of guilt, or anger, whatever is the enemy of your Creative Self.

2.) Draw, in black and white, a sketch of your room (ideally or in fact) as a child. No one is going to see it, don't worry about how good a draw-er you are. Use colours to draw attention to the following things:
-your favourite thing, as a child
-something you wish would have been there then
-where your Angel is in that room
Remember, these don't have to be literal, they can be sybolic!

3.) Choose one of the enemies of your Creative Self, and write a letter to them - perhaps rebuking them for hindering you.
Write a second letter to your Angel, thanking him/her for always being there for you.
These letters can be poetry or prose, whichever is more comfortable for you.

__________

If you'd like to submit the results of this excercise, please send a note to :devtheinklings: with either "Nemesis Letter" or "Angel Letter" (or something like that) in the subject line.

Have fun!