In episode #103 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with architect and author Donald M. Rattner.

Donald is the author of My Creative Space: How to Design Your Home to Stimulate Ideas and Spark Innovation and the principal of Donald M. Rattner, Architect. As a consultant, he draws on scientific research to help individuals and organizations maximize occupant creativity in workplace, residential, wellness, hospitality, and retail environments.

An educator and author as well as practitioner, Rattner’s publications include entries in professional reference books, and numerous contributions to print and online channels. He has taught at the University of Illinois, New York Academy of Art, New York University, Parsons School of Design, and online

During our discussion, Donald describes:

• How manipulating your environment can stimulate creativity
• Why he spent nearly as much time gathering the images for his book as he did writing it
• How scientific research helps give validity to the creativity techniques he recommends
• Why mood and ambiance such as lighting, room temperature, scent, and sound, influence mental processing
• How certain physical characteristics in the built environment can heighten creativity, including tall ceilings, calming hues, the display of art, access to beautiful views, and more!

Click below to listen now!

Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work.

In episode #102 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with author and story coach, Marc Graham.

Marc is an actor, speaker, story coach, shamanic practitioner, and whiskey aficionado. His first novel, Of Ashes and Dust, won the Paul Gillette Memorial Writing Contest and National Writers Association Manuscript Contest. 

When struggling to write his next novel, he turned to one of the most ancient forms of storytelling for inspiration: mythology. Graham discovered that Norse runes (an ancient form of divination) can play an effective role in killing writer’s block. He demonstrates the technique in his new book, Runes for Writers: Boost Your Creativity and Destroy Writer’s Block.

During our discussion, Marc describes:

• How a traditional Christian upbringing eventually led to a wider exploration of spiritual beliefs and a search for universal truths
• The challenges and joys of writing historical fiction
• How conventional storytellers can engage in the same creatives practices as the ancient and modern shaman of indigenous civilizations to deepen their writing
• Techniques for effectively working research into your fiction writing
• How synchronicities help point him in the direction of what story he should pursue next
• The power story and how it can play a role in helping to heal the world’s social ills
• And much more!

The Writing Coach Episode #102 Show Notes

Check out Marc’s website.

Learn more about my children’s book: Rocket Princess vs. Snaggletooth the Dragon.