The Creative Life Podcast

You’ve made it to the finish line, the creative project you’ve put your heart and soul into is finally done and dusted… but the real fun has only just started. In this episode of The Creative Life Podcast, Holly and Thea talk about all things editing. What do we mean by underediting and overediting? Is there a scientific method to the art of the edit? And, perhaps most importantly, how do you know when to step back from a creative piece and LEAVE IT ALONE? We delve into all these questions and more in this jam packed episode! Also featuring: live demonstrations, novel congratulations, and the return of The Gut Instinct. Let’s dive into it!Thea’s creative shoutout: The Goblin Emperor – book by Katherine Addison Holly’s creative shoutout: Untitled, 1986 – artwork by Keith Piper, on display at the Manchester Art Gallery

Holly and Thea are back and this time we’re talking about the creative equivalent of running a marathon… and then refusing to cross the finish line. Why is finishing so hard?!?! Why do we happily start twelve new projects but suddenly develop selective amnesia when it comes to wrapping one up?In this episode of The Creative Life Podcast, we dive into the strange fear of finishing creative work — from half-written novels and “almost done” paintings to the emotional chaos of finally letting something go. Is unfinished work still valid art? (Looking at you, Da Vinci.) Is there a weird grief that comes with finishing a project… or just sweet, sweet relief? And honestly, is releasing your work into the world a little bit like giving birth?!We also share our best survival tips for actually making it to the finish line: bribing yourself with treats, relying on creative cheerleaders, embracing sheer bloody-minded determination, and learning when to stop tweaking and just let the thing exist. Plus we come up with the best idea ever to help Thea celebrate finishing the first draft of her first novel…Whether you’re stuck in the messy middle or hovering dramatically at the final hurdle, this episode is here to lovingly shove you over the line.Holly is in The Guardian! Read the article here Thea's creative shoutout: Sophie, song by Haute & FreddyHolly's creative shoutout: The Other Bennet Sister, novel by Janice Hadlow, BBC series starring Ella Bruccoleri