Do you have a creative base camp?

How I celebrate!

Mountain climbers set up a base camp at an intermediate point on a mountain range so they can rest, eat, and prepare for their next ascent at a base camp. As my improv mentor Diana Brown taught me, artists should also establish a creative base camp by celebrating their achievements and learnings. That way, when the going gets rough or life happens, you will always have that base to fall back on. 
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​So, what do I have in my creative base camp for the first half of 2023?
 
Milestones:

• I have now recorded over 90 audiobook titles and started working with Harper Collins and Simon and Schuster - my work is 80% in English and 20% in French which is a great balance for me. 
• I got my First Audiofile review for The Invention of The Restaurant
• I launched a new pseudonym Luna Rey for my romantica work separate from my Parisian/European brand.
• I attended my first in-person APAC where I finally met my colleagues and producers in person!
• I officially launched my new French language consulting services for authors and narrators.
• I have a new professional booth with more soundproofing. I will do a separate blog post to share all my gear.
• I started producing French audiobooks with Audiobook Empire.

Learnings:

• Investing in my health and vocal care - A physical therapist has been helping with my booth setup and I consulted with a singing instructor, speech therapist and an ENT to develop healthy vocal habits.
• Be more intentional with social media - I coached with Heidi Dean to audit my socials and work on my strategy. I am now using my blog as my news central and pulling social media post ideas from it which makes me feel more in control.
• The importance of having an accountability and support group: my career took off when I started checking in weekly with the amazing Kaleigh Kirby, Sandra Churchill and Laura Horowitz. Other colleagues I am super grateful for: Claudia Dunn, Andre Santana, Kristina Rothe, my Bay Area Narrator Group (named BANG by the acronym queen Erin Grassie!).

Resources:

• Jennifer Jill Arraya's podcast - starving artist no more - great for solopreneurs working on their mindset and business strategies.
• To set up your finances for success as an entrepreneur: Profit first by Mike Michalowicz.
• To organize information and learnings - Building a Second Brain by Tiago Forte, read by Andre Santana.
• Andi Arnt narrator.life group on clubhouse which always provides great insights for audiobook narrators.
• Christa Lewis who has been helping me work on a voice over strategy. My big goal for the second half of 2023 is to take on more voice over work especially in French.

I hope this post can help you think about your own creative base camp and especially how you celebrate your milestones. I would love to hear about your recent successes or what has helped you this year in your audiobook or creative career. Please leave me a line in the comments so I can celebrate with you! Thank you for reading.

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