This month, we’ll be diving deep with Sherrie McCarthy, a writer who currently lives aboard her boat Falkor with her family. Sherrie believes passionately in the ability of creativity to heal. She also knows that life is messy and wonderful and painful and phenomenal. And writing helps sort all of those things out, which is why she created Creative Mermaids.
Creative Mermaids
What is Creative Mermaids?
Creative Mermaids is about helping creatives dive deep to help them find the real reasons they are not creating. It’s about having the tools to bust past those blocks and living a creative and vibrant life on your terms.
There’s so much out there already. How is Creative Mermaids different?
Creative Mermaids is different because I believe in diving deep. I don’t think the reason we are not creating is as simple as saying we need to manage our time better. Self-sabotage is real and it’s insidious. Our brain likes to lie to us about the real reasons we’re not living the life we want to live. Fear of success is just as prevalent as fear of failure. But in this social media world we also have the fear of a very public failure and success. It amplifies everything. In my courses, books, and coaching, we dig deeper to find out what is really going on beneath the surface. And then we tailor the solutions you need. Not what your best friend needs or thinks you need!
Why did you start Creative Mermaids?
I am a passionate creative, author, and hopeless wanderer who believes that everyone deserves a vibrant and creative life. I have learned through my extensive travels that there is no right way for everyone. Rather, the paths are varied and some have to be made fresh. The only thing that is certain is that life is a series of cycles that brings us closer and closer to our soul’s purpose. Much like a caterpillar doesn’t become a butterfly without first being a dissolved mess, life is a series of events where we constantly shift from caterpillar to cocoon to butterfly.
I started Creative Mermaids to help people through the messy middle of the creation phase and to remind them they are not alone. At Creative Mermaids, we dive deep. We know that the messy middle is where the juice of life is and where we learn just how strong we are. Even if we feel like a dissolved mess. I’m here to remind you there is a cocoon. And you can do this.
And this is why you started the Creative Mermaids online coaching?
Yes, I saw a need that wasn’t being fulfilled. Namely, that so many writers were introverts who were terrified of phone calls. And then I thought about what I would’ve loved when I first started out. A contact who was a coach, yes, but also someone who was more concerned with results than filling an hour of my time every week. And so I launched my coaching. It helps writers identify their blocks and dive deep to get past them.
So, I know how the Creative Mermaids is different, but does the same go for your online coaching? What sets you apart as a coach?
The coaching is different than other programmes because we don’t have set times. If my client wants to talk at 3 am, they can leave me a voxer. Neither of us needs to stress about setting a weekly appointment—and, more importantly—keeping it. If they prefer video we can leave each other video messages or email. It is booked monthly, and during that month they have unlimited access. I respond within 48 hours.
As long as I’ve known you, you’ve always talked about the messy middle. How does your online coaching relate to this?
Too often online programmes focus on the caterpillar to butterfly transformation while totally glossing over the cocoon phase. That part where the caterpillar becomes a dissolved mess—it’s not so sexy! But when we find ourselves in it, we think it’s proof we can’t write or achieve a creative life. When actually it’s proof we’re on the way to the life we crave. Our brain knows this and fights it. It’s why we often procrastinate when it comes to writing or marketing. Too much inner work to do! Our brain isn’t stupid. It will try to kill us to save us. It doesn’t want to go through that pain.
So, who would benefit from your online coaching?
Of course I believe anyone would benefit! BUT in particular those who are stalled or new to the creative life. That’s why, for February, I have a jumpstart Badass package. In addition to the month of coaching (which starts after I get your form back, not when you pay. And you have three months to start it. But, of course, the sooner you start, the better off you’ll be!) you get my Bye Bye Writer’s Block Course and the digital copy of my Author Planner as bonuses.
Sounds like a great deal! OK, last but not least, what is the best writing advice you were ever given?
This wasn’t about writing per se but it was perfect for me. Jen Sincero in You Are a Badass at Making Money. She wrote ‘you can have your pride or you can have your dreams’. Locked door opened! For such a long time, I was trying to write without ever telling anyone I was a writer. I was terrified of promoting or laying claim to the title. No more! And when I feel resistance, I always look at it through that lens now.
Want more? Get Sherrie’s Bye Bye Writer’s Block course, and more, for FREE!
Can’t get enough of Sherrie (and I don’t blame you if you can’t, the same goes for me!)? If you sign up to my newsletter now, you get Sherrie’s Bye Bye Writer’s Block course for FREE, including the PDF version of the Goal Tracking Journal, AND a 50% discount off any course, including her coaching! The offer ends April 30th, 2018 so sign up while you can!
Do you want to be interviewed next?
Check out the guidelines and/or email me at marielle@mswordsmith.nl.
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