January 8, 2025
Walk into any home in Los Angeles, and you’ll likely find a copy of Julia Cameron’s “The Artist’s Way” on a bookshelf. I know I did – and like most people, I initially let it gather dust.
As a creativity instructor who taught at the graduate level at Columbia University, I recognized the book’s immense value: a 12-week program designed to unlock your creative potential.
But I also noticed a pattern: everyone owns it, but hardly anyone finishes it.
Why I Created the Accountability Group
After years of teaching creativity in academic settings, I wanted to create something more practical than theoretical.
The solution came to me when I realized what was missing: real accountability.
So I reached out to some of the most creative people in my network – former students, colleagues, and friends – and proposed an idea.
We’d work through “The Artist’s Way” together, with one crucial twist: miss a week, and you’d owe each group member $100.
Assembling the Dream Team
My inaugural group brought together an extraordinary mix of talents:
- a professional comedy writer who graduated from USC
- a Harvard MBA who transitioned to indie filmmaking
- a world-renowned book publisher.
I knew that surrounding ourselves with this level of creative energy would be transformative – and I was right.
What Happened During Our 12 Weeks
The results exceeded my expectations. During the program, we:
- Wrote a rough draft of a comedy script
- Submitted a fictional short story to a contest
- Completed 12 clown classes
- Got accepted to a writers group with a stand-up comedy guru
- Created my personal website (Thanks to Nick Gray!)
- And, most surprisingly, landed a role in the TV show “We Should Be Friends” (whoa!)
That $100 penalty? I never missed a week.
Neither did most of our members.
The financial stake created real accountability, but it was the group’s support and energy that drove us to exceed our creative goals.
Growing the Community
The success of our first group has led to exciting growth.
I’m now launching a second cohort with eight members in January.
The enthusiasm and results from our initial run have shown me that this approach fills a crucial need in the creative community.
Why This Works
As someone who has taught creativity at the university level, I can tell you that theoretical knowledge only gets you so far.
What makes this program effective is its practical approach:
- Real financial consequences that keep you committed
- Peer support from accomplished professionals
- A structured framework for creative development
- The combination of accountability and community
Looking Forward
What started as a personal solution to a common problem has evolved into something much more meaningful.
I’ve watched participants transform their creative lives, just as I transformed mine.
For everyone who has “The Artist’s Way” sitting unopened on their shelf, I offer this invitation: join us in turning those creative dreams into reality.
Whether you’re a writer, artist, performer, or someone who simply wants to live a more creative life, this accountability group provides the structure and support you need.
I’ve seen firsthand how this approach can turn creative potential into tangible achievements, and I’m excited to continue growing this community of committed creatives.