Frequently Asked Questions

The Artist’s Way Accountability

The Artist’s Way is a 12-week creative recovery program developed by Julia Cameron. Think of it as a course in discovering and recovering your creative self. Through daily morning pages (three pages of stream-of-consciousness writing), weekly artist dates (solo creative outings), and guided exercises, the program helps you identify and move past creative blocks, limiting beliefs, and the inner critic that holds you back.

The book has helped millions of people reconnect with their creativity – whether they’re professional artists, hobbyists, or people who’ve always thought “I’m just not creative.” It’s as much about unblocking your life as it is about making art.

Our accountability sessions follow Cameron’s 12-week structure but extend to 14 weeks to set the foundations in Week 1 and reflections in Week 14.

Duration

The Accountability sessions run over 14 weeks.

Week 1 is the introductory week where we get our heads around Morning Pages, Artist Dates and the Artist’s Contract to establish your commitment to the process.

Weeks 2 to 13 we work through the 12 Chapters in Julia Cameron’s book.

Week 14 we take a moment to reflect on what we have learned, what has changed for us and make plans for what comes next.

Time Commitment

You can expect the Morning Pages to take around half an hour to complete each day.

Each week there are a range of exercises to do, typically I suggest choosing 2 of them that resonate and commit to getting these done. This is usually around 2 to 3 hours work over the course of the week. If you have time to do more of the exercises you will benefit of course, however realistically I find that most people only have time for 1 or 2 of them.

An Artist Date should take around an hour of your time. Some weeks less, some weeks more.

Weekly Check in with your group on Zoom will be scheduled for 1.5 hours.

This is a weekly commitment of around 9 to 10 hours.

The Zoom calls will start with reflections on the Chapter read that week. What were the key takeaways? What resonated with you most?

Then we will complete our Weekly Check-ins, each of us will share how many days we completed Morning Pages, the challenges they raised and what is working well. The same with our Artist Dates focussing on what we learned about ourselves that week.

There will be time for questions, both to the wider group and about the dashboard if needed.

Yes you will need a copy of the book.

Support your local independent bookshop if you can.

Alternatively it is available to buy online here.*

Don’t want to purchase one – support your local library and borrow a copy.

This is an online program. We have participants joining us from all over the globe.

The platform we use for the weekly check in calls is Zoom. If you don’t already have it, please visit www.zoom.com where you can sign up for free.

Invitations with the meeting links will be emailed to you after sign up.

While the title of the book is ‘Artist’s’ way, it is applicable to all creatives including writers, performers, screen writers, visual artists working in any media from painting, sculpture, mixed media, digital and film.

I get it, life happens. Of course this happens in every accountability group. I strongly encourage you to turn up to the Weekly Check in meetings regardless of whether you’ve had time to read the chapter or do the exercises. Discussing the content of the Chapter will help you to progress and you will benefit from the momentum of the group. Pick up again with the next week’s Chapter and come back to the one you missed at a later date.

There is no prize for the best check in results, if you only managed 1 of 7 Morning Pages that week, we will still celebrate you. You can set the foundation for increasing this to 2 of 7 the following week. The aim is progress not perfection!

In Week 1 we will discuss the groups approach the following:

Confidentiality What is shared in this group stays in this group.

No Recording Allowing everyone to be present and authentic without concern about their words being captured or replayed. Therefore no AI note-taking tools will be allowed.

Presence Over Perfection Show up as you are – tired, messy, uncertain, joyful, blocked, or inspired. There’s no “right” way to do this work or to participate.

Share From Experience Speak from your own experience using “I” statements rather than offering advice or fixing each other. “This is what I noticed…” rather than “You should…”

Hold Space, Don’t Fill It Silence is okay. Emotions are okay. We don’t need to rush to fill uncomfortable moments or smooth over difficult feelings.

Respect Time & Turn-Taking Everyone’s voice matters. As a facilitator I will be mindful about sharing airtime with everyone.

What Comes Up, Comes Up Creative recovery can surface unexpected emotions or memories. While we support each other, we recognise this is not therapy. If deeper issues arise, you commit to seeking appropriate professional support.

Assume Good Intent We approach each other with curiosity and generosity, trusting that everyone is doing their best on their own creative journey.

Show Up Commit to attending sessions.

Honor the Spiritual Journey As a group we respect that everyone’s relationship with concepts like “God,” “higher power,” or “creative energy” is personal and valid, whatever form it takes.

You will have a personalised Dashboard where you can keep notes, track daily habits and share key learnings.

Each week there are links to additional resources that you may find helpful.

For technical support contact us using the form on the Artist Declared website. You will get a response within 24 hours.