Are You an Indie Girl?
By Stephanie Lynn, age 23, Massachusetts
SDM Editor-in-Chief
In today's teen culture it's easy to lounge around with your friends for hours listening to your iPod playlists or watching TV while the writers' strike delays all but the lamest reality and game shows. But why? As young women, you all have several creative ideas running through your heads. Inspiration hits at random times - joking around with your girl crew, attending a local art class, or while surfing the Internet. But what's a girl to do with all these ideas bouncing around inside her head? ... I say run with them!
I remember going through my teenage years with so many creative ideas. I rarely followed through, not because I was afraid, but I just didn't understand the project's process from beginning to end. My freshman year of college the president of a professional print magazine spoke at our school. After listening to her speech, I thought, "Wow, I could never do what she's doing." Well, I think Sweet Designs Magazine is sufficient proof that our artistic endeavors are very much possible if we set our minds to them. We can accomplish so much when we come together and work as a team. Running this magazine would be difficult without the consistent support I get from my writers and staff each month. They are amazing! You too can accomplish your creative ideas.
I want to suggest a new book I'm reading: Indie Girl by Arne Johnson and Karen Macklin. I strongly believe that every teenage girl should have this book (and I don't say that often!) Indie Girl takes you step-by-step through the startup process of nine artistic endeavors. You'll be carried through everything from the idea stage to promoting your project, with insider tips to help you effectively implement your ideas. The nine projects the book covers are:
publishing a zine
creating an art exhibit
forming a dance troupe
making a parade
filming a TV show
putting on a play
launching a fashion company, and
holding a poetry slam.
Authors Johnson & Macklin
I personally found Indie Girl to be very inspiring. This must-read can help any girl who's doubting her project idea turn the idea into a success ... with lots of passion and hard work, of course! I agreed with most of the points mentioned in the section about publishing a zine, as I do them often. But there were also things I wouldn't have thought of if I were writing the section myself. Their suggested resources, distribution methods, and promotional ideas were very helpful. After reading Indie Girl I'm inspired to start two new projects I read about in the book, even if just for my own fun.
We can do so much if we all stick together to successfully accomplish our creative ideas. So instead of just hanging around your BFF's house totally bored, get off the couch, purchase a copy of Indie Girl at zestbooks.net, and make your dream a reality!
Indie Girl is available in bookstores and at online book sellers on March 15.
