Last month I posted about my outlining process after having just finished the outline for my third romantic suspense. Before digging in to write that book, I decided to get together notes for two other stories that, if all goes well, will be waiting for me to write next year. That means I'm outlining three books back to back. That's a lot of "what ifs."Brainstorming new stories can be an exhausting process (at least for me). I have to stretch my creative muscles, push past insecurities, doubts, the mundane and clichéd ideas. Push past the first sparks of possibilities and dig deeper to find a story unique for these characters. I hope I'm coming up with something interesting. Only time (and my editor) will tell.
But it got me to thinking about where creativity comes from? Is it something innate - something we either have or do not have? Is it something that can be taught? A skill that can be honed over time?
I think it may be a combination of who we are, what we learn, the experiences we've lived through, the inspiration we take in everyday, and the continued practice of being creative over and over again. One of my favorite quotes reads..."Imagination grows by exercise, and contrary to common belief, is more powerful in the mature than in the young." -W. Somerset Maugham.
I hope that's true. I'm doing a lot of exercising of the imagination right now. And I'm certainly not getting any younger.
So what do you think? How do people generate unique ideas? And not just for writers. Creativity is useful in so many of life's problems. It can help construct business decisions, reduce spending, organize the chaotic, and save lives. Where do those ideas and the more artistic kinds of creativity come from? I'm curious to hear what you think.
Sloan Parker
www.sloanparker.com
8 comments:
Well my ideas are so random its a wonder anything fits together. I usually have one brain wave (well I think it is!!) and then flop on from there. So by the time I'm part way through a story I've run out of all the ideas I had and have to backtrack to pull things together. If I'm lucky - some weird logic will uncurl in my head - usually in the middle of the night - and if I don't write it down, well even if I do write it down, come morning, I realize I'm still up shit creek with the paddle floating in another river.
These are interesting questions, Sloan! I think maybe "raw" creativity comes straight out of curiosity. Artists and engineers think, "What if I tried it this way?" and writers think, "Why ..."
The ability to apply the raw creativity comes from both innate talent and practice. I'm thinking practice is most of it, but there is that talent thing as well.
There are several published authors whose author-bios I can bring to mind who indicate that they've only been writing for the past 5 or 10 years, and yet they're already writing at a much higher level than the vast majority of writers who claim to have been writing since early childhood.
So those good writers who haven't been doing it that long either practiced like crazy, or they started with more talent, ha, ha! But any writer can reach a high level of talent with enough work, and getting older and more knowledgeable only helps. It's not like music where you're either born with the talent or you're not, or athletics where you have to be super-young.
Great topic!
Hi Barbara. I have those middle of the night moments too. Or while driving the car. Or in the shower. Anytime it is not easy to write it down. Frustrating and a relief at the same time.
Thanks for the comment.
Sloan
Hi Val. Great comment! I especially agree about curiosity. Brainstorming plot ideas can involve asking a lot of questions. "What if" or "How about this" or "What is the worst thing that can happen now?" (I can be so mean to my characters.)
Thanks for the comment!
Sloan
Hi! I think music composers are writers in a way. They can't express themselves with words so they use another kind of language. My music gift was an inborn talent. Since I was a child I have the hability to compose sounds on my head. They come and go, depend on my mood. I also tried some short stories after I got my diplomma as a Journalist, but my essence always makes me go to sounds not words.I'm not a famous musician, but everybody likes my compositions. I think it is a good sign. I have a mini recorder with me which is very nice because I can compose a song in a minute on my head and I can record wherever I am. Happened with a theme called Nono so blind in the car. Lyrics came to me right away and the song was composed in 2 hours after I got home.Very nice topic Sloan. I hope writers here understand what I'm trying to say...:)
Creativity is bringing one's imagination to life. I am blessed with a great imagination but, for a long time, my ideas resided only in my mind. I made no effort to give them life. However, in the last few years, partly out of self defense, I've started writing them down. With all the people, places and ideas clamoring to be expressed, I was afraid my head might burst at any moment. The thing is, the more I write, the more imagination I have.The more I imagine, the more there is to create. At least a few are 'out' in the open with many others waiting to be expressed.
Hi Cintia! Thanks for sharing and congratulations on your musical success. It's wonderful that you have people who appreciate your creativity. I hope you keep writing your songs and listening to the sounds and words in your head.
All the best,
Sloan
Hi Arlene! Imagination has always been such a big part of my life too. And I've also found that the more I engage with the stories in my head, the more the ideas flow.
I know I've told you this on Facebook, but I'll say it again here. I think it's wonderful that you are writing. You definitely have the muse of a writer, and I'm glad you are working toward sharing your stories with the rest of us.
Good luck!!
Sloan
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