Got Creativity?

Where's your creativity level at these days? Do chilly winter days or warmer seasons inspire you? Or do the ideas flow 365 days a year?

No matter when, where, and how those ideas roll, we all hit a lull once in a while. It's times like these that resources from the My Creative Team can help. Their blog THINKing offers inspiration for writers, artists, and well, everyone. Here are a few examples:

• Find apps and links to get creative juices flowing in 11 Creativity Tools to Kickstart Your 2014. These interesting and fun ideas encourage us to think outside the box. I don't know about you, but sometimes I think inside the box too much.

• How about insight that reaches beyond the writing desk? For example, in 27 Ways to Be More Creative #17 tells us to "Take a Nap". I'm in! How about you?

• Modification can solve problems. But you already knew that, right? Creativity can get a boost, as illustrated in this post, Modify It For Creativity. I'm thinking many an inventor from years gone by learned this principle. What do you think?

What stirs your creativity?

Happy writing,

Karen  


Photo credit: Stock Exchange

Got Creativity?

No matter what kind of schooling you had, it's likely that there are gaps in your education. Perhaps you were absent the day they discussed the 21st president (Chester A. Arthur), or when the chemistry class learned a key formula. Or perhaps you missed out on the more creative classes, like art, music, or creative writing.

Well, no need to be sad about what we missed. There is good news - we can do something about it. We can take classes, read books, scour search engines, and use other means to learn and foster creativity. Filling in the gaps is easier than ever, don't you think?

I'm pondering this because a friend recently shared an article by Michael Michalko entitled:

Twelve Things You Were Not Taught in School About Creative Thinking

Mr. Michalko contends that we do not have to have the official title of "artist" to be creative. He makes excellent points about creativity - how to nurture and stretch it. If that's not enough food for thought, he cites notable personalities like Walt Disney, who was fired from his first newspaper job because "he lacked imagination". Did Mr. Disney let go of his creative ideas? No. And neither should we.

The article made me reflect on the creative encouragement injected into my formative years. Two things stand out - my Mom and my English Literature teacher. They both told me I was a good writer. While I didn't take their comments and write a Great American novel (yet!), I do think their support lent a subconscious boost that still resonates in my head today.

If you have a moment, I urge you to read the article. I'm curious as to whether you agree with Mr. Michalko's thoughts.

Did you have creative encouragement or mentors while growing up? What do you do now to boost your creative genius?


Happy writing,
Karen

Photo credit: Stock Exchange