Hello everyone,
Today's Blog is a departure for me, but one I hope you will all enjoy. Whether you are a writer, artist, musician; creativity is the main drive behind any artistic endeavor. See the other Blog participators here:
http://www.fredcharlesart.com/blog/2015/3/30/the-amazing-creative-inspiration-blog-carnival
As a writer, I am asked, “Where
do you get your creativity from?” It’s a
good question. Normally the answer comes
with the response, “I could never do that!”
I used to be one of these naysayers.
I could never find creativity. Before,
I struggled to write down even the simplest idea. Then I joined a friend at a Barnes &
Noble workshop hosted by Nita Sweeney.
She teaches, and is approved to teach, the methods of Natalie Goldberg. Natalie wrote “Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within,” and “Wild Mind: Living the Writer’s Life. “
Nita Sweeney websites:
Natalie’s
methods are simple, and distilled town to her “Rules of Writing Practice. The rules are designed to keep the internal
critic/editor at bay, and free the creative aspect of writing. There is a time and place for the editor,
but not in the initial creative process.
The rules are as follows:
- ·
Keep the hand moving, don’t cross out, worry
about spelling or punctuation…just keep writing. You can use computer, but I find it is
better to warm up and use Natalie’s methods using pen and paper. It unlocks a different part of the mind.
- ·
Go for the jugular. Don’t shy away from writing what is coming up
in your mind. You are the only one who
will read this, unless you want to share it.
So you can just let loose, and put it down. This is where the energy is. The power of your voice comes out in this
process.
- ·
Go with first thoughts; which is hand and hand
with the jugular. First thoughts are
where you are your most vulnerable, and before the critic can censor your
words.
- ·
Be specific.
Not red car, but cherry red Camaro.
Being specific brings life to your writing.
- ·
Lose Control.
Just let the words flow from your mind and onto the page.
- ·
You are free to write the worst crap in the
world/universe. This is the rule I
found most freeing to my creativity. It
allows me to write that first crappy/shitty draft. It is what allowed me to complete a draft,
which is called “Rough” for a reason.
Using these rules, freed my mind
to be able to create. No longer was I
blocked, I was able to write whatever came to mind. Once I had a notebook full of writing
practices, I would wait about a month or two, and then begin to re-read. Highlighting what jumped out at me; words,
passages, sentences. These I would add
to a database/spreadsheet. I notated
what the highlighted sections where, what the prompt was, and the date (it’s
very important to date your practice writing).
Once finished, the snippets could
be used to create more writing prompts (possibly allowing you to delve deeper
into them). You could also use them as
story ideas, and also use in stories you are already working on. Say you find a snippet of dialogue, and you
figure out it can be used for a character in a current WIP (Work in
Process). Well, you have something that fits already
written!
Other ways to stay creative; Music
(soundtracks are better than using ones with lyrics). Though I’m listening to Florence and the
Machine right now. I love her
voice! Walking in the woods or next to
water also helps me to get in tune with the creative side. I love to sit by a lake, river, or the ocean,
and write. It could be because I’m a
water sign, but the writing flows better.
You can use other forms of art to
spark other endeavors. A lot of the
creative processes are similar. I also
do photography, music, and beadwork.
Bead jewelry making, is like writing on the page Word after word, like one
bead is added then another and another.
With Photography, you can use a photograph to spark setting ideas, story
ideas, and poetry. Music is the same
basically, as writing too. Music lyrics
often come from poetry. Basically doing
anything creative is a process, a series of events, that lead to the completed
whole.
Whatever form of art you do,
inspiration is everywhere. You just have
to leave yourself open for it. I find
inspiration in art, photos, music, and in everyday conversations. You can get the best ideas from listening
into strangers conversations/events, newspapers, and other books. If you get into a regular routine of writing
(or arting of any kind), you will find creativity is all around. If you follow the rules above, you open
yourself to the endless possibilities to create, and your creative well will never
run dry
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