Creative Conditions: My New Blog About Crafting
Over the past months, I’ve slowly but surely been building a new blog to focus on the crafty side of my creativity. My vision has always been that Unobstructed Creativity should be a blog with more of a focus on the writing, design and business side of the creative process. But, since a huge part of my life involves crafting, I needed a place to write about all the fun projects and creative thoughts that go along with my crafty ventures.
Enter Creative Conditions.
I’ve got lots of great things to share and will start posting regularly. That starts today with Six Secrets to Self-Taught Sewing Success.
Be sure and check it out, or subscribe to stay updated.
A Couple of Creative Thoughts, A Couple of Creative Links
If you’ve read my recent contribution to Blog Action Day, then you know that those life struggles we all encounter at some point have done a number on my motivation and creativity. I’ve started finding those much-needed sparks of inspiration in the littlest everyday things and occurrences — I am slowly but surely feeling like my old creative self.
It’s no secret how much I admire and adore Julia Cameron. She’s the one I turn to in times where I find myself less than inspired. Today, I picked up The Right to Write for a dose of creative reality and opened to the chapter entitled “Mood.” Perfect for someone recently limited by their bad moods.
Julia talks about the importance of writing, and doing it all the time, whether we find ourselves in the mood or not:
It takes it out of the realm of conjuring where we stand on the rock of isolation, begging the winds for inspiration, and it makes it something as doable as picking up a hammer and pounding a nail. Writing may be an art, but it is certainly a craft.
Sometimes the biggest mistake we make when looking for a spark of inspiration is ignoring our craft when we fail to locate that spark. Creativity - whatever your outlet - is something you have to work at, and work at consistently. Don’t let a bad mood keep you from honing your craft. Make it your next challenge — work through a sour attitude and create anyway. I promise you it’ll do wonders for your creative soul.
I’m working hard at reviving my own.
Lovely Links for Today
In the last few days, I’ve found two new blogs that I am LOVING. You need to check them out.
First, the Abundance Blog at Marelisa Online, and I was drawn there because of THIS incredible post: Creative Thinking Techniques. Seriously, read it. Reread it. Print it out, hang it on the fridge and practice it everyday. What inspiring ideas from Marelisa. You rock, girlie!
Second, Creative Every Day. I found Leah’s blog because she linked to a post here (Thanks, L!). I’m very intrigued by her Creative Every Day 2008 Challenge. She’s looking for suggestions on how to approach 2009, so drop her a line with your imaginative ideas.
Any great creativity blogs you are enjoying? Let me know about them in the comments. There’s always room in Google Reader for a new, inspiring blog.
Interview with Obama Logo Designer
If you liked my post about the creative nature of Obama’s campaign, be sure and check out this New York Times interview with designer responsible for the ‘O’ logo. Read it here.
The thing that struck me the most:
Q: What were you thinking when you conceived this idea?
A: When we received the assignment, we immediately read both of Senator Obama’s books. We were struck by the ideas of hope, change and a new perspective on red and blue (not red and blue states, but one country). There was also a strong sense, from the start, that his campaign represented something entirely new in American politics — “a new day,” so to speak.
Shows you how important that research step is in creating any kind of creative campaign.
Forget The Words, Write With Thought
Flipping through an old binder of mine from my incredible experience in Donna Ladd ’s writing classes, I found a Chip Scanlan article from last summer that I printed out and saved:
“Ways with Words, Ways with Thoughts: A Bond with Abraham Lincoln”
Chip got me thinking — which is somewhat amusing, since the whole premise of his post is about how good writers are good at what they do, not because they have a way with words, but because they are so savvy with their thoughts. So,
I only recently discovered how much passion I have for writing. I never had any trouble writing well, and never objected to writing during those years in college and graduate school. But, even through all that writing, I never found the spark to power that intense fire I now have for my craft.
Going back and reading Chip’s article I was suddenly aware of why it took me so long to find that fervor, and why so many people struggle so desperately when faced with the task of writing something - anything.
At War With a Blank Page
Writers and non-writers alike have experienced it. Sitting in front of a clean, white document on your computer screen, or staring at the unfilled lines of a legal pad on your desk. A blank page can be seriously intimidating if you approach it haphazardly. And, for the longest time, I approached it by eyeing what I just assumed was the prize for good writing: the language and the words.
I was so concerned with beautiful presentation, I ignored a fairly important detail. Was my material even worth presenting?
Seeking a Deeper Meaning
It wasn’t instantaneous. I didn’t roll out of bed one morning and decide, “Okay, today is the day I really start to think about my writing.” It would have save a lot of wear an tear on my computer’s backspace key, I can promise you that. No, instead, I gradually opened my eyes to new ideas about the writing process. I credit Donna Ladd, Anne Lamott, Julia Cameron, Chip Scanlan and so many other great thinkers with that awakening.
I finally stepped outside my ego and let go of that unhealthy desire for perfection in every word I put down on paper. Suddenly, writing became my way of making sense of everything, everywhere and everyone I encountered. I was on a quest to find the greater meaning, the ultimate truths, and I had the most reliable compass in the world to lead my on that journey.
Challenging Your Own Thoughts
The next time you get ready to sit down and type or write something, don’t do it. Well, not yet anyway. You probably are not as ready as you think. Instead, take a few minutes, or even a few hours if you’ve got the time, and really think about what you plan to write. You could ask yourself a million questions, but on account of space and bandwidth, I won’t list all of them. Here are some of my favorite questions, thought, that are sure to get your wheels turning. After that the words are easy.
- What will shock the reader most?
- In 10 words, how can I sum up what my story is about?
- What image or symbol best fits my story?
- What famous quote best relates to the topic?
- What one thing MUST be included in the story?
- What one thing can be left out?
- How many scenes does your story need to make sense?
- Is there conflict between any characters?
- Do things backwards. What should your final paragraph say?
- What are 5 words that best describe the sense of place you want to convey to your reader?
- The lede: what piece of info will make the reader want to keep reading?
- Pick 5 things in your story (a character, a place, and object) and list descriptive adjectives for each.
- What makes this story original?
- Think about how you might tell your story to a child?
The possibilities are endless. Once you become open to exploring new directions for your story, you’ll be surprised at how easily your thoughts start flow, and how easy and enjoyable writing is because of that.
How Is Creativity Important In Your Life?
Linda Dessau posted an article at Creativity Portal a few days ago. The article, “What Does Creativity Bring To Your Life?,” is based on interviews she did with 19 different artists. And, it got me thinking about what creativity means in my life because it is such a huge part of everything I do.
In Linda’s article she identifies a number of themes that popped up throughout her discussions. Some stick out more than others, and some truly hit home.
Creativity brings a spiritual connection
Julia Cameron talks about how writing is not an act of pontification, rather one of revelation. I think you can extend that descriprion to include all practices of creative expression. It’s that idea of letting go — letting go and letting yourself become a channel for creativity.
When you can step back far enough and take your ego out of the picture, the creative process becomes this incredible path of discovery - even for the artist. Surprises wait around every corner of enlightenment.
Creativity brings a return to home, a “normalcy”
As my wedding day approaches, I find myself with less and less time to explore all the creative outlets that I love. When I finally find those intimate moments to put my creativity to work, I am immediately at ease, back in my element. When I am away from creating for too long, I become somewhat like this grumpy toddler who’s been toted all over town on mom’s shopping excursions, and wants nothing more than to go home to the place she knows best. For me, that is creativity.
Creativity brings a sense of self-worth and identity
Who am I without my creativity? It is how I make my life and my happiness. Creativity is who I am. I am fulfilled when I write or paint or create something exceptionally special. But really and truly, I am just satisfied when I am writing or painting or creating something. The process is what makes it special for me.
Creativity heals me
I am truly amazed at how powerful self-expression can be when you are hurt or suffering. Truly amazed.
Creativity brings happiness, energy and power
Are there days when you feel so inspired and so fueled by creativity that it almost overwhelms you? Sometimes I will find myself flipping through a magazine or perusing some website, and all of a sudden it’s like someone flipped the switch for my creativity. And they didn’t just flip the switch to ON, they turned it to the highest setting I’ve got. Do you know what I’m talking about? Holy cow, what a rush.
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So, what does creativity bring to your life? Do you identify with any of the themes that Linda listed in her article?
