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?
Books to Bring out the Creative Writer in You
I haven’t talked a whole lot about my writing on this blog. I’m not entirely sure why. I am still exploring my own personal writing process, especially with blogging, and I guess I’m just not ready to expose myself in such a vulnerable state. I’ve always hated exposing any of my vulnerabilities. But, that’s a whole different therapy session in itself.
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I often have this love/hate relationship with my own writing. I know that when I sit down in front my iBook with the intention of pounding out the next story, blog post or rant on my unduly-broken-in keyboard, the words will come. If I just sit down, type and ignore the backspace key for one round, I will find that moment of comfort where all is truly right with the world. I am writer, hear me roar!
Sounds easy, doesn’t it? Well, what sounds like the easiest part is often the hardest for me: getting my butt in that chair and deciding to write. Can you relate? Do you just need a little jump start of inspiration sometimes? Boy, do I ever.
I find my inspiration from all sorts of sources, but I’ve found the best spark for the writer in me comes from books - not blogs, online articles or magazines - but books. I think it’s because I’ve always had this appetite for them. The content and contruction of books make this amazing little package that fits in your hands, is perfect to curl up to and reaches so many different people in so many completely different ways. I can’t wait to write my first one.
Here are five books that are truly special to me. During those times I’m fighting the thought of that computer chair, I can always count on these little packages to deliver.
1. The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron - No mistake that I stuck this book at number one. The first time I worked through this book was in high school, and I’ve done it two or three times since. Each time gets more rewarding. Cameron has the most beautiful and gentle way of giving you a swift kick in the ass when it comes to using your creativity. Just writing these few sentences about the book, makes me itch to start the process again. I believe I just might.
2. Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott - Shitty first drafts, broccoli and index cards. If you are confused by any of these, you must immediately drop what you are doing (well after you finish reading my post :)), and go get this book. Lamott is a pistol with a pen, a poet with poise. From the book’s intro on writing: “It’s like discovering that while you thought you needed the tea ceremony for the caffeine, what you really needed was the tea ceremony.”
3. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert - A mix of grace, wit and that I’d-love-to-have-a-beer with you quality, Gilbert invites the reader to share in one of the most deeply personal experiences in her life. As she makes a major life change, she travels to Italy, Indonesia and India, and brings you along as she immerses herself in all three extremely different cultures. I guarantee Gilbert’s journey to rekindle her passion for life will ignite some kind of passion in you. I’m also totally jealous of her experiences from this book, by the way.
4. A Writer’s Time by Kenneth Atchity - Published in 1986, this is one of those books that will matter and mean something ten years or one hundred years from now. Atchity explores the creative process of writing, and offers poignant advice on all the steps in it. This book may be a little less “touchy-feely” than the ones I’ve listed so far, but its value is no less.
5. The Right to Write by Julia Cameron - Yep, another J.C. book. She’s just too wonderful. This book is not nearly as well-known as The Artist’s Way, but I love it just as much. She talks about quite a few of the same concepts from it, but here she explores them much more deeply. Some passages in this book I need only think about for a split second and I find that desire to write, and to be a writer….
“In a sense, our creativity is none of our business. It is a givin, not something to be aspired to. It is not an invention of our ego. It is, instead, a natural function of our soul. We are intended to breathe and to live. We are intended to listen and create. We do not need special pens. We do not need special rooms or even special times. What we do need is the intention to allow creativity to create through us. When we open ourselves up to something or someone greater than ourselves working through us, we paradoxically open ourselves to our own greatest selves.”
Creative Triggers are EVERYWHERE: Links to Get Started
It’s been close to a year now since I first became interested in creativity research, and honestly, my brain is overwhelmed with all the information I’ve tried to take in. Do you ever do that? Find a passion for some topic that is so strong you just have this itch to learn EVERYTHING about - and you want to learn AND know it as quickly as humanly possible? Only your human brain can’t quite catch up to that itch and that passion?
Well, anyway, that’s the way I’ve felt about creativity. My backlog of articles saved in the “Creativity Research” folder on my computer is a fine example of my desire to know it all, and know it all NOW. I’ll never catch up to the passion. Every time I make it through a few files, I find more to take their place on the “unread” list.
Even though I’m nowhere close to having all the answers when it comes to creativity, I’ve learned so much. So much, that I might even label myself “a connoisseur of creativity.”
Cutting Creativity Down to Size
While exploring the world of creativity research, I think the single most intriguing piece of information I’ve encountered is the idea that creativity is something that exists in everyone. It’s not a rarity or gift that only a special few are blessed to receive. Creativity is everywhere.
Back in April, I wrote a two-part post about squashing the idea that someone “just isn’t a creative person.” We can all be creative souls. Creativity requires nothing more than open-mindedness, letting go of our fear of being wrong and the willingness to act.
Somehow we’ve all gotten the impression that in order for something to be considered “creative,” it has to be this huge, life changing concept. Really, creativity takes nothing more than a simple idea. James Webb Young refers to an idea as “nothing more or less than new combination of old elements.” Well stated, Jimmy.
Everyday, I keep myself open to creative possibilities. I read, I browse, I explore, all in search of inspiration for all the creative outlets that are part of my life. I wander in and out of the endless creative passageways I encounter, keeping my eyes peeled for a chance to create my own unique combination of the elements that greet me.
I challenge you to greet tomorrow with your eyes wide open. Be vulnerable to the creative triggers all around you. They are always there. It may take us some time to easily acknowledge their presence, but if you are truly open to the experience, it will happen. Don’t get frustrated if you find yourself struggling to recognize creative opportunity at first. I’m happily sharing some of my favorite triggers to get you started.
Blog Post Perfection
- Write Just One Thing and Write It Well - If you don’t read any Leo blogs, it’s high time you start.
- 8 Ways to Reclaim Your Childhood Creativity - I could read this LifeDev post 1000 times over.
- How to Avoid Prematurely Killing the Next Big Idea - Perfect for any of you “creativity beginners.”
- Whining, Blue Smoke and the Mechanics of Getting Unstuck - I go back often to re-read the paragraph about whining.
- Keep The Creative Juices Flowing - Tips For The Freelance Artist - Great advice even if you aren’t a freelancer.
- 5 Things That Become Easier When You Wake Up Early - I love this one because I’m a morning person anyway. It’s when I do my best writing.
- The Rise of the Creative Class - Richard Florida, you are my hero! His “creative class” concept is something I continuously referred back to for the huge collection of articles I wrote for BOOM Jackson.
Crafty Cues
- Amanda’s Scrapbook Room - I envision the other side of the pearly gates looking something like Amanda’s room.
- Lots and LOTS of Scrapbooking Links - Lists like these are why I believe the “I’m bored” excuse is a lame one.
- Page Maps Galore - These are inspiring for much more than just scrapbook layouts.
- Tutorial: Freezer Paper T-Shirts - I haven’t tried this yet but I am DYING to play around with it.
- Shabby Princess - A pioneer site in the world of digital scrapbooking.
- Donna Downey and Ali Edwards - my absolute FAVORITE creativity gurus. I could gush and gush about how inspiring both of these ladies are for me.
Just A Few More in Case You Need Them
Logical Creativity: 9 Left-Brain Activities to Help Enhance Creative Thinking
If you are a writer, designer, crafter, knitter, potter or any kind of “creator,” much of your day-to-day revolves around that mysterious, mystical word: CREATIVITY. In fact, some days may be spent putting too much focus on creativity — too much of what many people call right-brain thinking, and not enough utilization of left-brain thinking.
The left brain/right brain debate is a long and extensive dialogue. The general thought has been that left brain thinking is more logical and analytical and right brain thinking is more creative and abstract. The important thing we should take from these discussions is not a distinction and separation between the two, but the importance of the two sides working together to produce your unique creativity.
I’m guilty. Probably more than most. I tend to spend all my time focused on the abstract, divergent thought processes that are associated with right brain thinking. However, I think it’s incredibly important to take time on regular basis and focus on the analytical side too. Your creative nature will only be enhanced when both right and left brain are working so smoothly together.
So if you are right-brain focused as well, here’s a few ways to give some loving to the logical left side of your brain.
- Balance Your Checkbook —- I know, I know. I hate it too. But, it’s got to be done. So, why not think of it as a break from all that creativity you churn out each day. If you want to get extra “left brainy,” try doing it without a calculator.
- Logic Problems —- One of my favorite left brain activities. They require a linear style of thinking that’s good for you and even better for your development.
- Memory Exercises —- You’ll find hundreds of tips, tricks and advice on how to improve your memory. Test out a few of them. Test out some of the more interesting ones.
- Call Your Mom and Catch Up —- Social activity is a great way to stimulate your logical side. Not only does it help develop your cognitive thinking skills, but it keeps you sharp and perceptive. Dealing with people (especially inquiring minds like your mother) can challenge your left brain.
- Test Your Grammar Skills —- I bet you thought it couldn’t get any worse than balancing your checkbook, huh? But, seriously, everyone can use a little brushing up on English 101 essentials. Things like email, instant messenger and Twitter have made us lazy when it comes to this subject. Pass it around to your friends who don’t seem to know their keyboard has comma and period keys.
- Pick-Up-Sticks —- A classic! I remember some seriously competitive games of pick-up-sticks that took place at my house growing up. Employing logical, linear thinking is the only way you can come out on top in this game.
- Make a To-Do List —- Better yet, make lots of to-do lists. Make categories of to-do lists. The left side of your brain is a list-making fool.
- Plan Your Next Vacation —- This falls right along side the list-making. All the details and specifics that go into trip planning tap into the logical side of your brain. And, being immersed in pleasant vacation details for a few hours is often a nice little mini-vacation for your mind.
- Put a Puzzle Together —- The great thing about this is you’ve got so many choices! You can even choose HOW you do the puzzle: either on the computer or the old-fashioned way.
