Creativity

You are Creative

Lynette M Burrows

Do you struggle with the idea that you are creative? Creativity isn’t about a single, brilliant, completely original idea. You are a human being, therefore you have the capacity to be creative. What is Creativity? Creative folk have a lot to say about that. What is Creativity If you doubt whether you are creative, you may need to be reminded what creativity is. These folks, from many walks of life, share their thoughts. Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn’t really do it, they just saw something. Steve Jobs Every new idea is just a mashup or a remix of one or more previous ideas. Austin Kleon Creativity is the power to connect the seemingly unconnected. William Plomer Creativity comes from a conflict of ideas. Donatella Versace Creativity is intelligence having fun. Albert Einstein Creativity is a continual surprise. Ray Bradbury Creativity is the greatest rebellion in existence. Osho Creativity is bound up in our ability to find new ways around old problems. Martin Seligman Creativity comes from trust. Trust your instincts. And never hope more than you work. Rita Mae Brown Creativity is not talent but […]

Challenge These Nine Myths and Reclaim Your Creativity

Lynette M Burrows

Do you confuse creativity with being artistic? Or perhaps you believe only a tiny fraction of the population is born with creativity. If you do, you have bought into a myth. Challenge these nine myths and reclaim your creativity. Myth #1: Creativity is Artistic Expression According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, creativity is “the ability to create” and “the quality of being creative.” Not very helpful. But they define create as “to bring into existence” and “to bring about by a course of action or behavior.” So if the dictionary doesn’t mention artistic in the definition of creativity or create, then why limit what is creative? Creativity is bringing something into existence by a course of action or behavior.  There is a whole blog post on on this site about how You Don’t Have to be an Artist. Every day “ordinary people” are creative. If you think creativity is only artistic expression, broaden your definition. You’ll find examples of creativity during a walk around your house, your neighborhood, or city.  Myth #2: Only A Minority is Creative All humans are innately creative. Watch a bunch of young children play. A stick becomes a doll, gibberish becomes a special language, cardboard boxes become castles. They […]

5 Ways to Support Your Creativity

Lynette M Burrows

The weight of political divisions, racial injustice, gender or ability discrimination, and natural disasters can be overwhelming. Particularly in 2020. Choose your meme, but many express dismay about the ongoing issues. And many creatives feel the impact of these important issues in a way that diminishes their creativity. Do you have a creative support network? Maybe it needs some reinforcement. Here are 5 ways to support your creativity with a support network. Supportive Peeps Mentors You need mentors. People who are more advanced in their craft, who can share their experiences. Mentors come in many forms. They can be one-on-one in person, but they can also be teachers in your creative classes, a memoir, or in how-to books. You may find a mentor in your genre related creative organization. SFWA (Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America) has one such program. Peers Peers who understand problems, frustration, and successes are vital. They be in person or classmates, critique partners, co-authors, or online friends. You can use twitter chat, forums, zoom, and writer groups online or on your favorite social media site. Make certain you choose peers who give more positive interactions than negative. And that you dish out more positive […]