As I get geared up for offering a few local, free seminars on reconnecting with creativity, I've been diving into a lot of books on writing and, of course, books about creativity. I've been focused on lessons of creativity for the attendees. Of course, one of the elements of creativity I keep running into is the fact that reaching into creativity is often not a linear path.
I spend a lot of time writing and I know how hard I may work on a piece and how much time I may spend editing it. Spinning a creative phrase or teasing up an image. I take pride in what I write and try to fine tune it as much as possible. (Although, admittedly, I don't always catch every mistake much as I would like to!) But frequently, I wish my craft would take a back seat and let my creativity take over. Lately, I've been spending a lot of time over working and over thinking a few queries and essays and not hitting my stride on figuring out the angles to a few pitches. My creativity seemed tapped out, even though words still arrive on the page.
So, after a couple weeks of endless deadlines, frigid days, and children getting sick, I spent last week reconnecting with friends and letting e-mails pile up, instead of sitting in front of a computer. In doing so, I realized how talking with people can add fuel to my creativity. The exchange of ideas can reach inside and re-stoke the flames of creativity.
Laughing and spending time with people has not only helped re-energize me for the upcoming week and its projects, but it has given me insight into a few queries I've been working on.
Such an enjoyable week made me glad that creativity is not linear--and that sometimes we need to walk away from our creative selves to find them again.
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Elizabeth King Humphrey is a creativity coach and the moderator/main blogger for CoastalCarolinaMoms. She is also a freelance writer spending more time each day seeking creativity in every aspect of her day. Even if that happens to be creative sleeping and dreaming.
Fueling the creative fire
Monday, March 09, 2009
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4 comments:
Reading your blog this morning about creativity and how important it is to find our creative selves by stepping away and coming back feels like a breath of fresh air for me. I think we don't give ourselves enough space and your post helped me to realize that. What a great way to start my week. Thank you for that reminder!
I notice the same effect in my life too. Girls Night Outs, coffee dates, etc. always seem to revive my creativity and desire to write. Sometimes we gotta step away from the computer and live!
This is so true. I recently heard someone say: "I'm a writer, so I figure I gotta get out and experience stuff." I was like: Oh yeah! I totally forgot we're supposed to do that!
Well, looking at the comment section, I know who I can call next time I need to take a break! LOL!
It's so easy to let the words take over, instead of keeping a work/life/words balance.
Even when I'm on deadline, I need to pull myself away to get some fresh air and BREATHE!
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