We Create

Creativity is key for a writer. For anyone, really, artist or not, who has vision, long-term goals, who desires purpose and beauty.

But what begets creativity? It's different for everyone.

I've been thinking about what makes me feel creative. Here's what I've come up with:

(1) Being understood. It's a powerful thing when someone listens and identifies with and validates. It makes me feel justified, and capable.

(2) Quiet. When there is time and space to be still and alone with my thoughts, I reap creative benefits. I am able to explore those parts of me that thrive through words and expression, and, what's more, I'm able to act on them.

(3) New ideas. No matter their extent or durability, new ideas spark excitement and good intention, with some sort of direction. That's key, I think.

What makes you feel creative?

Let's Write Together

The idea, this somewhat superfluous idea, just came to me...

What if we wrote something together?

I'll start us off here, in this post, and each commenter leaves the next little bit. You'll have to read all the comments before your own, to know what's happened, to gauge where to go next. I know that asks a lot of your time. But if you're game...

Voice may vary, direction may change. No worry if you're not a writer; it's open to all. You can even come back more than once, as long as you allow others between your posts. Let's see how cohesive we can keep it. Or, if a whole piece wants to unfold for you, write it all and post on your own blog. I'm cool with that, too.

Wouldn't it be fun? And won't it be a great way to spark creativity?

I'll post the story we've written in its entirety next week (or links to your own, if that's what you choose). Let's say a few sentences to a paragraph or so each? Take a little room to play.

Here's our beginning:

Small. That's only a start to describing the café, like an abandoned shoe box, ugly exterior, dilapidated corners. Still, my choices were slim, and my stomach hungered, so I sluiced through a puddle and parked at the lot edge. Told myself, Some of these places are gold mines, food so good, you forget where you're eating it. Maybe this was one such place.

I shoved off regret as I pushed through the inferior door, pushed through the urge to turn and go. A woman spied me then, too soon, before I could second-guess for good. No matter I couldn't tell her place--server? another diner?--as she flumped to a table with a bowl of beans. My presence had been detected, and I couldn't leave.

That Ever-Elusive...

Often the timing isn't right. Maybe I'm standing over a skillet of gravy, and won't step away because biscuits and lumps do not go well together. We're two miles from church, two minutes before the service, and I really can't sneak my laptop into the sanctuary. Or my daughter promises this is her last yodel, and I want to give her the benefit of the doubt.

It is not meant to be.

But occasionally, everything works in my favor. I happen to be in the same room as my computer, trying to increase output on my WIP, and all factors align. I've harnessed the necessary discipline, nothing more pressing snatches my time, and I find it.

The Zone.

My fingers, linked directly to my whirring brain, turn nimble. My creativity is sharp, and it buzzes somewhere within my head. My characters speak; I transcribe. The next scene unfolds, and the words are in reach, ready to be picked and plucked. I step away for a moment, tend to a need, and fall back into place without losing momentum.

The Zone is mine.

(I wish I could own it regularly.)


Tell me about your zone.

Do You See What I See?

We've had two or three sporadic warm days in the last month, and we spent a bit of time at our lake's beach for one of them.

I was able to get this photo, and I really love it.

I see inviting sand, ready to welcome me as I kick back with my pen and notebook. The sun would warm me, the soft waves comfort me, as I let the beautiful sight call my creativity forward.

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What do you see?

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**And speaking of photos... I posted a new one over under my profile blurb. Is it as dorky as I think it is? Talk a girl out of panic, wouldja?

Barbara's Questions

Barbara, from The Serenity Gate, offered several thought-provoking sentence prompts on Tuesday. I think taking the time to finish them is a great way to tune in to the day around us. And they may also serve to boost a little creativity.

Here are my answers:

Outside my window... dusk falls over the beautiful, 60+ degree day we had.

I am thinking... I'd like to have a glass of iced water.

I am thankful for... my daughters. My love for them feels deeper of late.

From the kitchen... comes a chocolatey dessert's call. Janna, Janna! I'm in here!

I am wearing... my glasses, because my right contact lens continues to irritate me.

I am creating... a better me.

I am going... to get that luscious chocolatey dessert and settle in with my book.

I am reading... Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult. I'm really enjoying her writing, and I wonder at the fact that I never picked up any of her titles before.

I am hoping... I can keep the headaches at bay.

I am hearing... talk between my three-year-old and husband, as they discuss a tv show together.

Around the house... is comfort.

One of my favorite things... is a good laugh with someone special.

Plans for [the weekend]... include going to a vintage market and antiques expo. I can't wait!

How would you complete these questions?