REFRESHING YOUR CREATIVITY
by Megan DiMaria
As a creative person, do you ever feel the need to refresh your creativity? I sure do.
Writers can get overwhelmed trying to find a new way to communicate the ordinary and everyday moments that make up life. As Solomon said in the book of Ecclesiastes, “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” (verse 1:9)
Aargh! What’s a writer to do?
First, don’t panic. True there is nothing new under the sun, but you can make a concept feel new with your particular way of communicating an idea.
Sometimes it just takes a (brief) break from writing to get your creativity sparking. Here are a few ways to get the creative urge back:
• Read. Often after reading a good book I get the urge to sit down and write. Enjoying the way another author turns a phrase or characterizes the people who populate a fictional world can get you thinking about how you would write a scene or breathe life into a character.
• Listen. Music can evoke a mood or take you to a different world. Sometimes when you listen to music you can hear it from the point of view of one of your characters or you can create a character who would be moved by the composition you’re listening to.
• See. Taking a field trip to a museum can open your mind to many art forms. I enjoy renting the audio commentary available with some art exhibits. You get information on a new culture or a different period of time. You learn what the artist was experiencing when that piece was created or what the artist was trying to express.
• Inhale. Take a walk and concentrate on the fragrances you encounter. Whether it’s a city street or a prairie trail the scent of your environment can trigger a memory or a wish that set your imagination and creativity in motion.
• Taste. Go out to eat. Imagine how your character would feel about the restaurant, the food, and the company. Listen to the sounds around you. Design a scene for the reasons some of the other diners are eating there. Let your imagination fly.
• Be. Sometimes giving yourself permission to sit and relax in a hammock or a chair in a busy shopping mall and just think and observe can unlock creative ideas.
What about you? Do you have any suggestions for unlocking creativity?
*Article used with permission from http://www.examiner.com/writing-in-denver/megan-dimaria
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Megan DiMaria has been a freelance writer for 20 years and is the author of two women’s fiction novels, Searching for Spice and Out of Her Hands, both of which are set in the Denver area. She is a member of several writers’ groups and enjoys encouraging other writers in their pursuits. Visit Megan online at http://www.megandimaria.com/index.html or at her blog at http://www.megandimaria.blogspot.com/
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3 Comments until now.
I am pondering this question of rekindled creativity right now. I have an article 80% completed and need a title. I’ve found that the title ties all other thoughts together for me. I think I need to stop rushing around and just rest my mind. So many duties crowd out my writer’s voice sometimes — doctor appointments, grocery shopping, etc. Think I’ll take a walk… Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.
This is a word fitly spoken in due season for me today … this week would be more accurate! Following a month of what seemed like downloads from heaven during which I was able to produce 4 pieces I was pleased with, I took a needed break for a couple of days and feel dried up. It’s always so encouraging to know it’s simply normal and my walks along the river have become more valuable than ever. Thank you!
I like the way you encouraged using all of our senses to kick start the creative juices. Great tips!