Comments on: Soaking, Yeasting, Creativity Takes Time

By: jorgekafkazar

jorgekafkazar — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 17:16:40 +0000

"Sleep on it" is an old saw, and very good advice, too. A little coffee, a visit with a friend, walking around the block barefoot, reading a good book (or a bad one: "hell, I can write better than this!), working on a different project for a while, doing a crossword, all these things can help. A full-on frontal assault on the project usually doesn't work as well as taking a course 90° to one side or the other, or sidling up to it over a day or two. That applies to a lot of life's challenges, I think. "Upward, not northward!" --E. Abbott, "Flatland." .-= jorgekafkazar´s last blog ..Tenirax, Ch V =-.

By: Hannah

Hannah — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 01:01:13 +0000

I love how the article says to schedule time to think about your project. I have the opposite problem; I have to force myself to take a break from thinking about it.

By: Paula Swenson

Paula Swenson — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 19:39:39 +0000

I think discovering your 'creative cycle' is key. I have discovered that my mind loves to come up with great deas for new articles while I am riding on the train, which I do at least once a week, so I make sure I have a notebook with me to jot down at least the basics, and great phrases that rise to the surface. I've also discovered that my brain prefers to rewrite while I am doing something else... like washing the dishes or hanging up laundry.. . I don't pretend to understand why, but there is something about the distraction of a physical activity, and having my hands full that seems to hit the rewrite button in my brain! The tricky bit is writing it down before I lose it. Sometimes I walk about like a senile woman, repeating it over and over in my head until I can get back to my computer or a piece of paper. For clearing my head, I agree with Anne, anps are good, and long walks, getting outside is absoultely the best for me (I jsut wish I'd remember to do it more!) .-= Paula Swenson´s last blog ..What Would YOU do if you knew you couldn’t fail? =-.

By: admin

admin — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 14:52:29 +0000

lol, I recognize “…creativity handles me…” Yes, you’re getting to understand your creativity… I do switching between projects too. I find a hot shower often clears the cobwebs, and I love naps!

By: Edna

Edna — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 23:47:27 +0000

Most times I still think my creativity handles me, not the other way around. But I’m working at it, trying to find my peak creative times and times when I actually want or need to do mundane things and give my brain a rest. I have found that doing a draft of an article and letting it sit as long as I can before its due, is very helpful. I can come back with a fresh, often objective eye and do some effective editing.
I also switch between poetry, fiction and non fiction writing which also helps my creativity, I used to do this more often and am trying to get back in the habit. Additional ideas and suggestions are welcome!