Creativity is a five-part process, which occurs in interconnected phases:
STIMULUS: A creative stimulus is anything that provokes or inspires creativity. It can be a wide range of things, from a piece of art, music, or literature to a walk in nature, a conversation with a friend, or even a problem that needs solving.
Essentially, it’s anything that sparks ideas or ignites the imagination, prompting individuals to think innovatively and create something new.
(Literally) anything can stimulate us and cause us to want to act/create. (There are stories all around us. It’s up to us to find them!)
EXPLORATION:
Creative exploration is the process of engaging in activities or experiences that foster creativity and innovation. It involves experimenting with different ideas, perspectives, techniques, and mediums to discover new possibilities and approaches.
Creative exploration encourages individuals to step outside of their comfort zones, challenge conventional thinking, and embrace curiosity and experimentation. It can take many forms, such as brainstorming sessions, artistic endeavors, collaborative projects, or simply exploring new interests and hobbies.
The goal of creative exploration is to uncover unique insights, generate novel solutions, and cultivate a deeper understanding of oneself and the world around them. It’s a matter of looking at a variety of possibilities, the what if’s of the situation. It’s moving beyond the first idea and considering the alternatives.
(What do you think the author/screenplay writer was really trying to tell us?)
PLANNING: Creative planning involves strategizing and organizing the steps needed to bring creative ideas to fruition. It’s about developing a roadmap or framework that guides the execution of creative projects, ensuring that they align with specific goals and objectives.
Creative planning typically involves several key steps: Gathering information/thinking about the task (in writing a story, this is usually the point where I begin to lay out chapters or work off of a plotter or outline). Some people use diagrams.
ACTIVITY: Let the party begin! Create, create, create. It’s one thing to talk about the story you’re going to write or the project you’re going to begin (think home improvement here), it’s another altogether to strategize, to fly into action.
Some of us are all about the planning and don’t like to get into the actual work of it, so “diving in” is hard. Oh, but once you get going, it’s such a blast!
REVIEW: It’s always good to look back over your work: What have I accomplished? Was it successful? What could be improved next time?
These five parts to the creative process are all key. You don’t want to leave out any of them.
CREATIVITY EXERCISES
Speaking of the creative process, let’s get those creative juices spinning!
#1: EXERCISE
There’s nothing like a little aerobic exercise to get the blood flowing! This is one of the best ways to empty your mind of your worries and allow creativity to flow. Take a short walk. Do five minutes of aerobic activity. Stretch your creative muscles as you give your physical muscles a workout. Getting active will stir your creativity…no doubt about it!
#2: TIMED PICTURE TITLES
Locate a piece of art. Set a timer for two minutes and write down as many titles as you can think of. Allow new ideas to flow.
Once the timer goes off, look at your title choices. Choose the one that speaks to you. Take it a step further. Using the title ONLY (not necessarily the picture) create a plotline for a movie.
#3: FORTUNE COOKIE STORIES
Pop open a fortune cookie and read what’s inside. Talk about a great starting point for a new story! Come up with an idea based on the “saying” you’ve read. Enjoy your creative process. This is a simple activity, but so much fun, one that’s guaranteed to boost creativity.
#4: MUSICAL INSPIRATION
Turn on some classical music and reach for some crayons and a sketch pad. Throw off all inhibitions. Begin to color, stirred by the music. As you move outside your comfort zone, fresh ideas will flow. Creative thoughts will begin to tumble. Innovative ideas will spill forth. The simple process of coloring to music will boost your creativity. Do this on a regular basis and you’ll break through that writer’s block!
Wrapping Things Up
I hope you’ve enjoyed this journey into creativity. Who knows. . .you might have the Great American Novel hiding inside of that creative mind of yours! Perhaps, with some of these great tips it will rise to the surface.
Whatever you take from this lesson remember this one thing: Don’t be afraid to try new things. You can become a creative person, filled with original ideas. I promise. Your creative skills can blossom and grow.
I will leave you with the words of Mark Twain, who spoke words of wisdom when he said: You can’t depend on your judgment when your imagination is out of focus.
