THE CREATIVE PROCESS 10 Tips to finding yours
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Unsure where to channel your creativity?
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THE CREATIVE PROCESS
10 Tips to finding yours
Years ago, I joined thousands of online writers in the National Novel Writing Month, better known as NaNoWriMo. The event encouraged writers to complete a 50K-word manuscript in November. The site offered incentives, tracking systems, community forums, and other types of support. I was determined to finish, and I did. But my manuscript was so shoddy, I dropped it in the bin.
NaNoWriMo wasn’t for me, but it offered valuable support to many writers. In its heyday, close to half a million people participated per year. The program became a non-profit, but wasn’t able to sustain itself financially and died. A sad ending for many.
For me, trying to box creativity into a consolidated time period didn’t work, but my process is not yours. There are benefits for trying a strict approach to complete an artistic project. It can incentivize, build consistency, and provide motivation. It might help a person’s discipline and completion of goals. Then again, it might make a person feel guilty or worse, like a failure.
Finding a personal process for a creative project takes some trial and error. When I first heard author Sara Zarr’s podcast about the writing process, I binged it. I learned that not all writers set a daily wordcount like Steven King (reportedly 10K words a day). Not all writers write at a desk. Not all writers write in the morning. Each writer has their own process. Finally, I found mine.
For writing, my creative brain works best in the morning. I make coffee, and join my pooch on the couch. After a break and if I don’t have other work, I keep at it. For me, editing and revision can be done anytime, but the morning is my sacred creative space. I shut off my phone and lock myself in a room. It works for me, in part, because my other part-time jobs are in the afternoon or evening.
Art is a different matter. I set up projects and leave them for days at a time. I don’t begin until after other work is done, but then find myself glued to the table, absorbed in the project at hand. It’s not sustainable to keep going indefinitely, so a few days at a time approach works best.
The key is to find what works for you. If you are a writer, there are lots of models. Some folks write a set word count per day. Others track their progress by ideas and scenes. Some writers outline, others don’t. I’m not the best at writing with others, but lots of folks like to write in groups.
People who paint, bake, or play music must also find their best approach. There’s no “right” way to create.
Here are 10 tips to help you discover yours.
When do ideas flow easily?
Do you need silence or background noise?
Do you like to work collaboratively or solo?
If organization hinders you, don’t organize.
Remind yourself, there are no rules too a process.
Do ideas come when you’re moving, journaling, or talking with others? Maybe they come in the shower.
Ask other creatives how their process works.
Take notes and reflect about what worked and what didn’t. Don’t forget to write about how you felt during the process.
Offer incentives for yourself. Chocolate, anyone?
Allow the discovery time to evolve.
I suggest you play with your process. Remain flexible and above all, find what makes your energy come most alive. Your approach will reveal itself and then? It’s off to the races!
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“There are really three parts to the creative process. First there is inspiration, then there is the execution, and finally there is the release. ”
“My creative process is a bit manic at times, to be honest. I wake up Monday and Thursday stressed because I don’t have a video. I usually - with the exception of maybe a handful of videos - wake up, write the video, shoot the video, edit the video, release the video all in the same day.”
Thanks for reading. Creativity is not a command performance, but I hope you’ll stay and become inspired. If you know someone interested in creative endeavors, please forward this on!