"Novel associations that are useful."
For me, creativity is a driving force in life. Of all the definitions I've been exposed to, the one in italics above has stuck with me the longest. How do you define this elusive quality? More significantly, how do you express yourself creatively? Since its inception in March 2011, this blog has been both a catalyst for other manifestations of my creativity as well as a critical component all by itself in my creative life. And as with all creative endeavors I've undertaken, some days I'm more satisfied with what I've created here than on others.How do any of us evaluate the merits of one creative endeavor vs. another? Over my lifetime, I've many times heard interviewers ask authors, songwriters, artists etc. which of their works was their "favorite". Often the answer given is some variation on "...they're each my 'children' so asking me to name a 'favorite' is unfair..." For those of us on the bell curve who might never be interviewed, why not weigh in right here today and tell me and others: "What is your 'favorite' thing you've created?" I'm listening and interested.
I've been writing for 35 years--three published short stories, one novel that came out in 2013 and have another book, a memoir, coming out in March. Along with this are another five or six short stories and three unpublished novels. From time to time I look back at the unpublished stuff and my sober assessment is that it didn't make the cut because it simply wasn't good enough. I'm not saying I'd be deeply embarrassed if it had found its way into print, but, in a way, I'm glad it didn't. The funny thing about "creativity" is that it seems to come like lightning bolts for some artists, at least according to their interviews (Bob Dylan and Neil Young come to mind), but I think that most artists would tell you that creativity is just another word for work. "Showing up," as Woody Allen would say. I have had bursts of creative energy from time to time, but ultimately all of my best stuff is the result of sitting my fanny in chair and gutting it out, one word at a time.
ReplyDeleteJim; Thanks for the comprehensive answer to this post. As someone who has worked in short form (songs, poems, essays, reviews, blog posts) for most of my writing life (sic), I share your view when I look back at stuff that never got beyond my typewriter (dating myself there) or keyboard. Much of it now embarrasses me. I'm willing to bet both Dylan and Neil Young feel the same about some of their stuff that they've released over their long careers. All that aside, I remain compelled to write all the time and want desperately to eventually break through to long form like you have but, time is running short. I also agree with you that what it often comes down to is "gutting it out" day after day.
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