Written By: Mike Deregowski
Recently, I had the pleasure of doing a book reading at a local school. Before I began reading, I introduced myself, talked a bit, and then asked if the kids had any questions. During the question period, there was a comment about it "not always being easy to find what to write about." It got me thinking about how one finds inspiration, and how I can possibly help others to find inspiration, as well. To best explain, I want to start with an example of how I came up with a future children's book.
I was at my job at the airport, working in the cargo pit of a plane, stacking bags. Due to the limited space underneath the plane, sometimes one has to get creative and maneuver the bags in certain ways just to make them fit. Somehow, amidst the many bags surrounding me, I began to think about people and their various shapes and sizes. I personally think it is ridiculous how obsessed we are with looks, and believe we should all just be happy with who we are. This thought, plus having to deal with all different shapes and sizes of bags, led me to create a character out of one of the bags that is struggling with himself and wants to be some other kind of bag. Although it took a bit to
explain here, this all happened very quickly and it created a new story in my mind.
Here are a few ideas to help you with your creativity:
1. Let your mind wander.
When you try to think about something creative, often times, nothing will come. Your best ideas are generally going to be the ones that seemingly come from nowhere. If you are a planner, chance are, you will suddenly have everything you need to get your creative project done and can start your masterpiece. If you are like me, and let the project write/draw itself, this method is equally effective.
Once you are done creating what your head dictated to you, that is when the fine tuning starts. Just get your idea down.
2. If you are writing, listen to your characters.
I never would have believed the idea of listening to characters in your head. In fact, if you were to say that to a psychologist, you would probably be put on some heavy medication.
In fact, any writer will agree, the characters do tell you what their story is if you let them. Luigi Pirandello wrote a play about this very subject called "6 Characters in Search of an Author" where characters happened to wander into a rehearsal, and began telling the director their story. I highly recommend this read to anyone interested in drama or writing, to help understand the process. The characters will never lead you down the wrong path.
3. Don't be afraid of change.
Even the best laid plans can go astray, and writing is no exception. Even though you may think the story should go one way, your characters may have other ideas. You may have a specific event in mind, and you may know how you want it to happen, but sometimes events change and other things need to happen first. Instead of getting frustrated, embrace the change. Trust that everything will turn out all right in the end and go with the flow.
The creative process is funny and sometimes fickle. If you find yourself stuck on a particular project, take a break and work on something else. If you are open to it, the muses will provide you with the tools you need to create your next work of art.
Even though I am not the first, or the last, person to share these words of wisdom, I hope I have provided you with some ideas for creating whatever you happen to be
working on, or thinking of working on.
All writing (c) Mike Deregowski - no reproduction in whole or in part unless written permission is received from the author.
I was at my job at the airport, working in the cargo pit of a plane, stacking bags. Due to the limited space underneath the plane, sometimes one has to get creative and maneuver the bags in certain ways just to make them fit. Somehow, amidst the many bags surrounding me, I began to think about people and their various shapes and sizes. I personally think it is ridiculous how obsessed we are with looks, and believe we should all just be happy with who we are. This thought, plus having to deal with all different shapes and sizes of bags, led me to create a character out of one of the bags that is struggling with himself and wants to be some other kind of bag. Although it took a bit to
explain here, this all happened very quickly and it created a new story in my mind.
Here are a few ideas to help you with your creativity:
1. Let your mind wander.
When you try to think about something creative, often times, nothing will come. Your best ideas are generally going to be the ones that seemingly come from nowhere. If you are a planner, chance are, you will suddenly have everything you need to get your creative project done and can start your masterpiece. If you are like me, and let the project write/draw itself, this method is equally effective.
Once you are done creating what your head dictated to you, that is when the fine tuning starts. Just get your idea down.
2. If you are writing, listen to your characters.
I never would have believed the idea of listening to characters in your head. In fact, if you were to say that to a psychologist, you would probably be put on some heavy medication.
In fact, any writer will agree, the characters do tell you what their story is if you let them. Luigi Pirandello wrote a play about this very subject called "6 Characters in Search of an Author" where characters happened to wander into a rehearsal, and began telling the director their story. I highly recommend this read to anyone interested in drama or writing, to help understand the process. The characters will never lead you down the wrong path.
3. Don't be afraid of change.
Even the best laid plans can go astray, and writing is no exception. Even though you may think the story should go one way, your characters may have other ideas. You may have a specific event in mind, and you may know how you want it to happen, but sometimes events change and other things need to happen first. Instead of getting frustrated, embrace the change. Trust that everything will turn out all right in the end and go with the flow.
The creative process is funny and sometimes fickle. If you find yourself stuck on a particular project, take a break and work on something else. If you are open to it, the muses will provide you with the tools you need to create your next work of art.
Even though I am not the first, or the last, person to share these words of wisdom, I hope I have provided you with some ideas for creating whatever you happen to be
working on, or thinking of working on.
All writing (c) Mike Deregowski - no reproduction in whole or in part unless written permission is received from the author.
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