THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2023 - CREATIVE V

 THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2023 - CREATIVE V

“Every child is an artist,” Pablo Picasso once said. “The problem is staying an artist when you grow up.”

Unfortunately, as Picasso said, remaining an artist as you grow up is challenging. Along the way, we’re told we aren’t good enough, or we allow other priorities to dominate our time. But regardless of skill level, artistic expression can be a daily benefit in all our lives, and pursuing your creative impulses should be a lifelong journey.

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For the last week, I’ve been writing about creativity.  

But to be creative, we have to try. You can’t say, “I’ll start being creative tomorrow” - tomorrow frequently- doesn’t come unless we search for it. 

Let’s think about starting creativity in your life:

First - practical question:

Will this creative activity fit into your schedule and lifestyle?

Are there classes I can take?

How much will it cost?

Can a friend “walk” with me into this activity?

Are you sure you want to do this - is this real or a fad?

Scenario 1:  I want to play guitar

Making music can be fun - but there is not a pill you can take that will make you an excellent guitar player. You have to practice.

You will need to buy a guitar (maybe you have a friend that will let you borrow one). Suggestion - don’t buy the most expensive one only to find out you don’t like playing guitar!!!

You have to create a schedule. Can you dedicate an hour a day to learning? I’m thinking about the 10,000-hour ‘rule’ - that says mastery takes about 10,000 hours. Are you going to be a casual guitar player? Might you play with a choir guitar group or accompany a singer (or accompany your singing?) 

Can you allocate time on the weekend? Four hours on Saturday and Sunday? 

Are there classes you can take? Do you have a teacher or even a friend who can help you? 

Have you thought about this?

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Scenario 2 - You want to be a writer.

After all, you’ve written memos, notes, and letters all your life. Do you remember that Creative Writing course you took in college? You have lots of ideas. This should be a “slam-dunk”!!!

Okay, I write generally two hours a day - seven days a week. Some blogs take longer. My Saturday Story of Zach Higgenbottom in the Civil War has been extended. I had to research battles, locations, weapons, sicknesses, and more. The last story about Daniel Jackson and computing was more manageable - I lived most of that.  

For longer stories, I have to work on consistency - in the Dan Jackson book, I was going to call the protagonist ‘Daniel’ all the way through, but it just seemed more manageable as I got to know my character that he became ‘Dan.’ I have changed the names (inadvertently) of the characters. Daniel’s mother had two names - hopefully, I’ve corrected that. Locations are important to me. What street did Dan’s family live on? What restaurants are in the neighborhood? 

And, some weeks, life jumps up, and I don’t have enough time to write. (Two weeks ago, I only had five pages for Zach Higgenbottom - and I had to write late on Friday night to get that much!!!)

When I did academic writing, I frequently had a co-author - that helped. I had asked my spouse to help me with my first novel, and she didn’t want to help. (Ouch).  

Like most things - I needed to “count the cost.” Is this a hobby or a fad, or is it a genuine creative activity?  

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And, with many things, you will get frustrated. Many times in the past ten years, I have asked myself - “Why do you force yourself to write a daily blog?” Take a day off. (Three weeks ago, I spent a few days at the beach. I wrote my blogs in advance to relax and get some sun!!

WHY DO IT?  

I see many people who don’t have hobbies - they sit and watch television. I have researched Alzheimer’s and understand that keeping my brain busy is one of the ways to thwart some dementia issues.

But - even as a hobby - do something - try something. I did some crochet a while back. If I needed to, I could make you a crocheted coffee coaster!!! (But, a crocheted hat? Not yet (and probably never)). 

I write that I need to get out of my comfort zone. I need to challenge myself. And that’s not easy!!!

LOVE WINS

LOVE TRANSFORMS

CREATIVITY TRANSFORMS

KAREN ANNE WHITE, ©, AUGUST 10, 2023