Our creativity is a lot like a plant. If we leave it alone and just expect it to grow all on its own, that plant will wither and perish, right? To flourish, a plant needs our attention, love, and care. And our creativity works the same way.
We need to nurture and replenish our creativity if we want it to grow.
So, here are 8 ways that we can do that:
People Watch
Humans are absolutely fascinating. We do hilarious and maddening and weird things all the time, which can be excellent fodder for writing. So, if you're a fiction writer, who is looking to get some inspiration for your characters, park yourself in a heavily trafficked area, like a coffee shop or a grocery store, with a notebook and just observe people doing their thing.
You never know what you'll see that could spark an idea or become become a detail in your next book
Try a New Environment
Humans are creatures of habit. Don't get me wrong, routines and rituals and familiarity is great! But, sometimes, it can be really great for our creativity to shake up our writing environment. So, if you always write on Saturday morning in bed, maybe you consider writing at a coffee shop on Saturday, instead. Or, maybe you always write alone, so maybe this time, you could write with a friend.
A change in the environment can provide a different atmosphere and vibes and energy, which can then potentially generate new ideas.
Read
It's a known fact that good writers read. When we read the works of others, we can learn all kinds of important things, one of which what has been done in the genre we want to write. For example, say what you want about Stephenie Meyer's Twilight, I think the idea itself is brilliant. Because nothing else like it exists, which made that book series new and fresh and exciting.
So, when we read other books in our genres, it can get the wheels turning in our own heads about what doesn't exist so that we can then create that book.
Move Your Body
Since writing is such a brain-intensive activity, it can be super beneficial to get out of our heads and into our bodies. Sometimes when we feels like we've got no ideas, the best inspiration is actually perspiration. In other words, walk away from the computer and get yourself outside for a walk or into a workout class or lift some weights.
Getting out of our head can open the floodgates for ideas we didn't even know we had because we're not focused on the ideas. We're focused on moving our bodies, which allows ideas to naturally surface.
So, there you have it! Those are 4 awesome ways that you can boost your creativity. Remember, creativity is something that we need to nourish, replenish, and respect.
If you have two seconds, drop a comment below and let me know what your favorite way to replenish your creativity is!
XOXO
Meggy
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