The Creative Process- what is it?

I have been around for a while now in the art world and the world of creativity.  I have read the books and put in the time to have some measure of understanding of what it is to be creative.

I remember when I was 13-14 years old, I lied about my age and got my parents to foot the bill so I could take a drawing course via correspondence.  You likely have seen the ads..."Can you draw?"  And there is the head of a turtle in a hat or some such thing.  This course came out years ahead of it's time.  Not sure if it has progressed since it could have adapted easily to the internet era, but not sure.  At any rate the thing I learned about the most from that course was creativity.

There were lessons sent to you via mail to do in different areas.  I was only 13 at the time however as soon as the lessons progressed into more abstract areas such as designed, I floundered.  What I learned was I could COPY ideas but could not yet create them!  I made a decision right then and there to cultivate my creative side as fully as my skills side.  And one of the only ways I could do this, was to give myself time and experiences.  I lived in a very isolated community remember where nothing ever happened, art was not a big deal and new ideas were at a minimum.  I had both my father and grandfather as role models though not in the way today you may think...you see my grandfather was the father of a huge brood of kids, and my father of six.  Both had skills in carpentry and well, the thing is, that old saying is true " Necessity is the mother of invention"..  

I have found there is a fine line between resourcefulness and creativity!  I don't think that one can exist without the other.  Sometimes limitations are the creative fodder needed!  If everything is out there; If possibilities abound, then where do you start?  Just as in my last blog I discussed JK Rowlings and where her life was when she wrote her Harry Potter books, so too do so many of use really shine when we have limits.  A blank canvas of a blank sheet is not so daunting when you have a starting point.  Even a goal can be considered a limitation.  Something you must apply resourcefulness  to get results.  Writing a novel has an expected number of words, it has an expected beginning, middle and end, and all of that.  Those little things can be a haven instead of hell for the creative process.  At least now you have a starting point.  By the way, according to what I have found, the novel has usually anywhere from 65,000 to 75,000 words incase you want to get started, but hey, the chapters can be as large or small as you want!

I have learned over the years, the more you apply creativity in your life, in so many ways and not just in the traditional sense such as painting or writing, but in even everyday things such as finding a way to fix your son's shoes so he can keep them on his feet or the best place to put dishes in your cabinets.  ALL of this requires a creative form of thinking.  It isn't magic, it is practical and so is creativity.  

A fun game is to let your mind work for you at night.  Try this.  Think of a problem or dilemma just before bed.  Then as they say, "sleep on it".  In the morning after a time, you will find the first thoughts that pop into your head are the answers!  

This goes along with inspiration.  It is not airy-fairy.  It is just your mind finding new pathways to solutions or understandings.  No big deal.  Some of the best inventions just didn't "happen".  The issue, or need or some impetus was there before the outcome came.  It wasn't just in thin air.  No matter what the inspiration was, it had to come from something concrete.  That is the limitation that creates the framework for the creativity and resourcefulness!

You could be mulling over your plot.  You have a problem.  You cannot figure it out.  Then bam!  Out of the blue, there is the answer shining before you!  Do you think there is no form of creativity in this?  So many say they are not creative and yet they are doing the most amazing things such as juggling a check book or bank account when there is hardly any money coming in!  If you don't think being financially challenged isn't a great place for creativity then your wrong!  Just keep the attitude and all will go well!  Hang in there!  Ideas will flow IF that is what you really want!  IF that is what you really focus on!  Finding answers, now creating space for the new.  Focus on finding a solution, not the problem, and creativity will flow!  

If you want to write a book, then focus on that!  It will come if your willing to do the work, however if you love to write, it isn't work anyhow is it?