If it doesn’t have relevance, it’s not going to help.
Dann Lewis
Creativity is subjective. What sparks someone’s imagination may hinder someone else’s. This post isn’t to write about creativity objectively, this post just highlights my “creativity” and my inspirations. This post is written from the perspective of a writer; however, I’d like to believe that like most art, writing functions very similarly.
Writing for me, and I’m sure most people can agree, has always been my way of expression. Stories have always sung their merry songs within my mind; characters have fought, died and been reborn in glorious hazes of ingenuity. I’ve always been interested in genre writing, specifically: fantasy, science fiction and horror/Gothic. My interest is a blend of all three. It’s apparent in all of my creative work and I’m sure it’s definitely apparent within Neon Pink. I’ve always researched and so, I usually immerse myself within a genre. You must know how your specific genre functions to write about it or even break conventions of said genre. I believe by reading widely (also watching films or playing games within that genre also counts :P) you will glean nuggets of inspiration. The saying that nothing is original is true; it is what one is able to do with said conventions and inspirations that makes something highly original and very interesting (to me anyway).
However, reading/watching/playing anything and everything isn’t going to help you as much as you’d like to think – it doesn’t for me. It is nice to read/watch/play books/films/games within a specific genre and to see how others use, break and create something original with already derivative scenarios; but isolating which authors, artists, filmmakers, etc. helps immensely. If it doesn’t have relevance, it’s not going to help. I’ve learned the hard way; if you’re going to read/watch/play something that you feel is going to be tiresome, it’s going to make you feel discouraged and waste your time. Research and enjoy. (Although contradictory, sometimes you can be surprised by something you initially thought to be dull. Admittedly, I wasn’t excited to read William Gibson’s Neuromancer and now it’s one of my favourite novels. It all comes down to gut instinct and emotion. If you feel as if you’re not having fun, then stop.)
Drawing is another way I keep myself motivated. A writing academic once told my class that drawing, painting or doing relatively creative besides writing helps motivate our inner creativity. It does work. I don’t draw in the artist sense (I wish I could!), I draw mind-maps. I just recently bought a blank A3 art book and it hasn’t gone to waste. Already I’ve scribbled circles and lines all over the place and it has definitely helped with my novella. Try it out, even if you don’t believe yourself to be as artistic as you think. It doesn’t need to look great, it just needs to reflect you.
There are many more ways to inspire someone, but the above are my main facets. I’d like to hear about yours; please let me know in the comments below! Perhaps I can try something that you recommend me? 🙂
Thank you all for reading. I’ll try to keep my blogging consistent, however it’s quite challenging with my thesis at the moment. Will likely post some new chapters soon for those interested.
The Wychking's Matrix 