By: Staci Stallings
Creativity is an odd animal.
It has to be constantly fed, but there is no routine to its needed diet.
You cannot coddle it nor coax it. It will come out and play when it’s ready and not a second before that.
Forcing it to do anything will result in it immediately shutting down completely.
That’s why being creative on demand just doesn’t work.
It’s like this post. I want it to be creative and mesmerizing.
I want you to love it so much you will remember it forever.
Yet…. Sometimes, creativity seems to remain one half-inch out of my grasp.
That’s how it is right now with writing, and it’s one of the most frustrating seasons of writing there is.
People have asked me, “What’s the most difficult part of writing and publishing?” To which I answer, “Whatever part you happen to be doing at the moment.”
It’s weird because after 45 novels, you would think I would have this creativity thing down to a science—or an art. Either way, after all this time and all this practice, it should be easy.
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And yet, it’s frustratingly…. Not!
The good news is, I’m finished with Book #6 which will go on preorder at the end of the month.
The better news is that Book #5 (Only Together) which goes on sale June 1 is finished and ready-to-go.
That leaves Book #7, which I’m writing and Book #8 which is currently on permanent-swirl in my head.
Strangely, I have many parts in mind for both books. I just have to sit down and write them—or so it seems. But first, somewhere I have to find that creativity that somehow seems to have gotten lost.
Don’t worry, dear reader. I’m sure I shall find it somewhere.
Maybe it’s hiding in the Game of Thrones videos I’ve somehow become so interested in watching even though I’ve only known of the show in passing these last eight seasons. (And no, I’m not going to watch the whole thing. I’d never make it through it, but it is fascinating nonetheless from a story person’s point of view. For a mesmerizing take on that for all you writers out there, click here.)
Maybe it’s hiding in one of the myriad of TED and TEDx talks I’ve watched over the last month or so, trying to find just the right ones for my sixth grade life skills class. Lots of amazing people in this world—that much I now know.
Maybe it’s in those snippets of dreams I get at three a.m. when I’m just too enthralled with trying to, you know, actually sleep to get up and write something down. Though I did stumble out to the kitchen and find my white board the other night to write this part down: My old man was a thief, a drunk, and a liar, and now here I am raising a doctor. I guess it just goes to show you what one generation can do to change the world.
Crazy thing is, when I re-read it, it sounds so motivational, and yet, I know in the story it is so not.
The Imagination Series
Weird how creativity moves like that, dipping in and out of reality so that you can almost see it, almost feel it, almost experience it, and then it’s gone again.
I think that’s why I started writing in the first place, or at least one of the reasons—because I wanted to try to capture the ephemeral nature of the splashes of insight God had seen fit to send into my life.
And oddly, I think one of those insights is that creativity is a blessing that must be recognized and used at the moment it shows up. Because there is no guarantee you’ll ever come across it again.
How about you, dear reader, how do you experience creativity in your life? What things do you do to get it to show itself? What is your most creative endeavor?
I’d love to know…. Maybe that will be the thing that will spark my own creativity and get it to come out and play. It’s worth a shot!
A stay-at-home mom with a husband, three kids and a writing addiction on the side, Staci Stallings has numerous titles for readers to choose from. Not content to stay in one genre and write it to death, Staci’s stories run the gamut from young adult to adult, from motivational and inspirational to full-out Christian and back again. Every title is a new adventure! That’s what keeps Staci writing and you reading. Although she lives in Amarillo, Texas and her main career right now is her family, Staci touches the lives of people across the globe with her various Internet and writing endeavors.
I do love my craft work. I find I am most creative after I have been to a craft fair and see how amazingly talented others are. I am inspired.
Hi Staci, when such a large part of your life involves being creative, I imagine it could be frustrating when that creativity does not cooperate!!
I often get ideas when I am reading or discussing something- then I need to write it down quickly so that the idea is not lost. That idea then often is revealed in the classroom. I have the privilege of teaching Literature to year 11 (second last year of high school) students and I love being able to discuss books with them and see their own ideas coming to life.
Blessings:)
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on creativity. It’s not something I’d ever pondered before. I guess because I haven’t had much need to “have” to be creative. Whenever the opportunity arise though, I tend to be a plagiarizer. LOL That doesn’t help you, as you need to find original ideas for your stories. I think everyone would notice if you wrote a “Game of Thrones” theme into your story line. hahaha
Hi Wemble! I taught Literature to Grades 10 and 11 and enjoyed discussing the American Classics with my 10 Graders and Contemporary Literature with my 11 Graders. Also had to quickly write those fantastic teaching ideas that came in the middle of the night or in the shower. Best wishes molding young people’s lives.
Hi Staci! What a delightful blog. I agree that one has to seize the moment when creativity strikes, and then nurture the idea or thought. Some work and some don’t. Also being creative is definitely more difficult under time constraints and when it is part of the job – as a writer, teacher, entertainer, etc. As a teacher, who wanted to bring the classics to life for my 10. grade students, I developed some unique creative lessons. To bring the challenges of the early settlers to life – I appealed to the senses as my students battled it our between Jamestown and Plymouth Rock – like the TV series Survivor. Now as a retiree, my grandchildren force me to be creative. My oldest grandson hated to read, so one summer I wrote the Fun Fort series – using Dr. Seuss’s idea for the Cat in the Hat and Nate the Great series for inspiration. This year since my two year old granddaughter is intrigued with squirrels, so I wrote the book Squirrels Everywhere. As a retiree, I have time to play with words and ideas. If it doesn’t work I don’t need to see the process to completion. Best wishes and happy writing.
I am SO not creative! I do love creating from other people’s ideas though. I enjoy crafting from patterns others create and I can decorate with the best of ‘em after browsing on Pinterest.
Oh NO, no creativity here! My Mom was, and I’ve had many friends who quilt, do craft shows, etc. smile. I’d rather read! I am amazed at some of the creative ideas of some commenters here.
My most creative now is making my own cards for my clients birthdays and Christmas, and thank you notes. I still try to do a little embroidery, too. This summer, I’m hoping to start painting rocks, which is a “thing” here. You paint them and “hide” them to spread kindness. I’ve found some, which do bring a smile to my face every time I see them! Now, I want to spread some of my own!
Writing is my creative side. I love to play tennis, and I’ve just taken up pickleball. I think those physical things give my mind a rest and lets the creative side come out later. I’ve always admired people who are craftie. I’m not good at crafts.
I love taking something old and making a treasure, I enjoy crochet, sewing, embroidery, cross stitch, making cards, scrapbooking, etc. I just bought a vintage suitcase for $15 and decorated it.
That is so cool, Mary! I do crafts sometimes, but I’m not very good. My oldest does T-shirt quilts and my middle one does some crafting too. I can say, “Yes, that’s good” or “Maybe try this.” :)
Hi, Wemble. I actually used to teach junior and senior level Literature. I loved it back then, and I learned so much–probably more than the kids did. I hope your teaching year was awesome!
Renate,
What are some of the books you taught? I remember teaching “A Tale of Two Cities,” which I had never actually read before I taught it. One of the students at the beginning (we were reading it out loud) was like, “What in the world is going on?” I said, “I have no idea. We’re going to have to just keep reading and see if this eventually makes any sense at all.” HAHHAHAH! Nothing like keeping it real!
Susan,
Oh, YOW! I don’t think I’d get away with a minute of GOT in my books! However, I am thinking about making something like that something one of my characters watches for the lords and ladies and fantasy parts. I think I will stay away from anything that could be remotely construed as plagiarizing. :D
Renate,
I think knowing I have to somehow see it through to completion and soon kind of blocks some of that creativity from coming out to play.
I do like the idea of Survivor-themed history lesson. Probably pretty accurate!
I once wrote a series for my youngest when he was struggling with dyslexia. It was Max and Andrew. Max was a rabbit (from the Max and Ruby series), and he and Andrew went on all kinds of adventures. Writing them was fun, but I’m not sure they helped as much as I wanted them to. :D
Ellie,
Ah, yes, the left-brained style of creativity. I used to try that, and then I got frustrated when mine didn’t come out like theirs did. Plus, I have WAAAAY too much of my grandmother in me. When cooking, I just start throwing stuff in–and I’m that way with sewing and pretty much anything creative. I can’t stick to a pattern or a recipe to save my life!
God bless & thanks for stopping by!
Jackie,
I used to like to read. Writing pretty much ruined me from reading fiction. So now I watch movies mostly. What I love is how amazing varied people’s talents are. Music, sewing, cooking, gardening and on and on…. It’s fascinating to me!
Trudy,
Painting rocks? Never heard of it, but I like it! I might have to try to use that one.
I used to embroider and cross-stitch. My eyes don’t like me enough to do those anymore!
Merrillee,
What in the world is pickleball? I’ve never heard of it!
I do agree though, sometimes, just going for a walk or a drive will unlock a lot of my creative side.
Lelia,
I think people who can re-imagine old things are awesome. I wish I had that talent, but the thing I’m doing never quite turns out like I wanted it to. :D
Have a blessed day!
My first pair of glasses, around age 10 or 11, were bifocals. I finally progressed to single vision lenses for years, then had to go back to bifocals. I now go back and forth from bifocals to progressives. That’s the only way my eyes like me! However, I will confess that there are a very few times when I can do better without any glasses!! I’m not on pinterest, but from what I’ve heard, there are A LOT of rock painting ideas on there!! The group here has a FaceBook page, but you have to request to join.
Trudy,
Because of fear of falling, I do not dare go to bifocals, but I do wear two pairs of glasses — one long range, one short range for reading now. My problem is, when I read or do close work for a while, my eyes then take FOREVER to go back to clear long range. It’s an issue.
Understandable! The first time I wore them, I had that problem, but not now. Maybe you could try progressive lenses. I didn’t like progressives the first time I tried them, as I lost my peripheral vision. However, the ones they have now I don’t have that problem. I use progressives when I’m on the computer and driving, for everything else I use my bifocals. If you decide to try them, my suggestion is go to LensCrafters, if they still have their policy that if you don’t like them you can take them back in 30 days to make a change. I’ve done that before!!!!
Interesting! I’ll keep the LensCrafters thing in mind. Biggest problem with me is ankles, knees, etc. are very unstable, and my eyes don’t help much of anything. I actually thought about getting lasics and then wearing cheaters but decided, why do that? I already have long-range glasses, just put the short-range ones over them. It’s worked really good so far. Only problem is the weird looks and comments, but I’m tough. I can handle that. :D
I know people that have had lasix, and they either need glasses again, or they had to continue to wear glasses. I also have one friend that had it done that now needs cataract surgery done. She found out she had to find a doctor that could do the surgery “old school” because the cuts in your eye from lasix never really heal, and she couldn’t have it done the “new” way because of the cuts made. I say do what works for you!!! Who cares what others think??
AMEN to THAT, Trudy!
And yes, I know that the lasix thing isn’t a permanent fix. I think that’s why I thought it wasn’t a good option. The cataract thing is another good reason. I think I’ll stick with my two pairs of glasses at the same time as long as it lasts! :D
God bless you & have a great long weekend!