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I find the word ‘creativity’ intimidating. It’s a mysterious concept, and I think it has many interpretations.
Creativity is subjective. You may not necessarily agree with my idea of creativity. So, where is the line between acceptable creativity and utter drivel? Who draws that line?
Perhaps my approach is flawed. Danny Gregory (author of The Creative License) says creativity is fun, and people NEED to create. I’m struggling to return to that way of thinking. In an interview, David Carson said in an interview that if you’re bored or not really enjoying it, then it’s ‘work.’
My best friend (a very creative illustrator) suggests rearranging my environment. He also links creativity to ‘fun’ and not ‘work.’
Perhaps the road to solving my problem is as simple as finding fun in creativity again. Maybe that’s the answer I’ve been seeking.
The long, hard road to any creative endeavor is filled with obstructions. Writers have the dreaded writer’s block. Graphic designers have the slump, or in extreme cases, burnout.
What causes these blocks and burnouts? In my own experience, the root of fear started with diminishing confidence, losing focus, and experiencing self-dout. Allowing these things to fester inside me has seriously hurt me. “Fear is the mind killer.” I firmly believe in that statement.
So, how does one break through the blocks, regain focus, and confidence? I don’t have that answer. To be honest, I don’t know if it’s any ONE answer. I think it’s something I have to work out for myself. Once I find it, I’ll write a post about it.
There are tons of blogs and books on creativity. Two great books are: The Creative License by Danny Gregory, and War of Art by Steven Pressfield. The former is more about drawing, & rediscovering creativity. The latter is geared towards writers, but the core ideas can pertain to any creative discipline.
When I was 15, my dream was to draw comics. I was misguided into graphic design instead, and by 19, it was my major in college. While I don’t regret my experience over the past decade, I realize I strayed away from my childhood dream.
I know drawing is a skill anyone can learn, but the craft of sequential art is very challenging. Realistically speaking, I don’t have what it takes to learn sequential art, and make a living off of it.
However, as a hobby, I’ve been writing for years. It’s satisfying. I believe the craft of writing is also a learnable skill.
I’m not an idiot. I know this is not going to happen overnight. I understand that breaking into comics & graphic novels is even harder for a writer. It took years and years for all of my favorite writers to come to prominence.
I’m prepared for the long, hard road.
