Some thoughts on creativity...

¹cre·a·tive

 adjective \krē-ˈā-tiv, ˈkrē-ˌ\

: having or showing an ability to make new things or think of new ideas

: using the ability to make or think of new things : involving the process by which new ideas, stories, etc., are created

It starts with a spark...

Creative energy can strike at the oddest times and when it does, at least for me, it becomes an obsession to do something with it. Sometimes it's just sitting down at the keyboard and improvising a song. Sometimes it's sitting down with a sketchpad and drawing a picture.

Then a tiny flame...

Whatever the inspiration, it takes a hold and does not let go. It becomes all you think about. You focus all your energy on it because you can't just let the flame go out. Break out the bellows and feed the fire.

Soon the fire rages...

You are in the zone now. The song is coming together. The drawing is nearly complete. The story is almost finished. Now is when doubt starts to creep in. Is it really as good as I think it is? Should I change something? I am, and will always be, my biggest critic. Somehow, you move past that and don't burn out.

Until you are left with glowing embers...

You let other people hear it; see it; read it; etc. It's nerve wracking to an extent. Here is a piece of my soul...judge it. This was something inside of me that I am now sharing with you. Do you realize how intimate and terrifying that is? The anxiety alone of wondering if someone else will like it can drive you crazy.

There is a pop...

It was worth it, even if only one person liked it. It was worth it to let the creativity out. If you ignore that energy, it does no good. Embrace it. Others might not understand the force that drives you, but there are others that do because they know what it's like. Surround yourself with those that will help you build a bonfire instead of those that will attempt to stamp it out before it catches.

It starts with a spark.