“The creative adult is the child who survived.” –Ursula K. LeGuin

This week’s topic from the Marketing for Romance Writers blog hop is Creativity: How it strikes us in different ways. Join the discussion here: http://mfrw52week.blogspot.com

I have absolutely nothing profound to say about this topic. As far as I can tell, creativity just happens, a function of perpetually asking “What if?” My creativity tends to manifest in stories, whether I’m writing for an audience or just spinning daydreams to amuse myself. In others, creativity takes a more visual form, or a musical one, or–my personal favorite–edible form! Good cooking definitely requires creativity.

Lacking wisdom to share, I turned to the experts. I’ve always been a fan of non-conformists–in other words, creative types. So was this famous novelist and poet.

“Great things are not accomplished by those who yield to trends and fads and popular opinion.” –Jack Kerouac 

Creativity is like a muscle that gains strength and flexibility the more you exercise it. This famous choreographer agrees.

“Creativity is a habit, and the best creativity is the result of good work habits.” –Twyla Tharp

Here’s a technology tycoon’s take on creativity.

“Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn’t really do it, they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after a while. That’s because they were able to connect experiences they’ve had and synthesize new things.” –Steve Jobs

One last thought on creativity: All artists benefit from creative cross-training. Besides, it’s fun to try out new art forms. My fumblings on the ukulele and guitar, my dance classes, my clumsy attempts at drawing and painting, they all nudge me toward a more creative mindset.

How do you exercise your creativity?

Feature image by Frotteepalme from Pixabay