How Do You Create?

An old friend (the lead singer of No Kind of Rider) emailed me the other day and asked if there were any rituals I enjoyed while writing The Great Lenore. Then, he said: "I'm always interested to hear what my friends and fellows discover about making and finishing things - not nearly discussed enough, in my opinion."

I let this question sink in for a day before answering. It was an interesting question - and he was right: It is not discussed often enough.

I think the most interesting thing of all about this question is that each "creator" creates in a different manner, and no one can simply read what another person's process is for starting (and finishing) things, and then say, "I'll do that same thing!" For each person, the process will be different.

So...what does that mean is the advantage of collecting answers to this question? I don't know. But it's an interesting exploration nonetheless.


My answer (at least, a slightly abbreviated version) was as follows:

As an analytical and ultra-organized person, I think one of my issues (as far as creativity goes) is attempting to "define" everything. Even before I begin something, I will define what my approach to that "something" is (not what my approach "will be"; what my approach "is"). And because of this, I sometimes lose a bit of the spontaneity of creation.

For me, it is less about reining in an approach, and is more about letting go of the reins and allowing the approach to carry me forward. Lately, I have been doing my writing at the very end of the day, when I am most tired. My mind wakes up creatively at this point, but it is tired enough physically that I am able to let go. To "just write." To fly. I think that's the biggest thing for me - figuring out the best way to NOT define my approach. Figuring out the best way to simply write, and to not worry about everything else.


How about you, Dear Creator?

What is your process toward creation? What are your rituals?

Spill.


Keep creating.
~J



Postscript 1: Make sure you post a review of The Great Lenore on Amazon when you finish reading (regardless of whether or not you enjoyed the book!). Each review helps prospective readers make a decision of their own. [Check out all the Amazon reviews to date right here.]

Postscript 2: Mark your calendar for Monday (June 27). On that morning, we are going to start the third installation of The Storyteller project.




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