Creativity Tips: Writers and Designers Revolt

Here's the funny thing about writing the CI blog. The more posts I write, the easier it is to write them. Why? Well, for one thing, I just get back in the mode -- and then I start seeing blog ideas everywhere.

For another, the more I write, the more people read -- and then they send me ideas. Bonus! Yesterday's post was a gift from Hedy. Today, our creative amusement is courtesy of Pat. If you've ever worked in a creative job* at an agency, these posters will hit home with you. If you haven't, check 'em out anyway. This is the life we lead. No wonder we revolt.

*Pet peeve: Do not call writers and designers at an agency creatives. We are all creative. No need to start segmenting the fun.  

 

 

Site Seeing: 100 Best First Lines

Because I have no blog posts written
Because I was writing for a client until after 7 p.m.
Because I went on Facebook for mindless recreation

You score!

Thanks to David for posting this link to the American Book Review's list of the 100 Best First Lines from novels. What can you do with this list? The opportunities are endless. For starts:

1. Check the list and see how many of the novels you've read. Read more.
2. Choose a line and use it to start a 3-minute free write. (Just write. No edits. Pen to paper, preferably.)
3. Decide which of the 100 is your favorite. I choose #15. It's poetry. Although I wouldn't argue with #16. And, yes. I read all 100. You are such a skeptic.
4. See how many of the titles you know or can guess simply from reading the line.
5. Be amazed that "It was a dark and stormy night" is #22. Who knew?

Tomorrow, I will not rely solely on the kindness of Facebook friends. I'll write something before I'm too tired to think. Cross my heart and hope to have a line on someone's list.

Site Seeing: 1000 Awesome Things

OK, this is just fun ... a blog that creatively instigated a book and a song ... enjoy!

Site Seeing: Your Creative Beast

Several people have pointed me toward Betsy Streeter's "Let Out Your Creative Beast" presentation, and it's great! You might also check out her blog, where you can find a printable beast.

Moving from your beast to your brain, an email from TED yesterday reminded me that I hadn't looked at Jill Bolte Taylor's famous Stroke of Insight talk -- she's a brain scientist who analyzed her own stroke. The presentation is about 18 minutes long and it flies by. I love the part where she's telling herself she doesn't have time for a stroke ...

And I think we'll just consider this entire post part of the Amuse Amber campaign!

Creativity Exercise: Follow the Instructions

Today's exercise is on the Rabbit Fumes blog. Check it out. Then, follow the instructions.

P.S. Admiring the Big Rabbit makes me happy. I intend to keep doing it.

Site Seeing: Surrender, Dorothy

I had heard of Surrender, Dorothy some time back, and just started reading it regularly. It's a great blog for people who notice and care about the difference between Surrender, Dorothy and Surrender Dorothy.

And if you happen to live in Toto land like I do, so much the better!

Sharing Excellence: The Pioneer Woman

My buddy Barb had a good idea a while back, and I've been meaning to mention it. Whenver you find a phrase or a sentence or a paragraph or a post that is absolutely excellent, send it to me. I'll put it on the blog and we'll learn from it.

To start us off, I want to share a post from The Pioneer Woman about her grandmother. It's beautiful. Look at how she uses detail to bring this story to life. Her position on the floor while she watched TV. What shows she watched. The whipped cream on the peaches. The Daily Word connections to her life.

Consider how much she packs into the brief story about her grandfather's closet. Because of the detail, and the honesty, you know exactly how she feels. And, chances are, you've felt that way too. I know I have.

Details make the difference, my friend, whether you're sharing a family story or writing an ad. Make it real and you'll make it memorable.

Site Seeing: Making Art

People amaze me. There's always a new way to express creativity. Check out Seed Magazine's article on Life Imitating Life.

Then, take a look at Pigeon: Impossible. Fun stuff, with a "Behind the Scenes" report that reminds us of the creativity rule re: cheap, good or fast.

Creativity is wonderful ... unending opportunities to learn.

Site Seeing: The Happiness Machine

Leslie just sent this link, and it's too good not to share immediately. Marketing brilliance.

I want a Happiness Machine!

Friday Fun: Personas

Check out Personas ... a fascinating computer art installation by Aaron Zinman. How does the Internet see you?

P.S. to Chronicle Books: Think of the money you could save on the book tour. I don't need media training. I do media training.

P.P.S. Thanks to Steve for the Personas link!

Site Seeing: How to Write a Great Novel

I was snooping around on the Internet, doing research for a project, and stumbled across this article in the Wall Street Journal: How to Write a Great Novel.

Fun to see what keeps writers writing ...

Site Seeing: Atheist Media Blog

This clip with Dan Savage may offend some of you. If you're offended, don't watch.

If you do watch, there are several lessons to be learned, including this: There are many ways to interpret the same work of art.

Site Seeing: We Are All Connected

What a delight -- finding someone who connects seemingly disparate ideas into something unified, fascinating and beautiful. Check out The Symphony of Science.

Site Seeing: Lucy, I'm Home!

Want the back story on the creativity behind American TV? Look here: the Archive of American Television. Fascinating interviews with so many people -- from Walter Cronkite to Betty White. Makes me miss Meathead.

Look around and find your favorite.

Site Seeing: Lemonade

What happens when creative people get the ax? Well, there's drinking, of course. The hard stuff. After that, there's Lemonade.

Thanks to Leslie for the link!

Site Seeing: Whimsy

I read this wonderful line on Whimsy the other day:

I wonder how much beauty we pass by in our hurried, busy lives?

Take a look at the beauty Leslie found, hidden in a field. And consider what beauty -- or whose beauty -- you may be rushing by.

Site Seeing: Dan Baum

Take a fascinating, behind-the-scenes look at writing for the New Yorker. I haven't clicked on all the links within the post yet, but I'm sure there's a wealth of information on how to write a good story proposal. And a good story.

And, just reading his Tweet report makes me want to buy Dan Baum's book about New Orleans, Nine Lives.

Thanks to Leslie for the link!

Site Seeing: Creativity is No Accident

Thanks to Leslie for pointing out this fun post on successful, creative kitchen accidents. I like the story about potato chips.

And look at what the Big Rabbit did with our Monday post on blue!

Site Seeing: This is Your Mind on Books

Bioephemera has an interesting take on a topic near and dear to my heart: What happens when a reader stops reading?

The blog is the brainchild of biologist and artist Jessica Palmer, and the cool photo is from Rag & Bone.

P.S. Thanks to Steve for the idea!

Site Seeing: New Friends

It's been a bit since I sent you site seeing, so here are several places to visit!

Sarah Daly is a new copywriting buddy I met the old-fashioned way -- mutual friends introduced us, and we got together for coffee. You know, face-to-face. You remember face-to-face contact, right? Sarah is a social media expert, who understands Twitter, Facebook, etc. Putting her way ahead of me.

However, I did meet Emma Alvarez Gibson via Twitter, so I'm not completely old-fashioned. There's hope. Check out her blog, complete with the April 3 post on 5 Tips for Twitterers. I can be taught.

And, someone I've never met, but whose work I have long admired -- Joe Posnanski, who brings you two blogs, including one on the future of newspapers. Joe is one reason I continue reading the KC Star, now a one-cuppa-coffee feat.

The joy of reading different writers is hearing how they write, and learning from each one. Have fun!