Creativity Tips: Read Someone New

Years ago, I discovered the beautiful poetry of Stephen Dunn. But I only recently bought a book and really delved into his poems. They're gorgeous. No wonder he won a Pulitzer Prize.

Sweetness is a great example.

Summer is the sweetest time to expand your reading horizons. Wander through a bookstore or library. Flip through a few books by authors you've never heard of, or authors you've never read. Find one that looks intriguing. Find two. Oh, heck. You've got time. Find three. Three is magical.

Then, enjoy! Remember, if you don't have time to read, you don't have time to write. Another Stephen said that ...

Creativity Tips: Even If It Is Broke

There's a great old saying: If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Well, I need a variation on that: Just because it is broke, don't mean it's my job to fix it!

Last week, a colleague shared a challenge with me. Then, a friend wanted to discuss a problem. Then, a client called with a personal dilemma. Each time, I went into Momma Fix-It mode. Each time, I was gently told:

"Jan, I'm not asking you to solve the problem."

For those of us given to fixing things, it's important to remember that part of creative problem solving is talking it out -- situations look different in the light of words. When you're open to listening, people are willing to share. Let them. Let them talk. Then, let them fix. They can do it. We don't need to.

And, yes. I plan to take my own advice. Argh ...

Creativity Tip: Take Another Look at Yourself

I was out last week with a friend who is absolutely beautiful -- not to mention smart, kind, all of that. We were talking about body image and I asked what she thought her best feature was. And this wonderful woman couldn't come up with anything nice to say about her appearance. Nada. Zip. Doodah. She was completely stumped.

When pushed (Who? Me? Pushy?), she finally said something nice about her posture.

Then, it happened again with a different friend later in the week. Once could be an oddity. Twice, and I'm sensing a trend.

So, now I'm out with you. I know you are beautiful because all my readers are brilliant and funny and brilliant, funny people radiate good looks. It's true. Go look in the mirror. And, after you look, come back here and tell me what your best physical feature is.

I'll start. Probably my smile. Maybe my blue eyes. A man might come up with something else ...

P.S. Why is this a creativity tip? Because a creative genius can always take a fresh look at a familiar subject. And what better way to start the week than with a fresh look at ourselves?

Creativity Tips: Just Say It

One reason I opted for a degree in journalism rather than English lit is because understanding deep, hidden meanings is not my strong suit. If you say "The sky is blue," then I think you're saying the sky is blue. I don't automatically assume that you're really saying the world is happy and gay. As in cheerful.

In comparison, journalism seemed far more black and white. Stories were built on facts. (Hey, they were in my day.) And if you wanted to quibble about the sky, you better attribute the comments.

That said, imagine my surprise when a friend recently revealed that Evite answers aren't always what they appear to be. Yeppers. There's a hidden RSVP meaning that I've been missing. Apparently:

Yes means maybe.

Maybe means no.

No means no.

Okey dokey. I'm not going to fight it. I'm just going to curl up with my AP Stylebook and call it a week. Here's to a great weekend! Perhaps one where we say just what we mean ...

How to Write a Father's Day Card

I remember what it was like to go into a Hallmark store and struggle to find a card I thought was appropriate for my dad. Ugh. Not fun. So, to help you avoid that sinking feeling, here's a quick tutorial on how to write a wonderful Father's Day card. You'll find specific card concepts at the bottom of the post, but I encourage you to play. Let your creative genius shine!

1. Make the cover fun:

1. Draw a picture.
2. Make a collage from words/pictures you cut out from magazines.
3. Find a photo of you and him and paste it on the front. Or, a photo of just you. Or just him. Or the whole family. Whatever. Doodle around the edges. It's not rocket science; it's a Father's Day card.
4. Google "Father's Day coloring pages" and print out one of the sheets. Voila! Instant cover art. Relax. All you have to do is get out the crayons.

2. Keep the inside message short, sweet and sincere. Consider:

1. It's your day! Enjoy!
2. I really appreciate everything you do for the family!
3. You're the tops, Pops!
4. It's not easy being a father. Thanks for all you do!
5. For all you've taught ... for all I am ... thank you!

3. Go the other route. Don't keep it short. Write a letter and tuck it inside:

1. Choose one special memory and tell Dad how you hold it in your heart -- the time he took you to the park to fly kites -- just you, none of those pesky brothers and sisters. The first time he let you drive. The time you fell off your bike and he came running. He'll never know how much those memories mean unless you tell him.
2. Write a list letter, listing out what you love and/or appreciate about him. Be specific. Details matter.  

4. Not happy with my words or yours? No worries. Use a quote. If you want, you can add a payoff line -- something that plays off the quote. (See example below.)

5. Sign it with Love. Or Hugs! XXOO! If none of those feel honest, how about: Your daughter, Janet.  Adding the Your daughter or Your son before the name makes it far less harsh than just a name.

SPECIFIC CARD IDEAS:

• Cover art: HFD!
  Inside copy: Happy Father's Day! I Hope it's Fabulous, Dad!
  (Option: Come up with your own ideas of what HFD could mean. Keep it clean.)
• Cover art: "My father used to say that it's never too late to do anything you wanted to do." -- Michael Jordan 
  Inside copy: Here's to a day filled with all you want!
• Cover art: Two hearts
  Inside copy: One heart knows another. Happy Father's Day!
• Cover art: BBQ image (You can find one online if you don't want to draw it.)
  Inside copy: Dads like you are rare!

I hope that helps! And, let me send a special virtual hug to all the CI readers who are dads. It ain't an easy job. Thank you!

Creativity Tips: Step Away from the Computer

Do you remember the pure joy of summer? That "I don't have to do anything" feeling, spreading out before you in June?

I remember. And I want to recapture a bit of it. My fabulous clients all know I'm not working on Fridays this summer. Now, I'm taking it to the next step. I'm not going to be online on Saturdays or Sundays and I won't be tethered to my phone*.

The computer I can completely ignore. The phone I'll check now and then.

Why? Because it's summer! There are hikes to take and books to read. And, if I remember correctly, people to look at eye-to-eye. Conversations, waiting to occur. New recipes to be tried and shared.

Unplugging is my way of unwinding. What would work for you? What summertime change would make you feel refreshed and happy?

Whatever it is, include time outside. It's good for you. Just remember: Wear sunscreen.

*Is it a coincidence that we call them "cell" phones? I think not. And isn't it funny that I feel more tethered to a phone that has no cord than I ever did to my old landlines?

Creativity Exercise: The Delight is in the Details

Happy week! We're going to kick it off with an exercise to get your mind back in gear after a relaxing weekend of summer play.*

• Think of a favorite place. Any old place at all. Or any new place. Just some place that makes you happy.
• Write 10 details about that place. You don't have to do to this longhand, because coming up with 10 details will keep you focused no matter how you're writing.

For example, I'm thinking of my grandmother's kitchen. And the details are:

1. The kitchen was in the back of the house.
2. The house was at 5721 Holmes.
3. The kitchen was long and narrow, with lots of cupboards.
4. If you entered from the formal dining room, the sink was on the right and the stove was on the left. There was an eat-in area at the back, by the steps to the basement.
5. Windows over the sink opened onto the driveways between my grandmother's house and the next door neighbor's house.
6. My grandmother wrote "Milk" and "Meat" inside the cupboards and drawers so we wouldn't accidentally mess up her kosher kitchen.
7. There was a poem from Dear Abby or Ann Landers posted in the kitchen. I can't remember the entire poem right now, but the gist was, "Please stay out of my kitchen. And when I am invited to your house, I promise to stay out of yours." Nanny didn't like interlopers in the kitchen. She didn't want help. This was her space.
8. She didn't mind me in the kitchen, because I sat on the handmade stool in the corner and just listened to her talk and watched her cook.
9. Toward the end of her life, when she didn't have enough energy to stand at the sink and do food prep or wash dishes, she pulled up a tall stool and did it sitting down.
10. She twinkled.

Now, here's the wonderful thing about this exercise. I knew, before I started the list, that I would talk about the structure of the kitchen and the poem and my stool in the corner. I had no idea about #10. Because, until I got there, I had sort of forgotten how Nanny twinkled.

And that's not something I want to forget.

Yep. My grandmother. No bull.

OK, I'm ready for the week! Now, your turn!

*You did have a relaxing weekend, right? I'll be talking about that tomorrow.