Ignite Creativity

Creativity is not the finding of a thing, but the making of something 

out of it after it is found. 

-James Russell Lowell

Sparks of creativity ignite if the mind plays with shapes and patterns. Avoiding  usual associations begins the process.

When gazing at the photograph to the left, someone might see stains on the sidewalk. 


Blink and imagine an elephant learning to play a piccolo. Viewed by a head turn to the right, the elephant poses on a duck's bill. 

How these lead to story requires a pen to let the mind jump further and make connections.  

Nurture your creative side by taking a walk. Look at the hearts of flower petals and find an insect. What would you name him?  How will he advise you like Jiminy Cricket?

Do you see ballerinas warming up? 

Squint and find ideas in this fellow's band of stamens.

Who plays the middle trumpet?   

Is someone hiding to make a riddle in the rose? 

Monkey around to find the fun.

Ignite creativity each morning. 

If you start the day in wonder, a dark mood will lighten and worries will lessen. 

Sharing insights in writing and tossing ideas with a friend will affect the day's progress more than you know.

Kindle the fire.

Standing in Line

How does standing in line benefit a writer? Long lines at the favorite coffee vender or at the airport provide ways to engage the imagination and develop characters.

Look at the people standing in line and imagine them in a variety of roles. Notice body language, facial gestures and types of conversations. Observe outfits and colors.

Does that fellow who looks so distinguished have a playful life? Could the woman whose fingers fly on her cell phone be a spy? Is that three foot child really a secret agent?

Does the lady in blue play the trombone? What do the three men wearing ball caps with college insignias have planned? Watch their eye movements.

What if everyone had to spend three days together stuck in one place?  How would all these individuals react if a situation occurred that required them to assist others to safety?

Observe the ceiling to add to the stories that develop.

Peonies in the Rain

A photograph is usually looked at - seldom looked into. - Ansel Adams

 


Cobbled rain advances on petals.

Drops wobble like mercury
with a mica gleam.

The rain's glass seeds
wander in the moon's sheen.

Questions cluster.
Bewildered as a stained mirror.

Sunshine awakens morning, 

Returns the peony's fashion to velvet.