On Creating

Being creative takes work.




In writing about creating music, Keith Jarret says:

Each piece emerged out of a "zone." I have certain zones that I sit down with, a
given key, a given general mood. In that sense, there is an element of
preconception. From there, everything is new to me (although I generally work
within conventional, relatively simple harmonic movements). The music starts from
a seed, a few notes; it sprouts; arpeggios, textures and melodies develop; new leaves
appear; sometimes a theme or two from previous explorations of the same zone
appear; they're incorporated; new branches appear; everything expands and grows
and becomes fully developed — seeds, sprouts, branches, leaves, flowers in
profusion — then it concludes on its own. Sometimes it takes three minutes, or five,
sometimes ten or fifteen, whatever feels right. It's got a life of its own, which I
respect, cherish, and honor.

Edwidge Danticat (2011) writes this about creating:

I am even more certain that to create dangerously is also to create fearlessly, boldly embracing the public and private terrors that would silence us, then bravely moving forward even when it feels as though we are chasing or being chased by ghosts (p. 148).

On storytelling...




Steven Pressman (2010) offers this insight about creating:

Creative work is not a selfish act or a bid for attention on the part of the actor. It’s a gift to the world and every being in it. Don’t cheat us of your contribution. Give us what you’ve got. (Kindle Locations 1068-1069). 

On overcoming resistance:




Sir Ken Robinson (2001) asserts:


Human intelligence is essentially creative. We not only find meaning in the world, we interpret it through structures of ideas and beliefs. We each create the worlds we live in (Kindle Locations 2117-2119).

On creating...





Works Cited

Danticat, Edwidge (2011-09-20). Create Dangerously: The Immigrant Artist at Work. Random House, Inc.. Kindle Edition.

Pressfield, Steven (2010-10-11). The War Of Art: Winning the Inner Creative Battle. FastPencil PREMIERE. Kindle Edition.

Robinson, Ken (2001-06-15). Out of our Minds: Learning to be Creative.  John Wiley and Sons. Kindle Edition.