When I'm working at a cafe and start staring out the window with a vague look in my eye, it's usually because I'm trying to figure out if there's a limit to how many times my character can flick the hair back from her face in a single scene, or something similarly dumb. Muses? Bah!
I think it's interesting that you draw a distinction between generating ideas and problem solving, because they are really both creative acts. One is just more focused than the other. But I suspect there are people who are better at one over the other.
Ahahah for me it's tilting their head or folding their arms during dialogues 🤣
The more I think about it, the more I have to agree: generating ideas and problem-solving are both creative acts. They have a different focus and feel, but they are both creative. I definitely enjoy more the problem-solving one - or maybe I feel like I come up with better ideas when I'm given a problem, instead of a vacuum? Uh, there may be more to uncover on this topic!
I love that meme haha! I too have definitely felt like that character when I'm trying to make the threads of my worldbuilding make sense. I still believe that revisions take creativity, but I think it's a more focused version than the creativity of forming a first draft from a blank page. I personally love drafting from a blank page the best, but there is also something deeply rewarding about revisions too. It's almost as if when you're doing the first draft, you are making the basic shape of a sculpture, but in revisions, you carve out the details and features that make that sculpture something amazing. Best of luck with your writing as always!
Yay happy to hear that the GIF lands 😂 it is true, revisions still need a good bunch of focused creativity - also, love your sculpture metaphor! I have to admit, though, that in my case it feels more like I have to cut out entire limbs and substitute them, Frankenstein style 😆 we‘ll see what the end result will be!
When I'm working at a cafe and start staring out the window with a vague look in my eye, it's usually because I'm trying to figure out if there's a limit to how many times my character can flick the hair back from her face in a single scene, or something similarly dumb. Muses? Bah!
I think it's interesting that you draw a distinction between generating ideas and problem solving, because they are really both creative acts. One is just more focused than the other. But I suspect there are people who are better at one over the other.
Ahahah for me it's tilting their head or folding their arms during dialogues 🤣
The more I think about it, the more I have to agree: generating ideas and problem-solving are both creative acts. They have a different focus and feel, but they are both creative. I definitely enjoy more the problem-solving one - or maybe I feel like I come up with better ideas when I'm given a problem, instead of a vacuum? Uh, there may be more to uncover on this topic!
I love that meme haha! I too have definitely felt like that character when I'm trying to make the threads of my worldbuilding make sense. I still believe that revisions take creativity, but I think it's a more focused version than the creativity of forming a first draft from a blank page. I personally love drafting from a blank page the best, but there is also something deeply rewarding about revisions too. It's almost as if when you're doing the first draft, you are making the basic shape of a sculpture, but in revisions, you carve out the details and features that make that sculpture something amazing. Best of luck with your writing as always!
Yay happy to hear that the GIF lands 😂 it is true, revisions still need a good bunch of focused creativity - also, love your sculpture metaphor! I have to admit, though, that in my case it feels more like I have to cut out entire limbs and substitute them, Frankenstein style 😆 we‘ll see what the end result will be!
Best of luck to you too ~
Oooh I like the Frankenstein comparison as well. Also, whatever works for you is all that matters!