Monday, July 4, 2011

July Post

"It is when I am, as it were, completely myself, entirely alone, and of good cheer...that ideas flow best and most abundantly. Whence they come, I know not, nor can I force them." -Mozart

"Where do I get my ideas? That I cannot with certainty say. They come uncalled, directly and indirectly."
-Beethoven

I am fascinated by these comments by masters of creativity. I seek to access my own creativity from within as I write novels. In some moments I seem to find this creative space, and other moments I can't seem to find it if my life depends upon it. I suppose my creative life does depend upon it. I'm reminded of Winnicott's concept of the play space. He writes about creativity coming from a place in between objective and subjective reality, from which all true "play" emerges.  I've learned that I can't demand creative ideas to come, as Beethoven and Mozart point out. Sometimes I wish I could simply conjure up great ideas on command. As I sit down to work on my current novel, I hope to find that elusive, creative play space.

I wonder what sort of creativity the founding fathers of our country employed to give birth to the nation we celebrate today.

Anyone have any success finding their own creativity? If so, please tell us your "secrets".