Creativity is about CURIOSITY<\/strong>, CONNECTING IDEAS<\/strong> and EXPERIMENTATION.<\/strong><\/p>\n We\u2019re all influenced by what we see, hear, and feel; our past conditioning, education, travels, relationships, what we read, dream, eat, and the conversations we have. This is not about being a copycat or plagiarism but by being inspired and inspiring others.<\/p>\n We are not an island, standing alone in this cosmos. We are impacting each other in big and little ways daily.<\/p>\n The history of humankind with all its inventions and innovations in art and in science have happened as a result of contagious ideas spreading and manifesting; constantly being reshaped, and repurposed in perfect timing to match our awareness on an individual and global level.<\/p>\n So while \u201cnothing is original\u201d<\/strong> we can take existing ideas and use them in new and creative ways to be authentic, leaving our mark on the world, and creating the opportunity for our work to be a source of inspiration for others.<\/p>\n Jim Jarmusch<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n American film director, actor, producer, editor and composer says….<\/p>\n \u201cNothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic. Authenticity is invaluable; originality is non-existent. And don\u2019t bother concealing your thievery \u2013 celebrate it if you feel like it. In any case, always remember what Jean-Luc Godard said: \u201cIt\u2019s not where you take things from \u2013 it\u2019s where you take them to.\u201d [MovieMaker Magazine #53 \u2013 Winter, January 22, 2004<\/strong><\/a> ]\u201d<\/p>\n Most creatives do this subconsciously. We naturally take what \u201cspeaks directly to our soul\u201d, what we\u2019re interested in, what stands out for us and use it as a source of inspiration, a starting point to create something that is \u201cauthentic\u201d for us. We put our stamp of originality on it.<\/p>\n But it\u2019s a process to get from the source of inspiration to the creation of something new. <\/p>\n My 13-year-old daughter loves art and I am learning so much about creativity as I watch her develop hers. She scours the internet for pictures that capture her attention and recreates them. Sometimes they look exactly like the first artwork and other times she has changed something, a medium, colour or added a new element.<\/p>\n Once she copied a Picasso painting and I couldn\u2019t tell the difference between hers or the original. I put it up on Facebook and not many could pick the original. Hilarious. (That I have a Picasso in the making).<\/p>\n <\/span><\/li>\n Archetypes, and prompts are useful if you have writer\u2019s block and can\u2019t come up with ideas.<\/p>\n As authors, we use the fact that our book is similar to another book as an advantage. When we pitch to publishers or write a book description, we use comparative texts to explain the nature of our book. Because people use what they know as a starting point of understanding.<\/p>\n Many self-help authors write about the same thing but their message is conveyed in a different way. We can connect with our audience, readers, tribe etc in a way that resonates with them. Sometimes it’s about asking the right questions<\/strong><\/a> too.<\/p>\n It is freeing when you understand that you can take something already \u201cout there\u201d, transform it and make it your own because that\u2019s what creativity is \u2013 being inspired by an idea and creating something that didn\u2019t exist before.<\/p>\n Some people may think this is a grey area, especially when discussing Intellectual Property and copyright. It\u2019s never OK to steal other people\u2019s work. It\u2019s easier to find plagiarism in words but music has proven to be more difficult to differentiate at times. And Fashion, well, trends are nothing but copies and are often welcomed.<\/p>\n THE WHOLE IDEA IS TO PUT YOUR SPIN ON WHAT\u2019S INSPIRED YOU.<\/strong><\/p>\n Don\u2019t force it though, be yourself, express yourself in your way with your voice and style otherwise it will appear inauthentic and you won\u2019t feel passionate to continue in that vein of writing or art or whatever your passion is.<\/p>\n How can we get inspired and unleash our creativity? How can we capture those ideas floating around the ether?<\/p>\n Firstly, get comfortable that nothing is original and that it\u2019s ok to use what\u2019s out there as a starting point. Be open. Curious. Open your mind and your heart and magic will happen.<\/p>\n As Wayne Dyer said in his book, Living the Wisdom of the Tao, we are not doing, we are being done to. Trust in the universe and that ideas will come to you and that you will have the knowledge and wisdom to let these ideas flow to you and through you.<\/p>\n This is true inspiration.<\/p>\n In the chaos of life and comparing ourselves to others we sometimes forget who we are, what we want to leave as a gift or legacy to the world, our message. Get back to your centre.<\/p>\n Have fun and enjoy the process!<\/p>\n Plan an Artist\u2019s date, put it in your diary, let family members know,<\/p>\n Visit places of beauty and inspiration. What may be interesting for some may not be for others. Some people like visiting cemeteries, others climbing mountains. What is beautiful and inspiring to you?<\/p>\n Without joy, there is nothing.<\/p>\n This is probably one of the hardest thing to stick to.<\/p>\n \n Find a comfortable space, study, bedroom, veranda, park, library, coffee shop. Where do you feel comfortable and inspired?<\/p>\n \n Write in different places and before you write on your big project, do a small writing exercise and write about where you are at. Describe the setting, noises, smells, people, minute details.<\/p>\n \n Thinking time to percolate ideas is important but thinking won\u2019t write a book (not yet anyway). Don\u2019t wait for inspiration, practise the thinking\/writing muscle daily.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Natalie Goldberg in, Writing Down the Bones says that \u201cWriters live twice.\u201d They go about life like everyone else, they cross the street but then they sit down and go over how they crossed the street, how they jumped the puddle, reliving it and going over it a second time, looking at the details.\u201d I love this because it\u2019s so true.The more you practise writing, the better you will get, the more memories you will unlock and the more confident you will feel \u2013 and the more clarity you will get around what you want to write.<\/p>\n WRITING IS LIKE SIFTING FOR GOLD. YOU HAVE TO LET GO OF A LOT OF RUBBISH BEFORE YOU FIND THE GEMS.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \n IT\u2019S A PROCESS.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n ENJOY THE PROCESS.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Need some guidance for writing your book?<\/p>\n![\"Nothing](\"https:\/\/leezabaric.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Nothing-is-Original-Quote-Jim-Jasmuch-Credit-Azquotes-Capture-Ideas-and-Create.jpg\" "\\"Nothing")
<\/span>\u275d<\/p>\n![\"Stamp](\"https:\/\/leezabaric.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Stamp-of-Approval-Capture-Ideas-and-Create.jpg\" "\\"Stamp")
<\/span><\/p>\nCapture Ideas and Create<\/h2>\n
For Authors<\/h4>\n
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What do You Think?<\/h4>\n
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What does this Mean For You as an Author?<\/h4>\n
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Archetypes and Prompts<\/h2>\n
![\"Writers](\"https:\/\/leezabaric.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Writers-Block-Capture-Ideas-and-Create.jpg\" "\\"Writers")
<\/span><\/p>\nHow To Find Ideas<\/h3>\n
“Reach for the Stars”<\/h4>\n
Disconnect to Reconnect with Yourself<\/h4>\n
Know Thyself<\/h4>\n
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Make Time For Yourself – Honour Your Creativity<\/h4>\n
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![\"People](\"https:\/\/leezabaric.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/People-Jumping-Capture-Ideas-and-Create.jpg\" "\\"People")
<\/span><\/p>\nFind Joy in the Moment<\/h4>\n
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Make Time to Write<\/h4>\n
Live Twice<\/h4>\n
Capture Your Ideas, Be Creative<\/h2>\n
RESOURCES<\/h2>\n
Books<\/h3>\n
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Websites<\/h3>\n
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The Final Word:<\/h3>\n