How do you recharge your battery?
The TKZ textbook on creativity
For today’s post, I wanted to explore activities that writers use to ramp up creativity, refill the well of creativity, or “recharge our batteries.” I wanted to look specifically at the use of creative pursuits, hobbies, or interests, outside of writing, to accomplish that goal.
I had my rough draft done before I searched for previous posts on creativity done here at TKZ. I was amazed at how much had already been written.
If you click on the two links below, you will find a treasure trove of articles on creativity, a TKZ textbook on the subject.
https://killzoneblog.com/category/creativity
https://killzoneblog.com/tag/creativity
And here are the chapters:
- The Creative Energy of Crowds, JSB
- Evolution of a Book Title and Cover, Debbie Burke
- Don’t be Afraid to Go There in Your Writing, JSB
- The Importance of Creativity Time (mental calisthenics), JSB
- Use NaNoWriMo to Repo Your Mojo, JSB
- Less Focus for Better Writing (positive constructive daydreaming), JSB
- Chasing a New Idea, JSB
- Permission to Make a Mess, Laura Benedict
- It Came From…, Joe Hartlaub
- When Your Brainstorming Hits a Drought, JSB
- Inspiring Quotes from Inspiring Crime Thriller Writers, Garry Rodgers
- The World Needs Creatives More Than Ever, Sue Coletta
- When a Writing Break Turns into a New Novel, J.T. Ellison
- Are Only Humans Creative? 6 Ways Creativity Improves Health, Sue Coletta
- Writers and Dreaming, Sue Coletta
- Can Creativity Pass Through Generations via DNA, Sue Coletta
- Our Brain and Creativity, Sue Coletta
- Write that Caption! New Yorker Cartoon Contest, Kathryn Lilley
- The Power of the Shadow Story, JSB
I enjoyed reviewing the posts. I learned a lot. I considered changing my post to another topic, but I think we can sneak in a discussion on the topic under the guise of “activities, hobbies, and creative pursuits outside the realm of writing that increase our creativity for writing.”
Writing fiction is inherently an intense and consuming activity that requires a never-ending flow of creativity. It is the rare writer who can work for long periods of time without stopping to rekindle the fire, or refill the well from which that creativity flows.
In the posts listed above, there are many ways listed to improve creativity. A few of them include creative activities outside of writing. I know from reading responses to previous posts that many of you have such outside interests. We want to hear about them.
It is my opinion, that having and pursuing other creative interests is healthy, can give our brains a chance to shift gears, and can even inspire ideas for our writing.
So, Dear Writer, what do you think?
- Do you believe that other creative activities can benefit your writing?
- Do you need creative pursuits beyond writing to recharge your battery?
- What hobbies, activities, or creative pursuits do you use and enjoy?
- In what way does this hobby or activity improve your writing?
- How passionate (crazy) are you about this hobby? Give us a little taste of your passion.