Get ready to supercharge your creativity! Join Sharn and Andy as they delve into the captivating world of filling your creative well. In this episode, they unveil a treasure trove of methods and personal anecdotes that will ignite your imagination and help you sustain a blazing creative fire.
But first, the news:
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It’s Monday the 22nd May 2023, and this is news with Sharn:
In Web3 and tech new this week:
Exciting news for AI chatbot enthusiasts as ChatGPT has now been launched as a smartphone app. This development poses a potential threat to clone apps that have sought to profit from similar technology. The free app, initially available on iPhones in the United States and soon to arrive on Android phones, offers voice-enabled interaction in addition to text-based conversations. OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, assures users that the app will remain ad-free while providing the convenience of syncing chat history across multiple devices. The rollout will begin in the US and expand to other countries in the following weeks.
Westpac, a major Australian bank, has made a bold move by imposing a ban on its customers from transacting with cryptocurrency exchange Binance. The bank cites the need for protection against cryptocurrency-related scams and reducing losses due to fraudulent activities. According to Westpac, investment scams constitute about half of all scam losses, with a significant portion of scam payments being transferred directly to cryptocurrency exchanges. This ban coincides with Binance being stripped of its ability to accept PayID funds transfers from Australian customers, adding to the ongoing controversy surrounding the exchange.
Moving now to the world of Publishing:
The Emerging Writers Festival has unveiled its program for its 20th anniversary, featuring an extensive lineup of nearly 200 artists in over 60 events across Melbourne from June 14 to 24. The opening night event, 'Truth Telling,' will showcase writers such as Lay Maloney, Yaraan Bundle, Sofii Belling-Harding, and Elijah Money, who will share their personal truths. The closing night event, 'Celestial Bodies,' promises a dreamy experience with starry words, sounds, and visuals from renowned writers, artists, and inter-galactic DJs. The festival also includes the National Writers' Conference, masterclasses, workshops, special events, and free sessions, celebrating emerging talent and pushing the boundaries of literary festivals.
Facebook referral traffic to publishers has plummeted as Meta continues to distance itself from the news industry. Data from publisher analytics firm Chartbeat and digital intelligence platform Similarweb reveals a sharp drop in Facebook's share of page views from external, search, and social sources. As Facebook's influence wanes, publishers have observed an increase in referral traffic from alternative platforms such as Twitter and YouTube. This shift highlights the evolving landscape of social media platforms and their impact on publishers' reach and engagement.
And that my friends, was news with Sharn.
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Alright then let's get into it this episode
So Andy, what is the definition of Creativity?
Creativity is a complex and multifaceted concept that refers to the ability to generate new and valuable ideas, solutions, or interpretations. It involves thinking, imagining, and producing original and innovative work in various domains, including art, science, literature, music, technology, and more.
At its core, creativity involves combining existing knowledge, experiences, and skills in novel and unexpected ways to generate unique outcomes. It often requires thinking outside the box, challenging conventional wisdom, and embracing non-linear or unconventional approaches.
Creativity can be used in many different situations such as business/entrepreneurship, science and invention but today we are going to be talking about Artistic Creativity.
Artistic Creativity is a form of creativity that is commonly associated with the arts, including painting, sculpting, writing, music, dance, and other expressive forms.
That's creativity soo…
Sharn Tell me what is a creative well?
The concept of a "creative well" is often used metaphorically to describe the state of an individual's creative energy, inspiration, or resources. It refers to the level or availability of creative ideas, motivation, and productivity that a person possesses at a given time.
Having a full or "healthy" creative well implies that an individual has a high level of inspiration, motivation, and a wealth of ideas readily accessible to them. They may experience a sense of flow and enthusiasm, and their creative output tends to be abundant and of high quality.
On the other hand, having an "empty" or depleted creative well suggests a state of creative block or fatigue. It may indicate a lack of inspiration, difficulty generating new ideas, and a feeling of being creatively stuck or drained. When the creative well is depleted, individuals may struggle to produce original work, experience a decrease in motivation, or find it challenging to engage in creative activities.
So what are some ways you can fill up your creative well?
I have some research on this but I think its best we add our real experiences to share what we actually do in each case.
Seek inspiration: Expose yourself to a variety of stimuli, such as art, music, literature, nature, conversations, and different cultures. Engage in activities that spark your curiosity and inspire new ideas.
Sharn:
I expose myself to lots of different stories and different ways to tell them.
I read a lot, and from different genres.
I listen to lots of different music.
I watch different tv shows and movies.
I go to the circus, to the theatre.
I love musicals.
And I'm always looking for the small natural beauties around us.
Andy:
Writers got to read yo!
I get a lot of inspiration from other creative things like film, books, manga, etc. But I personally find I get the most inspiration from things outside of “mass media” produced content. Disney hasn't made a show or movie (maybe the 1st episode of S2 of Visions) that has really moved me in any way shape or form.
That's why I found a lot of inspiration when I went back to reading manga/watching Anime. It is just different. and that's what i think you want to help with your creative well. It can't just be the same old comfort food so to speak.
Practice self-care: Take care of your physical and mental well-being. Get enough rest, engage in regular exercise, eat well, and manage stress. Taking breaks and allowing yourself time to recharge can prevent creative burnout.
Sharn:
I get enough sleep.
Been focusing on healthy aging.
I try to practice being kind to myself. Trying to be aware of my energy levels and when I'm feeling drained. Then giving myself the time and space to recharge.
Andy:
Maybe not what you were expecting in the number 2 spot but yes. Shit body means shit brain. 16 weeks of regular exercise has been found to be 1.5 times more effective for depression than counselling or leading medications. This was from a British Medical Journal study in 2007 but I believe the US did something similar late last year and found that regular exercise was better than all medical interventions for people suffering from low to moderate depression/mental issues.
Personally I feel 1000 times better when I am eating clean and exercising obviously, but more importantly I feel more confident to get out and explore and do other things that fill my creative well. So its kind of a good double edged sword so to speak.
Engage in creative activities: Regularly engage in activities that stimulate your creativity, whether it's writing, painting, playing an instrument, or any other creative pursuit you enjoy. Practice your craft consistently to keep the creative juices flowing.
Sharn:
I love engaging in different creative activities that spark different parts of my brain and satisfy different creative needs.
I currently choreograph dances, create music, and write stories.
Andy:
I think we mentioned this last week but; just start. It doesn't matter if it's writing, playing music, painting, whatever. JUST START. I find it much easier to write once I have started as it snowballs.
Also partake in different experiences that give you flow. For me that's skateboarding or urban adventuring/
Explore new experiences: Step out of your comfort zone and try new things. Explore different environments, cultures, hobbies, or fields of knowledge. Novel experiences can provide fresh perspectives and ideas.
Sharn:
Seeing something different sparks feelings inside yourself.
Watching Eurovision is even an example of this.
I also love going to different community events as they show me more of society.
When exploring nature I find it automatically starts filling my creative well, as I find hikes more fun when imagining I'm on a quest.
Andy:
This is a big one for me. You should try to put yourself in your MC’s experiences every now and again to get a better understanding of how things are in your story. Now you don't need to be getting hunted by a serial killing vampire across the arctic tundra in order to save your herem of spicy martian women. But….. you can get your ass outside. Go to a new environment, meet new people and try new things.
Personally I love adventuring and exploring in all sorts of different environments. The ideas I got from my underground adventures in Sydney several weeks ago was mind blowing. So many cool things.
Collaborate and connect: Engage with other creative individuals, join communities or groups, and collaborate on projects. Sharing ideas and engaging in creative discussions can fuel inspiration and offer new insights.
Sharn:
Find your tribe.
There is something comforting having other people to talk to who know what you are going through. Who face the same experiences and difficulties.
Andy:
I am blessed to have little old Sharn here to bounce ideas off and just talk about stuff I'm passionate about like writing.
I think having someone to bounce ideas off of is an awesome thing. Just a heads up if you are that person or if you are in a group then sometimes it's your job to just listen and get excited. If we are talking about creativity and idea forming it's not editing or critiquing. Just know the difference, that's all.
Embrace solitude and reflection: Allow yourself quiet time for introspection and reflection. Disconnect from distractions, create a space for contemplation, and let your mind wander. Solitude can foster deep thinking and generate new ideas.
Sharn:
Giving myself space and time to let my mind wander and create is essential. It's the only way I can work through stories.
eg: Walk with husband taking big photos.
I'm also an extroverted introvert. I spend all day talking and engaging with people, but it drains me and I need to spend time on my own to recharge.
Andy:
I like to combine my alone time with several of the above activities. For example, taking the dog for a walk. I can exercise, listen to something inspirational, explore new experiences/locations and be alone. All the wins.
I also don't feel like this needs to be for long periods of time either. A long hot shower is often enough to do the trick for me. And those are definitely spent alone nowadays ;)
Turn off the screens every now and again people
Andy Bonus Tips:
Study people. Watch them, see how they react and learn to understand the human psyche. You don't need a degree but there is a good chance your art will have characters in it so learn about people.
Keep records. Be ready to take notes or photos when you are out doing all the above things. There is nothing worse than getting home after a walk then totally forgetting your mind blowing idea. And if you know how to write in the shower, hit me up as I think I can take over the world with unlimited hot water and a shower laptop ;)
Sharn's Bonus Tips:
Pay attention to what is around you. It might be looking more closely at a building's architecture, or the way a tree branch curves. Maybe it's noticing a person's hair cut, or the way they gesticulate with their hands while talking. There are lots of things around you every day that might inspire you.
Listen/read different stories, both fiction and non-fiction.
Be genuinely interested in the world and learn about it and all its varied facets (history, politics, science, nature etc etc).
Remember to be kind to yourself. Take time to understand where you get your energy. Embrace that taking time for yourself and having different life experiences is essential to fill that creative well.
Final wrap up
Remember that creativity is a dynamic and fluctuating process. Sometimes the creative well may feel abundant, while at other times it may feel dry. By adopting practices that support and nurture your creativity, you can increase the likelihood of maintaining a healthy and productive creative well.
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As always, we have a lot to do and a lot more to learn. Hope you all have fun following along as we improve our understanding and knowledge!
You can find this podcast episode (and all our other episodes) here: https://anchor.fm/invokecreations , or directly on your favourite streaming services.
NOTE: Everything discussed during the podcast is simply our own interpretation of information we come across as we research topics, or is commentary based on our own personal experiences. We highly encourage everyone to conduct their own research into topics of interest as information, especially in the technical space, changes regularly.
Music track featured this week was titled Sonic Beam and can be viewed/listened to here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68XmEDGfr2I
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As always, we’re off to put our bums on seats and do some work, so until next time stay dangerous!
Byeeeeeeeeee!
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