“True wisdom lies in gathering the precious things out of each day as it goes by.” E S Bouton
Some people collect stamps; others, coins; and those who have the cash, cars. But creative people usually collect things more intangible.
Writers collect nouns and verbs; actors, mannerisms and accents; artists, angles and hues; and entrepreneurs, problems and needs they’d like to solve and fill for others.
To be more creative, keep adding to your collection. It’s easy, and most of what you need is inexpensive or free.
Sounds, shapes, ideas, and colors are but a few of the items you can gather for little or no money.
The more you add, the more you have to work with.
You’ll have more strands to tie together. You’ll have more concepts to mix and merge. In general, you’ll have more stuff to inspire and guide and sustain you.
Read a wide variety of books (fiction, nonfiction, poetry).
Flip through magazines and books filled with photographs and prints of paintings.
Listen to music, including the kind you think you don’t like.
Take a walk or even a bus ride, and let your eyes and ears and nostrils fill up with new acquisitions.
Think of a place where you sometimes go, the one you always leave with your mind full of great, new things to ponder. Make a date and go there again.
Think of other places where you could have a similar experience. Visit them too.
Talk to other creative collectors. Find out where they’re getting their items, and ask them to share. Share yours with them. You can swap and trade without ever giving up a thing.
As your collection increases, you’ll notice other things increasing as well. You’ll have more ideas, options, and possibilities. You’ll find a growing number of ways to handle the challenges you face. You’ll discover you have more confidence.
Always be adding to your mental collection. It’s the creative thing to do.
Think, draw, write.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
This post definitely resonates with me. My whole life is about expanding my mental collection – I want my mind to be able to swallow the universe. That is why I listen to literally any music I can get my hands on (from Death metal to throat singing). I also watch TV to keep my mind “upgraded” on the lastest happenings in pop culture. In particular, I can find joy in shows like Jersey Shore, The Real World, O’Reilly Factor, Colbert Report, Daily Show and South Park.
I have also been taking a conscious effort to watch more movies lately. The past two years I got sucked up in the internet and neglected many other mediums of communication (even the real world to some extent…) so I am slowly branching out and getting back in touch with my humanity. Movies are one great way to do that since they have such an influence on our culture and society (and vice versa).
I used to do a lot of reading (mostly non-fiction), but since then I have gone on a hiatus as an attempt to expand my interests to new domains.
Another way to add stuff to your mental collection: LEAVE YOUR HOUSE – go outside, walk with nature, go to parties (went to an awesome one last weekend), meet new people, tell stories, listen to others, volunteer.
This world is so big and juicy with adventure. I can’t imagine people ever being bored or apathetic.
Excellent post!
Excellent post? How about your excellent comments? Thanks, Steven.
I recently watched an interview that was a few years old. Larry King was interviewing Johnny Cash, and Mr. Cash said that music is constantly flowing through his mind, every moment of the day. I imagine he too absorbed the shapes, colors, and scenes of his life, and then turned them into melodies.
.-= Melissa Donovan´s last blog ..How to Collect Writing Ideas While You’re Procrastinating Online =-.
Thanks for sharing that, Melissa. I’m a big fan of “the man in black.”