Being Creative With The Unknown
Expounding, or is it expanding ? on that, we can also assume that you will continue reading until you find out what on earth I'm on about. How long is that ? How far can the author push before the reader decides that 'enough is enough' and steers themselves away to watch a video of a cat being stuck up a tree.
It can be a fine line indeed and one that as 'bloggers' or content writers, tread every time we engage with our reader. Just enough of the good 'juice' to whet the appetite and leave them wanting more.
I had pretty much zoned out for the day. By this time of night my creative brain has all but shut
down and stringing a coherent sentence together is a struggle, let alone writing anything of worth for you to enjoy.
Quick tangent, as is my want, a few weeks or so ago I was walking through the kitchen, the radio was on and although not listening intently, I did hear a few words but not the full sentences. I heard "Bristol University......study.....brain activity....6am" The words didn't really sink in enough for me to stop and listen more intently. Then, this morning, my brain decided it was a good time for me to remember them and try to put them in context.
The 'crux', 'nub' maybe 'core' of the matter is that our brains work differently at different times of the day. Optimum times for various activities. Search it and I'm sure you'll find articles all about the best time to 'tweet' or phone a loved one, maybe even read a book.
The best time for being 'creative', apparently, is not long after waking up, or through a study, somewhere around 6am. I can attest to that. My best time for 'thought' is indeed, first thing in the morning, normally when I'm walking the dogs.
Interesting.
Back to the title. Tonight, realising that I was no longer useful to man nor beast on an intellectual level (time of day actually has no bearing on that) I found myself drawn towards watching an episode of my current, longstanding, TV drama. I am on Season five of seven and about halfway through. Everyone is well-established and I know, from little excursions into IMDB, that there are still a few more seasons to go. Yay, should take me well into next year.
I am familiar with the show, I have made 'connections' with the characters and they feel like an extension of my own life, like friends I can pop round and see whenever I feel like a 'pick me up'
Then, out of the blue, one of the main and I mean 'main' actors is 'killed off' never to return in the shower one morning, to surprise a dream weary spouse.
Such power the writers wield with their spiteful pens, forget contractual obligations or other job offers, this was something else. Maybe they felt that things were becoming 'staid', it was all a bit too predictable. I like predictable, it's comfortable, homely, warm.
By the end of the episode I had recovered. I forgave and moved on. They picked me up, spun me around and then gently placed me back down, putty in their literary hands.
We, as content creators, have that power but need to remember to use it wisely.
What's the quote ? Something about power and responsibility ?
Well, maybe it's not quite that melodramatic but when you engage your reader you do have the power to lead them to where you want them to go and if they enjoy the journey, they are bound to come back for more.
Now, I am spent. Good night.
Recent Comments
27
Well said Twack,
There is a mighty power in the use of words if one can learn to string them together effectively. You accomplish that quite effectively!
As for early mornings they’re no longer my friend. Until my coffee and pain medicine kick in I’m useless to most, except the dog. She’s depending on me to open the back door and let her out, and I can manage that.
Late morning to early evening are my productive hours, and since I have a finite amount of energy I must be judicious in how I use it.
On to another task now. Make your day amazing!
KyleAnn
Thank you KyleAnn, always a kind word. Today has been productive, amazing would be a 'stretch' but it was still a good one.
Over time, I think we become more astute in how we approach using our time. There are rarely wasted wated minutes in a day anymore.
As soon my alarm goes off, the one dog starts whining. To big for a cat-flap, which is a shame.
I too have read articles about the best time to study/be creative and then the other day stubbled on a podcast or lesson or something about the nature of sleep and how we are catagorised into four animal definitions and this then determines what time of day is best to do things.
Apparently I am a lion and this means that I am an early riser and that the best time for me to do anything creative is as you say early in the morning, because I am pretty much exhausted and spent by late afternoon early evening.
There were three other categories, each with their own characteristic. The opposite was a Wolf who find it very hard to get up in the morning and function much better creatively later in the evening and night.
It is so interesting how as humans we love to find 'the best time' or 'the best way'. Much the same as what we offer with our blogs to our readers.
I feel the pain of the power of the writer. Many films, programs etc have I been at the hand of such a cruel turn of events on characters that I have grown to know and love. In fact I refused to continue watching one that I had invested many years to watching, because the writers took a step too far.
I will hush now, as I fear my reply will overtake the word count of your post.
Much Love
Sara
No need to hush, as you know, I always enjoy your replies. It is so that we tread the vast, barren wastelands of 'early morn' as lions then. I'll take that with pride (sorry, couldn't resist)
After listening to Tony Robbins, many moon cycles ago, I took on board his 'Hour of Power' but the only place I could find for it was before everyone else dragged their sorry selves out of bed.
Upon reading an old book, called 'Organsing Your Life', I realised an even greater benefit.
Even half an hour extra in the morning equates to just over a week (7 x 24hrs) in the course of a year. When I was in the nine to five, that meant I was giving myself 21 'work' days. Do the hour and you get a month, free. How much more could I achieve, given that I am most definitely less productive at the end of the night, so I'm not losing out by going to bed a touch earlier.
Yeah I agree. When I started WA, I got up at 5am, It gave me that extra undisturbed hour before the tribe awoke and wanted service!
So my life takes on a new cycle, as I am now attending interviews for full time jobs, the dream now has to take on part time and the 'action work' takes back it's full time mantle. For now!.
It's funny how when you surrender to what needs to be, but on the wisdom of the bigger longer game, it all doesn't seem so bad. I have been practicing the art of allowing and it is working, so we will see how it all works out in the end (that is not the end, you know what I mean).
It is ironic (the lion category) as at University they used to call me 'the lioness'. Quite like being a lion. Isn't there a saying about early bird catches the worm, or early to bed early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise. I'll buy that for a $ hahaha
Have a wonderful day, are you seeing the 'other woman' today? If so enjoy!
'Allowing' nicely put. It actually makes life acceptable for the moment, knowing that any measures you have to put in place are temporary. We do what needs to be done without putting up a fight. You can allow yourself a wry smile, knowing that ultimately today is a means to an end and tomorrow is a promise that will be kept.
Yes, I stole away a few hours with Jess. All very methodical at the moment. Cleaing and replacing of 'servicable' parts. Although I've never worked on one of these before, there is something strangely familiar about it all.
Reflective moment Twack, what ever the time of day or night, getting in touch with our flow, can be the thing that makes a lot of difference.
Calming the mantle of content creator, can be the first step that locks in what we are doing.
Only one way to go.
Sometimes it might just be the case of managing to write down a couple of lines that gives us reference at a later time. More often than not, when I review what I've noted down, it no longer makes any sense.
Great message, Twack. I agree. Interestingly, I have found that many people have different times that work best for them. For instance, my daughter does her best work first thing in the morning before she heads off to work. I, on the other hand, tend to be the most creative late at night after I get home. Perhaps it has something to do with our circadian rhythms and sleep cycles. Thanks for sharing :-)
Thank you AJ, you could well be right. I've always set myself up to hit the day running, 'full chat' as they say. That does mean that by about ten o'clock at night I am a mere husk of a man.
Two of my biggest personal performance heroes, Tony Robbins and Tim Ferriss, have talked for years about such a morning "ritual" setting your day up for success. I've honestly tried on numerous occasions to pull it off, and it just doesn't work for me. Maybe it's just slow metabolism or something (lol), but no matter how early I go to bed, how much sleep I get, or how much coffee I drink, I am just NOT a morning person. Takes me a while to get the ol' furnace stoked. But once I'm up and running... watch out! :-)
YAY. Hi Maxine, thank you so much for stopping by, I've missed you. Here's hoping you are in 'fine fettle'.
More like in a pending meeting with Hurricane Dorian?
This is "testing my mettle."
Praying fot changes here in Florida.
Maxine
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I tend to think the most clearly in the early morning after awakening, but I am most creative at about 2 or 3 in the morning. Trying to find some reasonable balance. I'm sure that will come with time. Thanks for the post.
Brian
You're welcome Brian. I no longer manage to see the early hours but I'm 'up for it' between 6 and 8 in the morning, most times it's just me, peaceful.