Why Creativity Isn’t Just About Ideas
Creativity isn’t for sissies. It’s hard work, and for those who live and die by creativity, it’s not about inspiration, it’s about routine. The best writers, filmmakers, and other artists I’ve ever met were literally slaves to routine – a regularly scheduled time to do the work (and work out the kinks) of creativity.
What’s why this post isn’t about having ideas, it’s about making those ideas happen. Execution is the real work that makes creativity real.
So ease up on all the talk about “ideas.” Yes, ideas are great, and very much needed, but without the ability to execute those ideas, they’re not worth the napkin you wrote them on. So develop a regular, disciplined routine that allows you to take your great ideas, and develop them into reality.
Because regardless of what you’ve heard, ideas don’t change the world. Ideas that catch on, get developed, and become reality are what changes the world.
In Richard Walter’s book, Essentials of Screenwriting, this professor and Screenwriting Chairman at UCLA states, “If an idea is good, all that remains is the toil, the sweat, the invention, the characters, the setting, the dialogue, and everything else—in short, the writing.”
When I retired three years ago I had a few great ideas. I have been learning ever since I started writing just one of those ideas. It is amazing to me how much I needed to learn before I could execute properly any of those ideas.
I am having a blast learning and watching my first idea get refocused and turned into a fast moving, entertaining story with a fresh message. It is a far cry from what I wrote my first year in my retirement. All the learning and rewriting has been worth it. Sadly, I grossly underestimated all the work that has to be done to develop any one of my exciting ideas. Surprisingly, I’m more excited now to write. All the work is going to be worth it.
You are exactly correct Phil. Ideas have to be developed and therein lies the rub.