"Write now is good."

Procrastination, side projects, and following true creative interests

As I work on my school- and work-related projects, I keep a notebook nearby. Sometimes I pause to write down an idea, brainstorm a bit, or sketch something I am trying to figure out or would like to design more completely at a later time. I have notebooks full of these "interruptions," some of which have turned into constructive outcomes: groups that form for creative community and support, an idea to discuss with someone, blog posts, and inspiration for future work.

I used to be annoyed that these interruptions appeared while I was working with intense focus on projects with deadlines. If they were evidence of procrastination, however, I still completed my work on time. If they were a work-stress release, they often resulted in making more work for me at a later time, and I didn't feel stressed about this future work; these interruptions looked fun to work on, and when I returned to re-read them, they inspired me. Some were even related to my current projects in varying ways. Others weren't related at all but still caught my conscious attention.

In this Humble Pied interview by Mig Reyes (graphic designer), Jessica Hische (letterer and illustrator)  talks about her view of other work that interrupts:

 

Hische says, “Whatever work you do when you are procrastinating from other things is probably what you should be doing for the rest of your life.” What do you think? How does this apply to how you work and your creative interests?

Tina Roth Eisenberg, a.k.a. "SwissMiss--a Swiss designer gone NYC," spoke at TYPO San Francisco last April on "The Power of Side Projects and Eccentric Aunts." Watch this video of her talk for additional insights into the importance of side projects in increasing creative momentum and why it is important to work on what interests you and what you love to do. (Here's a link to one of her side projects, Creative Mornings.)

FOWD Talk 2011: The Power of Side Projects and Eccentric Aunts from swissmiss on Vimeo.

Psychologist Howard Gruber devised a theory of creativity around these related projects he calls a "network of enterprise" as part of his "evolving systems approach to creative work." In the book Creative People at Work: Twelve Cognitive Case Studies, Gruber writes:

When we speak of creative work as purposeful, we have in mind a conception of work as complex  human activity organized to achieve specific ends. . . . To describe the pattern of work in the life of a creative individual we have adopted the organizing concept of a “network of enterprise.” We use the term enterprise to stand for a group of related projects and activities. (p. 11)

In the article "Constructive Repetition, Time, and the Evolving Systems Approach," psychology professor Richard Brower, commenting on Gruber's theory, further explains that:

The interconnection of multiple enterprises served at least three important functions for the creative process. First, it allows the person to continue working over time, even though blind alleys are encountered and projects are shelved. Second, it allows for the reorganization of purpose, affect, and knowledge. Third, it allows for increased opportunities for novelty and the potential for the amplification and elaboration of innovative discoveries. (2003, p. 63)

Seemingly random side project ideas and creative procrastination can be full of possibilities. Listen to and record them when they appear, and return to them later to see where they next take you in your creative process.

Early morning creative magic

Photo: "sunrise in the city" by tattoodjay

This blog caught my eye: "Daily Routines: How writers, artists, and other interesting people organize their days."

While reading through these posts, I noticed that most creatives featured get up early (between 5-6AM) most days and start writing or painting soon after waking.

Busy writing

Hello, Readers! I have been writing much lately, but not for my dear blog.

As I wrap up a big project tomorrow, I'll be blogging again by this weekend.

Autumn is an industrious time for me. The back-to-school, cooler-air, leaves-about-to-change shift always propels my to-do list to seriously industrious proportions. (Plus, I have consistent deadlines every fall, so they add to this.)

Hope this post finds you all creative and inspired.

Image above: Time-saving "What do you mean I'm always too busy?" stamp found at SwissMiss.

Be an AWESOME writer

Last month, I wrote a post about a very insightful and funny YouTube video called "Book Launch 2.0". It features Dennis Cass, an accomplished writer and the author of Head Case, conversing with a phone-friend about the pros and cons of using new and social media to launch books.

For those of you who enjoyed Cass's video also, I've got good news: he has created an online community. Its goal: to make creative people more effective and successful at their creative lives and careers. It is called, appropriately, "Dennis Cass Wants You To Be More Awesome."

DCWYTBMA is a site full of "advice, jokes and tough love for people who want to make a living making culture." Dennis regularly answers members' questions, providing sound advice on a variety of relevant topics. The community is active, full of creatives commenting with additional viewpoints and examples. Plus, he features an "Awesomizer" to help improve creative endeavors; it has made me look at some pop culture mainstays with a fresh perspective.

I strongly believe that participating in writing/creative groups (even online!) can help their participants grow in their work, get unstuck when creative blocks arise, and provide camaraderie and support when the creative road is nothing but potholes and speed traps. (If you have done anything creative ever in your life, then you know the ride can get bumpy...)

While reading Cass's articles and answers, I have laughed out loud many times. Knowledgeable creative-career guidance + original insights + active community + humor = WIN! And if you sign up, I'll see you there.

Blogscope down for a moment

Photo: "Yellow Submarine" by benjcarson

Surrounded by impending deadlines, my own personal yellow blogging submarine is submerged in creativity, inspiration and a vast ocean of words.

Thanks to everyone who submitted links to assist my quest for blogs. This choice information has inspired me to create a few posts based on all of it.

More soon!

The spark is just the start...

Photo: "Sparks" by House Photography

I'm always on the lookout for other writers' and creatives' takes on how to make ideas reality. In "Saving the Spark: Developing Creative Ideas", graphic designer and writer Mark Boulton explains his practical views on this. He begins:

Ideas. They’re at the heart of every creative process. However, almost no really good ideas are flashes of inspiration. They may start that way—a single glimmer of something special—but in order to work, they need to be honed. Like a really good cheese, they need to mature. Indeed, the “flash of inspiration” idea—the Eureka moment—is only part of a longer process that, if ignored, will see most ideas simply fizzle out.

So, how do you “have” ideas? Sit about and wait for them to pop into your head? If only most of us had the luxury to do so. No, for most of us, ideas have to be squeezed out of us every day. To stand up to this challenge, you need to arm yourself with some good tools...

Read on to discover those tools.

If you're creating projects (and solving problems along the way) with a group, definitely read how Boulton describes getting the most out of brainstorming sessions.

Found at A List Apart.

Writing projects for fun and profit

Photo: written by louveciennes

Deadlines are soon for a few of these, so read on and write quickly.

1. SMITH Magazine is featuring three ongoing writing projects:

° Six-Word Momoirs — A challenge to "define your motherhood experience in just six words." Contest deadline is May 8, 2008.
° Six-Word Memoirs — Their ongoing ultimate flash-autobiography contest. The Smith Magazine book, Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six Word Memoirs from Writers Famous and Obscure, is currently on sale now and features many past submissions from readers. Sounds like they might be working on volume 2.
° Brushes With Fame — Ever ran into someone famous? Would you like to share your story? Here's a venue for you to do so.

2. McSweeney's has announced its "Amanda Davis Highwire Fiction Award." If you are a woman 32 years old or younger, winning this could help you complete a novel currently in progress. Deadline is May 1, 2008:

The Amanda Davis Highwire Fiction Award is a $2,500 grant given in memory of Amanda Davis. Amanda Davis was a very gifted writer and close friend of ours who passed away in March of 2003, at the age of 32. She was an irreplaceable person, one who created and nurtured communities wherever she went. She loved to write, loved being a writer, loved to read, loved the existence of books, and wanted happiness—personal, professional, spiritual, shoe-related—for everyone. She really did...

3. Personal Democracy Forum will be publishing "Rebooting America: Democracy in the 21st Century, an anthology of essays from leading thinkers and activists" and is accepting essays from the general public. Editors will pick three winning essays to add to the book. Click for more details here. Deadline is May 1, 2008.

Know of any other worthwhile projects/contests out there? Drop a comment and I'll list them.

In the zone

Photo: And What shall I Write by tomswift46

For the last few weeks, I have been writing, writing, writing. (And note taking, interviewing, outlining, thinking and then writing some more.) Some pieces are complete, and some are nearing completion.

I am in the writing-process zone.

I'll post links to some of that writing here when the articles are live.

More soon.

Writing, writing, writing

I have three major deadlines this week. A couple of these projects will be online, so when they are completed and live, I'll post here.

(My next post will be titled "Editing, editing, editing", by the way.)

Keep it clean, people!

Photo: Tell office supplies I lost my chair... by wokka

Today is Blog Action Day. Do you like to work in a clean office?

Do you?

Your home is your home. Your private space. Your inner sanctum. Your castle. Your refuge. Your pig sty. Your anti-dust zone. Your pile of papers. Your clean-enough-to-eat-off-the-kitchen-floor abode.

Your home belongs to you. You can make it as neat or sloppy or cozy or post-modern as you want—it is yours. If you have a family or a roommate, your home is still a relatively private bubble.

But your office—your workplace—is a shared space. You and others, either just a few or many, come together, many days a week for many hours of those days to produce, be creative, have meetings and work towards some shared vision (ideally).

Imagine one day, you walk into your office. Your co-worker in the next cubicle has been slowly letting trash and garbage pile up in his space. Now, it is in your space.

You thought you'd smelled something rancid percolating for days, and now you know it’s not a dead mouse decaying beneath the floorboards. It’s “Mr. Stinky”, your former cubicle buddy.

You step around the fabric wall and shout “Hey! Your garbage is in my space!” He pretends to ignore you, tossing a paper coffee cup and muffin wrapper at your feet. Shocked and repulsed, your nostrils burning and eyes tearing, you back away quickly.

You go to your cubicle neighbor on the other side. “Do you see what Mr. Stinky is doing?”

“No,” she says firmly, looking only at her cubicle. “No, I don’t.”

“Don’t you smell it?” you ask, incredulous and frustrated.

“Smell what?” she replies, spraying lavender oil in the air and waving a handful of pine-tree scented car fresheners in front of your nose.

“Ugh!” you reply, as you stomp back to your newly undesirable surroundings.

Mr. Stinky’s garbage continues to grow. No one stops him.

You begin to mention to your co-workers that it’s getting harder to work at your desk because of the smell and debris. Some suggest that you move to another cubicle; you can’t, as there aren’t any open ones available.

The smell is really beginning to get to you, and you go to human resources to ask if there’s anything that can be done. The HR director says there are two options: 1) Quit your job, or 2) Wear a gas mask. You can’t just quit the job: it took you six months to find it, and there’s no way you’re living without health benefits again. You take the gas mask.

Mr. Stinky continues to push the boundaries of appropriate office behavior. Co-workers take alternate routes away from his cubicle to avoid the litter and odor. Some desperate ones don rubber boots and sprint through the growing garbage, holding their noses closed, if they’re late for meetings and can’t take the “long-cut” around it.

Until one day, CRASH! Slurp. GURRGLE!!!!! The garbage pile that has grown to block an entire passageway has now spilled into the photocopier room. It has clogged the fax machine. It has filled up the in-boxes. For the finale, it has encroached upon the air-conditioned ice palace of a server room, the nerve center for all company communications and profit making. All computers go down. Business is now in the dumps.

The click-clacking of keyboards and pings of IMing stop. A silence never heard before in this raging, thriving hive descends heavily. With a great whoosh, the only door in the entire workspace flies open. The president of the company emerges from the corner office. “What the..............?!?!?!?” booms a roaring, livid voice across the cubicle farm.

So, what happens? Does the president make a policy outlawing inter-office garbage dumps? Who picks decaying bagel bits out of the fax machine? Is Mr. Stinky "job-eliminated"? Do people finally listen to their co-workers’ experiences and empathize? Or does this sad, stinky situation happen over and over again?

When I hear some argue against environmental reforms by saying, “Polluting cars don’t cause global warming—that's silly!” or “It doesn’t matter if some company dumps chemicals into the water—those people are just alarmists!”, I think of the offices I've worked in. They are clean, tidy places that are kept that way so we can get our work done.

Even a little polluted air and dirtied waters mess up the experience for many on this planet. When workspaces get messy, it’s hard to work or create or relate or enjoy or move forward on anything.

It’s just common sense. Let’s keep our shared spaces clean, people—especially Earth. Everything will work a whole lot better.

As of today, 12,000 blogs and 15 million readers are part of Blog Action Day. I have no doubt that next year's event will clock this completely.