shawnw.orgfaith – technology – culture

I’ve not yet heavily participated in Our Creative Community but I hope this post is the first of many posts exploring this fantastic group.

Taking the questions posed in this post, Creative Community Spring Challenge, I’m going to try and answer the question of my own personal creative process. Here goes:

What ignites that flame inside you to create?

I get it at the weirdest times. I’ve actually found I have some of my wildest ideas in that stage right before I fall asleep. With some of the craziest stuff I’ve gotten up and wrote down my ideas. Sometimes they’re so strong I remember them when I wake up the next day.

I also seem to have some of my most solid ideas when my subconscious gets to ruminate on things. I’ve been working or driving or doing something that’s the polar opposite of being “creative” and an idea will just hit me.

What sparks that passion inside you?

I’ve always had some sort of creative outpouring for as long as I can remember. I used to draw all the time as a little kid and have always been fascinated by music and art. Being passionate about creative has never been a problem.

How do you channel your creativity into a finished product?

I try to help friends and family out when it comes to channeling my creativity. I’ll create digital art or set up a website or blog for them. I also do some writing for various projects on the side (strictly to be a creative outlet and for no other reason).

What do you do when you struggle to create?

I’ve found I have to move away from a project or notion to be able to get creative with it again. If I hit a roadblock and it’s apparent I’m not going to make any sort of immediate headway, I back off and go do something completely different.

Just like my answer to question one, I don’t usually worry about when the flame will hit me. It’ll hit, I just have to be ready to capture it when it does.

How do you celebrate your wins?

Right now a majority of my creative work is going into my church and some blogs I maintain for friends. In church I get to see people moved closer to Christ on a continuing basis and get to hear from my friends how they’re using what I’ve helped them with to expand their influence.

Do you enjoy your creative process?

That’s one thing I’ve never marinated in enough. When the creative explosion hits me I’m usually doing something completely unrelated and I try to capture that creativity and work, often losing myself in what I’m doing.

Sometimes I can feel that process coming on and can sit back and bask in the moment to appreciate that process but other times, I gotta strike while the iron is hot.

How do you share your creative elements with others?

I listen to those I’m close to for their little calls for help and I try to jump on those calls when I detect them. I use what I have to help them and, if they want, will share whatever knowledge I have to give them more technical prowess which can sometimes free up the resources needed to get more creative.

To me, creativity is inside all of us. It just manifests itself in different ways. It’s all about finding what it is you like to create the finding your slot so you can use that creativity. I’ve heard people say, “I’m not creative,” and I want to tell them to shut up. I know they’re creative, they just don’t know how to do it.

Instead, I try to find what it is they love to do then connect them with others that can instruct and guide them into their God-given groove.

Ok, your turn. Post about YOUR creative process then link it here!