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He felt 'creatively dead', then harnessed the power of boredom

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Re: He felt 'creatively dead', then harnessed the power of boredom

#71

Post by radix7 »

aschearer wrote: post #31

I recently stumbled upon "Artists Way a Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity" and really resonate with a practice it puts forward: "morning pages" and "artist dates." The exact nomenclature isn't important, but the idea of a "signal and response" pattern is, in my opinion, spot on. Like meditation, it's one of those things that sounds far fetched but that you can try for yourself -- and the results will speak for them…

I saw another post here about this book a few months ago and gave it a shot. I lasted about four weeks before giving up on it. I found the process of writing morning pages to be thoroughly unpleasant and it did nothing to spark any creativity in me. I also found the premise of 'someone in your past told you not to be creative' pretty hard to relate to.

Similar to meditation, really. My experience seems at odds with everyone else and I'm clearly the weirdo for not getting anything out of it.

Re: He felt 'creatively dead', then harnessed the power of boredom

#72

Post by aschearer »

radix7 wrote: post #71
aschearer wrote: post #31

I recently stumbled upon "Artists Way a Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity" and really resonate with a practice it puts forward: "morning pages" and "artist dates." The exact nomenclature isn't important, but the idea of a "signal and response" pattern is, in my opinion, spot on. Like meditation, it's one of those things that sounds far fetched but that you can try for yourself -- and the results will speak for them…

I saw another post here about this book a few months ago and gave it a shot. I lasted about four weeks before giving up on it. I found the process of writing morning pages to be thoroughly unpleasant and it did nothing to spark any creativity in me. I also found the premise of 'someone in your past told you not to be creative' pretty hard to relate to. Similar to meditation, really. My experience seems at odds with e…

Meditation is a good analogy. I haven't found sitting and meditating for 15-30 minutes especially mind-expanding. Listening to music and walking my dogs, however, sometimes takes me somewhere expansive. That is to say, I don't think there's a one-size-fits-all rule here. More like we should experiment with ourselves and our patterns, and that we can use the signs left behind by fellow travelers as a cue to look more closely in certain areas.

With all that said, 1) I don't think it's important to literally write "morning pages" (nor does Ms. Cameron, in my reading). It's important to find the correct medium _for you_ that manifests ideas in the world. 2) I think the signal-response pattern _is important_. It's not enough to put thoughts/feelings/whatever into the world. You need some means for things to return to you.

Flip it around though, as a fellow weirdo -- what stimulates your creativity?

Re: He felt 'creatively dead', then harnessed the power of boredom

#73

Post by radix7 »

aschearer wrote: post #72
radix7 wrote: post #71

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I saw another post here about this book a few months ago and gave it a shot. I lasted about four weeks before giving up on it. I found the process of writing morning pages to be thoroughly unpleasant and it did nothing to spark any creativity in me. I also found the premise of 'someone in your past told you not to be creative' pretty hard to relate to. Similar to meditation, really. My experience seems at odds with e…

Meditation is a good analogy. I haven't found sitting and meditating for 15-30 minutes especially mind-expanding. Listening to music and walking my dogs, however, sometimes takes me somewhere expansive. That is to say, I don't think there's a one-size-fits-all rule here. More like we should experiment with ourselves and our patterns, and that we can use the signs left behind by fellow travelers as a cue to look more…

>I don't think it's important to literally write "morning pages" (nor does Ms. Cameron, in my reading).

From my reading, it seemed like literally writing pages was absolutely essential, regardless if writing is your preferred medium or not.

>what stimulates your creativity?

Nothing I've been able to find yet. That's why I'm willing to try weird new age-y books mentioned on HN.

Re: He felt 'creatively dead', then harnessed the power of boredom

#74

Post by aschearer »

radix7 wrote: post #73
aschearer wrote: post #72

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Meditation is a good analogy. I haven't found sitting and meditating for 15-30 minutes especially mind-expanding. Listening to music and walking my dogs, however, sometimes takes me somewhere expansive. That is to say, I don't think there's a one-size-fits-all rule here. More like we should experiment with ourselves and our patterns, and that we can use the signs left behind by fellow travelers as a cue to look more…

>I don't think it's important to literally write "morning pages" (nor does Ms. Cameron, in my reading). From my reading, it seemed like literally writing pages was absolutely essential, regardless if writing is your preferred medium or not. >what stimulates your creativity? Nothing I've been able to find yet. That's why I'm willing to try weird new age-y books mentioned on HN.

Well I'm just a dog on the net, so what do I know? Best of luck in your journey. I hope you find what you're searching for!

Re: He felt 'creatively dead', then harnessed the power of boredom

#75

Post by aschearer »

broscillator wrote: post #70
aschearer wrote: post #69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's an interesting theory and certainly meshes well with the book's thesis! My project was a video game I co-created called "You Will Die Here Tonight." After many years, we finally shipped! I find there's something special about actually finishing work. That growth occurs up in the thin air at the summit, if you catch my drift.

For me there's something akin to "postpartum depression" too, an achievement but an emptiness too. The summit for me is right when about to finish, not when it's released. Congrats on the game, I know games are a lot of hard work! I love resident evil, might give it a go if it runs on linux/proton.

Thank you! -- it runs on a Steamdeck, or so I'm told, so hopefully it will run on Linux, too.

I think what you say is right, too. There's something special in that last push, and there's a sense of loss afterwards.

But then you get down to earth and start over. Best of luck with your current or next project!

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