"What is creativity?"
It was a question on Jeff Goins' blog. (A well-known writer whose work I've followed for years)
I thought it a strange question at first. Like asking someone to describe the color blue. Why bother?
But it did make me think a bit, which is probably good.
When I thought about what creativity is, and how it relates to my work, I realized what I absolutely adore about it.
The most creative and exciting part of my work as a writer is being able to extract solid gold ideas from someone else. I don't mean stealing people's ideas - I mean helping them realize they have something awesome to say.
We all have a story, but it's somehow easier to believe that our own story is unremarkable, and that everyone else's is surely more interesting.
It was a question on Jeff Goins' blog. (A well-known writer whose work I've followed for years)
I thought it a strange question at first. Like asking someone to describe the color blue. Why bother?
But it did make me think a bit, which is probably good.
When I thought about what creativity is, and how it relates to my work, I realized what I absolutely adore about it.
The most creative and exciting part of my work as a writer is being able to extract solid gold ideas from someone else. I don't mean stealing people's ideas - I mean helping them realize they have something awesome to say.
We all have a story, but it's somehow easier to believe that our own story is unremarkable, and that everyone else's is surely more interesting.
As a ghost writer and strategist, I get to be that third party, that 'someone else' who finds your story fascinating. I love listening. Words reveal a person, you know?
I perk my ears to discover the unique stories and perspective about that person, and then - if it's a client - I work my magic to shine and polish those nuggets of gold into irresistable content their readers EAT UP.
(When it's not a client, then what I do instead is wish they were a client, and then wistfully release those ideas from memory, sad for the beautiful stories that will likely never be told.)
Afterward, when I hear them say things like "You know me better than I know myself!" ... well, it's deeply satisfying. Confession: I shamelessly squeal with delight when that happens. No raise or promotion ever felt that good.
It's such a thrill to see the best in someone, and then turn it into something that helps their business grow, and helps their customers connect with them in a new way.That, to me, is creativity at its best - translating what you observe and making it highly useful to others. And I love, love, love that it's my main job.
And it's a joy because I love the clients I work with. They have integrity, are hard working, and also happen to be funny, fascinating people. I love that.
Okay, your turn. What's the most creative and exciting part of your job?
.
I perk my ears to discover the unique stories and perspective about that person, and then - if it's a client - I work my magic to shine and polish those nuggets of gold into irresistable content their readers EAT UP.
(When it's not a client, then what I do instead is wish they were a client, and then wistfully release those ideas from memory, sad for the beautiful stories that will likely never be told.)
Afterward, when I hear them say things like "You know me better than I know myself!" ... well, it's deeply satisfying. Confession: I shamelessly squeal with delight when that happens. No raise or promotion ever felt that good.
It's such a thrill to see the best in someone, and then turn it into something that helps their business grow, and helps their customers connect with them in a new way.That, to me, is creativity at its best - translating what you observe and making it highly useful to others. And I love, love, love that it's my main job.
And it's a joy because I love the clients I work with. They have integrity, are hard working, and also happen to be funny, fascinating people. I love that.
Okay, your turn. What's the most creative and exciting part of your job?
.
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