#IWSG Nov 2018: Creativity in Life

Posted November 7, 2018 in Creative Writing / 10 Comments

The Insecure Writer's Support Group badge

It’s time for another Insecure Writer’s Support Group post to boost my confidence and encourage myself to engage with the writing community. The IWSG post on the first Wednesday of every month.

This month’s co-hosts are:  Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor,Ann V. Friend,JQ Rose, and Elizabeth Seckman!

October was a busy month for me in which I did lots of writing and editing and I was pleased that I managed to submit my short story to the IWSG Anthology Contest. It was good practice and I’m proud of myself for having the courage to enter.

How has your creativity in life evolved since you started writing?

What a thought-provoking question! One of the biggest ways writing has impacted my life is that I’m now much better at looking at the ‘big picture’. I used to make plans that were very focused on minute details and if unexpected events caused me to deviate from them I became very anxious. When things went wrong, I used to blame things that were outside of my control instead of taking responsibility.

Now I’ve matured both personally and in my approach to writing, I view the journey of life as a narrative that I’m writing as I go along, which makes me feel much more in control of my own destiny. If life is feeling stagnant and the ‘plot’ is not moving forward, then it’s time for me to take action and change things up in order to make the next chapter more exciting. And when problems do arise, I try to see them as obstacles that I need to overcome as part of my character development. Not every detail of my life will turn out the way I want it, but whatever happens I can ‘write’ my way out of it, creating the ending that I want.

I do think my problem-solving skills have improved since I began writing, which helps me both at work and in my personal life. Writing from different POVs and researching people from all different walks of life has made me a better communicator as I can more easily see things from other people’s perspectives.

Writing has given me an appreciation of structure and coherent narrative, which helps with writing reports, planning presentations and the general organisation of my life. But it’s also made me more flexible. I’m used to playing with cue cards and changing scenes around if they’re not working in a particular order and I have to use the same skills when I’m prioritising tasks or planning my future goals.

As well as that, I’ve had to become more creative with my time management. If I want to submit a piece of fiction to a deadline, I have to find ways of squeezing writing into any free time that I can. I always take a notebook everywhere I go so that I can make notes during unproductive times such as waiting for appointments or while I’m on my lunch break at work.

Writing has even enhanced my creativity when it comes to parenting. It’s made me better at story-telling and acting out imaginary scenarios. I’m also very conscious of the power of language so I take extra care to ensure that my word choices are kind and empowering and try to encourage my daughter to express herself creatively.

Obviously, writing has an impact on my blogging and reading, but it also influences my other hobbies. I like to create digital artwork that tells a story, I’ve become better at writing recipes and I’m often inspired to travel to places I’ve discovered while researching.

Overall, my creativity in all areas of life has evolved since I began writing and I’m now much more flexible and adventurous.  

What about you?

How has your creativity in life evolved since you started writing? For non-writers, have other hobbies affected your general creativity?

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10 responses to “#IWSG Nov 2018: Creativity in Life

  1. Love your reply! I wish writing had encouraged me to become more creative, but I don’t really think it has. And when I am trying to write creatively, I feel like I need a push to encourage that. It’s really hard to think outside of the box. Maybe someday I’ll get there…

    • It’s not always easy for me to think outside the box either. I have to be in the right frame of mind to be creative, for sure.

  2. I do think creativity in parenting is so important. When it comes to storytelling but also generally playing with children and getting on their level when it comes to imagining what they are going through and seeing things from their point of view. I think it’s why authors can write such great children’s fiction sometimes – it’s all in the imagination and creativity. I also love how you have shifted your perspectives on life and managing things. How you deal with time and reaching your goals. Such a great thought provoking question.

    My recent post: https://oliviascatastrophe.com/2018/11/october-wrap-up-2018/

    • Yes, what a wonderful way of putting it. I was lucky to have parents that did exactly what you described and they really encouraged me to use my imagination.

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