Less is More: Constraints Encourage Creativity
There’s a quote out there in the Internet world that I come back to periodically: Creativity is subtraction. It’s a useful concept for my writing, work and everyday life.
The Quiet, Personal Rewards of Everyday Creativity
I’m a big champion of creativity and write about it often. Let’s explore the idea that everyday creativity looks like any activity that is new and useful without recognition needed from society.
How Did the Year Go for Your Creativity?
As we tend to do at year’s end, I’m taking stock of how things went. That includes how I’m feeling about being able to embrace everyday creativity.
Solve Everyday Problems with Everyday Prototyping
Prototyping is when we take an idea from our head or a document (let’s call it 2D) and turn it into a 3D object we can hold or an interactive experience. It can involve sketching, drawing, building or role playing. It’s valuable for everyday problem-solving.
When Does Time Pressure Help Creativity – or Not?
I often write about making time – units of time – for creativity. But this post explores a different angle: how the nature and quality of time impacts how creative we actually feel.
Ways to Get Unstuck from Everyday Problems
A few years ago, I wrote about using creativity techniques to get unstuck from everyday problems. But since it’s an enduring need and the world...
How to Use 2 Types of Creativity in Your Life
I’ve been curious for a long time about how I can fully embrace creativity in both my personal and work lives, along with how creativity benefits our communities. Creativity consultant and author David Parrish proposes 2 types of creativity and this resonated with me.
New YA Novel about Mental Illness
The second of two young adult novels I’ve written back-to-back for North Star Editions is available in January!
Creative Problem-Solving With Six Thinking Hats
Named in the spirit of putting on our thinking caps, Six Thinking Hats is a useful way to sort through different viewpoints about ideas and issues.
My New Novel, Firebreak (Plus Giveaway!)
The first of two young adult novels I’ve written back-to-back releases in August! Firebreak features Alia, an insecure teen who turns into a reluctant activist fighting an elderly genocide in the making.
Deep Into New Book Projects
How do you make time to finish two back-to-back book projects? Put your blog and social media on hold for a bit!
Including Childhood Mental Illness in Children’s Books
Childhood mental health seems to be having a moment in children’s literature. Hopefully it’s not just a moment, of course. And hopefully it includes more works that go beyond topics like anxiety and depression and takes us into diagnoses and symptoms related to severe mental illness, such as psychotic disorders.
Appreciating Failure
I’m always fascinated by failures. We know it’s part of life and definitely part of being creative in our lives. So, when I learned there’s a traveling exhibit about appreciating failure, called the Museum of Failure, I couldn’t click fast enough.
How to Liberate Our Creativity from Everyday Waste
Do you ever find yourself weighed down by the everyday shuffle of life? Too tired or distracted to apply your talents and insights to things you care about? I do and keep reading if this describes you as well.
How Micro Stretch Targets Push Your Creativity
When I’ve got a sticky problem or want to push my creativity, I often explore whether I can use a stretch target to speed up finding a satisfying solution. I’m not talking about big life goals here, but “micro” situations that make a difference in our everyday lives.
How Innovative Nonprofits Can Help Boost Our Personal Creativity
Nonprofits often fly under our radar for examples of creativity and innovation. They shouldn’t. We can get ideas and encouragement from charities as we apply creativity to our own problems and goals.
Now Available: What Are Psychotic Disorders?
Did you know that early diagnosis of a psychotic disorder increases a person’s chances of recovery? My new book, What Are Psychotic Disorders?, is written for teens to help demystify this medical condition and provide practical information about how to get help.
How Does FOMO Impact Your Creativity?
As I continue my journey to channel as much of my time as possible toward activities I value, I’ve come to realize there’s a culprit I must confront: FOMO.
Books Can Help Nurture Young Inventors
I’m a bit fascinated with inventors and their processes. And better still when it involves youth. I’ll take the click bait to read social media posts or news articles about children pursuing their creative ideas. Children’s publishing is an important channel to nurture young inventors.
How Do You Make Time for Creativity?
Is your life pulling you in multiple directions and yet you want more time to spend on creative projects and hobbies? I get that. I’ve been sharing...