A – Z Blogging Challenge : Creativity


Creativity

CreativityThis April I will be participating in the A to Z Blogging Challenge. Every day (except the 2nd -5th Sundays) bloggers post to their blogs something that pertains to a specific theme (usually) as well as the letter of the alphabet assigned to that day. Today is the day when participants reveal their chosen theme, or if they are going to go themeless. As a writer, I depend on creativity, but often feel like I’m low on creative juices. Here’s one recent example of this:

“My creativity has forsaken me!” I called out as I collapsed on the bed. My husband looked over at my dramatic display and chuckled before returning to whatever he was doing at his desk. “There’s only one large micro-cooker and not a single lid to be found. How an I supposed to cook potatoes?” Apparently, I had become too dependent on my Pampered Chef cookware. I share this humiliating story with you to illustrate that ways to increase creativity can benefit everyone.

Importance of Creativity

Creativity is often thought of in terms of writing, music, media and other areas of the arts. Creativity is definitely important for Creation. They even have the same root—“create,” from late Middle English meaning, “form out of nothing.”
Creativity is more than that, though. With creative thinking, you not only come up with ideas, but you can evaluate the validity of implementing those ideas in a variety of situations. It’s important for problem-solving, Seeing things from a different perspective, and yes—coming up with a new way to make potatoes for dinner.

Who Benefits from Thinking More Creatively?

Everyone! Have you ever watched one of those high powered thrillers where the hero has to come up with some ingenious way of getting out of a bind (Think Jack Bauer in 24)? If he wasn’t a creative thinker he wouldn’t come up with any of those ideas. Neither would the writers who created the character.

I most value creativity when I face a problem as a mom. Kids will try you and test you with very little effort. You need to be quick on your feet, able to come up with answers as well as some creative discipline.

Can I really increase my creativity?

YES! Throughout the month of April, I’m going to share with you 26 ways to do it. I will be participating in the A to Z Blogging Challenge. This year I will be participating in the challenge on BOTH of my blogs. You can learn how to increase creativity here at Heather Erickson Author/Writer/Speaker. Then, hop over to Facing Cancer with Grace to read about Caregiving, A to Z. It will be a busy month. I hope you will join me at both sites.

A to Z Times 2!

I’m doing double duty this year during the A to Z Blogging Challenge. I will be doing the challenge here at Heather Erickson Author/Writer/Speaker, where I will share ways to increase your creativity. I’ll also be doing the challenge at Facing Cancer with Grace, where I will share posts that focus on caregiving. I hope you’ll visit me at both sites. While you’re here, sign up for my email list.

To give you a preview of some of the posts I have (and will have) written, I am posting the schedule. These links will go live when the post is up at 7 AM CST on the following dates:

April    Title/Topic

1              A – Art History Inspires Creativity

2              B – Bullet Journal

3              C – Cartography – Map Your World

4              D – Dictation –Record Your Words

5              E – Exercise Increases Creativity

6              F – Friends & Creativity

7              G – Give your Character a Flaw or Two

8              No Post

9              H – History Can Inspire You

10             I – Investigate your Character

11             J – Jar of Ideas (link to Morning Pages)

12             K– Kids’ Perspectives

13             L– Learn Something New

14            M – Morning Pages

15            No Post

16            N – Nap Like Salvador Dali

17            O – Write an Ode

18            P – Change Your Perspective

19            Q – Quiet Your Mind

20           R – Read Books, Be More Creative

21            S – 5 Senses Minus 1

22            No Post

23            T – Travel & Creativity

24            U – Up the Stakes

25            V – Experiment with Variety

26           W – World Building

27            X – Xylophone– Music & Creativity

28            Y – Your Addictions Have to Go

29            No Post

30            Z – Black and White: Approaching Zebras with Caution

What are YOUR thoughts?

I’d love to hear in the comment section, below. I appreciate my readers as well as the writing community. To show that appreciation, I use Comment Luv. Just leave a comment below and your latest post will get a link next to it. Thank you!

About Heather Erickson

I am an author, writer, and speaker and homeschooling mom of 3. Since doctors diagnosed my husband, Dan with stage IV lung cancer in 2012, I’ve focused my writing and speaking on helping cancer patients and their families advocate for themselves and live life to the fullest, in spite of their illness. My goal is to help people face cancer with grace.

My books The Memory Maker’s Journal and Facing Cancer as a Friend: How to Support Someone Who Has Cancer, are available at Amazon.com.

I also blog about living with cancer at, Facing Cancer with Grace.

Have any questions or comments? I would love to hear from you! By commenting, you agree to the terms of my privacy policy.

14 comments on “A – Z Blogging Challenge : Creativity

I love creativity and I’m always up for ways to increase it. I hate days when it’s like staring at a blank wall :).

When you mentioned thrillers, my brain immediately went to Mission Impossible – I love that show. Only problem is you end up believing 5 people can save the world from anything ;).

See you in April 🙂
Tasha
Tasha’s Theme Reveal

Hi Tasha,

Only problem is you end up believing 5 people can save the world from anything ;).

Lol, if only it was that easy 🙂 Happy A to Z!

This is a great theme. I look forward to reading more.

~Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine~
Dining with IC
Patricia Lynne, Indie Author

Thanks, Patricia. I love your author site! I look forward to reading more this April.

Hey a topic that I have been actively working on just landed on my doorstep! Thanks, Heather, for offering to help with my creativity. I look forward to learning and following both of your blogs.

Thank you, Emily. I’m so glad this is a timely topic. I am always looking for ways to be more creative and it has been so fun exploring them! I hope they help:)

Fantastic theme! I’ll follow along in April.
Have a fantastic challenge!

@JazzFeathers
Theme Reveal – Weimar Germany
https://theoldshelter.com/atoz-challenge-theme-reveal-blogfest-day-2018-the-weimar-republic/

Thank you, Jazz. I checked out your theme reveal and it looks awesome. I look forward to reading more in April!

Hi Heather,
Everything about your theme is appealing to me. I look forward to reading and commenting on your posts.
I blog at https://profoundjourney.com. I’m doing the challenge for the first time. My theme is Snack-Sized Wow Notes for Women, Midlife and Beyond.
Like you, I respond to every comment. I appreciate that you do that. I think it makes a big difference to increasing engagement and building a sense of community.
Have a great challenge.
Karen

Hi Karen, Thank you. I am excited to follow your blog this April. It looks fantastic. And I could definitely use some snack sized Wow notes to energize my life. I just spent a little time on your site and I am really looking forward to reading more. Have a great weekend!

An increase in creativity is always a plus for authors. Great theme 🙂
Debbie

Thanks, Debbie! I’m looking forward to reading your blog this month for A to Z. I love character prompts.

Thank you, Debbie. So often I need a creative boost. It’s caused me to have an interest in the topic. Have a great day!

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