Creative Writing - business principles produce more quality work, faster

Maximization methodologies have long been used in business to produce quantities of quality ideas, faster. Creative writers who want to rapidly produce quantities of quality work should apply these same principles.

a) Waiting for inspiration creates less output than forcing inspiration.

Simply engaging in the task generates ideas. By defining the work process, the author can frame the mind for the coming task and trigger the mind into searching for ideas on multiple cognitive levels. Creative Directors identify a problem and set about finding solutions, thus initiating the creative state. Similarly, screenwriters know that they will come up with good ideas for screenplays while they are working on the present one. Inspiration for projects comes while working on similar projects.

b) Setting incremental targets and final goals produces more output than a "do your best" approach.

Creative Directors may ask people to generate at least five problem statements a day and come up with at least five ideas to resolve each problem in that same day. At the end of a week, 20 people have generated a solid idea pool that can be analysed. Similarly, writers who set themselves a target of 500 words a day produce more total output after a month than they would if they had not set themselves that target.

By staging the process over a week, the Creative Director i) forces output at regular intervals and ii) allows the problem to incubate in the mind, thus allowing richer insights to generate.

c) Story Structure

Just as in business, where models such as SWOT, PEST, Five Forces and a million others are used to generate ideas for particular circumstances or for particular problems, so stories themselves have such frameworks. Stories are built around templates. The most famous of these is Campbell's (1968) Hero's Journey, around which have been built some of the most successful ever films - Star Wars, Spiderman, Shrek, The Incredibles and many more. Applying these structures allows the writer to break a task into smaller arts and more precisely define problems and generate better solutions.
Tip! My first creative writing teacher used to say, when she saw each new poem, 'Oooh! I love this! This is great!' Or sometimes 'Aaahh. This is so sensitive and beautiful.

The true value of Story Structure is perceived after a few successful uses. It allows i) the creative writer to quickly map out a story from an idea and ii) triggers idea flow because blocks are overcome and competencies learned - it becomes easier to visualise the idea in the final, fleshed out form.

d) Experience curve, adaptive and generative learning. subliminal and unconscious perception and learning.

Commonly expressed in terms like "you have to write a million words before you write anything good." When a task is in the early stages, relative lack of experience, knowledge and refined methodology limits performance to sub-optimal levels. With time these factors improve and productivity increases exponentially. Adaptive and generative learning, subliminal and subconscious perception and learning all help the author to get better at his or her endeavour.
Tip! Jill L. Ferguson is a writer, editor, public speaker and professor of creative writing, literature and communication.

In conclusion, by really understanding and Managing Creativity and Innovation, the Creative Writer is able to produce more quality work, faster.

This topic is covered in depth in the MBA dissertation on Managing Creativity & Innovation, which can be purchased (along with a Creativity and Innovation DIY Audit, Good Idea Generator Software and Power Point Presentation) from http://www.managing-creativity.com

Kal Bishop, MBA

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You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made and the author's name and site URL are retained.

Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached on http://www.managing-creativity.com.

Creative Writing for Direct Sales Reps

It's been said before, those in Direct Sales CAN write articles. It's true your target market is not those in business and writing business articles is not something that's going to benifit you. However, it's still possible to write articles that WILL benfit you and drive customers to your websites.

This form of article writing will focus on just a handful of products. The idea is to take an offline product you sell, and get your reader to see, touch, taste, and smell it. Make them feel like they are holding it, trying it out. Just as if they were in the same room as you.

Get as descriptive as possible, describing every tiny detail about the product. It's been proven that ebay auctions do better when more description is added, and the same applies to any product being sold online.

Don't just stop at being descriptive though. The point here is not to write just a plain ad. You'll want to build a story or give your customer a reason to read this article. To give you an example, here is an article similar to this: http://www.soy-wax-candles.com/family-reunion.html

That particular article has the basis, but it could be better. It should go into more detail about the scents mentioned. The reader should feel like they are smelling the candle given the detailed description.

It's not hard to write your own article such as this one. Try taking a product and writing a personal experience from one of your current customers, or within your family. Whatever you do, just get creative and descriptive!

Kara Kelso & Anita DeFrank are two busy wahms, and the owners of Direct Sales Helpers. For more Direct Sales Success Tips, visit: http://www.directsaleshelpers.com/newsletter.html

Writing for Maximum Creativity: Think You're Creative? Try This!

An online survey was done to determine the most popular fairy tales of all time. You're familiar with all the winners. They're some of your and my favorites. But let's show some creativity shall we? How about a few twists in the plots to make the story less predictable? How about a unique twist or change in the ending, characters, intent, personality or plot? It's been done before. For example, "Little Red Riding Hood, first published in 1697 by Charles Perrault as a warning to errant ladies in the court of Louis XIV, has undergone a series of metamorphoses including one by the Grimm Brothers in 1812, before arriving at its present-day version. So pick one, two or more, put your thinking (and writer) cap on, free your muse and allow your creativity full reign. Why should H.C. Anderson, Mother G., that Barrie fellow and those Grimm brothers have all the fun?

Little Red Riding Hood

Why was "Red" really on the way to Grandma's? Or was it Grandma's she was headed for? Who (or what) is the "wolf"? Why's he set on "Red"? What really going on? Tell me why she couldn't tell the difference between Grandma and the wolf - at 100 yards? Let the lion (or wolf) tamer out. Is "Red" an animal lover? Is she a "fox"? If so, what happens when "foxy" Red Riding Hood meets wolfie? What, pray tell, do we do about the wolf? You're not gonna, (gulp!) KILL him are you? The SPCA might give you a problem about that.

Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Hey, what was "Goldie" doing in the woods anyway? And by herself too? Where did the bear family go? Excuse me, but the last time I checked, bears don't eat porridge! So anyway, what DO you do with an intruder you catch in your house who's already trashed the place? How about a quirky, fun or humorous ending here? Is it add-a-player time? Feeling peckish? There's still some porridge left.
Tip! a) Short term goals (incremental productivity) produce more output than a 'do your best' approach. With specific regard to creative writing, writing four pages a day completes a words-on-paper first draft screenplay in one month.

The Three Little Pigs

Give me a break! Pigs don't live in houses, they live in a sty. Have you ever smelled one of those? I'm telling you - it'll put you off ham and pork chops forever. Anyway, how come wolfie doesn't wise up? Have you seen the commercial where he shows up at house number three with a bulldozer? By the way, is this wolf the same one who's been bugging that red-headed girl? Didn't we get rid of that hairy bugger in another story? Maybe he's twins or another family member has dropped in? Well anyhow, YOU figure it out. I'm going to go have some porridge - oops! Wrong story. Sorry.

Peter Pan

Doesn't anybody have a problem with a kid who doesn't ever get out of the sixth grade? Why don't they kill that crocodile? (Didn't anybody see "Jaws"?) If you can fly, why stay on an island? Paris in the spring is nice, but in winter it's the pits. That's when I'd try Buenos Aires. How and what do those "boys" eat? And if Wendy's the only girl around all those "lost boys", I can see some problems coming up. What would happen if Peter took a wrong turn and wound up in Kabul, Amsterdam or the south Bronx? Yikes!
Tip! Yet many promotional materials for high-tech products can benefit from a dash of creativity. The trick is to develop a set of creative writing techniques that you can easily call on and adapt as needed for each project.

Cinderella

This one's already been re-done a slew of times but they still haven't gotten it right! Surely you can put in a couple of good plot twists, and a surprise ending that'll keep readers on their toes. My Fairy Godmother grants me a "wish" and you think I'm gonna ask for clothes? Get outta here! I can think of a few other things to wish for under those conditions. Man, what Alfred Hitchcock could do with a plot like that! He'd have Cindy take care of her situation in some very "special" ways. How about you? What would YOU have Cindy do? My devious little mind is already puttering away with ideas for that "Stepmother" and her offal. (Pun intended - No, stop that!)
Tip! Jill L. Ferguson is a writer, editor, public speaker and professor of creative writing, literature and communication.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Now we all know that child protection services, civil rights act defenders, the ACLU, the NAACP, labor unions, Amnesty International, the FBI, CIA and a host of other government, religious and private agencies would have a field day with this one. This story would certainly be a challenge to work on. Let's see, a comedy twist, change of venue, plot reversal, perhaps a ticklish murder mystery? (Has anyone seen or heard from "Sneezy" lately?) How about a "gangster" version called "Get Grumpy". The possibilities boggle the mind. Why don't you take a stab (pun intended) at this story?
Tip! Steve Gillman has been studying brainpower and related topics for years. For more Creative Writing Ideas visit: http://www.

What'll it be then? Humor, mystery, adult, crime, science fiction, western, drama, weird, whimsy or even raw, stark naked terror strike your fancy? Come up with your own alternative fractured fairy tale version. It'll not only be a challenge, and loads of fun, but an immeasurable boost to your creativity as you weave, cavort, shoot, stab, stumble, plot, whinny and twist your way through as yet uncharted territory - for you. Fractured fairy tale versions abound online (no peeking now!) but whip and work your muse to develop new strains of tired old themes. Let me know how you make out. (Oops, no pun intended)

Prof Larry M. Lynch is a bi-lingual copywriter, expert author and photographer specializing in business, travel, food and education-related writing in South America. His work has appeared in Transitions Abroad, South American Explorer, Escape From America, Mexico News and Brazil magazines. He teaches at a university in Cali, Colombia. To get original, exclusive articles and content for your newsletter, blog or website contact him for a no-obligation quote and current rates. For free information on the 5-week online course "Develop a Specialty and Get Published on the Web for Fun, Fame or Fortune", e-mail your request to: lynchlarrym@gmail.com

Kids Love Of Reading Turns Into Creative Writing

Do you read to your children or grandchildren? Do you let them read to you? Do you encourage them to write simple sentences?

I have been reading to my granddaughter for about three years. She is now seven years old and is in first grade. She still loves to be read to and now she can read on her own.

Because of her love of reading she is about two grades ahead of herself in reading and comprehension. I am so proud of her.

I just had a visit with her last weekend and I was absolutely blown away by a journal entry she had made that morning. She knows that I am a published author and she asked me if she could publish her little journal story.

The reason I was so amazed at her journal story was for several reasons.

(1) I could read her handwriting.

(2) It was well organized.

(3) Her thoughts were in complete sentences.

She is only seven years old. I wrote an article months ago called Imaginations Explode when you read to your children. I am now reaping the benefits of this article in my own personal life when I read that fabulous journal article my wonderful granddaughter had written.

I felt very close to her and wanted to pack her up and take her home with me. That of course is out of the question since she has wonderful parents.

Her parents have done a terrific job of reading to her when she was an infant and through out her young life. I know they are encouraging her now in her reading and her writing.

This can be achieved by your children. Just read to them from the time they are tiny and keep it going.

My little grandson sees me coming and runs and brings me a book for him to read. He has learned his love of books from his older sister. This makes me feel so happy and special inside I try to keep the tears from showing.

You do not need to be a child to learn how to read. There are many adults that can not read. I have had a friend for about twenty years and he has tried to learn how to read on his own.

When he was a child he hardly received an education and now in his eighties he is finally working with a professional tutor and reading.

He calls me on the phone reading me a paragraph from a book or article. He is so happy with his achievement. He had lead a fantastic life and he would have been happy to write it all down in a journal if he could have been able to read and write.
Tip! Since creative writing is not simply a matter of sitting down, putting pen to paper, following smart instructions of emeritus pundits, commence at the beginning and write through to the end. Creative approach treats all writing as a creative act that requires time, positive feedback, and inspiration to be done well.

It is never too late. If your kids are still tiny or toddlers start reading to them and never stop. When they start reading to you cherish the time you have together.

Kids grow up so fast today your memories of those stolen moments together will live long into your memory.

Thank you for reading my article. Feel free to read my other articles.

Copyright Linda Meckler 2006

Linda is the author of, "Ghost Kids Trilogy," Christy, 12 and her Brother Brad, 16 moves into an old house on top of a mountain and meet two Ghost Kids. Become involved with all the characters and all the adventure and mystery.

Then we have a mysterious, magical Blue Vase where Uncle Charlie the villain is trapped. He wants out of the Blue Vase and exchange he will tell Christy and Brad where Pirates' Treasure is Hidden.

Take a walk with Christy and Brad down a dark hall hunting for Pirates' Treasure. You will think were you there right there with them. Love, Family Values and Charity burst off the pages. Check out my website http://www.lmeckler.com

If you are bed or wheelchair confined or can't bend to sit on a toilet you must check out on my website, "Instant Bladder Relief Urinal (IBRU)" http://www.lmeckler.com

5 Creative Writing Prompts for Classroom Use

1) Have the students randomly choose two nouns, two verbs, two adjectives and two adverbs. Write these eight words on the board. Tell the students to use all eight words, along with any other words, in either a poem, an essay or a short story.

2) Hand each student a slip of paper with a single word on it. Have the students write a story working that word into the story somehow. Sample word list: air alligator ball boy cat dog daisy dreadlock elephant eagle frog freedom giraffe gym handcuff horse ice cream igloo jeans jar kite kindergarten love life moon movie nest night ocean oil path palace quiet queen race roof safe spirit taxi tie unhappy ugly vacation vegetable watch whale x-ray yard year zipper zoo

3) Imagine you are alone on a desert island. What would you do? How would you live? Who or what would you miss from home? Write a story or a poem about your adventure.

4) Have each student choose something in the room and then describe it to the best of his or her abilities. Then, if that inanimate item could speak, have the student describe what it would say.

5) Write one short sentence per piece of paper with enough pieces of paper for each person in the class. Have the student who has been handed the sheet of paper first add another sentence. Then rotate the pieces of paper around the room, with each person first reading what others have written and then adding one sentence of their own. Read the results aloud.

Jill L. Ferguson is a writer, editor, public speaker and professor of creative writing, literature and communication. Hundreds of her articles have appeared in print in national magazines and newspapers. Her first novel, Sometimes Art Can't Save You, was published by In Your Face Ink (http://www.inyourfaceink.com) in October 2005.