5 Tips to Unlock Your Hidden Creative Genius

Do you need help unlocking your hidden creative genius? Do you think to yourself, “Who me? I’m not creative or a genius?” It’s understandable that we think of being a genius as someone having an exceptionally high IQ. That would be true if we were talking about an intellectual genius, but a creative genius is someone who:

“spontaneously imagine alternatives to reality when they think ‘if only…’.

If you want to spur your creative juices once again, write a book. If you’re an expert in a particular field, it makes sense to write about your expertise, after all, establishing your authority is good for business.

Let’s say, for argument sake, you’re not an expert on any one thing. You can unlock your hidden creative genius by writing a fictional story, novella, or (think big) novel. Let’s approach writing a book with a plan.

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Writing Success – Talent or Hardwork
How to Write a book in 30 days (coming soon)

5 Tips to Awaken the Muse

Do the brain dump exercise.

Multitasking diminishes productivity, so instead of trying to write your book while your head is full of normal everyday issues, take a journal and write everything down. And I mean EVERYTHING, including the dog groomer appointment to the prescription refill. Whatever is taking up space in your brain should be on that paper.

Now that your head is clear you can focus solely on writing your book. This little exercise makes the writing process easier when you’re able to focus on just one task instead of one hundred.

Uncorking ideas.

Many times, I’ve sat down to write a story, or a blog post based on one idea but then something happens. Other creative ideas begin to surface. I have to keep a notebook by my side to write down those ideas as they formulate. Otherwise, the new thoughts get in the way of the original writing. Then I just have a jumbled mess.

Subconsciously, there’s activity that stimulates the imagination. One idea becomes two becomes three. Consequently, I have many ideas that need to be assessed. (Oh, the problem of a writer.) When my original manuscript or post is complete, then I will take the time to look over those stimulated ideas to decide if those story lines need to be fulfilled or shelved.

Problem solving or healing process.

You’ve heard, I’m sure, of journaling to heal. Many counselors will have people start writing in a journal to begin the process of healing. You may not write your best-selling book with this idea, but it is a problem-solving practice that begins with generating an awareness. Besides, who really wants to carry all that excess emotional baggage around?

There was a time in my teenage years that I was full of anger issues. I wrote out all my frustration, my annoyances, my resentment into a notebook until my heart was content. Then I ripped the pages out of my notebook and threw them in the fire to burn. I felt so liberated. Writing out the details of our problem gives us clarity and cleansing.

Practice makes perfect.

Whether you have an email list of ten subscribers, or you’re being schmoozed by Hallmark to turn your novel into a movie, you have to keep writing. Continually writing isn’t necessarily about perfecting your craft (although that will come eventually). It’s about making the practice easier. The more you write, the easier the process becomes.

There’s a non-profit organization that gives people of all ages the chance and encouragement to practice their writing skill without judgement. NaNoWriMo is an acronym for National Novel Writing Month. They also have Camp NaNoWriMo throughout the year to inspire writers to practice and The Young Writers Program – see more information about NaNoWriMo’s Young Writer Program here.

This talented organization helped me to unlock the hidden creative genius inside me when I was fortunate enough to stumble upon them several years ago. Now I participate yearly. Check them out to further awaken the creative genius inside you.

Research your way to creative genius.

Writer’s do a lot of research. Research on the subject they’re writing, research on the audience they are writing to, research on every aspect of their book. With all the study, it stands to reason that the hidden creative genius element needs to be fed information. Start studying and practicing.

Discovery and exploration aren’t only found in a book. Embrace the research that will spur your creativity. Here’s a list of other types of research. Some I have used and some I will use to garner inspiration:

Art museum
Attend a concert
Walks in the park
Visit the local library
Take pictures
Enter contests
Signed up for an art class
(My favorite) go on wine tours
Sought out an expert on guns of the 1800’s for my western novella – that was fun.
Attend festivals
Attend sports events
Go on vacation someplace that resembles your story’s scene or setting
Throw a dart on a map and go there.

Explore your surroundings, take the long way home from the gym, or explore a new town you randomly choose from a map. Your brain will thank you for making it work differently, simply because you mixed things up.

Sum it Up.

Creativity is hidden inside each of us. The process of accessing that creativity and using it to invent, design, build, or produce something you love will be unique for every person but promises to yield great rewards. Please share, like, like, tweet and Pin this article if it was helpful. Become a member to receive future articles, tips and valuable resources.

Live, laugh and love,

Christine