Tuesday, April 10, 2012

I for Imagination

Welcome to the A to Z Challenge! You can visit the Home Page HERE.

A writer's imagination is what keeps the stories flowing out of each of us. Webster's dictionary says: an act or power of forming a mental image of something not present to the senses or not previously known or experienced. Creativy ability.

How do we create something in our mind that is not previously known or experienced? Where does it come from? I am considered a creative person in my sphere, and have been asked by others: where did that story come from? My standard answer has usually been: I imagined it and wrote it down. But I've always asserted that I had to have some kind of point of reference to dream up a new character or idea, but after thinking about Webster's definition, I am changing my mind. Issac Asimov, Jules Vern and many others, thought up whole new worlds that defy the imagination and push the thinking into whole new areas. Why are we, as writers, any different? We are capable of journeying into those unknown places of our imagination and creating a whole new idea. How?

"And there is nothing new under the sun." Taking what we have seen and heard, we can filter it through our own special way of looking at things and create something with a new twist, a special way of looking at it and maybe even a whole new character that surprises the senses. We are unique individuals, therefore, we see things in our own unique way. With this ability, we are capable of re-interpereting what we see and hear into incredible new ideas. Is it actually a mental image of something not present to the senses or not previously known or experienced? Yes. After we re-invent the wheel, it may not look like a wheel anymore. It is our creative ability that has seen this new image or character in our mind and we weave a story that is fresh and exciting.

I want to thank artist Loretta Stephenson (Art By Retta) for sharing her thoughts about creative expression with me. She is an artist with unique creative ability and design.

11 comments:

  1. ahhh, so true, we as writers are so in control of our own imagination, but for me it's difficult to extend it; probably because of my fear of Imperfection...one of my 'I' words for the day!
    good word!

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    1. That fear can freeze us into inactivity, I know. I was recently called on to read my writing and I was petrified. My mouth got dry and my hands shook. Did I read? Yes. Did they like it? I got a positive response. I was surprised and it made me realize that my own perception of my work was very harsh. It's good to get a second opinion sometimes and it also alleviates some of that fear.

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  2. I enjoyed this post a lot. I've long been fascinated about "imagination"... seeing things in our heads, and then that challenge to get what's in there OUT of there. Oh to have the power to have it come to reality, showing the same beauty, depth and "realness" as what's INside my head! I suppose that's the ultimate creative challenge, huh?

    I truly believe the principles of the creative process cross over in all the arts. Even in places that aren't normally thought of as "creative". For instance... it takes creative thinking for a car engine diagnostician to be really good! Or, a veterinarian, who has to diagnose a suffering animal who can't even answer questions to help him/her pinpoint the problem.

    Better stop... as you can see, I "really" like this topic. ;-)

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    1. Thank you Rettakat, I do appreciate your input. There is a lot that can be said about imagination and many ways to look at it.

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  3. Interesting way to look at it, Karen. I agree that we do take our experiences and put them through our unique filters. Good post. :-)

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    1. Teresa: Thank you. Out unique filter is what makes out stories and art, or whatever become our own.

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  4. Isn't creativity amazing....we have to open ourselves up to new ways of thinking, new experiences and 'out of the box' ways of looking at things. Blessings, Amanda

    Amanda - Realityarts-Creativity
    Art Blog

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    1. Amanda: Yes! Our creativity is what is ours. Welcome!

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  5. Very true. I don't believe we can really write a story or novel filled with character emotions and experiences without digging deep within ourselves and conjuring up an emotion like the one we need to portray. Of course we have not all experienced the same events that are worthy of a good story and that is where our creative imagination come in to take what we know and feel and apply it to the fiction world.

    I am a new follower from the challenge

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    1. Melissa: Welcome! Because we all have experienced different things we are able to give a different account of the same event. Now that's exciting!

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  6. Sometimes my imagination takes over and I have had my own characters tell me "No, I would not do that!" :) So I am not sure how in control I really am.

    I am trying to read all the A to Z blogs, but coming back to the ones I really like.
    Looking forward to seeing what you do all month!

    Tim
    The Other Side
    The Freedom of Nonbelief

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