Photo Prompt: Weathered Barn

"Weathered Barn" by Rodney Campbell via CC 2.0

Try this as a setting for your next poem or short story. How does it inspire you? 

The Sobering Creative Decline in American Children

Spend a few hours around a child and it quickly takes you back to the carefree days of innocence. Oh, to be young again! No bills to pay, no responsibilities, no planning for the (immediate or long-term) future. What I'd give to play house, make mud pies, and spend hours with my imagination without a care! Well, okay, I do that last part a bit now as a writer, but you get the idea. Children still play with dolls. They still color and draw. Imaginary friends remain their fellow troublemakers. Research as of 2012 suggests, however, that their level of creativity has dropped in the past decades, and the reasons will not astound you.

"A Girl Studying" by mokra

According to research by Kyung Hee Kim, professor of education at the College of William and Mary, over the past two to three decades American children have experienced a decline in creativity. Kim measured this decline with the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking (TTCT), a test developed by E. Paul Torrance in the late 1950s as a response to the United States government's desire to identify gifted American children for scientific innovation. The most frequent used of these tests basically uses marks on paper to measure a student's creative response to stimuli. Don't snub your nose at it yet: the test has show a significant correlation between childhood results and adult creative achievement. In fact, the TTCT has proven the best predictor of lifetime achievement than any IQ test or school grade.

By administering the TTCT to American schoolchildren of all ages between 1984 and 2008, Kim recognized a 85% decline between 1984 and 2008 just in the measure of Creative Elaboration, or the ability to expand on an idea in a novel way. The decline began between 1984 and 1990 and has continued. According to Kim,

...children have become less emotionally expressive, less energetic, less talkative and verbally expressive, less humorous, less imaginative, less unconventional, less lively and passionate, less perceptive, less apt to connect seemingly irrelevant things, less synthesizing, and less likely to see things from a different angle.

 Kindergarten through third grade children showed the most significant decline in creative thinking, which is worrying for our future.

As a country that prides itself on innovation, where will that leave America if this trend continues? When looking for freelance writing positions myself, the most important quality requirement for applicants is creativity. I'm part of that generation that experienced a decline; I graduated high school in 2006. Creativity, especially written, has always been a part of who I am, and I cannot imagine having a hard time thinking outside of the box; however, it is apparent that many of my peers and the younger generations fall into that category. Can I say that it doesn't surprise me?

Children are being taught to pass standardized tests instead of really learning. They're memorizing information to pass a test instead of learning the importance of using it. I say this with a clear memory of my school years where in some classes we spent a whole semester copying notes or copying out of a book (because, of course, we didn't have enough) instead of being taught. On a different note, many kids are sitting in front of the television or playing on a tablet instead of playing outside and using their imagination like we used to. Not to mention how many hate to read unless its Facebook or Twitter. Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying this applies to all children because there have been some awesome, brilliant kids doing absolutely amazing things, but I think too may are, in fact, being left behind. As an undergraduate student a few years ago, I was amazed at how some students couldn't write a proper essay or didn't know simple grammar rules. Where will that lead us in the future?

"Child Colouring a Book" by Alesia17

As someone who would be lost without the creative part of myself, it saddens me to think that as a country we are not fostering creativity in our children. Creativity leads to innovation. It leads to open thought and expression. It's what drives the world forward. I don't have children, but for those who do, please do one thing: support your child's creative process and thinking the best you can. Don't let government mandated testing and teaching stamp it out. Get them to write! Help them find what they do love to read. Encourage music and painting. Indulge them in scientific interest and knowledge. Research shows they'll be more successful for it. Success: isn't that what we want for our kids?

The Creative Mind: A Paradox

Have you ever wondered how a musician can go from a superstar, large stage presence to trapped in mousey-quiet during an interview? How an introverted author goes from spending long days avoiding people to talking openly, animatedly about their work to an audience? It may be old news to us creative types, but according to an article from from Fast Company, creative people are a paradox.

(creative quote by Sean MacEntee via CC) 

Creative minds are full of contradictory personality traits that may not appear on the surface. Like the musician who blossoms as they step on stage, we can be both introverted and extroverted. I can fully relate to this as I can turn it on and off depending on the situation. I am confident and in charge while at work, but I am quiet and introverted in my personal life. I am animated when speaking of my creative pursuits, but I am reserved when speaking of my ordinary hobbies.

In my opinion, the truest point about the paradox of creative people goes to good ole number 6: "Creative people are humble and proud at the same time." Creative types can be self-effacing and are often hardest on themselves. As a writer, rarely am I ever satisfied with my work. Even if I know it's good, if I know I've coined the perfect phrase or built a beautiful scene, I know I can do better. I find myself wondering if it's a blessing or a curse because that same drive that makes me want to do better also makes me second guess everything. I guess we just call that editing. At the same time, I am proud of what I write and love to talk it up to anyone who is interested. I'm hard on myself because I want to be proud of my work.

So, creative types speak up: which paradoxical trait do you most embody?

40 Ways to Strengthen Your Writing and Avoid a "Very" Weak Word

Writer's often hear a simple, yet vitally important, piece of advice:

Never use the word, ‘very.’ It is the weakest word in the English language; doesn’t mean anything. If you feel the urge of ‘very’ coming on, just write the word, ‘damn,’ in the place of ‘very.’ The editor will strike out the word, ‘damn,’ and you will have a good sentence.

- William Allen White

"Very" often serves as a go-to word for many, but it simply leaves writing flat. Good writing draws the reader in and creates the writer's world in the reader's imagination. People imagine things with various differences, but when an author really paints a perfect picture, it helps readers to better "see" what the author "saw" when drafting the novel or poem. Compare the following three descriptions of the same scene:

Some rights reserved by Nick Kenrick.

1. Vibrant reds, yellows, and oranges blew very slowly across the sidewalk.

2. Vibrant reds, yellows, and oranges blew lazily across the sidewalk.

In this example, the idea is the same, but the presentation stands stronger because the word is stronger. As an intensifier, very is a modifier that provides no real meaning except to enhance or add force to the words that it modifies. Simply put, it's lazy filler. Admit it: it's easier to say something is very tall instead of thinking of a more descriptive word (such as towering) or thinking creatively (maybe using a metaphor or simile?). Shortcuts don't always breed success, however, and a good writer understands that readers desire substance, thought, and ingenuity.

The next time you find yourself writing that damn word very, sit back and reconsider. The English language overflows with synonyms for the simple word you chose. That's what makes writing so wonderful: the only limit is your imagination. Be creative! If you find yourself stuck, try one of the 50 very good  excellent replacements below.

very	bad	Awful	Atrocious
very	cold	Frigid	Freezing
very	wet	Drenched	Soggy
very	expensive	Costly	Pricey
very	sad	Depressed	Melancholy
very	fun	Entertaining	Delightful
very	happy	Ecstatic	Pleased
very	cute	Adorable	Precious
very	hot	Sizzling	Suffocating
very	painful	Agonizing	Excruiciating
very	tired	Exhausted	Pooped
very	comfortable	Cozy	Snug
very	boring	Monotonous	Tiresome
very	bright	Radiant	Vivid
very	dull	Dim	Witless
very	dark	Murky	Somber
very	clean	Immaculate	Unblemished
very	deep	Profound	Fathomless
very	young	Youthful	Juvenile
very	late	Belated	Delayed
very	tall	Lanky	Towering
very	short	Condensed	Abbreviated
very	small	Minuscule	Petite
very	big	Gigantic	Substantial
very	hairy	Fuzzy	Bewhiskered
very	shiny	Sparkling	Lustrous
very	calm	Harmonious	Serene
very	angry	Furious	Enraged
very	dry	Arid	Parched
very	long	Elongated	Stretched
very	gentle	Amiable	Tame
very	harsh	Bitter	Coarse
very	loud	Roaring	Boisterous
very	quiet	Muted	Hushed
very	nasty	Noxious	Vulgar
very	good	Favorable	Pleasing
very	smelly	Fetid	Rancid
very	bloody	Grisly	Crimson
very	thirsty	Parched	Droughty
very	hungry	Ravenous	Starved

It's October!

It may sound strange, but this is by far my favorite time of the year.  The days are warm, the nights are cool, and Halloween is in the air! Many people love the upcoming holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas, but Halloween has always been my favorite. Although it takes a lot to creep me out, the creepy and spooky that comes out this time of year always gets me excited. It's really no surprise-I enjoy horror, supernatural, and bloody things year round. Even though my first homemade doggy costume last year didn't turn out the best...

 
Halloween seems to really spark creativity in many people, from creating costumes to decorating their homes. I may not have much in the way to decorating or make-up skills, but I love to read and write Halloween-themed poems and stories. Here's a haiku to get in the spirit!

Halloween Arrives

Spooks appear these nights,

when crisp leaves crunch under foot

and cool wind drifts by.

Until the end of the month, I'll be sharing some of my own Halloween-themed works and some of my favorites by others. Do you have a favorite story or poem that fits this time of year?

7 Ways to Boost Creativity

Ever get stuck in a writing rut? I know there are times when I just cannot get the creative juices flowing. Sometimes it helps to step out and try something different. Next time you need a creativity boost, try some of these on for size.

1. People watch. Go out somewhere in public and just observe those around you. A park, the mall, a coffee shop. It doesn't matter. Find a place you are drawn to and park it. You see so many things when you take a minute to stop and pay attention. Inspiration can be found all around you.
2. Pick up a book. I love to read, and sometimes it helps me to just let go and read someone's work. Choose poetry, short fiction, or even non-fiction and take a break to let your mind stretch and recharge.
3. Listen to music. Put on your favorite tunes and just jam! Research indicates that listening to music makes us happier, which helps improve cognitive performance. I can definitely say that I seem to be much more inspired while I'm listening to music, and I write much more than normal. Give it a shot!
4. Daydream. Studies say it works! Let your mind drift and see where it takes you.
5. Get tired. As I wrote in a previous post, you are much more creative when you're tired. Stay up late, let your mind get fuzzy, then put that pen to paper.
6. Move your eyes bilaterally. According to one study, subjects who moved their eyes bilaterally from left to right were much more creative than those who stared straight ahead. The movement is said to increase communication between the right and left hemispheres of the brain, thereby increasing creativity. 
7. Write while emotional.  A study in 2007 revealed that creativity receives a significant boost when emotions are running high. Next time you are very happy, angry, sad, etc, try to write and those emotions just might pay off.

What are some ways you boost your creativity?  Feel free to share in the comments!

A Surprising Fact About Late Night Creativity

You know those ideas that pop into your head late at night?  Maybe you're trying to sleep and your mind starts wandering with your Midnight Muse.  Perhaps you write best at night or that's when you have the most time.  Your mind races with ideas that you know you need to write down before they're lost.  Why in the world does my writer's block lift when I can't sleep?  Science has an explanation!

According to Business Insider's "10 Surprising Facts About How Our Brains Work," a sleepy brain is more creative:

If you’re tired, your brain is not as good at filtering out distractions and focusing on a particular task. It’s also a lot less efficient at remembering connections between ideas or concepts. These are both good things when it comes to creative work, since this kind of work requires us to make new connections, be open to new ideas and think in new ways. So a tired, fuzzy brain is much more use to us when working on creative projects.

Great news, writers!  Those late nights when you lose sleep to write have a productive purpose.  Next time your spouse questions your midnight dates with written word, don't be afraid to tell them that's when you're at your best... science has your proof.