Creative Writing Lessons From Free-Range Chickens
Life is more simple than we make it sometimes…
Life is more simple than we make it sometimes…
Creativity is nothing more than a mixing of existing elements. They are combined in order and proportions aided by the experience and imagination of the creator.
This is, in my view, like a chef or a cook's work.
They do not invent flour and sugar or spices, but they combine them in ways that are enjoyable to people. This is why I refer to my sense of humor as a blender.
A story or novel or joke is good to the extent that it mixes existing content in new ways. But this only works to a point.
Enter the concept of popularity.
One would think the more different the mixture, and the more exotic, the better it would be, and therefore the more popular. Unfortunately, a barely visible line is sometimes crossed, where the mixture is seen as being too crazy or too out in left field.
Human beings also like areas that are comfortable. Comfort is popular even in new writing or production.
We call this area formulaic. A formula works in that it is proven to be popular or useful. The hero’s journey arc, for example, gives some guardrails to the creative highway.
We use formulas in books, movies, and songs. If it ain't broke don't fix it. New Movie. New Movie II, New Movie III.
The lesson here is that chickens in cages always turn out much duller stories than chickens who can run around a bit. But don't leave the gate open.
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