Find the Joyful Side of Creativity!
With all the talk about getting published, about the hard work, the right pens, the little technicalities, and all the other sometimes painful details of writing, we can sometimes forget about the joy of writing. Creativity in general is 99% perspiration, like what Einstein said about genius, but it's nothing without that occasional flash of joy and elation at the power of making something new and wholly your own. I was reminded of the joie de vivre of creativity recently when I saw Pixar's latest gem of a movie, Up. There is a touching amount of humanity in this story, and every character has a compelling story and personality. Besides that, though, there is a sense of sheer inventive delight in every frame. The explosion of whimsical color as a mountain of balloons climb into the sky, pulling a house with it; the gymnastic feats of a giant, fantastical bird as it tears through the jungle; and the little, telling details, such as the quiet, loving relationship between the main character and his wife, are all beautiful expressions of the power of writing and imagery to express reality and fantasy. It seems at times that the artists of Pixar are creating for the sheer joy of surprising and delighting audiences. At the same time, the movie is thoughtful enough about the human condition to bring a tear to your eye.
It's this kind of harmonious blend that can remind us about the joy of creating works of art. Stories at their best can be engrossing, terrifying, captivating, and delightful! Take a little time out every now and then to remind yourself of why you love to write in the first place.




