The Creative Process

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Ryan Leach

There is a fantastic article from Sam McNerney over at creativitypost.com called “Produce First, Sharpen Second: What Dylan’s Vomit Teaches Us About The Creative Process” and it deserves more than just a passing glance. In essence they have figured out how to consistently create great work.

The lesson is one you’ve probably hard before, but have you taken it to heart? Looking back at your creative process, is this how it goes?

The essential central message is that you should create without any restraint, editing, or self-criticism. Just get it all out of your system. Don’t rewrite, don’t judge, etc. Write, write some more, and then keep on writing until you have truly run out of things to say. At which point, step away and take a break. Only when you return with a fresh perspective do you dig in and find the gold while trashing the junk.

The two main points are:

1. Stream of consciousness creation.
2. Writing and editing as very separate phases.

Read the whole article, it’s worth it.