Let’s Talk About Blogging Creativity 101

A question I get asked a lot by my students is “How can I be more creative?” Creativity is a hard thing to nail down, mainly because it appears in so many different ways for so many different people. Both Van Gogh and Christopher Nolan are creative, but in very different ways. Do you think their creative processes are different?

I’m going to go out on a limb and say they were probably very different, even taking into account the generational time gap.

So, how do you spark that creative process and get your writing juices flowing?

Creative Kickstarts

Creativity might be something that comes easier to some over others, but it’s definitely something that can be guided and helped in everyone. Every person is going to have a different creative process from everyone else, and that’s what makes creativity such a fluid and beautiful thing.

Sometimes you just have no idea where to start, though. It can seem like you’re drowning in an ocean of bad ideas and all you are praying for is one buoy to save you in the form of a creative idea.

Here are some of my favorite buoys, maybe they can help you out in a time of need.

• What was the most recent movie you watched and how do the themes in that film connect to your blog topic?
• Do the same as above, but with your favorite or most recent read book.
• Take your next blog post idea and turn it into a comic strip.
• Go back to your favorite blog post and turn that theme into a haiku.
• Compile your favorite 10 blog posts from the past week and rank them for your readers.
• Interview someone in your field (either in person or via email).
• Write a case study on an organization doing things right in your field.
• How would your favorite TV character react to what’s going on in your niche?
• How would Lady Gaga fair as a professional in your industry?
• Tell your favorite/most embarrassing childhood story and relate it to your field.
• Revisit an old post and give an updated “Director’s Cut” of the topic.
• Invent a holiday or season focused around your field.
• Write a “How To…” post.
• Create a playlist on Spotify or Rdio, share it and then explain how those songs personify your blog.
• Answer a comment or email in post form.
• Ask a question/poll your readers and start a conversation in the comments.
• Reveal your favorite animal and how that ties into your job.

There are many, many more, but those are some of my favorites.

Have you ever used one of these ideas to get yourself out of a writing funk? How did it work out? Which is your favorite?

Did I leave any off the list? If I did, please list your favorite creative ideas in the comments.

Thoughts/Ideas?