Wherein I Suggest Creativity is a Love Child

and other ramblings about copying vs inspiration

by , posted on May 31st, 2012 in Creativity, Guest Posts



     

A month or so back, Sandra approached me with a new column idea for Raincoast Cottage. The idea was to create a dialogue around a topic creative people struggle with and document the conversation. She wanted to capture a conversation in real time, or as close as she could get it.

To achieve a level of intimacy, the conversation would occur over email—just between me and her. There was only one rule: you couldn’t read the response until you were ready to write back.

Using this method, we’d say things we wouldn’t necessarily have said had we spent time polishing our answers. She was aiming at capturing how we really felt. What we’d really say to one another.

I decided the concept fell somewhere in the land between terrifying and thrilling. Naturally, I was in.

Today, the conversation was published. Did I ramble? Yes. Did I steer the conversation in a totally different direction? Of course. Did I sometimes miss the point? You betcha. But I couldn’t be more pleased to have been a part of it. I’m looking forward to the next one.

Head on over to Raincoast Cottage to check it out and add your own thoughts on copying vs inspiration. You can catch an excerpt from the exchange below.


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Comments

3 Responses to “Wherein I Suggest Creativity is a Love Child”

  1. Caroline Says:

    June 1st, 2012 at 6:16 pm

    I LOVED this collaboration. I actually left a long comment over there but I couldn’t get it to post. ?

    Anyway, I basically said that the conversation was like having a cup of coffee and an awesome conversation–but not having to leave your house! ;)
    Joking aside, I also said that I think that blatant copying is never ever alright but obviously we are all inspired by something. I think the artists’ worst enemy is the ego and in a way, it’s really awesome to know that we’re living in an age of INSPIRATION overload and there is nothing bette for that than a good dose of humble pie by way of Pinterest.
    For me, personally, in the beginning of Pinterest, I was a little bummed. Chicken or egg, chicken or egg? But then when I thought about it, it made me feel really good to know there were all these birds of a feather around. It’s a small world. Literally. And that means our ideas are instantly global. Even the tiny ones. And mine are all tiny.

    Bottom line: LOVED this to PIECES!!! You and Sandra make a great team.

    [Reply]

  2. Sandra Says:

    June 1st, 2012 at 10:14 pm

    Thanks Caroline – love the immediacy and the “no holds barred” aspect of it. It isn’t sweated over and it shows. Really glad you enjoyed it!

    [Reply]

  3. wendy Says:

    June 11th, 2012 at 3:24 pm

    love this project & even more I love your idea Jen of what originality is iteration and inspirations love child – such a great view. because so many times have I sat there just like you, stumped by the creativity going on around me.

    [Reply]

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