Qualities of a Writer Part II: Creativity

cre·a·tiv·i·ty [kree-ey-tiv-i-tee, kree-uh-] –noun. The ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, relationships, or the like, and to create meaningful new ideas, forms, methods, interpretations, etc.; originality, progressiveness, or imagination. The process by which one utilizes creative  ability.

This one's a no-brainer, right? We wouldn't want to be writers if we weren't creative. President Deiter F. Uchtdorf said:  The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul. No matter our talents, education, backgrounds, or abilities, we each have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before.

That desire to create is at the heart of writing. But creativity can wither and die if we don't give it constant care and nourishment. Some things that I do to nurture my creativity are:

Listen to good musicRead good booksGo for walks around the pondSpend time in natureHave fun with my familyPlay piano or guitarSing along with the piano or guitar Get enough sleepGet some exercisePray and meditateStudy scripturesNurture my relationships with family, friends and God
What about you? How do you keep that creative spark alive amid all the pressures and stresses of life that threaten to suck all our creativity away?