In Others’ Words: When Intelligence has Fun

As a writer, I sometimes focus on the work of it all. Writing the story synopsis. Developing the characters. Putting the fast draft down on the page, scene by scene. And then rewrite. Rewrite. Rewrite.

Somewhere along the way from synopsis to rewrite-rewrite-rewrite, I forget that, at the beginning, I fell in love with the story and the characters. I stop having fun and get enmeshed in the work. 

I’ve spent time with a lot of talented writers and they are some of the smartest people I know.  Many of them pursued college and post-graduate degrees and attend writers conferences — or teach at them. They’re voracious readers and researchers. We challenge each other to up our game with every book we write. But one of the best things we do for one another is remind each other to have fun.  

Being a creative — someone who spends a lot of time with imaginary characters — doesn’t mean I’ve abandoned my intelligence. No. I’m just allowing my intelligence to play. Sometimes I just need to remind myself of that truth. Yes, there’s work to this writing gig — but there’s fun, too.

In Your Words: How do you see intelligence and creativity balancing one another out?

In Others\’ Words: When Intelligence has Fun http://wp.me/p63waO-2rT #quotes #imagination

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\”Perhaps imagination is only intelligence having fun.\” http://wp.me/p63waO-2rT #quotes #creativity

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