What is "Doom Eager"?

Lorrie Moore, from "Better and Sicker"
"Martha Graham speaks of the Icelandic term "doom eager" to denote that ordeal of isolation, restlessness, caughtness and artistic experiences when he or she is sick with an idea. When a writer is doom eager, the writing won't be sludge on the page; it will give readers -- and the writer, of course, is the very first reader -- an experience they've never had before, or perhaps a little and at last the words for an experience they have."

Saturday, January 1, 2011

help creativity flow in the new year

"It all begins when the soul would have its way with you." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

If opening up "the soul" allows our creativity to flow, in this new year here's hoping we will all engage in activities to open "the soul" (whatever that term may mean personally) and help our creativity flow.

Here are ten of my favorite techniques for pumping the creative juices:

1. Taking a walk.
2. Reading poetry.
3. Tasting new foods.
4. Creating new recipes in the kitchen.
5. Listening to music.
6. Imagining "What if ... ."
7. Reading the first paragraph of a novel.
8. Recording my dreams
9. Experiencing great art.
10. Imagining life through another's eyes and heart.

Happy New Year, all, and keep the literary faith in 2011.
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