Day 215: How do we improve out creativity?

I have spent the morning reading through a story written by a friend of mine. Unfortunately, I can't tell you anything about this story 'cause it's not mine to tell. So, why mention it?

As I was reading through, I kept thinking about all the writing I should be doing, rather than reading someone else's. It's not going to get me anywhere helping them out, so why am I spending all this time doing it...?

Well, the truth is, none of that is true. Reading other people's work really does help me. If I can see how they can improve their work, I am also learning to improve my own. Take dialogue, for example. Does the old man's dialogue sound like an old man? Does the old man sound different to the little girl? If they don't then, it's not convincing dialogue...

...Now, when I right my dialogue, it'll be better. If you're a writer, reading and editing is learning.

What is your creative thing you do? How do you learn about it? How do you get better? Could helping others along, help yourself along too?

Something to think about...

Day 214: Jessie J

Jessie J, who's Jessie J?

Well, she's the winner of, BBC Sound of 2011. As far as the BBC are concerned, she's gonna be big in Music this year.

So, what's she done?

She's been writing music for ages. Songs sung by Alisha Keys, Miley Cyrus and even Justin Timberlake were written by her, so she's been behind the scenes for a while and she's only 22! Now she's writing songs for herself. What an inspiration! She's someone who's made her way up the ladder of the music industry. Check out this video to see her performing her new song, Price Tag.

To find out about other winners and artists involved in the BBC Sound of 2011 awards, click here.

Day 213: Creative Dinosaur Mission!

Today I am leaving my home to go back to Uni and it always makes me sad. There's going to be a lot of work to do this term and, to be honest, I just can't be bothered right now. All I want to do is knit and play on the Wii with my sisters (and eat chocolate!)

But I guess the truth is, they all have to go back to reality too. Even if I stayed here, they wouldn't be able to sit around with me all day. They have to go to work and school...and I have to go graduate : )

So, I think the best thing to do is have a creative plan, you know, to make it easier to go back. As of this moment I've decided my creative mission over the next term is to make something like this:

That way, I've got loads of time to do it and at the end of the term, I'll have something creative to show (besides the creative writing I do for my course.)

Why not give yourself a creative mission, something that's separate to what you do every day. Have a think. What do you want to do? Set yourself and deadline and swing it into action!

Day 212: Make your own thank you cards

There's always people you get pressies from at Christmas who you don't see to say, thank you too. So you need some cards, right? Well, try these ones out.

I spent a few hours making them yesterday and, as they're creative, I thought I'd tell you about them. It's super easy to make them, so get involved if you want to save some cash and make your own funky thank you cards.

All I did was get some old magazines and cut out patterns, colours and textures I liked. Then I cut each bit into a letter and stuck them on the card! Easy.

Here's some tips;

• Chose your card colour before you start cutting. I did mine on black, but had loads of black/dark patterns which I couldn't use. Equally, if you do it with white, you don't want anything too light.
• Work out roughly how big you want each letter, so they fit on your card.
• You could use different magazines for different people. If you're doing one for a boy, maybe use a boys' mag. If you're doing one for a kid, use a kids' mag...it's up to your creative slant, of course!

So, have a go at creating your own cards this year. They make pretty good birthday cards too...

Day 211: Pizza Express Winner!

This is a charming picture of my sister, eating the winning pizza from the Pizza Express Competition which I talked about on Day 66. People had the chance to submit their ideal pizza topping and now the winning topping is on the menu!

Did you enter? Have you tried the new pizza? Well, someone won, which just goes to show, you need to be in it to win it!

It's inspired me to get involved in a competition. Let's do it together. We need to get our creativity out there! So, find a competition and enter it (preferably creative, but anything really).

Goodnight and Good Luck!

Day 210: Location Location Location

Today is one of those busy days where you go visiting (probably 'cause it's Bank Holiday). First, I went to my cousin's new flat. She was a bit embarrassed 'cause it was messy, but it's to be expected, right? There was a sofa here and a table there. I found myself thinking, 'hmm, I'm not sure I'd really put that there,' or, 'I wouldn't paint it that colour.'

Then, we went to see my sister's new flat, which is literally just a shell. No furniture, no curtains, just carpet. That was even more fun. I imagined the furniture, colour scheme, where the bookcase would go, how will it all fit around plug sockets, where to put the 'feature wall'...

Do you do this too? Do you find yourself becoming an interior designer in other people's houses?

I even think about the layout, 'I would've put the door opening the other way...that radiator should be on the other wall.'

Like I really have a clue about any of this stuff!

Next time you go round someones house, have a secret nose around. What do you think? Get your creative thinking cap out. Or why not plan your own future house? What will it look like, how many rooms, where will the lounge be? Will the bedroom have an en suite...?

So many things to think about... 

Day 209: Knitted Nativity

So, this is the third knitted nativity I have seen this year and I think it's a sign. I think I have to knit one! It can be a creative project for the new year (yay, everyone loves a project.)

Isn't it cute! (This is my mum's Nativity btw)

You can find patterns online if you wanna join me. I'm going to get a book I think...I've got so many creative projects this year, i don't know when I'm going to have time to do anything else!

What is your creative project(s) for this year?