23….if you don’t believe me take a look around every once in a while…how many iterations of 23 can you see….? I would also class 32 into the equation, but just focus on 23 for now….
More to follow…
We are used to thinking of originality as very important to creativity. An artist’s worst nightmare is to be called ‘unoriginal’ or accused of copying others’ work. But it wasn’t always like this.
Shakespeare famously never invented a plot. His Hamlet wasn’t the first Hamlet to grace the London stage - he was recycling material from an earlier play with the same title, as well as popular legends. A bit like a modern rock band playing a cover version of a classic song. He was working within a long tradition of writers whose chief concern wasn’t to create something original or radically new, but something that did the job - that entranced the audience and made them laugh or cry.
Compared to Shakespeare and his forebears, a lot of modern writers look like restless egomaniacs. They aren’t content to stand on the shoulders of giants. They not only try to reinvent the wheel but ask whether we need a wheel at all, or something completely different.
The danger with trying to be original is that - like me, waiting in the wings - we become so concerned with ourselves and our self-image that we forget to trust our instincts. Because as Deborah pointed out, your obvious is your talent. It may seem dull or unremarkable to you, but to others, with different life experience, it will seem fresh and surprising. Original.
This is the kind of originality you can’t help - any more than Shakespeare could help being original when he wrote Hamlet, or Michelangelo when producing throwaway sketches. It’s unconscious, part of your creative DNA. You may not even notice it - but the clues may come from your audience, or a sensitive critic like Deborah.
It doesn’t come from straining to think outside the box or trying to create something wild and wacky. It comes from being yourself and doing the obvious - and trusting that will be enough.
Hi all, one of the projects I’m working on at work is a great winter fantasy league golf game with Today’s Golfer… it’s free to enter and it’s fun (even if you don’t like golf!) so register and spread the word for me too if you can…http://fantasyleague.todaysgolfer.co.uk/
Today’s Golfer Winter Fantasy Golf is back by popular demand, in association with Betfair.com. Once again, entry is COMPLETELY FREE! and there are loads of fantastic prizes on offer, so grab all of your mates and register now!
NEW FOR 08/09: Running alongside the main game this winter is the Matchplay Cup competition, in which teams will battle it out directly with an opposing team each week in a winner-takes-all battle in order to become Matchplay Cup champion. For more details on how it works, please visit the Matchplay cup page.
I love cheesecake! My wife made the best cheesecake ever last weekend but I’ve just had a cheesecake from the Bauer shop - which was not too bad - a bit flat on the old taste-bud front but had enough sustanence to warrant a re-load on the food palette.
