Creator's Corner: Conflict Has Creative Value. Learn How To Use It.

NOTE: Creator's Corner is now being published on Wordpress, so you can access and read all of the columns (past and future) easily at one location. Click Here.

Somewhere along my life's journey, I received a strong message that stuck in my gut for a very long time: "Do not discuss religion or politics in mixed company (or in any social or business settings) because you are asking for trouble." I was taught that discussing these topics will create great conflict that will destroy friendships and potentially make me a persona non grata in professional circles that can lead to isolation, and perhaps even dismissal (though that reason would never be cited as the true reason).

Yes, I have seen the damage in other people's lives; but not in my own. Sure, conversations have become heated, but I always took the approach that we can agree to disagree because--well, there are so many other things that I often like about people with whom I have a difference of belief or opinion. I learned to value the whole person, and not divorce myself from relationships because of a strong contrast. My oldest friend is a Republican (and always has been). Another dear friend is an atheist.

Image: Bernie Sanders, Credit: Reuters

Column Inspiration:
  Americans Skeptical Of God But Believe Heaven Is Real, Somehow (vocativ.com)

Perhaps, our relationships would be rather dull and bland without the challenges.

Conflict and Contrast Are Creative Goldmines

As a creative professional and healing artist, I was taught to value conflict and contrast as vital creative tools: contrast in colors, contrast in textures, contrast in lighting, contrast in perspective, contrast in camera angles, contrast in point-of-view, and contrast in characters to create the conflicts necessary for telling an engaging story. Conflict and contrast are CREATIVE tools and principles.

Rebellion Meets Divinity (Andrew Saunders)

Column Inspiration:
Top Designers On The Next Decade's Visual Trends (marketingmagazine.co.uk)

Actually, spirituality and mindfulness is trending (and spiritual practices include religions), and it's viewed as a creative trend in this and the next decade (see Creator's Corner on Sacred Geometry); yet, the content in the articles cited that inspired this Creator's Corner are examples of even more contrast and contradiction. One includes research citing that Millennials are disengaging from religion and spirituality. Another cites that Americans do not believe in God, but somehow believe that Heaven is real. The third article might seem like an oxymoron: it explores the concept and practice of Imaginative Conservatism.

The story of good and evil, of strength and weakness, of love and hate, of beauty and ugliness . . . neither can exist without the other . . . out of their groupings creativeness is born. --John Steinbeck

Creative breakthroughs often occur as the result of conflict in many aspects of the human experience. I feel like screaming again because conflict and contrast commands attention. They SHOUT and we all pay attention. The content then engages us for short or long periods of time depending on our interests, desires, emotions, and needs.

Creative Strategy

1) Become students of conflict and contrast from a creative arts perspective (Although this article is geared toward children becoming arts students, we adults can become students again for our own growth and sustainability now and in the future). Learn as much as we can about the use and value of conflict and contrast. Watching films and television with an eye for identifying their use in these mediums (and their success or failure from which we can learn lessons) can only help to shake off our antiquated negative attachments to them. Immersing ourselves in them helps to shape-shift our relationship from enemies to allies.

2) Share what we discover as part of our content offerings, or use these new allies in content strategy, content marketing, marketing strategy, songwriting, storytelling, or even to become more comfortable in our own psyches and skins with their value to attract, reach, impact and inspire others as creative professionals, entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, content curators, coaches, mentors, etc. through the variety of communications and media we use as calling cards and other enduring connection platforms in our careers or missions. 

3) Read content sources in the April 20, 2016 edition of the Creativity & Spirituality Magazine that include elements of conflict and contrast through color, dance, innovation, and challenging preconceived or learned concepts that inhibit our creativity. Plus read the Creator's Corner column: How to Work Well and Play with "The Others" To Succeed.

MAY YOU DISCOVER MORE CREATIVE ideas and storytelling support now (and in the future) by exploring the Creativity & Storytelling 'Zine, and previous Creator's Corner columns: How To Work (And Play) Well With "The Others" To Succeed; Best Visual Content = Storytelling Solutions via A&E Professionals, Lies & Storytelling: Strange Bedfellows in Shades of Gray; Best Storytelling Has Sensory Empathy (or It's Important to Engage the Senses), Get Up To Speed On Quality Do-It-Yourself Storytelling: On a Low Budget, Best Storytelling is Copied, Stolen Content? (or The Lighter Shade of Led Zeppellin), The Joy is in the Story Journey (or Mission Impossible), Best Story Content Grounded In Our Past & Current Life; Conflict Has Creative Value, Learn How To Use It; Card Decks & the Mystic or Visionary Persona, Here Comes Play-Doh, and Sacred Geometry–Visual Storytelling Content: One Of Top Four Creative Trends 2016.

Dare to shine, be generous, and love this life.

Valerie

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Creator's Corner is dedicated to sharing ideas that come to mind after reading and selecting articles for The Creativity & Storytelling 'Zine (as the editor) that may be useful in a professional or personal capacity. Interest in creativity and spirituality as content, for usage in arts & entertainment, and as lifestyle choices for businesses, projects and services (groups that have a way of life that may or may not be included in their brand identity), can be relevant to anyone anywhere in the world covering a variety of professions.

Storytelling & Other Content Reinvented with Movie-Style Soundtracks ("Gifts": Top Short Story Reading In 4 Categories)

Gifts: A potential new relationship turns tense when some unfortunate words are spoken on a first date. 

 #1 Spiritual Category
#1 Spiritual Short Story Category
Top 10 Romance Short Story Category

Revised Story, New Soundtrack, 
New Book Cover & Reviews!

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"Gifts is a profound lesson about the importance of knowing when to graciously accept someone's kind gestures. This short story is a tightly interwoven package of dialogue and narration that pulls you into it intellectually to fully understand the silent emotional energy being transmitted between the two main characters."

—Joey Pinkney, Award-winning Author & Book Reviewer

"A beautiful short story."
—Priyanka Seth, Editor, Star Scribes

"Love the new cover! :-)"
—Chazz Hill-Hayr, Director of Audio, Booktrack

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GIFTS has received over 900 engagements/reads.

Imagine the possibilities for your projects.

 

WHAT IS A BOOKTRACK?

A Booktrack is content with a synchronized movie-style soundtrack. It's a new way to experience creative storytelling, essays, poetry, screenplays, and other formats utilizing the integration of text, music, ambient and special effect sounds to reinvent reading and engage people into a unique experience with content. Do it yourself or hire someone familiar with the Booktrack Studio to create your story or other content.

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Instructions for Reading: 

• 1) Press the PLAY button on the eBook cover. 
• 2) Click the arrow on the right side of the page to turn the pages.  
• 3) Use the (-) and (+) symbols on the bottom of the page to slow down or speed up the soundtrack to synchronize better with how fast or slow you read.  
• 4) Use the Audio icon to lower the soundtrack (or MUTE the sound if you prefer to read it the traditional way). 
• 4) You can experiment with the other symbols on the bottom of the page.  

SHARE the direct link to "Gifts" that can be read at the Booktrack website (plus other books): http://tinyurl.com/zt9lz6o.

"Gifts" is slated to be adapted into a short film. I am having fun imagining my wish list for the music soundtrack. Thank you to Dame Judith Dench for BOTH of these songs after hearing her Desert Island Disc choices on the BBC show of the same name (and to my friend, Stephen in the U.K., who introduced me to this delightful, insightful program). Immediately, I thought of the couple, their relationship, their love story.

"All Right, Okay, You Win"

Count Basie & Joe Williams

From the album, "Count Basie At Newport"

"Gifts" will become available to purchase in the future so read it for free now (plus other books using the Booktrack studio platform). The "Gifts" Booktrack eBook will remain free, as a giveaway, as a GIFT is meant to be with no attachments or expectations of any financial return or exchange. I hope you enjoy it!

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Creativity & Storytelling 'Zine (November 9, 2016)

"These topics are so bright, I just have to wear shades!

It's been touch-and-go with my plans to get out a new 'Zine while managing my "life on life's terms" these days; but I did give you a heads-up last month that I couldn't be certain what the publication schedule would be moving forward for "Creativity & Storytelling 'Zine" and The Healing Artist Studio Project blog.. 

As it has turned out, some space has cleared on this unusual and historic Election Day. I guess we all have our own beliefs about whether the campaigns used some of the best practices shared here . . . "
(Read More). 

"CREATIVITY & STORYTELLING 'ZINE" (TOP STORIES)

* Evaluating Storytelling: Where to Start?

* Content Marketing Examples From Top 10 Brands

* The Top 4 Mistakes That Make Business Leaders Awful Storytellers

* A Digital Dozen: 12 Traits Of The Truly Creative CMO

* Why the Marketing Industry Is So Obsessed with Creativity

* 5 Creative Habits Entrepreneurs Can Learn From Novelists

And More!

Creator's Corner: Get Up to Speed On Quality Do-It-Yourself Storytelling (On a Low Budget)

NOTE: Creator's Corner is now being published on Wordpress, so you can access and read all of the columns (past and future) easily at one location. Click Here.

AS A VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS FACULTY MEMBER, I had the pleasure and privilege to help motivate senior undergraduate students and gain content for their portfolios by giving them concrete business experience through attracting, arranging, and art directing business-education partnerships with arts entrepreneurs, solopreneurs (filmmakers, musicians) and other business entities who had either no or low budgets to create and market their projects, products or services in tangible ways.

I CREATED AND SENT OUT BUSINESS-EDUCATION PROPOSALS TO POTENTIAL CLIENTS. The classes and I met with respondents either in person or via teleconference, worked out a contract, and then began the client's project as an in-class design competition with an agreed upon reward for the winning design (e.g., attendance at the film premiere, letter of recommendation, appropriate credit, etc.). All of this in service to helping an individual or business to attract and reach somebody (or many bodies) to respond in some way, shape or form.

(Source)

Column Inspiration:

What are the Keys to Writing a Good Short Film Script?

IN OUR WORLD IN WHICH CONTENT IS QUEEN/KING AND WE MUST USE VITAL CREATIVITY AND STORYTELLING mojo and provide it in ways that engage, inspire and energize our fellow humans, what can we do to achieve quality in a timely, expeditious fashion? How can we get it done on a no to low budget if lacking the necessary financial resources to hire experts or take courses? What are some reliable solutions?

TAG YOU'RE IT! AND DAMN, YOU'RE GOOD.

  

AS GLENDA SAYS TO DOROTHY IN THE WIZARD OF OZ, "YOU ALWAYS HAD THE POWER TO GO HOME." You can do it yourself. You can do it with a small group of family, friends, co-workers, employees, who want to have a creative and unique experience by telling a story. Remember that we are living in the age of sharing our personal perspectives, visions, images, opinions in raw (unpolished) forms with others who are ready and willing to read, listen, view, engage, and often respond in harmony with our intention.

(Source)

Column Inspiration:

Struggling with Your Content Marketing? Create Because You Care

BE AUTHENTIC, EXPERIMENT, KEEP IT SHORT, AND HAVE FUN. You or your posse only need to make it happen. Tell your individual or collective stories, and start with what's happening in your world in ways in which others can identify, relate, be educated, or react (Read Creator's Corner column titled Best Story Content Grounded In Our Past & Current Life). If you decide there's something missing and it's not quite ready for prime time, you can use your creation as concept material to pass along to someone who can realize it for you.

Column Inspiration:

How to Shoot a Short in One-Hour

    Wait, what. from Photon Harvest on Vimeo.

"Leaning In"
(Writing Prompt)

USE WRITING PROMPTS AND GIVE YOURSELF 15-MINUTES TO CREATE THE STORY. This will work for anything that is on your work plate. Mainly because you won't be using your analytical, "I-have-to-be-in-control-and-do-this-perfectly" left-brain that can sabotage your intuitive, creative flow channel. Besides, you've already done that part with whatever you have before you that requires the creativity solution.

YOU CAN CHOOSE A WRITING PROMPT THAT DIRECTLY RELATES TO YOUR PRODUCT OR SERVICE, or use words that have nothing to do with it at all and see what magic (meaning something wonderful appearing that wasn't there before) transpires. You can create a few prompts for the same project or service as well. If you're happy with the result(s): great! If not, pass what you have along as concepts to someone else to produce the final product. (For inspiration, read Leaning In and Back Up the Truck.)

Don’t make it a full story. Make it a taste of a story leaving the audience wanting more. -- Shant Hamassian

GIVE SENIOR TALENTED STUDENTS FROM YOUR ALMA MATER (OR ANOTHER UNIVERSITY) THE OPPORTUNITY TO HELP YOU SUCCEED AND VICE VERSA. Reach out to the appropriate department chair--creative writing, filmmaking, digital media, visual communications, music, art--and let them know that you would like to work with a faculty member to collaborate on a business-education project. If you prefer, you can request that the chair recommend a talented student for an independent study on your project for which she/he will get a review and college credits (in addition to any other rewards you want to offer). It's a win-win relationship.

THESE ARE A FEW SUGGESTED IDEAS TO GET YOU ON YOUR WAY. I hope you find value in this column (and the new focus of the 'Zine from spirituality TO storytelling in response to your interests), and will visit the Creativity & Storytelling 'Zine for much more content I've curated to help you succeed in your new (or continuing role) as a creator and storyteller for your product, project, business or service.

Creator's Corner is a regular column in the 'Zine. Subscribe to receive the full issue of each publication direct by email at the magazine.

1) Content Inspiration: What are the Keys to Writing a Good Short Film Script?

2) Content Inspiration: Struggling with Your Content Marketing? Create Because You Care

3) Content Inspiration: How to Shoot a Short in One-Hour

MAY YOU DISCOVER MORE CREATIVE ideas and storytelling support now (and in the future) by exploring the Creativity & Storytelling 'Zine, and previous Creator's Corner columns: How To Work (And Play) Well With "The Others" To Succeed; Best Visual Content = Storytelling Solutions via A&E Professionals, Lies & Storytelling: Strange Bedfellows in Shades of Gray; Best Storytelling Has Sensory Empathy (or It's Important to Engage the Senses), Get Up To Speed On Quality Do-It-Yourself Storytelling: On a Low Budget, Best Storytelling is Copied, Stolen Content? (or The Lighter Shade of Led Zeppellin), The Joy is in the Story Journey (or Mission Impossible), Best Story Content Grounded In Our Past & Current Life; Conflict Has Creative Value, Learn How To Use It; Card Decks & the Mystic or Visionary Persona, Here Comes Play-Doh, and Sacred Geometry–Visual Storytelling Content: One Of Top Four Creative Trends 2016.

Dare to shine, be generous, and love this life.

Valerie







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CREATOR'S CORNER is dedicated to sharing ideas that come to mind after reading and selecting articles for The Creativity & Storytelling 'Zine (as the editor/curator) that may be useful in a professional or personal capacity. Interest in creativity and storytelling as content for usage in arts & entertainment, media communications, marketing and advertising, and as lifestyle choices for businesses, projects and services (groups that have a way of life that may or may not be included in their brand identity), can be relevant to anyone anywhere in the world covering a variety of professions.

Creator's Corner: Best Storytelling is Copied, Stolen Content? (or The Lighter Shade of Led Zeppellin)

NOTE: Creator's Corner is now being published on Wordpress, so you can access and read all of the columns (past and future) easily at one location. Click Here.

DURING MY STUDIES WITH AN AMAZING HEALING ARTIST, ENTREPRENEUR AND AUTHOR (Eleanora Amendolora of Sacred Center for the Healing Arts)--who has spent many years among the Andean Quechua Indian people in Peru who are descendants of the ancient Incans--I discovered their practical and spiritual relationship to AYNI (or reciprocity, exchange) in their culture.

THEY HAVE A DEEP ENDURING BELIEF IN AND VALUE THEIR CREATOR AS A MODEL OF GENEROSITY who cares for them. They offer and practice Ayni (reciprocity, exchange) as a form of gratitude and respect for the creative and abundant ways in which their Patchamama (Great Mother) provides and meets their living needs. They view Ayni as the basis for a peaceful and sustainable society. It is divine living, an intrinsic value component of their society. There is no take, take, take without giving back. It's unheard of. (Discover more about Ayni.)

Image Credit: EveryVowel.com

  Column Inspiration:

What Beyonce & Shakespeare Have In Common:
The Key to Creativity

ANYI IN THE MIDST OF OUR CREATIVE RELATIONSHIPS 

AS A TEENAGER IN HIGH SCHOOL IN MRS. JONES' ENGLISH CLASS where I learned and discovered my love for English Composition and Writing, I remember being excited by all the articles and books I read to prepare for reports on a variety of subjects. There were many times that I wanted to lift some of what was written to include in my reports, but would quickly shake it off hearing her voice saying: You must not plagiarize. The work of others is copyrighted. You must not copy and write anyone's word's as your own. If you do, it is stealing. If you steal, you will get an F. Still, I was tempted and had to fight my demon, driven more by fear than good conduct.

We'll look back at how the Internet allowed us to swipe from anywhere and any era. --Jon Youshaei

SOME YEARS LATER AS A EDITOR, GRAPHIC DESIGNER AND ART DIRECTOR, I ALWAYS KEPT A FOLDER OF TYPOGRAPHY AND PHOTOS cut out from magazines to inspire creative ideas for projects, always vigilant to get permission from the source if I wanted to use something that belonged to someone else, being certain to provide the credit due as per their instructions.

IN OUR CREATIVE GLOBAL LIFESTYLE CULTURE TODAY, WE ARE STILL REQUIRED TO HONOR COPYRIGHTED WORKS (in many situations) by securing the approval of the creators and adhering to their requirements for usage. We may use works for free that are in the public domain that meet certain time limit criteria or are of an unknown origin. We have resources like Creative Commons licenses in which the creators give us a variety of permission options to expand upon and provide use of their works by us.

Image Credit:
Chris Walter/WireImage/Getty Images

ALSO, WE HAVE A FORM OF AYNI--DIVINE LIVING IN PRACTICE TODAY BY BEYONCE, a top music industry professional. Her creative process includes taking and using existing content from others (dance, visual) and using it in her music videos. There is a new perspective in play now that doesn't view her actions as rip-off copy and paste behavior, but rather as copy with respect and taste (though everyone isn't in agreement just yet about it). So far it's working well for her with no lawsuits (unlike the band, Led Zeppelin, who had a lawsuit brought against them for the blockbuster song "Stairway To Heaven" by the band, Spirit--though the ruling was in Zeppelin's favor).
  

Image Credit: Getty Images

Column Inspiration:

 2016 Creative In Focus, Our Visual Trend Report
(Getty Images)

BECOME A DIVINE LIVING SURREALITY OUTSIDER CREATIVE STORYTELLER

LET'S CONSIDER TAKING A PAGE FROM BEYONCE WHO IS OPEN AND HONEST ABOUT WHAT SHE TAKES FROM OTHERS, who focuses on doing whatever she can to include those from whom she takes in her projects (whether it's one person or many), and represents one who is a divine living surreal outsider creative storyteller.

WHAT STEPS DO WE TAKE OTHER THAN AYNI-DIVINE LIVING TO BECOME this new creative force to employ in our businesses, organizations, and projects? 

• BREAKOUT FROM TRADITIONAL APPROACHES AND MODELS DESPITE POTENTIAL FLACK that you might receive from doubters or critics who aren't as courageous, and/or fear conflict or change. Demonstrate or develop your leadership qualities by becoming an outsider or rebel to stand out from the pack as an entrepreneur, solopreneur, mompreneur, life coach, spiritual coach, author, musician, screenwriter, singer-songwriter, content curator, content marketer, content strategist, marketing strategist, digital strategist, or whatever your role (Read Creator's Corner column titled Religion, Spirituality--Contrasting, Trending).

Image: Photo Babel/wearemb via Designboom

Column Inspiration:

 12 Designy Toys to Spark Your Creativity

 

• REACHOUT (WHILE YOU'RE BREAKING OUT) TO STORYTELLERS  WHO ARE COMFORTABLE WITH CREATING SURREAL CONTENT (or research and develop your own content). Immerse yourself in The Twilight Zone of life to get your readers, viewers, clients, customers, fans, followers, friends, listeners engaged in experiencing your content through close encounters of sight, sound--and when practical--touch and aromas, to take them beyond the ordinary emotional, mental, physical and spiritual experiences to the extraordinary. (Read Creator's Corner column titled Sacred Geometry--Visual Storytelling Content: One Of Top Four Creative Trends 2016)

WE ARE INDIVIDUALS OF THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE WHO LIVE IN A SHARED WORLD that reflects our values (or not); support innovation, imagination, and collaboration (or not); and some of us will chose to become divine living surreality outsider creative storytellers (or not). Whatever our choice, it's clear to me through all of the written and visual content I've been consuming and digesting, that we will either be behind the times, or be in step with the directions creativity and spirituality are already heading with or without us. 

1) Content Inspiration: What Beyonce & Shakespeare Have In Common: A Key To Creativity

2) Content Inspiration: 2016 Creative In Focus, Our Visual Trend Report (Getty Images)

3) Content Inspiration: 12 Designy Toys To Spark Your Creativity


MAY YOU DISCOVER MORE CREATIVE ideas and spiritual support now (and in the future) by exploring the Creativity & Spirituality Magazine, and previous Creator's Corner columns: Creator's Corner: How To Work (And Play) Well With "The Others" To Succeed; Best Visual Content = Storytelling Solutions via A&E Professionals, Lies & Storytelling: Strange Bedfellows in Shades of Gray; Best Storytelling Has Sensory Empathy (or It's Important to Engage the Senses), Get Up To Speed On Quality Do-It-Yourself Storytelling: On a Low Budget, Best Storytelling is Copied, Stolen Content? (or The Lighter Shade of Led Zeppellin), The Joy is in the Story Journey (or Mission Impossible), Best Story Content Grounded In Our Past & Current Life; Conflict Has Creative Value, Learn How To Use It; Card Decks & the Mystic or Visionary Persona, Here Comes Play-Doh, and Sacred Geometry–Visual Storytelling Content: One Of Top Four Creative Trends 2016.

Dare to shine, be generous, and love this life.

Valerie







************

CREATOR'S CORNER is dedicated to sharing ideas that come to mind after reading and selecting articles for The Creativity & Spirituality Magazine (as the editor) that may be useful in a professional or personal capacity. Interest in creativity and spirituality as content for usage in arts & entertainment, media communications, marketing and advertising, and as lifestyle choices for businesses, projects and services (groups that have a way of life that may or may not be included in their brand identity), can be relevant to anyone anywhere in the world covering a variety of professions.