How to be creative?

In this lifetime, every once in a while, you wonder, is there somebody else in this world who feels like you do?

And every once in a while, paths cross. At that instant, at that moment, you read something, you hear something and you realise you're not alone.

Today, while wandering in cyberspace, I came across one such person. His name is Hugh, and he writes a blog called GapingVoid.

I liked his cartoons (on the back of business cards, no less!), so I kept reading, and then suddenly out of the blue, I come across this one called "How to be creative"! I didn't know there was a 'How to' for that!

Hmmm. As I read further I realised he's not talking about how to be creative, he's talking about how to be yourself! And yes, that's really the only true creative thing that we can do, isn't it?

A human being is born, lives, dies.
And from the point he's born, there's do this, don't do this...
A little later, there's - why can't you be like...?
And then there's growing up and you think - Will I ever be like....?
And then you grow older, and you realise, I'll never be....

And then it strikes you, to hell with the world, I'm me. That's it. With all that's good, that's bad, that's horrible - THIS IS ME!

And at that very instant, I fell into this Gaping Void!

So, with a high-five to Hugh, here's his tips on "How to be creative"!!

1. Ignore everybody.
2. The idea doesn't have to be big. It just has to change the world.
3. Put the hours in.
4. If your biz plan depends on you suddenly being "discovered" by some big shot, your plan will probably fail.
5. You are responsible for your own experience.
6. Everyone is born creative; everyone is given a box of crayons in kindergarten.
7. Keep your day job.
8. Companies that squelch creativity can no longer compete with companies that champion creativity.
9. Everybody has their own private Mount Everest they were put on this earth to climb.
10. The more talented somebody is, the less they need the props.
11. Don't try to stand out from the crowd; avoid crowds altogether.
12. If you accept the pain, it cannot hurt you.
13. Never compare your inside with somebody else's outside.
14. Dying young is overrated.
15. The most important thing a creative person can learn professionally is where to draw the red line that separates what
16. The world is changing.
17. Merit can be bought. Passion can't.
18. Avoid the Watercooler Gang.
19. Sing in your own voice.
20. The choice of media is irrelevant.
21. Selling out is harder than it looks.
22. Nobody cares. Do it for yourself.
23. Worrying about "Commercial vs. Artistic" is a complete waste of time.
24. Don't worry about finding inspiration. It comes eventually.
25. You have to find your own schtick.
26. Write from the heart.
27. The best way to get approval is not to need it.
28. Power is never given. Power is taken.

Here's his short version
And the long version (with his wonderful cartoons!)

Incidentally, I just posted one of my favourite pictures from his site on mine. Reflected glory, I think it is called!