A great way to get inspired is to read great creativity blogs. Here you’ll find a list of awesome creativity blogs you can add to your RSS feed so that you have them handy when you need a creativity boost.
LifeDev – Share Your Ideas
LifeDev is the blog of Glen Stansberry, and the tagline says it all: “Empowering Creative People”. In “Open Sourcing Your Creativity”, Glen concurs with Seth Godin that giving away ideas is a great thing. In fact, the more you create and share ideas, the better you get at generating ideas. Glen offers examples of successful idea sharing, such as Wikipedia, Firefox, and Linux. He also argues that by embracing collaboration you get better results than if you tried to do everything on your own.
Productive Flourishing – Start Your Idea Garden
Charlie Gilkey from Productive Flourishing asks: Do You Have an Idea Garden? He argues that ideas have to be captured and tended until they’re ready to come out. Charlie adds that an idea garden is a place where ideas get the sun and water—that is, the energy—they need to grow. Head on over to Productive Flourishing and let Charlie show you how to tend your idea garden.
Get Fresh Minds – Look at Dessert in a New Way
In Get Fresh Minds (tag line: Ideas So Fresh They Could be Slapped) Katie Konrath—who has a college degree in Ancient Greek and Latin – shares her fresh ideas with the world. In “A New Way of Looking at Dessert”, she explains that Applebee’s came up with the idea of serving small, shot-glass sized versions of their regular desserts. This has a myriad of advantages: less guilt over eating dessert, since they’re small; cheaper; and everyone can get what they really want instead of having to share. Plus, as she points out, they’re cute.
43 Folders – Twyla’s Box
Merlin Mann of 43Folders fame announced recently that he would begin to discuss creativity—as well as continue writing about productivity—on his blog. In his blog post, “Twyla’s Box: It’s Where Everything Goes” he talks about Twyla Tharp’s organizational system which consists of a box in which she puts everything that goes into the making of a dance: notebooks, news clippings, CDs, videotapes of her working alone in her studio, videos of the dancers rehearsing, books and photographs and pieces of art that have inspired her, and so on.
Creative Creativity – ABC’s
Over at Creative Creativity David Wahl collects resources, inspiration and his own personal philosophy on creativity. In “The ABC’s of Staying Creative”, he argues that A-B-C stands for “Always Be Creating”. Here’s a great quote from that post:
“Multiple projects. Plans. A giant novel about a war between the ant-people and the walrus-people. The perfect cupcake recipe. An elf outfit for your bulldog. A list of believable lies about Abraham Lincoln. A list of heavy metal band names that haven’t been used yet. (That last one is harder than you think.) Designing underwear for chickens. Anything you want!”
Lateral Action – Debate on Brainstorming
Lateral Action‘s tagline is very similar to the one here at Abundance Blog at Marelisa Online: Creativity + Productivity = Success (mine’s better
). Marc McGuinness asks in a recent blog post: Is “Brainstorming a Waste of Time?” He quotes creativity professionals on both sides of the aisle:
- Richard Huntington, Director of Strategy for Saatchi & Saatchi in the UK says: “I hate brainstorms . . . They waste huge amounts of time and talent and they are no fuc**ing good at delivering decent ideas.”
- Tom Kelly, General Manager of IDEO says: “Brainstorming is practically a religion at IDEO, one we practice nearly every day.”
Wishful Thinking – Time Management for Creative People
Wishful Thinking is Marc McGuinness’ other blog. Marc, by the way, is a poet, as well as a coach and trainer for professional artists and creative companies. Download his fabulous free e-book: Time Management for Creative People. That e-book was the inspiration for my blog post: “Making Time to Create”.
Idea Sandbox – Cocktail Napkin Wisdom
One of my favorite features over at Idea Sandbox is their “Cocktail Napkin Wisdom”. Here’s some of them:
- Business Doesn’t Mean Being Busy
- Edison on Improvement
- Forgive and Forget – Or at Least One of the Two
Broadcasting Brain – Just Write
Broadcasting Brain is Mark Dykeman’s blog. In his blog post “Just Write” he advices that we forget about how awful we think the result of our writing might be, or who might read it, or how they might respond, and just write. You can always edit once you have a first draft, but until the words are down on paper nothing else can happen.
Creativity Portal – The Story as Muse
Creativity Portal is a cornucopia of creativity articles. In “The Story as Muse”, the author suggests that you be promiscuous when it comes to literature. The stories, letters, diaries and memoirs of others are fertile ground for generating creative ideas. In addition, reading great authors will undoubtedly improve your writing.
Also, make sure that your reading is varied: read the classics, contemporary poets, and even that novel that someone absentmindedly left sitting on a table at your favorite coffee house. In addition to Creativity Portal, Chris Dunmire also blogs at another fantastic creativity blog: Creative Slush.
Creative Something – Take the Creativity Quiz
Head on over to Creative Something and take their “Creativity Quiz” (I scored “Incredibly Creative”, just thought I’d share
). Whatever your score, the folks over at Creative Something assure you that everyone has the potential to improve.
Abundance Blog at Marelisa Online
Of course, I had to include Abundance Blog at Marelisa Online in the list. After all, it’s a creativity blog, and it’s awesome, if I do say so myself. I’m going to point you to the “creativity archive” so that you can have your pick of great creativity articles.
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I Recommend:
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The Sedona Method is a simple, powerful, easy-to-learn technique that shows you how to let go of any negative, unwanted or painful feelings you may be experiencing at any particular moment. It consists of a series of questions you ask yourself that lead your awareness to focus on what you’re feeling in the moment and gently guide you toward letting it go. Read my review of the Sedona Method here.










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Marelisa – Thank you so much for including Idea Sandbox with this short list of great sites… You and I play in the same playground. I read many of them, but – as always – am learning about more great creative sites every day.
I enjoyed checking out your site!
Paul
Paul (from Idea Sandbox)s last blog post..On Being Imaginative, Original and Fresh
I am going to take the quiz! thanks!
I love new sites to explore. Thank you for compiling this list!
Jays last blog post..The Power of No
Thanks for the link love, Marelisa! I also have a list of great blogs on creativity and idea generation which includes many of the same blogs you list here. If you click on my name in this comment, you’ll go straight to the post with the list of all 22 blogs!
Mark Dykemans last blog post..A creative expert in his own words
Thanks Mare – I will be checking them out for sure.
Mindful Mimis last blog post..In order to act, you must be somewhat insane. A reasonably sensible man is satisfied with thinking — George Clemenceau
Hi Paul: Thank you for stopping by, there’s a lot of great stuff at Idea Sandbox
Hi Mark: Have fun with the quiz!
Hi Jay: I hope you enjoy these blogs
Hi Mark (Dykeman): Thank you for linking to your list
Hi Mimi: You’re welcome, I’m sure you’ll like them
Hi Mare,
I just found your site. You do wonderful work. Thank you!
Here are a few more, in case you’re interested:
The Fluent Self (Havi Brooks): http://www.fluentself.com
Accidental Creative (Todd Henry): http://www.accidentalcreative.com
And my own recently launched creative blog: http://www.thedailyfreakout.com
All the best,
shea
Sheas last blog post..WHIP: Introducing Greg Turner
Hi Shea: Thank you: And yes, I do want people to add creativity blogs to the list in the comments section, I forgot to ask at the end of the post
WOW! Thanks for all these great sources! This is my first exposure to creativity blogs and I’m so excited about exploring! GOing to take the quiz first!
btw- thanks for commenting on my guest post over at mizfit!! Its great to work out your core for so many reasons! It can even make you a more efficient runner!
take care ~rupal
Rupals last blog post..Its the little things that matter most: Running
Also a big fan of 43 folders. He has got one post on building presentations that I swear by!
Another great post
Christophers last blog post..Mother & Son Reunite via MySpace…After 32 Years!
Nice roundup of creativity sites! I made sure to include on My Inspiration Lounge!
Misty Gibbss last blog post..Finding Inspiration and Joy After A Crisis
I am so happy to find you! What an awesome collection of creativity resources. I will bookmark it — will be needing it over these next months …
One resource I’d like to share is the “Hots” test. You can find this at:
http://www.oneminutemillionaire.com — click on the “Tools” tab. This is extremely useful for any aspect of business or personal life.
Cheers! Viveca
Vivecas last blog post..Fatigue & Fear — Yikes. How to breakthrough and live fearlessly
You’re becoming quite the Creativity Expert! I am certainly awed by your energy!! You never fail to impress me with the amount of research and resources that go inside each post!! Well done!!
Evelyn Lims last blog post..HAVE-DO-BE or BE-DO-HAVE?
I will check them out. Thanks for the reference, Mare.
Arswinos last blog post..Sacrifice Play
I’m a follower of many of those blogs. I think that I might be a little addicted to creativity – reading about it, trying it and talking about it. It’s why I blog, to share my ideas with others. If I was forced to hold on to all my creativity I would go crazy.
Thanks for such a great list. Now I will probably start following some new creativity blogs.
Karl Staib – Work Happy Nows last blog post..Struggling at Work
great links marelisa. i downloaded the ebook on time management for creative people. now i just have to find time to read it.
i need to live forever to do all the things i’d like to do.
Thanks for the link to Mark. I love his e-book. And I’ve been really enjoying your creativity posts this week.
Keep up the good work!
Pink Inks last blog post..Refilling the Pot
Oops, I guess that would be ‘Marc’.
Pink Inks last blog post..Refilling the Pot
Hi Mare. You make me dizzy! (In the best possible way.) Evelyn said it perfectly… well done!
Davinas last blog post..Shopping for Effective Attitudes
Hi Rupal: Welcome to the wonderful world of creativity blogs
Hi Christopher: I’m glad Merlin Mann is turning more toward creativity, this should be interesting.
Hi Misty: Thank you
Hi Viveca: Welcome! Thank you for the link to the One Minute Millionaire Tool
Hi Evelyn: Thank you, I do have a lot of energy
Hi Arswino: Have fun with these blogs
Hi Karl: I’m kind of addicted to creativity too
Hi Natural: It’s a really good e-book, and it’s an easy read.
Hi Pink Ink: If you visit Marc’s site he has other e-books as well. I’m glad you’re enjoying Creativity Extravaganza Week
Hi Davina: As long as it’s a good dizzy, I’ll take it
Hey thanks for posting a link to my Creativity Quiz!
Hi Marelisa:
I am very excited to find your site! I can’t wait to go through all the articles. Looks like you have done an incredible amount of research.
I love the fact that you said your site was eclectic. That is what makes life fun and exciting.
~Terry
Terrys last blog post..Creativity in General
Hi Terry: Welcome! Maybe I´ll add “whimsical” so that it says whimsical and eclectic
Love this list. Working my way through some ideas about personal creativity and how important it is. THANKS for the terrific blog.
Chriss last blog post..Job Searching Over the Age of 45
Hi Chris: I’m becoming addicted to creativity blogs
I’m glad you found the list useful.
We have enjoyed visiting this blog about creativity. We have been working on a creative recovery process for the last two years… it’s an exciting adventure that has given us lots of tools and resources to face up every day reality.
Great list. Adding them to my reader to follow on a regular basis.
.-= Kelsey Ruger´s last blog ..Businesses Professional Can Learn Design Thinking =-.
We are finding this post extremely interesting and useful to go on growing in our creativity path1 thanks a lot!
Thanks for sharing these links.