What kind of small toys or devices click when you rotate them forwards and backwards? Seeking mechanism or design... [more inside]
posted by pallen123 on Nov 21, 2009 - 13 answers

With NaNoWriMo looming ever nearer, I would like to hear your best tips, tricks, habits, and techniques for staying chained to the keyboard. [more inside]
posted by BitterOldPunk on Oct 22, 2009 - 26 answers

I'm looking for examples of creative works which seem to have come from a place outside the artist's deliberate, conscious effort (be it the collective unconscious, drug-induced, the subconscious of the author finally culminating, whatever). [more inside]
posted by lhall on Sep 25, 2009 - 29 answers

Looking for a word/phrase that describes when someone thinks an artistic work they created is marketable/likable, yet is something they wouldn't care for if it was created by someone else. [more inside]
posted by yorick on Sep 25, 2009 - 20 answers

I just got a Lomo Fisheye 2 for my birthday! I am super excitemented. Hive, hit me with your bestest Lomo / fisheye tips and tricks! [more inside]
posted by t0astie on Aug 23, 2009 - 5 answers

How do I start a poetry circle at my company? [more inside]
posted by zooropa on Aug 18, 2009 - 7 answers

Looking for information about creativity as an external force or spirit (or manna or anything even vaguely similar). Things like the Greek Muses, from any cultures. [more inside]
posted by Cantdosleepy on Aug 10, 2009 - 11 answers

Ms. Quizicalcoatl is looking for an artistic hobby, but she is very goal-oriented. Help! [more inside]
posted by Quizicalcoatl on Jul 5, 2009 - 23 answers

If you had 2-3 days and a plane ticket, what would you do to jump-start your creativity or inspire your mind? [more inside]
posted by Occams Hammer on Jun 11, 2009 - 19 answers

How to do creative work within scheduled, time-limited sessions? [more inside]
posted by Alabaster on May 27, 2009 - 8 answers

What long-term art project should I do with/for/about my newborn son? [more inside]
posted by sandor on May 27, 2009 - 16 answers

I can only write well when I'm inspired, and even then it's only at blog-post length. Any time I set out do something larger, my brain shuts down. [more inside]
posted by pauldonato on May 6, 2009 - 43 answers

I regularly get bursts of creative energy and motivation to work on personal projects right smack dab in the middle of the workday, when I can't do a thing about them. But when I've got free time, I don't feel like doing anything. How can I better synchronize my motivation with my free time? [more inside]
posted by Metroid Baby on May 1, 2009 - 10 answers

What sort of copyright protection do performers (burlesque, specifically, but any stage performance works) have? What about tribute acts? [more inside]
posted by divabat on Apr 17, 2009 - 21 answers

Would it be seen as (and is it really) exceptionally tasteless to write a fictional novel about a soldiers' experiences in Iraq? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Apr 6, 2009 - 16 answers

I'm looking for books featuring (first hand) the creative processes, influences, daily routines and preparatory works of creative people - visual artists, film makers, novelists, poets etc. [more inside]
posted by fire&wings on Mar 25, 2009 - 11 answers

I am organising an internal training on innovation in Rome for about 20-25 employees. What creative / innovative venues do you recommend in or by Rome, Italy? [more inside]
posted by eurandom on Mar 23, 2009 - 1 answer

I've seen a list of the most popular websites, and another of the most popular blogs, but for these three categories (literature, newspapers, magazines) I've found a list hard to track down. I'd like it ordered in order of popularity, but a top-ten (or top-hundred) would be fine too. Thanks! [more inside]
posted by omnigut on Mar 19, 2009 - 3 answers

This year I started doing a circus traineeship and learning burlesque, which is awesome. In a week I have to go back to Malaysia for a few months while my new Australian visa is processed. What can I do in the meantime in the middle of nowhere? [more inside]
posted by divabat on Mar 18, 2009 - 9 answers

I have trouble just buckling down and getting started on projects at work. What tips, tricks, or resources are out there for stopping my analysis paralysis, silencing my inner critic, and just getting things done? [more inside]
posted by miasma on Mar 9, 2009 - 21 answers

I'm working on my PhD in artists' books at the moment. Recently, pursuing aspects of creativity from a cognition-and-creativity viewpoint has become interesting to me. I need a toehold on the science, here. [more inside]
posted by aesop on Mar 3, 2009 - 5 answers

How does your creativity work? [more inside]
posted by archagon on Feb 8, 2009 - 30 answers

Does Zoloft dull creativity? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 2, 2008 - 24 answers

Which companies and organisations are big on innovation, creativity, doing good, and support flexible work styles and ethics? [more inside]
posted by divabat on Nov 29, 2008 - 13 answers

Can you think of any men who write, or have written, or create in any medium, under a woman's name? (I'm excluding transsexuals, and examples such as men in Shakespearean theatre and Japanese Noh Theatre.) There are plenty of women who have written under men's names, but I can't come up with a single example of the other way round. A true situation, or just my ignorance? [more inside]
posted by kestralwing on Nov 25, 2008 - 43 answers

What uses similar skills to computer programming, and is enjoyable in the same way, but does not involve excessive computer use? [more inside]
posted by Not Supplied on Nov 7, 2008 - 29 answers

Ok, so I am a creative worker. My job is to picks thoughts out of my head. I write, I teach, I prove theorems, I design software. I mean, all these things are the same... it's the harvesting of ideas. So, what do you do when it's dry season? [more inside]
posted by gmarceau on Oct 22, 2008 - 11 answers

I feel the need to be creative, but can't figure out what sort of outlet is the best to get my ideas out. How do I figure out what sort of creativity I have? [more inside]
posted by reenum on Sep 17, 2008 - 14 answers

Many years ago I remember reading a book that included a section on people's creative output, and there were graphs that indicated how old people were (composers, playwrights, etc.) when they produced their major works. The conclusion was something like, there is a limited volume of creative works a person can produce in one lifetime, regardless of when in their life the works were produced. Does this ring any bells?
posted by Dr. Send on Sep 3, 2008 - 5 answers

Shortly after we moved to a new town, my partner fell into a deep depression. She shot me down every time I suggested that we go out and do something fun, or made amorous advances. That precipitated my own, milder depression. We're both better now, and love each other very much, but we're still in a rut, and I'm gun-shy. How can we get over this hump? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 3, 2008 - 11 answers

How do cooks figure out which tastes go well together? [more inside]
posted by reenum on Aug 27, 2008 - 38 answers

Help! I need a cute and quirky name for a small baking business - more catering than not, and definitely on the cute-and-quirky side, since it specializes in cupcakes. [more inside]
posted by FritoKAL on Aug 20, 2008 - 60 answers

I'm trying to cultivate a certain kind of beauty in life - something exemplified by the likes of Dumbo feather, pass it on and Keri Smith's blog. Where else can I find such beauty? [more inside]
posted by divabat on Aug 12, 2008 - 4 answers

followup to this question: how does one create and develop a persona? [more inside]
posted by divabat on Aug 4, 2008 - 7 answers

How do I get into performance art? [more inside]
posted by divabat on Jul 28, 2008 - 14 answers

How do you keep track of your project ideas? How do you get yourself to follow through on them? [more inside]
posted by rivenwanderer on Jul 18, 2008 - 14 answers

I have spent years reading self-help books, productivity blogs, self-help productivity blogs. I’ve found some treasured information and they have probably helped me in more ways than I’m conscious of, but… [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 14, 2008 - 10 answers

What drug most effectively silences your 'inner critic'? I don't mean drugs that make you think that every little thing you do/say/create is great but something that allows you to 'postpone judgement' for a few hours while you're working. For the purpose of this question I don't care whether these drugs are legal/illegal or healthy/unhealthy. Personal experiences/anecdotes (positive AND negative) from (song)writers, designers, artists etc. are most welcome...
posted by dinkyday on Jul 13, 2008 - 29 answers

A donor has given our non profit $1,000,000 to build a new hospice house building (1/3 the cost of the project). We want to honor him with something different than the usual plaque. Or at least with a plaque that is unique. Something with a key might be appropriate, but would probably be boring. We have to make a presentation to him during an event in a couple of weeks. Anyone have any creative ideas to honor this generous man?
posted by Jandasmo on Jul 2, 2008 - 18 answers

Idea Filter: I need to create a six-page website for a term project in web design at uni (intro level). What to do it on? [more inside]
posted by tamarack on Jun 29, 2008 - 14 answers

I consider myself creative in some areas. But I have problems with the "blank slate". But I'm great at improving things once they start to take shape. Am I weird or are there others like me? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jun 16, 2008 - 16 answers

What would be the ideal type of work for someone with no formal education but who has amazing talents? [more inside]
posted by watercarrier on Mar 25, 2008 - 27 answers

Advice for the non-artist about trying art? [more inside]
posted by farishta on Mar 13, 2008 - 27 answers

I'm looking for really terrible creative works made by well-regarded artists. For example, Picasso's secret crappy drawings, or John Coltrane playing out of tune. I welcome examples from all creative pursuits from all eras: literature, music, art, dance, theatre, film, architecture, graphic design, etc. [more inside]
posted by desjardins on Mar 4, 2008 - 41 answers

I'm looking for book recommendations that deal with (fully or partially) methods writers use to find interesting, fresh subjects and ideas for stories. [more inside]
posted by nitsuj on Mar 2, 2008 - 5 answers

I need to recultivate my artsy hobbies, most specifically my writing and drawing. The problem is that I can't seem to initiate anything - I have no new ideas, nothing to work on. I'd also like to grow as a writer, but I'm my own worst critic and stop before I start (fear of failure and whatnot) - I'd like to hone my skills but I'm petrified of, well, sucking. [more inside]
posted by Eudaimonia on Feb 27, 2008 - 22 answers

Advice or sources for dealing with inspirational overload? [more inside]
posted by farishta on Feb 26, 2008 - 8 answers

Inspired by this question: are there good message boards or discussion groups out there on the web for talking about dreams and creativity? I'm not interested in dream interpretation, nor in lucid dreaming per se except as it might apply to using dreaming as a resource for waking creative projects. [more inside]
posted by moonmilk on Feb 22, 2008 - 4 answers

Can meditation help me become a better writer? [more inside]
posted by robotdog on Feb 2, 2008 - 13 answers

A Valentine's day question - mea culpa! I'd like to go for something handmade and creative for the dude, but I'm afraid school is sucking up my imagination. Ideas? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jan 31, 2008 - 12 answers