Archive for August, 2008
Amazing animation
Posted on August 28, 2008, by dazzer67, under inspiration, links.
Now this is a piece of creative work, to enjoy and also be inspired by.
MUTO a wall-painted animation by BLU from blu on Vimeo.
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How to generate ideas for writing
Posted on August 15, 2008, by dazzer67, under inspiration, links, writing.
A great post over at Write to Done by Mary Jaksch of GoodlifeZen on generating ideas for writing. Follow the link below for some wonderful tips and ideas.
Zen Power Writing: 15 Tips on How to Generate Ideas and Write with Ease | Write to Done
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The top three free creative pieces of software
Posted on August 13, 2008, by dazzer67, under art, links, music, software, writing.
Writing, art and music are three staple areas of creativity. There are plenty more but these three will often come out if you ask people what areas of creativity they are involved in. With this in mind I thought what tools are available to help people in these areas. In fact what software is available, and then, taking it a little further, what free software is there?
So I present to you the three pieces of software that IMHO are the three best, free programs for creative writing, digital art and making music. These are all available as Windows programs, and these are the ones I have used and tried, so if anyone want some add some MAC programs then please do.
Free writing software
When it comes to creative writing the best piece of software out there is the wonderful yWriter. A beautiful database that has been pulled together by a writer for his own use and shared with the whole world. The software is currently up to its fourth incarnation and allows you to create characters, scenes, chapters, notes and so on… there is far too much functionality to list here. It is far better than any other writing software package I have seen. if you want to write that novel, then yWriter is for you.
yWriter
Free art software
When it comes to free image software there is only one name to bother with. The open source Gimp project is photoshop on a budget. A budget that is so small it costs nothing. So you may think becasue it is free that it isn’t as good. Well it doesn’t come with all, the bells and whistles, but then that also means you don’t spend a whole day trying to work out why you can’t add a gradient fill to a shape (yeah, okay I used the manual in the end). The point is the Gimp gives you all and more than you may need. It is powerful and extendable. If you want to make some creative computer art then start here.
Gimp
Free music software
Again as above, when it comes to recording some music Audacity is in a world of its own. This is pro powered software. It will let you create loop-based music or record your own from scratch. It is extendable with plug-ins, of which there are many, and is so simple to use it is frightening.
Audacity
I do want to add an almost free package here. Well, it is free although technically you need to buy a magazine to get it. Computer Music magazine has been giving away a free music creation software suite of programs for several years now and it is fantastic. It can handle audio just like audacity but it is also a fully fledged VST (virtual intruments and effects) player and sequencer. In fact it comes with its own drum machine, sampler and effects. You can order a copy of the magazine, enjoy the content and ads and then fire up the superb music software. It even runs from a USB stick if you really want it to.
Computer Music
I hope you enjoy… go and create.
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Friday inspirational video
Posted on August 8, 2008, by dazzer67, under inspiration, links.
You have a treat today. Normally I try and find a quote to give you some creative inspiration but today you can have a video and it is a great one. I’d like to thank MissV for sharing with me and now I share it with you. This is how we should feel about anything we create and share. Enjoy.
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The importance of dreamtime in your creative routine
Posted on August 6, 2008, by dazzer67, under creative exercises, creativity basics, inspiration, preparation.
One of the dangers of living in a highly productive, creative environment is that we can easily neglect one of the most important parts. If you suffer from burn out, or times of creative drought, one of the possible causes is that you have neglected your dreamtime.
Finding time to dream is important. We’re not talking about sleep here either. This is primarily the time to down creative tools and let your mind wander. And this isn’t about sitting down with a blank piece of paper, planning the next stage of your creative master plan. Dreamtime is about space and connection, perhaps even a little spiritual. But it needs to be taken seriously and this is where many of us fail. We don’t see it as important, we squeeze it from our schedule (if it was ever there) and then wonder why we are becoming less effective creatives.
So what exactly is dreamtime? Well first and foremost it needs to be an integral part of a creative lifestyle, we’re not talking huge amounts of time, we’re not even talking every day. But it should be seen as something regular. Dreamtime isn’t wasting or dead time, it is essential for your creative life.
Dreamtime isn’t the same for everybody either, what works for one may not work for the other. Here are a few ideas and thoughts that may be of use to you. They are not structured and I’m sure you can find variations on the theme. This is all about scheduling the time and then finding what works for you:
- walk barefoot in the damp grass while breathing in the air
- watch a film in a foreign language, without the subtitles on
- read a religious book, from another belief system to your own
- listen to music from a musical genre that is not your preferred
- go for a walk or journey without your capture device
- cook a meal with no predefined recipe
These are only vague ideas, but you should be getting some thoughts of your own by now. For now, it is time to dream…
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Friday’s inspirational quote
Posted on August 1, 2008, by dazzer67, under inspiration, quotes.
What’s the use of a good quotation if you can’t change it?
Doctor Who
Take something that inspires you and run with it, develop it, let it grow, then set it free.
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