More from “The Creative Habit” by Twyla Tharp. A questionnaire to help you unearth Your Creative Autobiography. I’m putting this out there for you to work on personally, privately. Feel free to share your answers to any questions in the comments section, if you’d like — I’d be happy to read them and would certainly commend your bravery — but I think this is mostly personal private work that will take time and require soul-searching.
I realize this kind of stuff may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I’m into it, so I’m putting it out there for you to have a look at. Even if you think it’s not your thing, give it a try. If the entire questionnaire seems too daunting, try answering a few questions for now. Who knows what might reveal itself? Mind-blowing epiphanies may await you!
All righty. The questions, 33 in all, on Your Creative Autobiography:
1. What is the first creative moment you remember?
2. Was anyone there to witness or appreciate it?
3. What is the best idea you’ve ever had?
4. What made it great in your mind?
5. What is the dumbest idea?
6. What made it stupid?
7. Can you connect the dots that led you to this idea? (She doesn’t specify if she’s talking about the great idea or the dumb one, so pick one — or do both.)
8. What is your creative ambition?
9. What are the obstacles to this ambition?
10. What are the vital stops to achieving this ambition?
11. How do you begin your day?
12. What are your habits? What patterns do you repeat?
13. Describe your first successful creative act.
14. Describe your second successful creative act.
15. Compare them.
16. What are your attitudes toward money, power, praise, rivals, work, play?
17. Which artists do you admire most?
18. Why are they your role models?
19. What do you and your role models have in common?
20. Does anyone in your life regularly inspire you?
21. Who is your muse?
22. Define muse.
23. When confronted with superior intelligence or talent, how do you respond?
24. When faced with stupidity, hostility, intransigence, laziness, or indifference in others, how do you respond?
25. When faced with impending success or the threat of failure, how do you respond?
26. When you work, do you love the process or the result?
27. At what moments do you feel your reach exceeds your grasp?
28. What is your ideal creative activity?
29. What is your greatest fear?
30. What is the likelihood of either of the answers to the previous two questions happening?
31. Which of your answers would you most like to change?
32. What is your idea of mastery?
33. What is your greatest dream?
Ooh, Tracey. Thank you for putting this up! It will be a challenge to work on.
May I make a prayer request, please? Today is the last day before the daughter, sil, and grandkids, who live around the corner, move 900 miles away to AZ. We all need strength and cheerfulness. Thanks! Ya’ll are the best.
Sal — Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that. What an adjustment for all of you. I pray that you’ll be comforted and that God will give you new things to fill up those empty spaces.
thanks, babes- they got off this morning early and it all went well. They are re-locating to be near his parents, as his dad is chronically ill. So, they’re going to be a blessing to them for a while…