CREATIVE INSPIRATON IN 2024
New Year, same me. Other than the pure joy of January 1 being on a Monday, I haven’t put much stock into the New Year and its various resolutions in quite some time. There is no time like the present, after all. What I can say however is that I am always looking for ways to improve myself and my work, particularly finding creative inspiration in new places. I’m a big fan of reading, and endeavor to delve deeper into the literary world in 2024 — novels, short stories, biographies, interviews, even email newsletters (hint, hint). Reading different voices, discovering new styles, language use, and learning about each writers’ respective processes and lives sparks a new creative energy in me. It inspires new perspectives, ideas, and forms of storytelling that benefit both me and my clients.
So, where else have I found creative inspiration recently?
MasterClass Subscription — Those geared toward writers are what first drew me in. David Sedaris, a writer I greatly admire, taught me how to bring a little levity into storytelling. Joyce Carol Oates’ short fiction class brought about new ideas of form and structure. Next up: business courses.
Reading — Well, of course I need to include some recent reads that inspired new perspectives: Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu for its unique structure; The History of a Difficult Child by Mihret Sibhat for its wit and story development; The Paris Review for artist interviews and short stories; Happy-Go-Lucky by David Sedaris for relatable personal essays woven with humor; and Greenwood by Michael Christie for anyone concerned about the future of the environment. And my favorite book for children, What Do You Do With an Idea? by Kobi Yamada.
Podcasts — Wiser Than Me, hosted by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, interviews older women, a population we (unfortunately) don’t hear from often, and is incredibly inspiring. As a bonus, it removes that terrible stigma of getting older. Dishing on Julia, the official companion podcast for the series Julia is hosted by Cherry Bombe Radio’s Kerry Diamond. It delves not only into the creative side of bringing the television series to life, but the history, community, and power of collaboration in the life of Julia Child.
Email Subscriptions — There are many to choose from, as we know, but I particularly enjoy Freelancing Females for my industry tips, as well as the Later social media marketing emails. While not email, and you will rarely hear me suggesting social media for news, I love The New Yorker’s Instagram feed.
Travel — While sitting at Bar Salvatage in Barcelona this past October, I took the time to observe my surroundings. The walls were washed in red neon light, and plastered with posters for natural wine events around the world. The various styles and designs inspired me to take another look at some of the designs we offer clients on their websites, marketing materials, and social media feeds. Aware that far and away places are not accessible to all, you can easily find inspiration in places nearby, like museums and galleries, gardens, markets, shops, and even a walk down the street.
Beyond some of my recent sources of inspiration, getting outside in nature, gardening, listening to music (I suggest full volume), rearranging your office or studio space, and conversations with others can provide subtle yet powerful inspiration in business and life. In 2024, keep your eyes peeled… you never know what will be the source of your creative spark.
— RB
