Here’s a simple, but not necessarily easy exercise to expand your creativity and attention. For each letter of the alphabet, come up with the name of a language.

Can you complete the list without looking at an online database or search? How many can your friends come up with? Which letter was the most difficult to find?

Which letters spawned mini-lists? How many do you watch? How many of the names evoke strong feelings for you?

An inspiration tag is just a phrase or two meant to give you a jumpstart on your creative expression. So read the tag below and interpret it in a creative way. There are no limitations on the medium. In fact we’d love to see a visual or listen to an audio interpretation. Admittedly, some of the tags will lend themselves more to a written format than any other.

So here it is - Tag! You’re It! Have fun!

Conversations about alternate power sources often become highly charged.

The idea behind Break Away is to let your mind go and see if it will break away from your normal thought patterns.

The word is “Brother”

Here’s how it works:

1. Write the Break Away Word in the center of a paper (or if you’re lucky - a whiteboard).
2. Write/Draw the first thing that comes to mind when you look at the Break Away Word.
3. Write/Draw the next thing that comes to mind.
4. Continue the process for 10 minutes or until nothing new comes to mind

Let your pen or pencil find its own way, don’t try to force any associations into a pattern.

When you’re done, take a look at your paper/whiteboard. Where did you end up? Are there any connections that surprise you?

For newer readers, here are some posts from our past.

<h3>2007</h3>

<h4>Quick Steps</h4>

• Say What? Take #42 - May 7, 2007
• Break Away #32 - May 8, 2007
• Inspiration Tag #38 - May 9, 2007
• American Cities Alphabetical - May 10, 2007
• Fiction in a Flash #5 - May 11, 2007

<h4>Getting Inspired</h4>

• ? 5 Excuses for NOT Being Creative…and Why They’re Invalid - May 8, 2007

<h3>2006</h3>

<h4>Quick Steps</h4>

• ? Description Alley - May 7, 2006

<h4>News and Announcements</h4>

• ? Creativity Doesn’t Need Rules! Or Does It? - May 9, 2006

<h4>Getting Inspired</h4>

• ? Your Cre8tivity’s First Creative Challenge - May 12, 2006

Here’s this week’s Say What?

“He was one of those men who think the world can be saved by writing a pamphlet.”

–Benjamin Disraeli

Let’s play a little name game You can use any resource you have available to you - the internet, books, friends or strangers, your address book - whatever you need.

• Roll a die or use a random method to choose one letter from the alphabet
• How many names can you come up with that start with that letter?

An inspiration tag is just a phrase or two meant to give you a jumpstart on your creative expression. So read the tag below and interpret it in a creative way. There are no limitations on the medium. In fact we’d love to see a visual or listen to an audio interpretation. Admittedly, some of the tags will lend themselves more to a written format than any other.

So here it is - Tag! You’re It! Have fun!

The garden was covered in a blanket of snow.

For newer readers, here are some posts from our past.

2007

Quick Steps

• Say What? Take #41 - April 30, 2007
• Break Away #31 - May 1, 2007
• Inspiration Tag #37 - May 2, 2007
• Neighborhood Countdown - May 3, 2007
• Lyrically Speaking #20 - May 4, 2007

News and Announcements

• Wow! It’s Our 1st Birthday - May 3, 2007

2006

Quick Steps

• Shapes, Shapes, Everywhere - May 5, 2006

News and Announcements

• Welcome to a New Outlook on Life! - May 3, 2006

The idea behind Break Away is to let your mind go and see if it will break away from your normal thought patterns.

The word is “Anniversary”

Here’s how it works:

1. Write the Break Away Word in the center of a paper (or if you’re lucky - a whiteboard).
2. Write/Draw the first thing that comes to mind when you look at the Break Away Word.
3. Write/Draw the next thing that comes to mind.
4. Continue the process for 10 minutes or until nothing new comes to mind

Let your pen or pencil find its own way, don’t try to force any associations into a pattern.

When you’re done, take a look at your paper/whiteboard. Where did you end up? Are there any connections that surprise you?

Create something new.

Easy for me to say, right?

And you’d really like to do it, but –

• you don’t have hours to spend on learning a new creative skill
• you don’t have a bunch of money to spend on supplies
• you don’t know where to start
• you don’t even know what kind of project to start
• you don’t have anyone to teach or help you get started

Excuses. Every single one.

One trip to your local market, superstore or hobby store can negate every one of those excuses. How?

Be a Kid

Wander through the kids’ craft area. In your local market or superstore it will probably in the toy section. Most hobby stores have a specific kid-friendly craft section. Pick up a few of the kits that look interesting to you. You’ll find everything from plaster hand casts to jewelry to soap and candle making kits.

Why kids’ craft kits?

• Most of them are inexpensive
• They come with all the materials you need
• The instructions are designed to be understandable for kids in grade school or middle school
• The projects are designed with kids’ attention span in mind
• The projects are quick introductions to the craft and quick, tangible exercises in creativity

Benefits of Being a Kid Again

• You get to try your hand at something new with little or no pressure to do it well
• You get an introduction to a set of skills and knowledge you didn’t have
• You get to test drive a project before sinking a lot of money or time into the craft
• You can be silly and just have fun
• If you have children, you can use this project as quality time with them
• Successes, no matter how little or silly, make us feel better
• Your inner child gets a chance to come out and play

How do I know?

How do I know that these kids’ craft kits are worth trying out? I know because it’s how I’ve tested a lot of crafts out.

I’m curious. I always want to know how to do the creative things I see other people doing. I’ve learned to crochet, knit, make silver wire bracelets, use an indian bead loom, and many other things. For most of those crafts, that one little taste was enough. But others, like the ones I just named, I’ve since invested more time and money in.

Give in to your curiosity and that inner child that says “wow” or “I wanna try that.” Take a slight detour on the path of your creative journey.

You may find a new skill that you’re good at.

At the very least, you’ll have some fun.