Can creativity be taught?

One of the great joys of life is creativity. Information goes in, gets shuffled about, and comes out in new and interesting ways.” — Peter McWilliams

Since the beginning of time, the same universal themes like love, revenge and family have been conveyed so many times, in so many media (artwork, storytelling, music) and in so many different ways. Everything has been done, it has been acknowledge. Every story that could possibly be conceived has been conceived.

However, each person is unique, though one might find other people with similar perspectives about religion, politics, sex and so forth. But even within the same religious or political group, no two persons have the same mindset. Like no two snowflakes are alike, to use that cliché.

With those being said in the last two paragraphs, the only thing about creativity that can be taught is this: creativity is an extension of the creator. Of course the mechanics of writing, from plotting and characterization to grammar and spelling, must be taught in the classroom; however, no one can be taught how to “be creative.” Creativity comes from within because everybody has perspectives, thoughts and emotions. To be creative means to be honest. To be creative means to be him or herself, and not to strive to be the next Shakespeare or Stephen King no matter how hard one tries. To be creative means to understand what has been done before and putting one’s own twist on it. And to be creative means to be fearless in presenting original ideas even though they might face ridicule and disdain from others.

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