The creative process

Most of us know this. Our left and right brain work differently. Left focuses on logic, organization, analysis, rationalization etc. Where the right brain operates on intuition, synthesis, imagination etc. Left brain thinks in smaller segments where the right deals it as a whole. So is creativity a right brain thing.

Here is my take on it. Neither side by itself will lend to creative results. Many times, you have to force yourself to start creating something. And sooner or later you are flying in high gear. Its like kick starting your right brain into action and you need your left brain to do that. If you wait to be in the right mood to create something, chances are.. you are not doing much. So use your left brain, do our planning, reading, listening and most importantly deciding to do something. Then enjoy that ride.

When I sit down to make a song, I start thinking about the tempo, mood, scale etc. Then I would lay a very basic rhythm and shruthi track. Then I would pick some instruments and start playing some tunes. By this time, the right brain is awake and listening to what Mr Left is doing. And at some point, something clicks and Mr Right jumps in. At this point, I lose track of time. The task at hand is the only thing. Everything else is secondary. And at some point I have to go to sleep.

When I wake up the next day and listen to last day's work the results are often good and I am surprise how it came to be. Mr Left Brain takes over now to do the fine tuning.

A news reporter asked Steven Spielberg how he was able to create such masterpieces. Among his answer, one line he said stuck with me. He said, "I don't question the creative process." Very true. Creativity just happens. You only have to decide to do it.