We're looking at psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihaly's thoughts on Creativity...and how creative individuals transcend the boundaries of personality...The importance of being both/and...
Csikszentmihaly's second polarity is: Naive and Smart.
Or, to put it in cognitive psychology parlance: Divergent and Convergent thinking.
Divergent thinking is fluid. Flexible. Wandering down rabbit trails and making connections where none existed before. "Naive" in the sense that you're blissfully unaware of The Rules....so you're free to color outside the lines. Exploration and Curiosity.
Convergent thinking is the kind measured by standard IQ tests, and correlates with how well you do in academic settings. It's about rational judgment, logic, and evaluating ideas.
In writerly terms: First drafts are Divergent thinking. Second (and subsequent) drafts are Convergent thinking.
You have to make space for the Artiste and the Editor living inside your head. And make sure neither one bullies the other.
How's your balance?
(Special Tip: No extra charge....
These concepts can help your credibility as a writer. The next time your significant other/child/relation/friend interrupts your creative groove--or catches you staring off into space--try this: "Not now, please. I'm engaged in Divergent Thinking." They may be awed by your Importance, whisper "sorry," and tiptoe backwards out of the room, closing the door quietly.)
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