Poets and Writers Toolkit: Big Idea Creativity

Creativity Smart and Fun

Our new creativity book is filled with delightful stories, illustrations, and activities. It also has helpful organizing principles, such as How to Break Down a Large Creative Idea.

How to Break Down a Large Creative Idea

See creative projects like the parts of a bicycle:

1. The Frame

-what is the objective?
-what materials will be used?
-size of the project?
-who will be “driving/riding” the project?

2. The Wheels

-what is my motivation for doing this project?
-is it work that falls into the passion category or is it “pay the bills” work?
-how does it feed into my larger goals?
-how does it advance my work and creative life as a whole?

3. The Seat

-who makes up the team?
-what are their strengths and weaknesses?
-what is their availability?

4. The Pedals

-how will this project be sustained?
-what is required to move the project forward?

5. The Gears

-does the project require different speeds at different times?
-will the project be more intense at certain periods?

6. The Brakes

-what will/can hold this project back?
-what delays can be anticipated?
-what barriers need to be overcome?

Now it’s your turn. Tell us how you break down a large creative idea?

Photo by Kelly Sauer. Used with permission. Illustration by Brian Dixon. Concept by Claire Burge, author of Spin: Taking Your Creativity to the Nth Degree.

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