CREATIVE DEFINITION:having the power or inclination to bring new things into existence CATEGORIES:achievement, identity SIMILAR ATTRIBUTES:artistic POSSIBLE CAUSES: Having nurturing, creative parents The desire to make an imprint or leave something behind Intense curiosity Needing to connect with others in an emotional way Being emotionally sensitive Innate giftedness Living in a creative community Finding a void and wanting to fill it Seeing and appreciating beauty in untraditional forms The desire to be unique and wholly individual ASSOCIATED BEHAVIORS: Eccentricity Finding beauty in things that people take for granted Being highly imaginative Putting a unique spin on everything that one does Having a strong social conscience Expressiveness Creative problem solving A desire to know people’s stories and what makes them who they are Being self-disciplined when it comes to one’s art Persistence; sticking with a project until one’s goal has been achieved Having an ear for pleasing sounds, such as music Experiencing strong (sometimes manic) emotions Adaptability Being adventurous; wanting to experience different things Spontaneity Suffering self-doubt if others do not connect deeply with one’s creative works Being intuitive and empathetic Having an interest in mysteries and the unknown Becoming excited when a new idea hits Obsessing over the latest creative project Growing quiet or seeming lost in thought Intense concentration Feeling hurt if others don’t take an interest in one’s work when it’s shared Forgetting to attend to other details (skipping appointments, not eating properly, etc.) Experimentation Getting lost in daydreams Thinking in metaphors Wanting to evoke an emotional response in others Having difficulty expressing oneself without an art medium (drawing, writing, etc.) Seeing things the way they could be rather than how they currently are Having a healthy attitude toward failure Being creative in one’s appearance (through clothing choices, hairstyles, etc.) ASSOCIATED THOUGHTS: Look at that old panhandler—there’s so much strength and beauty in his lined face. Her red hair is so bright with the sun shining through it, like a phoenix rising from the ashes. The sound of the wind scattering the dead leaves is so musical. They named their dog “Blackie?” Couldn’t they come up with something more original? ASSOCIATED EMOTIONS:curiosity, desire, determination, eagerness, excitement, peacefulness POSITIVE ASPECTS:Creative characters usually see the world a little differently than most and almost always have a fresh perspective to offer. The power of creation doesn’t come easily, so those who seek to create are usually determined, hardworking, and driven. These characters have a long-distance perspective that enables them to work through criticism, discouragement, and rejection. NEGATIVE ASPECTS:Because creative types tend to focus on their gifts, they may be somewhat out of touch with reality. This can lead to awkwardness or insecurity in social situations. Their focus on the muse can distract them from day-to-day practicalities, like housecleaning, paying the bills, and grocery shopping. The need to create can become so all-consuming that it leads to the neglect of important relationships, bringing about isolation. The path to creation is also rife with naysayers, turning some creative characters negative and jaded or instigating thoughts of self-doubt that lead to depression. EXAMPLE FROM HISTORY:Michelangelo, one of the most famous artists in history, was an accomplished Italian sculptor, painter, and architect during the Renaissance. Despite being highly intelligent, he set aside a future as a scholar and dedicated himself to studying the arts. Following his passion for creating, he went on to sculpt “David” for the Florence Cathedral and painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.Other Examples from History:Pablo Picasso, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, William Shakespeare TRAITS IN SUPPORTING CHARACTERS THAT MAY CAUSE CONFLICT:analytical, callous, efficient, haughty, hypocritical, lazy, perfectionist, proper CHALLENGING SCENARIOS FOR THE CREATIVE CHARACTER: PLOTLINE: Experiencing a handicap that affects one’s skill (losing one’s eyesight, etc.) PLOTLINE: Finding beauty in something that goes against cultural norms and wanting to share it PLOTLINE: Living in a culture where art is viewed as frivolous or a waste of time PLOTLINE: Being so weighed down by responsibility that one has little time or energy to create PLOTLINE: Living in the shadow of someone whose talents far surpass one’s own PLOTLINE: Knowing someone who takes his talent for granted