Hi, I’m Jenna Kalinsky, the founder of One Lit Place. (Very nice to meet you!)
I created this course because as a life-long creative person (and someone who didn’t always “fit in” amongst non-creative people, I began in my later adult years to wonder what exactly made a person creative. Artsy-fartsy. Or simply someone who doesn’t just feel the need to live in the world, but who wants to exchange with the world and make meaning out of it through writing.
I decided it was time to go to the source: biology. I wanted to better understand what makes creative people unique.
And, true to form, I did it by writing about it.
The research I dove into was affirming and also very inspiring; being creative is a gift! The work we do moves people, which is important for everyone. Art, and writing in particular, connects people and unifies them in beautiful, intimate ways.
I’m happy to know you are, like me, one who wants to not only be in the world but make it meaningful—for yourself and for others.
Thank you for joining me as we explore what drives us to be creative- and to write it all down.
In this short course, we’ll do two things:
You’ve always known you were “different” from some people. You can tell when it’s not a good match because they don’t quite seem to get you, or it’s a bit of an awkward connection.
On the flip side, when you meet some folks for the first time, within seconds you might feel at home with them as if you’ve known one another for years.
It’s not arbitrary that you gel with some people and not others; in fact, there’s a distinct scientific reason for it. Creative people’s brains are wired to process the world differently from non-creative people.
Creative people are intelligent, deep-feeling, and great storytellers. We’re open minded, risk-takers, imaginative, generally don’t mind a bit of mess, and feel happiest when expressing our creative impulses.
A creative person can no more help being creative than they can help the color of their eyes. Your natural brain function, traits, and behaviours are what make you gravitate to creative work and fields where you can express yourself and share your expressions with others.
A career or hobby in art, entrepreneurship, or writing is a natural extension of you using your brain the way it’s designed—and feeling at home in the world.
It’s a special person whose brain works this way. When you learn to embrace your natural proclivities and honor them by acknowledging them through your writing, you’re empowered and confident that you- doing all you do creatively- are doing the right thing.
Next- Part I: What Makes You Creative →
