CREATIVITY

Creativity is spontaneous and ineffable. Creativity also reliably responds to invitations. Creativity is the best and most interesting kind of dinner guest, the kind of dinner guest who comes at odd times and brings presents. If invited, her arrival is certain, yet catches everyone by surprise.

Creativity is bidden, not conjured. If we invite creativity to dinner, we must prepare her a meal. In the midst of earnest labor—while we are puzzling out ideas for a recipe and handling the raw ingredients—she materializes.