Two blogs–The New York Times and The Guardian–pose the question that if creative work requires quiet, dark introspection and not in front of the maddening crowds, as per Proust, then what does this say about creativity today? Especially when everyone’s creativity is splashed upon the bright lights of blog-dom? (Trust me, I write this with a slight smile contemplating it all…on a blog about creativity.)

My creative writing work is, generally, done in the confines of my North Carolina home without window dressing…hardly confined to darkness. Ideas and inspiration come to me when I’m at the grocery store or walking on the beach and scribbled on stray bits of paper or in a handy notebook. And, I’m sure Proust had better childcare than I, since it is rarely silent in my writing space. (Although, my keyboard tapping is rarely competing with that of others, especially a typewriter.)

Dare I ask, under these glaring lights, do you think modern-day creativity suffers for its lack of darkness? Delving a little deeper, The Guardian’s Robert McCrum supposes that shedding light upon yourself–knowing yourself–is the first step to creativity. What are your thoughts?

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