Amy Tan: Where does creativity hide?

Amy Tan, one of histories well known American writers. Her work explores all types of genres and inspires all to read more and to be creative.  I choose Amy Tan TED speech, where does creativity hide, because it really inspired me as I’m watching it to think of where my creative side comes from and to really focus on that and to not be afraid to create. One thing she said that stuck out to me the most is, “ Find personal meaning in everything you do”.  That’s big because if you don’t have any personal meaning in you work or just in your personal life then why do what you do?

In life, Amy has overcome a lot of adversity and heartache and is where most of hear writing comes from. She talked about a lot of pain and tragedy in her life, but the one thing that showed me she was a really strong and special person is when she lost her brother and father six months apart from brain tumors. A lot of people would have just crumbled and given up, but Tan who just 15 at the time when this happened, channeled all of her pain through writing and storytelling.

 

Tan shared another personal meaning with the audience that seemed to touch them, is when she talked about her trip to Burma for one of her most recent novels, Saving Fish from Drowning. While there she was traveling from village to village and they came upon this beach where this local was staking huge rocks on top of each other and in between the rocks where small little rocks. She stopped and asked him how this was possible, and the man simple said, “Everything in life has a place of balance”. That is so true, we may go though life and may seem crazy at times and out of control, but everything you do has balance, we just have to find that balance. 

I've a lot from watching this TED speech and researching Amy Tan. She has an amazing story that has inspired people all over and has inspired me to write from within and from the heart. She also said something this I think if a life point that everyone should take advice from. She said, how do you create something out of nothing? By questioning everything. If you don't ask question then you won't learn and you can't grow. 

http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_tan_on_creativity.html

-Tyrone