The Importance of Marinating In The Creative Process

In one of my earlier posts, Slow Down – “Speed Kills”, I talked about not rushing the creative process either while taking the shot or when processing it. This included understanding the importance of marinating in the creative process. Marinating in this case means stepping back from your work for awhile. Because you are emotionally invested in it and may not be able to objectively judge your work. Allowing it to marinate helps you to see your work as others (who have no emotional attachment to it) see it. Our “rose colored glasses” disappear with time and we can form a more realistic appraisal of our own work.

The social media peer pressure of Instagram, Facebook, Twitter etc. argues otherwise. However, it comes down to a choice of whether you want to be “quick” or “good”. Fame, or at least social media attention, is fleeting but the reputation of our work is long standing. Once established, this reputation is easy to destroy but difficult to change in a positive way.

This is why I was happy to see an interview with author Stephen King on the CBS Sunday Morning Show. About 3 minutes in to the interview, King mentions he has just finished a novel and is letting it marinate. He goes on to say that if you don’t, it is too easy to say that the work is no good. Conversely, thinking it is the best work ever done is even worse. King is talking about a different art form but the importance of marinating in the creative process is the same. I’ve queued the video to the 3 minute mark. However, it is worthwhile watching if from the start too.

Video: The Importance of Marinating To Stephen King

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I’d love to hear your comments and feedback on this post. I hope it was helpful. Do you go through your process as fast as possible or do you take time to let it marinate? Please leave a comment in the comment box below.

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