Why Creativity is Like Sex

They are so eerily similar. Here's why.

Both require foreplay. Seriously, have you ever created great art without some inspiration coming first? Yeah, you can sit down and go through the motions--with practice, you can even churn out something nice from that. But you also have to be inspired. Artistic foreplay could consist of reading a book that inspires you, checking out an amazing photo gallery, or surfing on over to Concept Art and looking at the gorgeous images. It's different for everyone. But you have to put your mind in the right place.

Both require time. A quickie can be amazing sometimes. But if it's the norm, it gets old--fast. You need to give a nice, long, leisurely amount of time to your arts. Devoting time to what moves you is crucial to creating great work.

Both are best with no inhibitions. Great art is like great sex in that it has to be fearless. To look unflinchingly at things that disturb us, that modern society would rather sweep under the rug. It leaves us bone-bare and trembling as artists--and should do the same for your audience.

Great sex and great acts of creativity demand your heart, your soul, your body--everything you have. And to get there, you need to make the proper investment--in emotion, in time spent, and in courage.