A writer's secrets to catching creative ideas | Brad Herzog | TEDxMonterey

What do fishing and creative writing have in common? In his playful and personal TEDxMonterey talk, award winning freelance writer Brad Herzog shares some of his favorite stories and best kept secrets for pursuing and catching great ideas. Brad Herzog has a four-headed writing career. The Pacific Grove resident is the author of more than 30 books for children, including a new five-book nonfiction series about character in sports. He has also written a trilogy of travel memoirs, which that the American Book Review has deemed "the new classics of American travel writing." His latest book is the co-authored memoirs of civil rights icon Carolyn Goodman.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[theomegaconcern]

The more you practice thinking about the mundane and shining a spotlight on it, the better you'll get at recognizing creative ideas

[ladybird]

I once just randomly listed things in my kitchen and chose the thing that haunted me and let it lead me in the poem and challenge myself to use as many as the things on the list. The poem made the short list in a poetry contest and is now scheduled to be published in a print magazine

[dak]

The best advice that I got from this talk was, "show the reader the story, don't tell them."

[BarryHawk]

Best advice on getting ideas to write that I've encountered so far. Guy is top-drawer.

[fritzschneebauer]

To make the reader re-think things. That's a nice explanation of surprising art! :-)

[moltenbullet]

You can tell he's a writer because he has great narrative sequencing in his presentation - something that is sorely lacking in many corporate presentations. I encourage everyone to get good at writing as a fundamental skill, even before pursuing more visible skills like public speaking. Writing helps you become compellingly structured, because you are left with nothing but words on a page and a narrative to capture your audience's attention.

[alabamajenny]

Sir, you tell a beautiful story. I hope you have that portrait of yourself, in the Buddy Holly glasses, hooking a big one “blown up” poster size and hanging somewhere in your home. Bravo!!

[ladybird]

Symbolism and Sparks that don't just drizzle straight to the ground is what we want in our work.

[alexalexis]

Practical, entertaining, funny and filled with insight, this is one of the best TEDx and TED Talks I've ever seen.

[hahhwajjaj]

Quickest 15 mins of my life...love this guy

[rumipoo]

Probably one of the best talks i have heard in a long time. .. It was funny and full of learning no wonder he is such a renowned writer..

[speliotis]

Inspiring talk... Thank you Brad Herzog - 3 years later & this is still

[ladybird]

You can visit a scene and sketch different things happening at different times (you imagine) and different things appearing at different times (you imagine) and then go fishing for one of the things and any one you feel hooked on, basically like it's crawling around in your mind, then you choose that to write about

[lifewinner]

Start consciously and courageously continue the path you have chosen until the END and go forward . .👊🏻

[gaminggen]

Apart from his talk the most creative thing I found in this video was the bottle design.. Looks really good.

[arlinegeorge]

Very interesting and informative talk. Thank you, bless you. All your dreams come true .

[palmerpinckney]

Recorded 9 years ago, this is still relevant today in 2023.

[susanbeckley]

Simply but beautifully put. Thank you Brad Herzog & TEDx.

[Whollyworshipministries]

This is such a good way to see the world and become aware of infinite ideas to use as seeds for creativity. I write songs, and this is so helpful!!

[PepermintButterflies]

This was a great talk. I will definitely remember this when I'm writing.