The Four Stages of Creativity: Preparation

Preparation,
Taking in information.
Living in the world,
Gathering up stones and shells to fill an empty bag.

Experience.
Directionless wandering.
Taking walks, reading books, watching videos.
Something someone at work says,
Something that sticks for no reason.

Slowly sinking into water with your clothes on.
Bath bombs - where do the sparkles come from?
The ticking of a watch you recorded by accident.
The audiobook, the podcast in your right ear while you enter the names of lawyers.

The collection that happens before the idea.
The minutes, hours, and months before the "aha".
All essential, all subtle, all basically unnoticed.
Until later, when all of the details become the most important.
When you can see, clearly, the stones and shells spread out in front of you.

Preparation,
The taking in of new information.