This is episode 6 of the podcast, and it’s all about creative archetypes and how you can use them to have more creativity energy. Click Play above to listen while you read the blog post, or listen on Apple or Spotify.

Lewis Jorstad is an author and developmental editor who helps indie authors (and soon-to-be authors) master their craft and find their readers over at The Novel Smithy. When he isn’t busy coaching students or writing books of his own, you can find him playing old Gameboy games and baking far too many homemade bagels.

And if you enjoy the episode, please follow the podcast & leave a review. You wouldn’t believe how much it helps!

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Unlock All that Creative Energy by Learning Your Creative Archetype

Have you ever felt stuck in your creative process, struggling to generate new ideas or find the motivation to write? The secret to unlocking your creative energy may lie in embracing the four distinct creative archetypes: the Librarian, the Organizer, the Alchemist, and the Songbird.

According to my friend, writing coach and author Lewis Jorstad, these four archetypes represent the different ways we can nurture and replenish our creative energy. By understanding and cultivating each of these archetypes, you can achieve a more balanced and productive creative life.

The Librarian Creative Archetype

Fueling Creativity through Exploration

The Librarian archetype is all about feeding your creative energy through the exploration of information. As Lewis explains, “the librarian thrives on information.” This type of creative person finds inspiration in reading, watching films, and consuming a wide variety of content.

“From talking with her, we finally started to get to the point where she feels most inspired after she’s just read another novel, or watched a movie she really enjoyed, or read an article about craft that just really, lit her up.”

Lewis Jorstad

If you identify with the Librarian, make time to indulge in your ever-growing reading list or dive into articles and essays about your craft. It’s in these moments of discovery and exploration that your creativity can be reignited.

The Organizer Creative Archetype

Structuring Your Creative Time

While the Librarian archetype is essential, the Organizer archetype is equally important in maintaining a balanced creative life. As Lewis points out, “there’s a lot of pressure to produce, to put something on paper that is quote unquote good, or that is, complete, or that moves you towards a goal.”

To combat this pressure, the Organizer in you needs to take charge and intentionally structure your creative time. This could involve setting aside specific hours for writing, or carving out time for brainstorming and ideation. By finding a rhythm that works for you and sticking to it, you can create the space for your creative energy to thrive.

The Alchemist and the Songbird

Embracing Spontaneity and Intuition

While the Librarian and the Organizer archetypes are essential, the Alchemist and the Songbird also play a vital role in the creative process. The Alchemist, as Lewis describes, “thrives on the unknown, on the magic of the creative process.” This is the part of you that’s willing to let go of control and trust the serendipitous moments of inspiration.

The Songbird, on the other hand, is the part of you that revels in the pure joy of creation, writing for the sake of writing without any agenda or goal in mind. It’s the part of you that remembers why you fell in love with storytelling in the first place.

“You need time to be bored to be a creative person.”

Holly Ostrout

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Pin this to help your fellow creatives! ⤵

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Finding Balance with the Creative Energy of the Four Archetypes

The key to unlocking your creative energy is recognizing that you don’t have to be any one archetype all the time. As Lewis suggests, “I like to think about them as. There’s something to learn from every archetype, and what archetype you fall under most will ebb and flow over time.”

For some writers, the Librarian archetype may be dominant, while for others, the Organizer takes center stage. And there are times when the Alchemist or the Songbird needs to be nurtured. The goal is to find a balance that works for you, and to be intentional about carving out time for each of these creative archetypes.

It might mean setting aside a day to dive into your reading list, or blocking off time in your calendar for free-writing and brainstorming. It’s about recognizing that sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is step away from the page and allow your creative energy to recharge.

By embracing the four creative archetypes and finding the right balance between them, you can unlock a new level of creative energy and productivity. So, the next time you feel stuck or uninspired, take a step back and ask yourself: which archetype do I need to nurture right now?

My Favorite Takeaways from this Episode

The 3 things I loved most about my chat with Lewis was talking about:

1. The four creative archetypes – the librarian, the organizer, the alchemist, and the songbird – and how embracing each of them is key to nurturing my creative energy in a balanced way. As Lewis said, “I like to think about them as. There’s something to learn from every archetype, and what archetype you fall under most will ebb and flow over time.” That really resonated with me.
2. How creativity isn’t just about the act of writing or producing, but also about allowing time for exploration, organization, spontaneity, and joy. Lewis made the great point that “you need time to be bored to be a creative person.” I’ve definitely found that to be true for me.
3. Understanding that the different creative archetypes will naturally ebb and flow over time, and it’s about finding the right balance for me at any given stage. Some days I’m very much a “librarian,” soaking up information and inspiration. Other times, I need to be more of an “organizer” to stay on track. Recognizing that fluidity has been really eye-opening.