The Creative Process : TED Radio Hour How are we inspired? Describing the creative process can be a real challenge. In this hour we'll hear from TED speakers — a poet, a novelist and a singer/songwriter — who explore how the initial inkling of idea becomes a fully formed work of art.

TED Radio HourTED Radio Hour

Life's biggest questions, explored.

Thomas Edison once said, "Genius is 1 percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration." In this episode, we take a closer look at where that 1 percent comes from. Nat Al-Tahhan for TED2012 hide caption

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Nat Al-Tahhan for TED2012

Thomas Edison once said, "Genius is 1 percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration." In this episode, we take a closer look at where that 1 percent comes from.

Nat Al-Tahhan for TED2012

The Creative Process

How are we inspired? Describing the creative process can be a real challenge. In this hour we'll hear from TED speakers — a poet, a novelist and a singer/songwriter — who explore how the initial inkling of idea becomes a fully formed work of art.

"Is it an original idea? Or is it something where you're literally a creative collagist? You're taking pieces of the world that you see around you and that are inside of you and put them together in a way that you see fit." — Abigail Washburn

How are we inspired? How do we get from an initial inkling of idea to a fully formed work of art? It's often challenging to describe the creative process. In this hour we'll hear from some TED speakers — a poet, a novelist and a singer/songwriter — who explore their craft and the daily challenge of nurturing creativity.

TED Radio HourTED Radio Hour

Life's biggest questions, explored.