A study was once conducted by NASA to determine how much creativity exists at each age. The results were astounding. In the study, 98% of 5 year-olds were determined to be creative geniuses in the way they approached solving problems. By 10 years old, only 30% were considered creative geniuses. By 15 years old, only 12%, and by 25 years-old, only 2%.

The conclusion is that creativity is learned so much as forcibly unlearned, through education, through rules and regulations, and through always driving things to a single correct answer. While having a single correct answer is absolutely imperative in math, science, and engineering (we don’t want creative bridges falling down!), an overemphasis in other areas is destroying the creativity that God has given you.

You need to nurture and use your creativity! Don’t let the relentless forces drive out your creativity!

Instead, look for ways to be even more creative when you’re writing stories.

One of the best things about writing fiction is that you’re not locked into any one way of telling a story. You get to play. That’s right—play. And if you’re not playing a little when you write, you’re probably holding back. So today, I’m challenging you to try something *new*. Maybe you’ve always written dramatic stories in first person. Great! Now try writing a mystery from third person limited. Or if you usually write realistic fiction, experiment with a dystopian world or a sci-fi twist. Not every story you write has to be serious or deep. Write a comedy where everything that could possibly go wrong does. Or a romance where the love interests are enemies… or maybe even aliens.

Trying new genres and styles can completely change how you feel about writing. It’s like trying on clothes you never thought you’d wear and suddenly realizing, “Hey, this actually works for me.” Even your point of view can open up new creative doors. Tell a story from the perspective of the villain. Or the sidekick. Or the cat. You might be surprised by what you discover about your characters—and yourself—when you take that risk.

And don’t be afraid to throw in something unexpected. Readers love surprises. Maybe the character who seemed totally trustworthy turns out to have a secret. Maybe the entire story has been a dream—or better yet, it’s real… but only to the narrator. Keep your reader guessing. Keep *yourself* guessing. The best writing often happens when you’re not sure where it’s going.

So go ahead, step out of your writing comfort zone. Break a few rules. Try something totally weird. The worst that can happen? You don’t love it and move on. But the best that can happen? You find a new voice, a new story, or a new way of seeing the world. That’s worth the risk. Let’s get weird, creative, and fearless today—your next favorite story might be the one you haven’t dared to write yet.