N. C. from Syracuse, New York asked, "I’m an inventor but having difficulty finding someone to believe in my ideas. Do you have any suggestions?"

Dear N.

Creative thinkers think outside of the norm, so many times it takes days, months, or years for the masses to embrace new ideas.

First, if you believe that your idea is something that will eventually be accepted by the masses, be sure to copyright your ideas. Inventions are considered intellectual property and are legally protected by copyrighting them. Without the copyright, someone else can come up with a similar idea and beat you to the punch in selling that idea to others while you are waiting for the masses to catch up to your forward thinking. You can find out more about copyrights at www.copyright.gov.

Remember, people thought Christopher Columbus…and the Wright Brothers…and Thomas Edison…and Antony Van Leeuwenhoek (They probably wondered what he thought he would see with that microscope.) were crazy. Take heart! You are in good company!

Second, you may have to wait! It’s probably one of the hardest things creative thinkers must do…wait for others to catch up. Don’t forget the invention or stop showing it to those who you think may help you take it to the next level. Use the time to tweak your invention and address the objections that you may have encountered from the masses.

But at the same time, don’t put all of your efforts into one invention. You are an inventor! You are filled with creative ideas! Use this time to stretch you mind to other needs which can be addressed by future inventions. Treat this wait-time as an opportunity for more creative thinking.

Thanks for asking!  Lynnette Schuepbach

Lynnette is an author/illustrator who sees creativity in every aspect of life. To find out more about her and creativity, visit her Web site KidsDoRead.com.  Her children’s books create curiosity in children and speak to sibling rivalry and bullying.

Lynnette serves as chair of Art in the Park on the second weekend of October at the Lindendale Park in Highland. Many local artists will be exhibiting there. It’s her pleasure to be a part of this opportunity for you to experience “World Class Art in a Hometown Atmosphere.” More info at www.highlandartscouncil.org.

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