I have an active interest in creativity, and here are three books I read (pretty much in a row) on the subject:

• The Creative Mind: Myths and Mechanisms , Margaret A. Boden, BasicBooks, 1992, 0-465-01451-8
• Software Creativity , Robert L. Glass, Prentice-Hall, 1995, 0-13-147364-6
• Thinkertoys: A Handbook of Business Creativity for the 90s , Michael Michalko, Ten Speed Press, 1991, 0-89815-408-1

Here are some things I found interesting from my readings on creativity.

• Say whatever’s on your mind. Don’t hold back hunches, guesses, wild ideas, images, intentions. [Notice that this is also very good advice on “brainstorming” or “lateral thinking”.] Speak as continuously as possible. Say something at least once every five seconds, even if only “I’m drawing a blank.”
• Speak audibly. Watch out for your voice dropping as you become involved.
• Speak as telegraphically as you please. Don’t worry about complete sentances and eloquence.
• Don’t overexplain or justify. Analyse no more than you would normally.
• Don’t elaborate past events. Get into the pattern of saying what you’re thinking now, not of thinking for a while and then describing your thoughts.

The Creative Mind, pp. 241-242