“The measure of intelligence is the ability to change” -- Albert Einstein

Intelligence fascinates me--all varieties from social street-smarts to musical genius to engineering wonders and more. Intelligence typically refers to the capacity to understand, to reason, to learn--and that capacity can attach itself to any subject matter. Regardless of the field of interest, intelligence manifests itself in novel connections of ideas, creative problem-solving, and useful inventions.

I suspect that for writers of fiction, intelligence involves the ability to polarize issues. After all, how can one define characters or conflict without recognizing differences or discerning between good actions and evil behavior? But stories require another form of intelligence as well--the ability to combine diverse elements in meaningful and useful arrangements. 

I find in myself a struggle between analysis and synthesis: the former seems so much easier that I camp out there far too long. Good writers must possess a strong sense for meaningful story lines. The challenge is to create something similar enough to the audience's world to establish emotional connection, yet something different enough to be considered original. I find it's not easy to arrive anywhere close to displaying literary genius.

Thomas Edison held that genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration and that most people miss opportunity because it comes dressed in overalls and looks like work. "Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close to success they were when they gave up," he said. "I haven't failed. I've found 10,000 ways that don't work."

 I find encouragement in Thomas Edison's intelligent and persistent attitude. He wasn't afraid to revise his work, to try another avenue toward success. He certainly met Einstein's measure of success.