That’s the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.

Ray Bradbury is more than qualified to speak on the secrets of creativity. One of the most celebrated American authors of the 20th century, he moved from one genre to another with ease, trying his hand at science fiction, fantasy, horror, mystery, and even fictionalized memoir. He published more than 30 books and nearly 600 short stories, but he’s best remembered for his 1953 novel “Fahrenheit 451,” widely regarded as one of the greatest dystopian novels ever written. The quote above comes from “Zen in the Art of Writing,” a collection of Bradbury’s essays that all share a common theme: the author’s deep love and respect for writing and the creative process.