Creation is an interesting thing. There is that word "thing" again. Creation appears to be an iterative and long drawn-out process. Let me provide a few examples.
1. Creation of a computer script
2. Creation of a new business.
3. Creation of a new baby
4. Creation of a world
Let me just preface this by saying that this is not a skill or talent I have. For me, in order to create, the creator either needs to be able to see from the beginning to the end in all possible scenarios (extremely difficult) or they have to start with a base and as they encounter issues or roadblocks, they need to be able to add to their existing creation and still maintain within scope of their original plan (still fairly difficult). I believe the latter of these two alternatives occurs more often than not.
In the case of a computer script, a programmer either starts from a template or has to code from scratch. Even in the scratch scenario, there is a set paradigm or set of rules for programming. This helps to form the basic structure and uniformity of all scripts while allowing them to differ in content and function quite drastically. Programmers will typically have a vision of what they want their script to do and will start with setting up initial variables that can be used later in the script and are flexible in nature as well as core functions or sub-routines which perform a specific task. Little by little, the programmer has to build little snippets of code that do a portion of the overall functionality. (Knowledge) Then they have to test it to see if their assumptions were correct. Invariably there will be errors and they will need to be corrected and re-tested. Eventually that section of code will work as designed and its on to the next portion of functionality (iteration) which goes through the same process. As the script develops, functions are re-used for different purposes and you start to notice patterns and the general vision of the script starts to emerge. (Understanding) The programmer also has to ensure that each individual section of code is still built not only to do its job but also work together in unison with the other portions to achieve the overall purpose and vision for the script. (Meaning)
Creation of a new business or entrepreneurship follows the same pattern. The entrepreneur comes up with a vision for his business. There are initial rules that govern how businesses are regulated and how they must operate or even organize themselves. Usually a business plan is drafted up and either used as a template or presented for venture capital or other funding. Businesses usually start small offering a basic service or product (Knowledge) and over time, more services or products are offered in the same way or potentially different ways to differentiate the various aspects or units of the business. (Understanding) Eventually, successful companies find a way to continuously grow their company and yet stay align with their vision (Meaning)
Creation of a baby is slightly different as most of the creative process happens kind of like a computer script executing. We kind of just light the match or knock over the domino (for lack of better terms), but the process is essentially the same. There are basic laws of nature and a template (DNA) that govern how babies are made. Cells begin to divide and create organs and critical organs such as the heart and brain form first (Knowledge), then over time more and more organs develop and start interacting with each other to perform more complicated tasks (Understanding) and eventually a new baby is born. (Meaning)
With world creation, again, a template is used but also the ability to differentiate and create from scratch. You have fundamental laws of physics that govern matter and elemental forces, etc. Basic matter and elements organized (water, earth, lights, etc) (Knowledge), then add more complex items such as plants and animals and their respective food chains (Understanding), then ultimately humans and their free will (Meaning) as that is one of the purposes of creating worlds. All of these scenarios tend to follow the same basic principles of creation as I list them below as I see them and in no particular order:
1. a vision or plan
2. basic rules or structure governing the process
3. a template of some sort for the sake of uniformity and order
4. the ability to differentiate and provide for unique versions of that base template
5. iteration
6. start small or simple
7. test and tweak
8. add complexity based on foundational developments
9. Complex yet simple (this one is hard to describe, it just makes sense in my mind)
10. Beautiful in its own special way
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