Innovative Thinking and Storytelling for Creators: Lessons from Jules Verne (2023)
Last summer, I traveled to Amiens, a French city 2 hours North of Paris ; and there, in the French region of Picardie, lies a true jewel.?
This is where you will find the home of Jules Verne, the famous French author who enchanted our world with his “Voyages Extraordinaires”, among which “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” and “Journey to the Center of Earth
The house does not look like much… No Buckingham Palace there…?
But as often - it is all in the details.?
It is full of creative treasures, revealing some of the untold secrets of one of the most prolific and successful writer who walked this Earth [I know, I might be a bit biased].?
I was not disappointed by this visit.
I left excited, inspired and motivated !?
Let me share with you 10 lessons I learned during this visit that can benefit any of us, content creator !?
1. Jules Verne was a pioneer
All of Jules Verne’s books were written… between 1863 and 1905 - and for these times, they explore truly futuristic ideas and technologies.
Think about it : he was contemporary to Gustave Flaubert and Leo Tolstoy, realism was THE main literary genre of his time… and what did he go with ??
Science Fiction.?
Something he truly pioneered.?
He was able to imagine and write about concepts such as air and space travel, underwater exploration, and advanced machinery long before they became a reality…
He basically went against the [ literary ] current of his time…?
And to this day, he is still remembered for this. ?
2. Jules Verne was prolific
There are 65 books in Jules Verne’s “Voyages Extraordinaires” series.
Some are well-known, like "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea" and "Around the World in Eighty Days."?
Others are… a bit more “confidential”, like “Robur the Conqueror” or “The Secret of Wilhem Storizt”- which I read recently. ?
And we are talking full fledged books, not essays or short novels (if we had those to the list because he did write some short forms, it is then even more impressive ! ).
He was a prolific author, working on several novels at a time… and think about his legacy
He was able to achieve this level of productivity thanks to his dedication to his craft… and his strong work ethic.?
I spend some time looking at his desk… a [ very ] small wooden desk which looked very minimalist, quite the anathema of the super “ motorized stand-up Herman Miller chaired” power stations of today that are supposed to make us more productive.?
His secret : discipline.?
He would often work for long hours each day to produce his novels… relying on this efficient creative process of his. ?
My take-away : commit to your creative process… and stay disciplined !?
3. Jules Verne was a visionary.?
In "From the Earth to the Moon," Verne imagines a group of scientists who build a spacecraft and travel to the moon.?
In "Around the World in Eighty Days," he tells us the story of Phileas Fogg, who travels around the world using various modes of transportation - at a time where world travel was definitely not a thing.
His novels explored the potential of new technologies, at a time when those were not yet a reality.?
When you visit his home, at every corner, this is something you can literally feel - from the boat-shaped 4th floor to the world map drawn on the floor in his study.?
He knew how to unleash his imagination… and look what he accomplished.?
His works inspires readers (and us creators) to think creatively and expand their ( our ) horizons ; it is proof that imagination and creativity have truly no limits.?
4. Jules Verne was a master storyteller
This is something for which I am truly admirative… because I believe in the power of story-telling - especially in my scientific field. ?
Jules Vernes’ novels were well-crafted, with engaging plots and compelling characters.?
He was able to create immersive and exciting stories that kept readers engaged from start to finish.?
And all of this give his novels their timeless appeal…
His stories are filled with adventure, exploration, and excitement, they are captivating.?
As a kid, they made me dream. As an adult, they still give me the chill !
Verne was also a skilled world-builder and was able to create fully realized and believable worlds for his characters to inhabit.?
This combination of strong storytelling and world-building is truly powerful - and a great reminder that writing is truly the heart of everything.?
5. Jules Verne was a [ gifted ] researcher
Strong attention to detail : that definitely characterized his novels for sure !?
He carefully planned everything and would spend a significant amount of time researching and outlining his stories before beginning writing.
Planning before creating, in order to create more effectively. ?
This attention to detail and commitment to quality is one of the reasons why Verne's novels are so well-written actually.
He always did his research, he did it well.. which is always an important preliminary step every time we create something.?
Definitely inspiring !?
6. June Vernes was a “science popularizer”
I work in Scientific Communication - and this is something that obviously resonates with me !?
Jules Verne was able to make complex scientific concepts accessible to a general audience… through his writing.
He made his works BOTH educational and entertaining.?
Education and entertainment - what a powerful combination, don’t you think ??
This ability to both educate and entertain is one of the reasons why Verne's novels continue to be popular and have had a lasting impact on readers around the world.
I know they did on me.?
7. Jules Verne was a creative thinker
Yes, he wrote about technology.?
And yes, he wrote about how mankind could (and actually would) use this technology in the future.?
I wonder if he ever thought of the fact that what he was describing would later impact society and the world at large.
His novels often touched on themes such as environmentalism, social justice, and the dangers of unchecked technological progress.?
What I find inspiring : he was able to think creatively and imagine what the future might hold.?
Once again, his stories are a testament to the power of imagination… and many of the things he imagined did become a reality actually ! ?
One can then wonder… maybe his imagination actually did help shape today’s world a bit.?
8. Jule Verne believed in education and knowledge
For a Scientific Communicator like me, this sounds like music to my ears.?
Jules Verne was a strong advocate for scientific literacy and believed in the importance of education and knowledge.?
He believed that science had the power to improve the world and he used his writing as a way to educate readers about the potential of new technologies and scientific discoveries.?
He was a strong believer in the value of education and the importance of encouraging people to think critically and ask questions about the world around them.?
And isn’t it what science {and education and knowledge} is all about actually ??
9. Jules Verne left a timeless legacy?
Jules Verne's work has had a lasting impact on popular culture and has influenced numerous works of science fiction in the decades since his death.?
His imaginative and visionary writing continues to be celebrated and studied by fans ( I am one of those for sure :) ) and scholars alike, and his influence can be seen in the works of many modern science fiction writers.?
His popularity is a testament to the enduring appeal of his stories.?
Verne's work has stood the test of time and continues to be read and enjoyed by readers around the world, making him a significant figure in the history of literature.
10. Jules Verne is a source of inspiration for many creators.
During his lifetime, Verne was a popular and successful author, with many of his books becoming bestsellers and being translated into multiple languages.?
He was also a respected member of the literary community and was admired by his peers for his innovative storytelling and his ability to predict future technological advancements.?
His impact however continues until this day - and I think many creators should have a closer look at HOW he did things.?
When I think of him, I think imagination.?
I think scientific rigor.?
I think [ creative ] commitment.?
Yep - he was definitely a lot of this - and I find this to be a great mix.?
Our creations, as big or as little as they are, are an extension of us.?
And while we can’t live forever, the content we create, actually, can.?
This is the dream of every creator - and certainly, on this one, Jules Verne is a great source of inspiration for all of us.
If you ever wander in Picardie, I encourage you to stop by Jules Verne’s house.?
I can tell you - you are up for a treat.?
And maybe like me, you will find some powerful creative inspiration - which fills a place like this ! ?