Well said. I stand on the shoulders of those that came before me and use their creations and ideas to create... magic. I use others moves with my plot and my patter to show my audiences what is impossible.
I suspect that learning a sleight takes less than 10% of the time as inventing one. While other folks invented (or re-invented) a move, I learned at least 10 sleights.
Also, how many of the moves you've invented do you use in a effect (other than a "look I can find your card in a really unique way") with patter (other than than the typical "say-do-see" explanation of what is happening)?
Perfect way to go about it. And this probably makes up most of my time in magic.
But having limited resources at my disposal (just under 20 books, while all good...sometimes they don't have the answer) and unlimited problems when trying to create the effect I want to be exactly how I want it, I have to play with cards until ideas come. Thankfully I've stumbled my way into some effective moves/controls that my brick and mortar shop owner can always tell me the real name of.
I create out of necessity, and out of my empty wallet. My card to wallet was invented for 2 reasons 1)over half the card to wallets are no palms, and I don't like the way they're done (Josh Jay's is pretty nice, but I don't like the premise) and the other half cost 40+ dollars. So I found a way to cleanly pull out my wallet, open it with empty hands, and then pull a card out. (from 3 different places after I played with the idea more)
And I often take longer scripting an effect than I do coming up with a method. I have a few pages in my magic notebook that are just premises and ideas that could go with tricks, if I can find the proper trick.
And yes, I'm a little cranky this morning.
I was a little cranky too, then I went back to sleep because I realized I didn't have anything to do today. Sorry if you couldn't enjoy that luxury.
And I know you probably weren't calling me out, I'm just bored and felt like explaining, and I might be in the minority.