The Creativity Book: A Year's Worth of Inspiration and Guidance

I'm quite fond of Eric Maisel's books. He's a psychotherapist and "creativity consultant," and he has written a number of books on writing, art, and creativity. Several of them are among my favorite writing books: "Living the Writer's Life," "Deep Writing," and "Write Mind." Unlike those books, "The Creativity Book" is not aimed specifically at writers. It's aimed at you, me, your brother, and the guy in the cubicle down the hall. In other words, anyone who'd like to use a little more creativity in their lives, whether for painting, writing, mathematics, relationships, or business plans.The book is designed to be read one section at a time, to take you through a year of learning. It has 88 sections, two per week, to get you through ten months, and then the idea is that you spend the last two months of your year devoted to a particular creative project. Each base section is pretty short--generally a page or three--so you'll have no trouble reading it in a few spare minutes some evening. Then it's followed by at least one exercise, and sometimes several. Sometimes the exercises are very specific; at other times, Maisel suggests ways to apply the exercises to whatever area you're trying to become more creative in. Many of the ideas in the book are relatively basic, but this in no way makes them useless. After all, they're only basic for people who are already highly creative and making abundant use of that creativity. In large part this book is designed to help those who aren't sure where to start when it comes to creativity, and who haven't had much luck sitting down and getting started with their creative projects. Even highly creative people will still find things of value in this book, however. Some sections will feel like remedial schooling, but others might unlock surprising ways for you to move forward in your work. People with more experience using their creativity might prefer to skip from section to section instead of following the "plan," however, using the bits that have particular value to them.

Eric Maisel is a prolific writer with a penchant for helping artists. And this book is no exception. For those who have read Cameron's "The Artist's Way," in the required number of weeks and wish there were other timed guides, Maisel's book is the answer. It's a year's worth of creative work, some gentle and imaginative, some kick-in-the-rear tough. I'll admit I read all the way through it, and I'll bet Maisel knew that most readers would. It's an interesting read that way, with Maisel's wry observations and self-deprecating humor serving as another level of inspiration. There is a lot hiding in this book, waiting to be discovered. The quotes in the scholar's margins create their own interesting commentary. Use this book to dip into when you are bored, stymied, frustrated, lonely or stuck. You won't come away feeling the same way. You might not want to do every exercise Maisel suggests, but imagining them might be enough to give you creative traction again.

Maisel consistently challenges the artist to be true to his/her artistic self in all his books, and this is no exception. Unlike The Artist's Way (a fine book for the creatively blocked or undiscovered), The Creativity Book targets the artist who has achieved a higher degree of self-knowledge and acceptance. He asks the reader to choose a Dream early in the year, which will be accomplished as the year unfolds. Each week highlights an aspect of living as a creative being, and includes exercises to clear the way to living more fully. The exercises range from easy (have a morning and evening tea ritual for three days) to much harder (sit for 40 minutes and do NOTHING), but the difficulty will doubtless vary for each reader.Maisel has a no-holds-barred style that doesn't permit excuses, whining, or hedging. His message is simple: one must actively pursue the muse at all times, and embrace her when she appears. You don't HAVE to do any of the exercises, although he'd like you to do them all. He makes it clear, however, that choosing not to do the exercises is also a clear statement of your degree of commitment to your Dream, which ultimately boils down to art. If you're looking for coddling, this is the wrong book. But if you're ready to be gently but firmly led to create as you know you can "if only...", Maisel removes the "if only..." and leaves you with a fuller, more satisfying relationship with your artistic self.

This wonderful book came to me at a time when I was experiencing a painful and desperate disconnection from my work as a sculptor. I took the fast track with the book and read it in 4 days. My resistance, fear, uncertainty, grief,...etc. has miraculously resolved. I have begun a new and extremely satisfying body of work, and I'm filled with new creative energy in all aspects of my life. It was the right book at the right time for me. My hope is that it may that for you. I will always be grateful to Eric Maisel for writing this book!

Eric Maisel understands that fear comes with unleashing our creativity. Gently prodding us in a day-by-day program, he shows us that we can get past our doubts to produce the work we're inspired to do and achieve creative success.His specific suggestions will help you get past your frozen moments that might otherwise turn into years.~~Joan Mazza, author of DREAMING YOUR REAL SELF and DREAM BACK YOUR LIFE