There are a few good books I’ve read about creativity. The first, which I read at a young and impressionable age, is called The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. I was fifteen or sixteen when I read it, old enough to understand what it was hinting at, but young enough to not have struggled with the challenges yet. That book laid out the workings and malfunctions of a creative life, like a map of yet-to-be-explored lands.
I have just started reading The War of Art by Steven Pressfield, which perhaps I read before because it all rings familiar and true. I bought the book several months ago for my anti-library, but picked it up after a lovely little coincidence the prior day: we ran into someone who mentioned it, and then pointed to a dramatic tattoo on his forearm: RESISTANCE.
The final book in my suggested trilogy: The Book, by Alan Watts.
All three are excellent and on my shelves (though I’ve taped over Pressfield’s “War” and subbed in “Way”, as the correct title. I have also added (reluctantly and cautiously, but enthusiastically), Liz Gilbert’s Big Magic. If you are a fan of OnBeing (NPR), listen to the unedited version of this week’s interview w Gilbert. Thanks for your post, Brook.
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Hah, clever. I very much enjoyed reading Pressfield’s book but definitely acknowledge it is written from a very masculine point of view. I just started hearing about Big Magic this week- will look for it! Thank you :)