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Summary: Beautifully written book
Review: I have read lots of self improvement books. This book made an impact on me because it is written in a way that is different from all others with regard to goal setting and expression. I enjoyed it very much and still use the morning pages to connect with my soul whenever I am blocked. Still haven't gotten the artist date together but will do it. This book definitely motivated me to be more creative! I recommend two addtional books. The first is The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People because it shows you how to go from being dependent to interdependent. The other book I recommend is Optimal Thinking: How To Be Your Best Self which shows you how to make the most of every situation and make the most of life. Read all these books and you will have all you need!
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Summary: This book turned a practical person into a creative one
Review: This book has completely changed my perspective about my creative ability. At first my practical side felt very silly doing some of the exercises. But after a while a began to realize how much better I felt about myself and my ability to be creative... not do everything by the book. I began oil painting, which I've even entered into contests. I went to Professional Culinary School, in spite of everyone telling me I was crazy. Now those same people are envious of my ability and attitude to discover something that makes me happy and actually pursue it. So many people dream, but never act on those dreams. As practical as I am and probably always will be, thanks to this book, I'm happy that I'm taking these steps toward self fullfillment, and I've established a balance in my life I have never previously experienced. My only criticism is all of the references to God. I'm not athiest, however I feel strongly that the motivation comes from a higher power within yourself and is in your control, and should not be limited to an association with a particular religious figure. Not everyone believes in God, like another individual has written in this review section. I could see how the constant references could turn someone off. But if you look past that element of the book there are some real powerful tools that can help anyone become a more creative individual. The religious connotations are not really necessary. If you can keep that in perspective, then I highly recommend this book!
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Summary: Her understanding is fantastic
Review: Julia Cameron takes a holistic approach to writing. The writing process is not isolated to sitting in front of the desk and putting words on a paper. No, it starts in your unconscious, it permeates your life, it influences your actions. In short, writing is part of your life. This book does indeed help release the tension of "not-writing". She offers a twelve-week program to help open up your creative self. She does take it in small steps, so nothing becomes too daunting. You might not be a full-fledged writer after reading this book, but you are on the way, and you will feel better.
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Summary: WE ARE ALL "ARTISTS" WITH OUR OWN UNIQUE ABILITIES!
Review: You do not need to be an artist in the sense of a gifted painter, sculptor, writer, musician, etc. to enjoy this book. We are all artists in that each of us designs, creates and shapes our own future. We make the choices that will determine where our paths will lead. The only limitations we have are those we place on ourselves. Julia Cameron makes the journey a little smoother by helping us rid ourselves of life's negative emotions - fear, jealousy, guilt, limited beliefs, etc. While the book makes interesting and insightful reading, I think it is important to be committed to completing all the exercises for maximum benefit. The author does touch on spirituality and makes reference to God in several instances; however, whatever your own personal beliefs, the reader can easily adapt the material written here to any spiritual belief, regardless of what "Higher Power" you believe in. Two other books which I highly recommend are "You Can Heal Your Life" by Louise L. Hay, and "What's Next: Women Redefining Their Dreams in the Prime of Life", by Rena Pederson. Both are excellent books.
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Summary: A Tool to Help You Proceed...If You Want To
Review: This book has and continues to change my life. Within the pages are timeless tips for the brave of heart- you have to be brave enough to: -Examine your past including the events and attitudes that created your present perceptions of art, the making of it and how it "fits" in your life. -Let go of negative beliefs that are unsupportive of your heart and..your art. -Allow yourself the time to dream, ponder and try fresh ideas, freeing yourself from whether the outcome is "success" or "failure" . You'll find the truth written about so many of the "myths" of the creative soul. ie. You don't HAVE to be tortured, frustrated etc. to be a truly creative artist. You don't HAVE to be famous to be successful. You don't HAVE to endlessly compare yourself to (fill in the blank). In short, this book IS a work of art. I remain genuinely grateful to the authors for taking the time to create "The Artist's Way".
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Summary: Two months of Morning Pages later....
Review: After doing my best to follow through with all the "creative" exercises and dutifully churning out pointless Morning Pages, taking myself on Dates (no surprise, since most creative people spend plenty of time alone, this was less exciting than Ms. Cameron makes it out to be) and forcing myself through silly exercises, not to mention starting to choke on the author's obviously high opinion of herself and all her wonderful, creative friends, I gave up in disgust. For one thing, it was hard to take seriously the creative raptures of a woman who makes a career of telling other people how to be as creative as she is - except that her own forte seems to be self-help books, not brilliant novels, screenplays, or anything worth reading for its own sake. Nor do I think that anyone can write. On the contrary, most people can't, any more than most people can act or compose music or write memorable poetry. A far better book on writer's block, the recently published "Midnight Disease," goes into much more useful information on brain chemistry, the struggles of truly brilliant writers with block, hypergraphia (what Ms. Cameron seems more prone to), and the links between creativity, depression and the search for the divine. Among other things, it points out that the "inner critic" that such books as Ms. Cameron's try to silence is very useful, as it may be that very inner critic that makes the difference between crafting a brilliant novel and churning out Morning Pages. (As the book points out, anyone can get over writer's block merely by lowering one's standards sufficiently!) Of course, block is its own kind of hell, but I suspect that any block that can be cured by silencing one's instincts, never mind taking walks or visiting museums, is not a very deep block to begin with.
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Summary: The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity
Review: I heard about this book a few months ago and was very sceptical at first. As more and more people around me started with it, I became curious and bought myself a copy. It was the best decision I have ever made! I am in week eleven and I can safely say that this book has changed my life, completely. It has taken the South African performing arts scene by storm and everyone I know who has read or is busy reading The Artist's Way feels the same way I do! Apart from the fact the the book contains so many truths, what makes this book such a pleasure to read is that it is so well written. If you are in doubt and you need just that little bit of encouragement, if you know deep down inside that there is an artist in you, that feels neglected or that you haven't yet discovered, take the plunge and start a wonderful journey! If you are a lawyer, accountant or a mother taking care of your family at home, don't be discouraged or misled by the book's title, it is for you too! Thank you Julia Cameron!
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Summary: Don't let the negative review below stop YOU from trying...
Review: While I would never argue The Artist's Way will work for everyone, nor that it is a masterpiece of writing, it is a great book for helping you discover the ways you stop yourself, both artistically and in general. And the focus is not just for writers, but for every kind of artist. So the person below who is so upset is missing the point. The book is not suppose to help people write brilliantly, it is to help people open up and allow themselves to be more creative. And to allow themselves to discover ALL the talents and abilities they have within themselves. There's no guarantee therefore you will become a brilliant writer, just a happier and better artist. And it certainly did that for me.
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Summary: Contrived Anti-Artistic Mumbo Jumbo
Review: Did Da Vinci, Shakespeare, Wagner or Einstein require a contrived how-to manual to be creative? And do you think being creative was without struggle for them? A contrived step-by-step manual on creativity based completely on the authors own limited pop-psycho-spirituality is completely contrary to finding one's own creative "way". If you need to conform to this contrived, touch-feely new-age mumbo-jumbo to find your "artistry", so be it. But conformity and how-to books do not an artist make. A true artist can see the difference between the contrived and the real. This book ain't real!! I don't believe in book-burning, but this book or system is definately not the way to creativity or artistry.
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Summary: If you are hopelessly depressed because you can't create...
Review: this book may help you out of the creative pits. At least, it did for me. This isn't a book just to read: each week has assigned tasks, and there are daily journaling (Morning Pages) and weekly Artist's Dates. Be prepared to spend a few hours a week just working on the book. Julia Cameron writes this self help book as a 12 step process, which means she spends a great deal of time focussing on the spiritual aspects of ourselves and our creativity. I was an atheist when I first read the book, so some of this was hard to swallow, but at the same time I was so depressed I went ahead and worked through all her suggestions anyway. And, I was a changed woman afterwards! If you are already happily creative but wondering which direction to move into, I suggest her next book, The Vein of Gold, which focusses on niche, rather than the Artist's Way, which focusses on overcoming emotional blocks.
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