The Artist's Way

This book was a perfect companion for my creative process. I first tried it when it was originally published, and I wanted to jump-start my creativity.

As an actor, author, and artist, I needed something to motivate me. When I put myself into action and got help with a daily structure, my mindset and life completely shifted. It helped me tap into and stretch myself to do what I would normally not do alone.

The Artist’s Way is a classic and a best-seller for a reason.

Julia Cameron gives you the steps to unlocking your creativity, finding your inner voice, and creating a habit. Whether you are stuck, unsure where to start, or looking to build momentum, this helps! This book helps you take away the shame inner critic that is so detrimental to your creativity.

It’s not about writing, it’s about finding your inner creative person – whether that is as a storyteller, author, musician, artist, or even accountant. It helps you improve your art!

I knew I wanted to write a book about freelancing for years before I actually did it. I kept trying to write, but procrastination always got the better of me.

This book helped me get out of my own way, not just with writing but also with consulting, dancing, relationships, and many other aspects of my life. As freelancers, we create our own careers out of blank space, so Julia Cameron’s creativity-nurturing tools were absolutely essential for me to see new opportunities, tap into my existing skills, and bring more passion to my work. 

I know this probably wasn’t what you were expecting on a list about careers and life but stay with me here: The Artist’s Way is basically the bible for (re)sparking your creativity.

Whether you are a professional creative (musician, writer, graphic designer, etc.) or you insist you “aren’t the creative type” there’s something for you in this book. If nothing else, read the part on “morning pages” for a daily ritual to get your ideas flowing.

I cannot tell you what a difference you’ll see once you have a way to get your fears, your dreams, your ideas, your frustrations,… show more.

I encountered The Artist's Way by learning to be a professional storyteller in writing and oral presentations. Ms. Cameron combines creativity and spirituality in a logical step-by-step understanding that helped me meet the daily challenges of making a living while charting an unusual and unproven profession. She imbued in me that creative expression in all its forms is the natural direction in life. 

My daughter lent me this book at a time when I was in a creative slump. For years I had been earning my living writing for newspapers and magazines and publishing books, poems, and stories for children. Suddenly I felt I had nothing more to say, that my writing life might be over. I didn’t know who I was if I wasn’t a writer. Cameron’s book offered a different perspective on creativity. I began to follow her program without any real expectation of results. Soon after beginning to produce the daily handwritten morning pages and explore the thoughts and feelings… show more.

I recommend this book because it’s a guidebook for recovering your creative self—and it advocates creativity as a source of strength for everyone. I had been wrestling with giving legitimacy to my own creative desires, and this book helped me to leave behind the ideas of a society (and my New York Orthodox Jewish family) that didn’t nurture, value, and promote genius. The biggest shift I’ve ever had in my life was realizing that a spiritual source supported my creativity—and my creativity deepened my connection to this source. The Artist's Way reinforced my own creative awakening with suggestions to stir… show more.

Not unlike Rico, this author’s goal is to unleash creativity, which is way harder than it sounds. Like me, she believes that creativity leads toward spiritual wellness, and The Artist’s Way strives to help us grow by battling our inner enemies, reclaiming our sense of identity, experimenting with possibility, and having faith in our imaginations. Julia Cameron is sometimes known as the mother of morning pages and, likening this writing practice to prayer, she promises it can “acquaint us with what we think and what we think we need.”

This book will motivate you tremendously. Every time I tell another friend about The Artist’s Way, the most common response is, “Oh I love that book!” If a person hasn’t heard of it, within a week it becomes their favorite book as well. If you’re a songwriter, author, composer, filmmaker, or anyone in a creative field, she will show you how to rekindle your motivation using her simple exercises. And when I say “exercises” don’t even think exercises. Just think you’re about to learn a whole bunch about yourself. Very fulfilling! The “artist date” was a highlight for me.… show more.

In my opinion, this is an insightful book. The author says that creativity is the natural order of life, and that life is energy, pure creative energy. When we open ourselves to our creativity, we open ourselves to the creator's creativity within us. We are, ourselves, creations. And we, in turn, are meant to continue creativity by being creative ourselves.

Creativity is God's gift to us. Substitute the word nature for God if that works better for you. Using our creativity is our gift back to God. Ergo, the refusal to be creative is counter to our true nature. When… show more.