I really like it, one thing I really took away (and kept up for 3 years) was doing the morning pages. I am a real dreamer (literally) and found it invaluable to start my day off with reflection and writing. There are so many excercises in this book that I have done that really moved me deeply to heal some of my issues around being creative. I do intend to finally get all the way through it.
Definitly recommend it for everyone, professionals, doodlers and those who don’t even consider themselves “artists”.
We love this book! And not just because we are Julia's publisher. Many of us at Tarcher have read and practiced The Artist's Way in different incarnations, and we've each found that it made us aware of talents and creative impulses we didn't know existed. We're often all so busy, that we don't take the time to settle down and take the time to reflect. This books gives us an excuse (and a reason) to do that. In fact, in writing this, I am thinking I am going to start up with the morning pages again. I stopped doing them a few years ago. <am feeling sheepish about admitting that>
contrary to the psychologists’ theory that art makers are an aberration on the level of a psychotic antisocial mental state, I believe it is the ultimate source of sanity. The world would be a better place if we first demanded a creative mind set from any who would seek to serve as our leaders. Perhaps they should only be chosen from philosophical adherents of this book..
I found the very first week quite traumatic the first time I tried to do the program. The Creative Monsters exercizes were difficult for me. I found it much easier to work through my “stuff” when my friend, Heather, began to do the program as well. We did it seperately and privately, but it was great to have someone to be accountable to! I have done it once more on my own and continue to use Morning Pages sporatically. One day I will develop the every day habit.
I read this book and used the workbook sometime ago, and loved it. It really created some structure and helped me through periods of “writer's block”. If you are looking to find some discipline and momentum, this book can help you to do that.