This book is a continuation of the process of discovering our creative self. It begins with the tools that the author recommends everyone practice throughout the process of working through the book, which is set up as a 12-week program. Morning Pages and Artist's Dates were both introduced in The Artist's Way, but this book adds an additional tool, 20-minute Weekly Walks, to help focus our thinking thus helping with breakthroughs in our creativity.
Since I checked this book out from the library, I did not have the luxury of working through the chapters one each week. However, I thoroughly enjoyed reading through and mentally working through some of the assigned tasks. Many of the tasks involved creating lists (list 20 small, creative actions you could take or list 5 people to whom you feel closely connected and devise one creative project you could undertake to show them your love and gratitude for their friendship) while others involved small activities (try a five-minute breather in a new atmosphere like a church/forest/ travel store or acquire a small blank notebook for sketching, carry it with you and sketch the small adventures of life). Other tasks involved fill-in-the blank activities, journaling, writing, and creating.
I definitely recommend this book, however I suggest reading The Artist's Way first if you are not familiar with Julia Cameron and the use of Morning Pages and Artist's Dates. I've journaled off and on throughout my life and have found myself drawn to writing Morning Pages at varying times. And I love the idea of Artist's Dates, which I typically call my INSPIRATION days.
Have you read either of these books? If so, do you write Morning Pages and take yourself on Artist's Dates?
I read at least part of The Artist's Way years ago, but never got into the routine of morning pages. Maybe now that I'm not rushing out the door each morning, it would be an easier routine to establish. I'd have to reread the book, first.
ReplyDeletehmm I didn't know about this book either! I read the Artists Way and worked through it many years ago (I think I still have it somewhere?) interesting...
ReplyDeleteI haven't read either of these. Maybe for my holiday list?
ReplyDeleteI've started The Artist's Way twice now, but never seem to make it past week eight in terms of doing the assignments. I wrote morning pages - first longhand until it became problematic with hand pain, then on the computer for months until I got tired of paying the $5 per month for the site I was using. I feel pretty centered and un-blocked creatively, but I still do like the idea of morning pages and Artist's Dates (I consider something like our trip to Frisco Mercantile an artist date and I don't think they all have to be solo either!) Maybe I'll get back to TAW in the fall - when we aren't running off to flea markets every weekend.
ReplyDeleteThe Artist Way has been on my to read list for awhile now. I've heard interesting things about the book, so I might have to try to move it up the list.
ReplyDeleteFunny...I'm in the process of reading The Artist Way. I'm happy to know there is a sequel!!
ReplyDeleteWell, I never knew there was a sequel! Thank-you for this ... I have never managed to do Morning pages, largely because I like to be moving when I get up, and sitting down to write seems to clog up my mind, not free it. So I'd like the walking suggestions :).
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