For the rest of this summer, Saturday posts on the blog will feature the seven books that I consider the foundational texts of my creatively organized life. This week, let me introduce you to Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way.
What’s it about?
“Julia Cameron invented the way people renovate the creative soul.” –The New York Times
First published twenty-five years ago, The Artist’s Way is the seminal book on the subject of creativity. Perhaps even more vital in today’s cultural climate than when it was first published, The Artist’s Way is a powerfully provocative and inspiring work. In it, Julia Cameron takes readers on an amazing twelve-week journey to discover the inextricable link between their spiritual and creative selves. This groundbreaking program includes:
– Introductions to two of Cameron’s most vital tools for creative recovery–The Morning Pages and The Artist Date
– Hundreds of highly effective exercises and activities
– Guidance on starting a “Creative Cluster” of fellow artists who will support you in your creative endeavorsA revolutionary program for artistic renewal from the world’s foremost authority on the creative process, The Artist’s Way is a life-changing book. This 25th anniversary edition includes a new introduction from the author.
Why read it?
Julia Cameron gives you a 12-week creative recovery program, which is also a 12-week program in setting down the foundations of creative discipline and writing practice. Daydream of an MFA or a six-month long residency or some other long-term commitment to your art or craft? Commit yourself to spending 12 weeks with Julia first.
Parts of it are cheesy. Collages, really? I have real work to do. Parts of it are preachy. I still struggle with all the God bits: changing God to Universe, Creator or the Divine doesn’t change things much for me. Parts of it are whiny. (Methinks Julia had a lot of trouble with interpersonal relationship boundaries in her life).
But the whole is greater than the parts. It’s effective and transformative; I would have not written MORE than one book if it hadn’t been for working through Cameron’s program.
Key Takeaway:
Start writing in the morning, dammit. Yes, every morning. For a writer, that’s THE foundational habit from which everything else flows.
Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way is one of the resources I draw upon in my Organized Creative workshop and guide. For more information, pop over to mjanecolette.com/SECRETS.
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