"These Are a Few of My Favorite Things...."

Here are some of my favorite books that inspire creativity, along with my commentary:

Ayan, Jordan: Aha! Ten Ways to Free Your Creative Spirit and Find Your Great Ideas
This small but comprehensive book has short and to-the-point subsections with lots of exercises called "mini workshops."

Badonsky, Jill: The Nine Modern Day Muses (and a Bodyguard): Ten Guides to Creative Inspiration for Artists, Poets, Lovers, and Other Mortals Wanting to Live a Dazzling Existence
Who could resist a playful title like that?! And why the bodyguard? (Whose name is Arnold, by the way!) The author says it's "to unleash your best defense: your arsenal of passion and desire for your creative dream."

Bayles, David and Orland, Ted: Art and Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking
This is such an important topic, and the authors cover it skillfully. I believe that fear is often what is behind procrastination, creative blocks, and the temptation to trade our authenticity for conformity.

Carbonetti, Jeanne: Making Pearls: Living the Creative Life
The author has created this book around the creative cycle and how to flow with it. The phases of the cycle are waiting, opening, closing, holding, releasing, emptying, and sitting. The book is bursting with her beautiful watercolor paintings, too.

Ealy, C. Diane: The Woman's Book of Creativity
Women tend to approach creativity with a more holistic, process-oriented approach than do men, who tend to be more linear and product-oriented. There is much to be said for both approaches, but women do need to be aware that historically our educational system has been out of balance in this regard. (Remember outlining? It was a restrictive tool for many holistic thinkers.)

Fortunately, it's starting to balance out now. I'm thrilled to see a lot of teachers teaching Mind Mapping, etc., along with more linear techniques. But those of us who have been out of school a while need to give ourselves permission to use the approaches that work best for us.

Feel free to add your favorite creativity books in the comments section, along with why you love them! Thanks.

Have an inspired day,
Susan

P.S. I have recently joined the Creativity Coaching Association. Please check out my profile at http://www.creativitycoachingassociation.com!