If You’re Looking for Creative Inspiration, Look No Further-Here Are 5 of the Top Motivating Books
In a slump? Who doesn’t need a little oomph now and then?
We are all creative beings. Yes, even you. Don’t deny it. You were born that way.
Right now, my creative outlet is writing on Medium and pubs under its umbrella; Illumination, AINYF, Black Bear, The Memoirist, and others.
I began writing for Medium in January 2021.
Without further chatter, here are my all-time favorite books on creativity:
- The Artist’s Way — by Julia Cameron
- Big Magic — by Elizabeth Gilbert
- Bird by Bird — by Anne Lamott
- The War of Art — by Steven Pressfield
- The Sound of Paper — by Julia Cameron
The Artist’s Way
When I was a little child, my father made a comment stating I had no artistic talent. That stung.
Many decades later, I decided to ignore his words and find out if that was true.
Based on the book, I signed up for The Artist’s Way course at the local community college. This was a 12-week dig into uncovering our creativity.
That book and those 12 weeks changed my artistic life.
I did indeed discover that I am creative.
By the end of the twelve weeks, I signed up for watercolor classes, which led to acrylic painting and sketching courses, and my heart opened up to the joy of art.
This book is a pure delight, and I have reread it several times — completing the required exercises each time.
Buy the book; you can do it without a facilitator — no need to take a class. However, community education classes and local colleges offer it nationwide if you prefer guidance and support.
Big Magic
This book reminds us to embrace Courage, Enchantment, Permission, Persistence, Trust, and Divinity. There is a chapter on each of these attitudes and qualities. They are the cornerstone of our creativity.
Elizabeth Gilbert is a gifted writer and teacher. You may remember her as the author of Eat, Pray, Love.
In this book, you will learn to embrace your fears and creativity.
I love this book and have read it twice, and each time, I was newly inspired and motivated to continue on my creative path.
Bird by Bird
Anne Lamott is one of my favorite authors and favorite people. Her book is primarily about writing but can be adapted to fit whatever genre is your thing.
Anne is one of the funniest people I know; her book does not disappoint. It is filled with personal anecdotes and stories and is highly motivating and encouraging.
The War of Art
Procrastination, resistance, fear? Who me? Yes, me and maybe you?
Steven Pressfield knows all about what stops us from being creative. He shows us how to blast through all of it and come out the other side full of commitment, inspiration, and, yes, even courage.
I was able to identify my procrastination not as laziness, as I thought, but as resistance and fear. Fear stops us, and this book helped me overcome it.
This book deserves rereading.
The Sound of Paper
The same author that gave us The Artist’s Way brings us this work. Julia Cameron is a teacher, writer, musician, playwright, and composer. This book fits all those modalities.
However, I see her primarily as a writer, and this book has inspired me to be a better one.
Julia helps push us through our artistic struggles and reminds us to take gentle care of ourselves.
She has inspired and guided artistic folks for over 50 years and is still creating into her 70s.
Whether you are a seasoned artist or hoping to discover your creative side, these books will help you uncover what may be hidden underneath your timidity. Be ready to find a treasure within.
We are never too old to create magic and thank goodness for that.