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 If you have ever experienced a case of Writer's block, then you understand the pain and frustration at the heart of The Artist's Way. The Artist's Way is about being a blocked artist, and more importantly, what the heck we can find to do about it.
This is a very tough book to review, because it is a tough book to read and use. Yes, be prepared to change, value your work and to produce more work and finer work as a result of reading this book. But also be prepared to read it kicking and screaming all the way. Julie Cameron, a Hollywood filmmaker and writer knows where you are hiding, and will use every stick in the yard to prod you out of the shadows and into the bright open grassy back yard of functioning artists again. Tag, you're it!! Yikes! That means everyone can see me?! Yup. I had stumbled across many of the techniques and ideas that are used in this book myself. What Julie calls her "Morning Pages," I call "Managing Rage through Rhyme." When I am blocked, I write across the top of a page "What is the matter?" then write ferociously until the answer comes. Which it always does, eventually, sometimes in couplets of iambic pentameter. What a surprise! Julie Cameron accurately describes the experience of being blocked and the experience of becoming unblocked. This is a great service to artists of all kinds. She uses a non-denominational religious explanation of why the techniques work which is comfortable for her. I have a scientific background, and I am comfortable with more ambiguity in my life than some people. As far as I am concerned, the "Why" can take care of itself and is open to your own interpretation. I found the religious aspect of The Artist's Way understandable and it did not bother me. It offered me insight into the beliefs of many people who enjoy a cozy relationship with a personal god. However, religion is a hot button for many people. The religious aspect may irritate some people and they may use that as an excuse for not reading the book, which would be an unfortunate mistake. The program of exercises will shake up your thinking, regardless of your belief system. For me, I found the religious intrusion less irritating than the inner urchin who scampers through the text. But then, urchins are a hot button for me! During the process of reading and working through this course, I learned that to be at my best creatively, I need my family, a team to lead, a tough technical project, fabulous music, room to dance, a bunch of flowers and to use my Wacom Tablet all the time, not just when we have an active project going. Works for me! Be Bold! Buy the book. Read it, and see if you can figure out what works for you! |
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