Personal Bibliography: Creativity
Click here for my complete Personal Bibliography.
Cameron, Julia. The Artist’s Way. I worked my way through this twelve-week creativity course early in my professional life and I think it had a significant impact on my development as a creative person.
Curry, Mason. Daily Rituals. As you build your own creative ritual, it helps to read about the personal ritual preferences of other creative minds from throughout history.
Gaiman, Neil. The Make Good Art Speech. Gaiman’s commencement speech on creativity is a wonderful pick-me-up when you need one.
Gilbert, Elizabeth. Big Magic. Gilbert expanded the ideas from her heralded TED Talk into a book-length exploration of creativity and genius.
Godin, Seth. The Dip. Every creative endeavor comes with a “dip”–a period of time when it doesn’t seem like it’s going to work. Godin helps you anticipate the dip, plan for it, and overcome it (or choose to quit the project if the dip will last too long!).
Grant, Adam. Originals. Grant is one of my favorite thinkers, and this book is a great meditation on inspiring and championing originality in any environment.
Johnson, Steven. Where Good Ideas Come From. Where do they come from? Johnson’s got some good ideas.
Kleon, Austin. Steal Like an Artist. A quick, compelling, and influential read with 10 basic tips on how to act more like an artist. I’ve given away many copies of this book (I stock up when it goes on sale).
Kleon, Austin. Show Your Work. In the online age, how should an artist act online?
Lamott, Anne. Bird By Bird. One of the first books I ever read on the act of creation, and one whose insights I still reflect on.
McPhee, John. Draft No. 4. This man is a true genius of non-fiction writing, particularly as regards form. An amazing collection of essays about essay-writing originally published in The New Yorker.
Oliver, Mary. Upstream. The legendary poet with essays about writing, reading, and living as an artist.
Pressfield, Steven. Do the Work! This is the kick-in-the-pants book you need to get past what Pressfield calls “The Resistance.” That invisible, powerful force that wants to keep you from doing creative work.
Robinson, Ken. The Element. Robinson makes a compelling case for why pursuing your passion–whatever it is–can be life-changing. Great for reassurance or inspiration.
Robinson, Ken. Finding Your Element. A companion to the book above, with advice on seeking out and pursuing your passion.
Ruhl, Sarah. 100 Essays I Don’t Have Time To Write. Ruhl is a wonderful playwright, and her book explores many aspects of creativity in the theatre; but her short, funny essays have much to say to people in any creative profession.
Sondheim, Stephen. Finishing the Hat. This is Sondheim in his first book of collected lyrics – but the best part is the commentary, which includes anecdotes, perspective, and creative ideas from the greatest lyricist of our time.
Sondheim, Stephen. Look, I Made A Hat. Book Two. Just as good.
Zander, Benjamin, & Rosamund Stone Zander. The Art of Possibility. Approaching your creative life with a sense of possibility can be life-changing. This brilliant husband-wife team (he’s the presenter of one of my favorite TED Talks) tell you how.
Last Updated: Sept. 13, 2018.