Review Of Literature
(Exam questions are not drawn from the Review Of Literature section)
Several books were used for this course and I found them quite informative on the process of unlocking creativity and imagination. The first book is called The Writing Life: Writers On How They Think And Work (2003), edited by Marie Arana. This is an interesting, easy read as a cursory insight into the craft and art of writing.
Writers: On Writing. Collected Essays (2001) edited by John Darnton is fairly interesting for what it does not contain. Most writers, rather than discussing the writing process, wind inventively around the process.
Drawing On The Artist Within (1987) by Betty Edwards is fascinating, well organized and practical. It is both an insight and an inspiration.
Drawing On The Right Side of the Brain (1986) by Betty Edwards is a mini-course in creativity on its own. While it dwells, obviously, on drawing and the visual aspect, much conclusion and material is applicable to other areas.
The Psychology Of Imagination (1948) by Jean-Paul Sartre is rather ponderous and dense, but worth perusal simply for its fascinating complexity in attempting to define and discuss creativity and imagination.
The Courage To Create (1994) by Rollo May is a classic, well written inspirational book that helps to unravel our own resistance and fears of tapping into our own creativity. It is written with a gentle clarity that makes the uncertain seem safe.
The Grace Of Great Things: Creativity And Innovation (1990) by Robert Grudin is a wonderful mix of scholarly attainment in an anecdotal conversation style. It is thorough and complete as well.
Getting Unstuck (2002) by Dr. Joy Brown is rather pop, but practical (if limited) in its look at some everyday challenges.
The Spectrum Of Consciousness (1977) by Ken Wilbur is rather more scholarly, but still accessible and insightful. It is also valuable for its focus on “consciousness” as a means to understanding creativity.
The Artist’s Way (1992) by Julia Cameron is a beautiful book about living an inspired and creative life. The book itself is as inspiring as the information it contains.
Creating (1991) by Robert Fritz is a good common-sense, easy reading development for the creative process. Also, it contains debunking and “exposing” of pop-wisdom-self-help methods that don’t work and why they don’t work.
Higher Creativity: Liberating The Unconscious For Breakthrough Insights (1984) by Willis Harman, Ph.D. and Howard Rhiengold is not as intimidating as it sounds. In fact, it is resourceful and accessibly complete in its treatment of the subject.
Creators On Creating (1997) edited by Frank Barron, Alfonso Montuori, and Anthea Barron provides truly fascinating insight into creative types through their own words as well as the observations of the authors.
How To Think Like Einstein (2000) by Scott Thorpe is simplistic and rather pulp like, but with some interesting observations about Einstein and his work.
The Care And Feeding Of Ideas (1986, sequel to “Conceptual Blockbusting”) by James L. Adams is a rather practical, if incomplete approach. Although it contains ideas of substance and value within, it lacks a sense of comprehensive, stand-alone value or worth as a reference tool.
Breakthrough Creativity (2001) by Lynne C. Levesque is a very limited perspective and incomplete focus of which the value is in its specific application, and examination, of creativity in the modern workplace. For workplace insight, it has definite value.
How To Think Like Leonardo da Vinci (1998) by Micahel J. has real value of which can be found in the insight into Leonardo and his work. The “How To” exercises seem rather forced, and some of the associations and conclusions feel stretched to fit. Nonetheless, this work is a good Cliff Notes insight into the greatest creative person in history.
The Creative Habit (2003) by Twyla Tharp is a rather fun read, something of a working artists’ notebook of real-life experience with broader insights gained upon reflections.
Why Didn’t I Think of That (1980) by Charles McCoy offers good advice on how be alert when making judgments so that we don’t commit unnecessary mistakes. Numerous examples also illustrate the practical content.
Molecules of Emotion: Why you feel the way you feel (1997) by Candance Pert, Ph.D gives fascinating insight into Pert’s journey from conventional scientist to one who embraces alternative routes of medicine. Ways of having a healthier lifestyle and resources for alternative medicine are also provided.
To Kill a Mockingbird (1991) by Harper Lee is a touching exploration from the eyes of a child growing up, surrounded by racism in the South, during the Depression. This is definitely a book accessible for everyone.
The Artist Way (Artist’s Way) is a book by Julia Cameron and many use it as a workbook and some keep a journal as suggested. The work around the seeing way is a companion volume to the Artist’s Way creativity kit. Unlock the dragon spirit of the inspiration meditation and creative spirituality give the starving artist something to live on even if it might not translate into food!