More books like Free Play?

June 13, 2020 4:27 AM

I've just finished Stephen Nachmanovitch's Free Play, and I found it's mix of discussion of the creative process with a pinch of self help, and an overall pretty gentle tone really helpful. I'd like to read more things like that.

This ask from last year gets close to what I'm after, but what I've read of some of the suggestions there doesn't quite hit the spot (Wishcraft is maybe closest?). I'm a music person, so something in that field would be ideal, although I'm totally open to perspectives from other mediums. What would be fantastic would be something that addresses the anxieties of the creative process. Maybe something by a psychologist? I guess the advice I'm looking for is "this is how to stay engaged with, and keep finding pleasure in your practice" rather than "this is how to succeed as an artist".

posted by threecheesetrees to Grab Bag (3 answers total)

Adam Savage (one half of the Mythbusters duo-- the one who smiled) wrote a book that does pretty much everything you ask for, albeit it with a general "Maker Movement" workshop focus. But he does spend a lot of time talking about the creative process, and how to change thinking to give yourself permission to do the things you love. Savage is a funny, compassionate, optimistic writer interested in bringing these ideas to everyone, and his authorial voice is exactly the same as his the way he spoke on the show. It's a fun read.
posted by seasparrow at 6:58 AM on June 13, 2020 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I really like Art and Fear, which has a very compassionate take on precisely the anxieties of the creative process.
posted by Jeanne at 5:05 AM on June 14, 2020 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Thank you, these both look great. I think I'll start with Art and Fear, but the Savage one looks good too, and at the moment the more of this sort of thing I can get my hands on the better. I was rationing out the one mentioned in the question for a while because I didn't want it to end!
posted by threecheesetrees at 4:39 AM on June 16, 2020