Creativity Books

This is an excellent book for straightforward and concise help in reconnecting with yourself; aiding in the transformation and renewal of your aims, while simultaneously enhancing creative expression in your journaling.
Encouraging and insightful, you can only benefit from the experience this book provides in Eldonna's guiding examples of balance and creativity amidst the chaos of inner and external disturbances.
Provided here to us with detailed clarity and inspiration, this book is truly a gift from the heart.

This book has already given me much needed insight into myself and I am still learning as I go. This is the best tool for journaling that I have seen yet, and I've been looking for a while, let me assure you. There is no way you could get more for less money with a therapist or psychiatrist. Eldonna knows just how to help you get started and encourage you to keep going.

When I open a wordless book and stare at the blank page, I often feel overwhelmed. How do I go about filling it? What do I say? I am not naturally creative, I am in the process of growing into my creativity. In "Journaling from the Heart," Eldonna Bouton addresses my problem by providing a guideline to follow. The guideline helps me begin my writing journey while gently guiding me back to my feelings and emotions. Thanks, Eldonna. Finally I feel like I can get started and keep progressing in my journaling efforts without feeling overwhelmed and giving up way too soon.

Great book for learning to look at journaling beyond just a venting tool. Great and easy ways to get started.

I purchased this book because of all of the positive reviews and found it to be as good as the rating. One of the things that wasn't mentioned in the previous reviews was that this book consists of daily "assignments," in which the author gives you a topic to write on and you take the topic and personalize it. The books consists of 3 parts with 25 assignments in each part, 75 assignments total.

One of the things that I really liked about this book is because I am fairly new to journaling, this book can be used as a way to ease into the idea of beginning journaling. I am currently working through assignment 3 (having received the book yesterday) so I cannot mention what I think about every part of this book, however, I think it will be very useful for someone (like me) that might need prompting in order to write about issues that may be more difficult to write about without this book. This book is also different from the other journaling books that I have purchased in the past because it does not go into detail about the different "styles" of journaling but really engages you to use your own style to answer the assignment topic presented.

This is a wonderfully written book. I've been writing for some time, but it wasn't until I read this book, that I realized why my writing wasn't working. This is a MUST read for anyone who wants to write fiction. Easy to read, to understand, and right to the point.

Read it...you won't be disappointed...in fact you'll wish you'd read it sooner.

I was told she's coming out with an updated edition, so watch for that.

This is a fabulous book! But the 1st edition is out of stock....! Amazon, why aren't you carring the newly-released second edition?

Kate Walker is a seasoned professional writer. Her first novel was published way back in 1984. She has written over fifty books and currently has two Harlequin Presents books out this year.

This book explains: how to write emotion and create page turning quality. How to create conflict amidst your characters and why it is a major essential component of your novel. Why dialogue is the lifeblood of your knowledge. How to make dialogue sound realistic. How to make your characters real. How to create the required sharp focus on your hero and heroine. How to develop supporting characters that work. Why flashbacks are important in some stories and how to create them in your novel. Why sensuality is imporant and how to develop sensuality between your hero and heroine. How to pace the development of the romance that is occurring between your hero and heroine. How to write the love scene between your hero and heroine and the importance of 'after'. The importance of the hero and his essential 'vital' vulnerability'. The filter role of the heroine for the reader. The heroine's 21st century response to conflict. How to answer the question 'why?'. How to write the intense black moment and why it is so important. She also has a chapter devoted to the practicalities - agents, market study, rejection, revisions, synopsis', queries etc.

In short the book covers everything that romance writer needs to develop their craft. I found this book to be pretty comprehensive and clearly laid out. If you are serious about writing then this book should be on your shelf.

of romantic fiction, from a master of the craft. A must have for your writing resource library, 12-Point Guide breaks the information into easily digested bits.

What a wonderful resource for not only novice writers, but for those of us who have a few books under our belts. Reading about the craft, about why we do what we do, about what makes a story work...it helped invigorate my current book. Kate Walker has such an easy way, a gift of explaining what's what. From finding your voice, to plot, to characters...it's all there!

I've read many books about hospitality from a Christian perspective and this ranks as one of the best.

One feels they are sitting down and having tea with a friend as she shares her homemaking journey. There is a great deal of practical information, too.

Just the kind of book one loves to curl up with to relax and be inspired.

Written by Hearts at Home speaker Karen Ehman, A Life That Says Welcome: Simple Ways to Open Your Heart & Home to Others is a practical introduction to the art of hospitality. Ad Ehrman explains, the secret of hospitality isn't primarily about how one's home is decorated or maintained, or what dishes are cooked; it's making one's guests feel welcome, and comes straight from the heart. Material matters are of course discussed as well, including the basics of battling clutter, dustballs and dirt; decorating on a shoestring budget; tips for hospitality on the road; and much more. As a devoted Christian, Ehman also shows how to open not only one's home to guests but also how to open one's life and soul as an avenue for God's love. An excellent selection of tips, tricks, and techniques for receiving guests with warmth and spreading joy.

This book has been just what I've been looking for. The author is so real and encourages everyone to practice hospitality no matter what size of home you live in. This has allowed me to realize that what I have can be used to bless people. I don't have to have the best of everything, I just have to be me. Great resource!!

I liked the title of this book when I saw it highlighted through the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) website. Karen Ehman has written a book that is true to life and offers many great ideas. She covers a gamut of topics, but doesn't rush through anything. It is entertaining and heartfelt. I am very glad I chose this book.

I love this book. I have 3 small children, a husband, and a hyper dog. We want to entertain more and hope that people feel welcome in our home. I found encouragement on every page of this book, and many chuckles through-out. The humor hidden within the pages always left me coming back for more.

A friend told me he was going to listen to David Whyte and it intrigued me enough to look him up and download this CD for a long drive this weekend. I find myself rather numb from the depth and breadth of it all. So very much to think about and what its implications are in my life that I'll be having to relisten many times I'm sure (I've already listened twice). He gives us his experiences with such clarity I can almost smell the Celtic grasses under his feet and feel the mists swirling around his vision, occasionally parting for a view of distant and promising lands. This wrapped up in his and others poetry that he reads and his reflections about it has caused me to further explore new poets, to talk about them with my friends, and to ask what can we do with this. David has obviously thought about such matters deeply and I can think of no higher tribute to a person than they made me think profoundly about profound matters.

A NEW NOTE OF CAUTION: I purchased this as an introduction to David Whyte, thinking if I liked this "unabridged" version I'd buy his "Clear Mind, Wild Heart" (CMWH) audio. Long story short: this is actually CD 2 and 3 of CMWH. I think this is like taking all the odd chapters of a Tale of Two Cities, renaming it "Story of a Town (Unabridged)". It is misleading labeling. I will keep the five stars because it is an amazing foray into poetry and life in general but beware--if you're thinking you'll buy CMWH then go straight there. Fortunately the audio download server with a name almost identical to the publisher of this CD refunded my money so I could just buy the 6 CD set.

I bought this to listen to as we traveled through Scotland.(Seems like an odd plan, but I wanted to do some reflection on my own mid-life.) I LOVED it! David uses poetry in such a meaningful manner, and he's an excellent story-teller. I've listened to this many times since that trip, and each time I REALLY listen. I have to say that I am a little better for the listening.

This CD is one that you will want to listen to over and over again, and with friends. It is not just for people in midlife, it is for anyone in life. Get it and you will learn what life is all about and how to live it.

As awkward as it might be to consider oneself at mid-life, it is a genuine relief to have such a clear and open-hearted guide such as David Whyte help make sense of it all. This CD is profound and inspiring. I could listen to Mr. Whyte's voice all day long. He draws on not only poetry (his own and that of others), but on basic life observations and recollections. The only caution I'll give is that some material seems to be lifted directly from another of his CDs, entitled "Clear Mind: Wild Heart". It's possible that it's just the same words and themes...I haven't done a side-by-side comparison. The duplication is a bit disconcerting, but has more to do with the publisher than the author. Anyway, David Whyte's talents are amazing, and this material is one that I'll listen to again and again. Best wishes,

I wish the "midlife" reference were not in the title as it made me hesitate and delay trying this product for way too long. It is such an exquisite treat and so powerful in way more ways than I can convey through words. David Whyte's uniquely powerful delivery adds further punch to his great insights that reach ever deeper the more one listens. Thus I found it amazing the first time I listened and keep being blown away by finding it ever more powerful every time I listen. In addition to the content, the place David Whyte speaks from is itself profoundly impactful. At the time I ended up deciding to buy this product I had greatly lamented Amazon not selling David Whyte's "poetry of self-compassion" as I had adored that tape. Although I still regret not having yet been able to find it on CD as it is even more powerful yet, I am so glad that it ended up pushing me into giving this product a try as both are invaluable and well worth owning and repeatedly listening to over the years as special treats that get ever better over time.

Well thought out and clearly articulated...you feel at home with Laurie. There are two tapes. On her Change tape she offers useful information and exercises that help you to decide the changes you want to make and then 10 steps to help you carry them out. Her tape on Communication hit some hot buttons for us and were good reminders about style differences, and how we can appreciate that in others. We both have creative activities we do, so her Creativity tape ideas stimulated fresh ideas that that are a big help.

Laurie Sheppard has down to earth good sense & enormous creativity that can inspire you to make the changes in your life that you have always wanted. A long time ago she advised me to never give up on my dream & now I am living it! Thank you Laurie!

In our lives' path we encounter challenges, difficulties, obstacles and support. Add this tapes to your bag of support in your life's journey and you will have a constant reliable companion you can refer to time and time again for insights, suggestions and new ideas for action. I highly recommand these tapes to anyone.

Lauire's light and breezy style makes this self improvement course different
from all the rest I've seen or heard. Do what she says and your life WILL change.

Ms. Sheppard's tape, The 3-C's is a wonderfully organized & clearly articulated journey through the maze of challenges "elephants in the road" we face in today's success driven world. The tape is easy to listen to and gets you to think & participate in an active way to deal with those things that block us in our pursuit of achievement. Personally, I have a huge library of tapes by the masters & books in every "self-help" sub category; Ms. Sheppard's tape is clearly a new classic. I highly recommend it!

Recently, I have read a lot of books on Creativity and Innovation. My big surprise is that virtually none of them mention Koestler's The Act of Creation. This is unfortunate because this book is probably the most authoritative examination of creativity. Attention to this classic is worth reviving.

Koestler examines three types of creativity - Humor, Science, and Poetry. Humor, according to him, is cruel (a valuable insight). Poetry, and other forms of art, integrate oneself with the World. Science occupies the neutral middle. It is amazing how Koestler manages to link all three kinds of creativity with a common framework.

My two biggest take-aways from this book are regarding the process of creation and its form.

As Koestler describes beautifully - "..uncovers, selects, re-shuffles, combines, synthesizes already existing facts, ideas, faculties, skills. The more familiar the parts, the more striking the new whole." This is corroborated by all geniuses who have stood `on the shoulder of giants'. Even inventors like Edison fit this framework. This is close to saying that instead of thinking `outside the box', link several boxes to each other.

The other great insight is that the final breakthrough is rarely verbal, but in images. So people see new insights in a dream-like trance, rather than expressing it in language. Language, probably, impedes creativity.

There are several more delightful and relevant insights on creativity in this masterpiece. Nearly a bible on creativity.

The book looks at creativity from a broader perspective than what is generally portrayed in society. It looks at the creativity involved in sciences, humour and of course the arts, showing that the three types are inextricably linked, and that the creative process for genius in all areas follow incredible parallels. His theory on bisociative deductions is marvellous. One of my favourite books.

A fascinating read for the person who steps back and wonders - it gives glimpses and answers through an integrated body of research and a graceful and insightful fireside chat about it all. One of my all time favourite books. I can hardly wait to read it again!

This is the first of Koestler's big three serious science books. The second is "The Sleepwalkes", on the contribution of Copernicus, Kepler and Galileo. The third is "The Ghost in the Machine", which contains a critique of behaviorist psychology and Koestler's theory to account for the apparent self-destructiveness of human nature.

"The Act of Creation" offers a theory to account for the "Ah Ha" reaction of scientific discovery, the "Ha Ha" reaction to jokes and the "Ah" reaction of mystical or religious insight. In each case the result is produced by a "bisociation of matrices" or the intersection of lines of thought which brings together hitherto unconnected ideas and fuses them into a creative synthesis. When the lines of thought are scientic the result is a scientific discovery, when they are concerned with devotional matters the result is mystical insight and when they are on a more homely plane the result can be a joke.

The model is fleshed out with a great deal of information ranging from the religions of the world to a theory about the nervous system to account for the build-up of tension and its discharge at the puchline of a joke. Peter Medawar's review was scathing in his comments on Koestler's science, which is a shame because the book can have the desirable effect of encouraging young scientists to read far beyond the usual range of their literature.

This is a remarkable book. Some years ago, I used it as the basis of a course I wrote on Thinking & Creativity. When I first read it, I was astonished to realise that the agonising process I had been going through daily in my (then) profession of advertising copywriter was something that all creative people went through - if they were trying hard enough.

One other thing struck me then. How much Edward de Bono appears to owe to Koestler's theories. Has he ever acknowledged this?

a difficult book to read, stylistically speaking. the sentences are awkward, and 300 pages later i couldn't adapt to the point that they smoothed out. chapters 2-5, roughly 100 pages, seemed particularly viscous. i went through the entire book without feeling that i really knew what the author meant by the term "daimonic." there's a footnote from the intro that gives a hint, another hint on page 65, but after going through it a third time the best i can do is work backward from terms from freud and jung. diamond provides reasonably informative and entertaining overviews of noted theorists and brief biographies of creative artists. the most welcome line of the book for me was a quote from rollo may: "the task of the therapist is to conjure up the devils rather than put them to sleep." no devils, and few other readers, will be particularly stirred up by the book, i'm afraid, but i give it a four for the revelation that western thinkers have arrived at "confrontation therapy" mere thousands of years after the orient (a zen master shoved his non-swimming student into a deep pond. as the student thrashed, the master calmly asked, "at this moment, what is your original mind?").

Diamond redeems anger in much the same way that May redeemed Anxiety over 50-years ago. A student of May's, Diamond shows an excellent grasp of both May's work and the broader context of exisential and depth psychology. Particularly helpful is Diamond's ability to apply the concept of the daimon to psychopathology and the psychological disorders. This provides for a penetrating analysis of pathology from an existential perspective along with a new approach to the etiology of these disorders.

In this single volume, Diamond shows himself to be one of the leaders in contemporary existential thought. This book should be a must read for contemporary students and practitioners of depth psychology.

A good orientation, thorough review of the development of existential/depth psychology, with a refreshing, updated point of view. Immediate, practical applications for some of today's most pressing isssues. Good for an educated public as well as for mental health professionals. -- Bruce F. Pither, Ph.D., President, American Mental Health Alliance of California

I am writing to express my deep appreciation of Dr. Diamond's book Anger, Madness, and the Daimonic. I am a Grandmother and a lay person, and yet I can understand and relate to every word written. This book should be read by every single mental health professional. It is so relevant and important. We plan to tell everyone we know about this book. We believe that this book and Diamond's insight are right on target, and would like to thank him for his courage and conviction in writing this book. Dr. Diamond should be applauded by every member of his profession.

I am a clinical psychologist, and in my list of favorite books, I write this:

Diamond writes: "The volatile emotions of anger and rage have been broadly `demonized,' vilified, maligned, and rejected as purely pathological, negative impulses with no real redeeming qualities. As a result, most `respectable' Americans habitually suppress, repress, or deny their anger-inadvertently rendering it doubly dangerous." He also clarifies, while developing the ideas of Rollo May, how we therapists collude with our clients and culture, thus depriving ourselves of the value and resources of this normal dimension of our being. He integrates psychoanalytic, Jungian, and existential theory under a new rubric of Existential Depth Psychology. As May states, our job is often "not to still the daimons but to wake them."

In addition, I think this is an important, engaging, and well-written work that I wish all my colleagues would read.

I really liked this book. The pages shown in it were raw with emotion, but there were also several clever ideas for journaling outside of the pages of a book. My favorite part was the blurb in the words of the contributors after each of their projects. I wish more art journaling books included that because having the peek into the mind of the creator really helped me to appreciate their art on a deeper level.

I think this is a great book for anyone serious about any kind of journaling. Exploring negative feelings and experiences and growing from them is a wonderful lesson whether your preferred journaling medium is a full arsenal of art supplies or just a pen and paper.

woman: That's How the Light Gets In: Memoir of a Psychiatrist by Susan Rako, M.D. The title comes from a song by Leonard Cohen: "There is a crack, a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in." Rako's book is fascinating, inspiring, and wonderfully well-written. It's a testamonial to the importance of listening to oneself and daring to stand to one's truth. It's a great read. The writing just flows.

It is true not to judge a book by it's cover. The cover of this one had me passing it by- but I happened to look inside and was hooked. This is ALL about the content... yes, there is lots of eye candy- but these are pages where people are working with content. Loss, illness, life changes, but also births and motherhood, moving, frustrations, difficult relationships, financial worries... but not as pity me sorts of pages, or agony aunt conversations- these are beautifully rendered, heartfelt, real thoughts and feelings of living and breathing people who are just sharing what real life is like sometimes. Artists who happen to be women keeping it real in the pages of their journals fill the pages of this book with their stories, essays, and their work. If it is all about the pretty or what the newest technique is, this one isn't for you. If it is about the journey, the process, the work- it's a good one. Buy it - you won't regret it.

I'm the author of:Mixed-Media Nature Journals: New Techniques for Exploring Nature, Life, and Memories and True Vision: Authentic Art Journaling

While other books can inspire technique and artistic skills this book
focuses on the reason that we keep journals. When we are alone with illness, dislocation, pain, worry, grief or other troubles we don't always have a friend to talk to. But we do have the journal to confide in.

I respect and thank all the people who contributed to this book. It has made me see how journaling can be a tool for ministers, friends and family to reach through and encourage someone who is suffering. Also, we
will never know when the day presents us with a demon that we must live with.

Art has power to move through time and place as do words. This book is more of a testiment of how many people used journaling as a pair of waterwings while swimming through unknown waters. Their generosity is
wonderful. The book is an excellent tool and motivator.

I just love this book! It confirmed what I've known and practiced for many years. Journaling helps bring a balance and healing to my life. What I didn't realize was how when coupled with art expression it magnified the effect. I took a one hour art therapy class at college years ago, so this set the foundation for this concept. I appreciate the openess in which the artists and writers share their stories and examples of their creations. The work is beautiful. The book is well written and well illustrated. My mother passed away last year. I have begun my own art journal titled, "The darkest day; the darkest night." It has been so helpful to me that I have taken this great book to my school and shared it with some of my students and they are creating their own creative art journals. This book has touched my life and now is touching the lives of some of my students. Thank you Sharon Soneff for sharing this great work and for all those artists and writers who shared their stories!

By taking the reader on a journey through her own follies, adventures and heartaches, Patrice Dickey traces the twisted pathway from shadow to joy. The author exposes her own vunlerabilities as a mechanism to extend a hand to to others seeking to make sense of the madness in their lives. The book combines engaging prose with meaningful revelations, and the author's obvious wisdom never assumes a "preachy" tone. Certain to appeal to readers who would prefer to learn their next lesson from someone who risks experiencing a richly lived life.

Ms. Dickey's BACK TO THE GARDEN: Getting from Shadow to Joy is a warmly written guide that approaches the daily struggles of our anxious age with compassion and common sense. The book is both a courageous journaling of one woman's self-healing and a generous how-to book for others wishing to follow the path of honest self-assessment and direction.

Back to the Garden is like an easy visit with a friend..... just a meandering through life.. thoughts.... tools.... experiences with spiritual eyes to see and experience it all.

A gentle jewel.

Reviewed by Lori Plach for Reader Views (9/07)

Imagine coming to a beautiful garden. You need peace and tranquility. You desire to take in the beauty and peace of knowing that you are not there alone. You have entered a garden with many paths within its borders. Once visiting this garden, you will want to return often -- coming "Back to the Garden" is very simple -- all you need to do is open the pages of this book.

Like in a garden, where the grass and flowers grow, you will grow when inside its pages. You will find the different paths to self-awareness, self-discovery and self-acceptance. You can be at peace with your thoughts. "Back to the Garden" is a collection of many different stories about people from a wide range of walks of life. These stories will encourage you and give you an opportunity to take on a different perspective. When you read some of these stories, you will find that others have fought incredible odds and won.

Patrice Dickey has won numerous awards for her educational excellence. She shares how you can break from the shadows and come into the light of a happier life. With the many short stories in their own individual sections, you can come "Back to the Garden" and find just the morsel that will help you at any given time. This book is a must have for anyone who desires to feel true joy. Patrice Dickey has been truly blessed with a way of educating others into seeing the joy and contentment in life. She is very encouraging and helpful. Joy definitely flows throughout the pages and your life will seem different after being here. There is an accompanying CD by the same name where Patrice has selected stories so you can visit the garden when riding in your vehicle between appointments or anytime you need a pick-me-up.

The garden gate is open. Read "Back to the Garden," and come in and savor the time you have in this beautiful place!

This book is a gentle, empowering, easy-read on how to journey into a more self-empowering way of living and being . . . written from the heart. The book declares that the path is open to all . . . not just a priviledged few . . . and the expansion of one's life, which comes down this path, is well worth the effort, even with the inevitable bumps and bruises one will encounter along the way. You will cherish your life more and have confidence in the potential it holds, after you read this book.

This book is a classic for all of us who are looking for a change of pace and a better way of life. With the Virtual Office a reality, we can work virtually anywhere, so why not choose the pastoral life? We refer our readers who harbor such dreams to this book again and again. Sarah Edwards, author The Practical Dreamer's Handbook.

Your book is well informed and plenty of resource that gave me more confidence. Reread it few times. I really enjoy reading it very much. Thanks

This is the best book of it's kind that I have read - out of about 5 or so. Written in 1997, the authors considered the Internet and telecommuting as well. And it is nearly as relevant to Australia (where I find myself) as to the USA. Easy to read, it contains many useful hints, tables, and resources. Valuable questionaires and lists. What you should and what you shouldn't. What you need, and what you don't. Even so, we also had a "First Try". But nothing ventured is nothing learned.

As the Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Partnership for Economic Development, your book has become a major source of reference.

If you have been dreaming of moving to the country, but don't know if you can really do it successfully, Country Bound! is a great resource. The Rosses lay all their personal experience on the line, frankly and comprehensively. They help you ask yourself the "nitty-gritty" questions that you MUST consider before making such a big life change. The book's separate sections on lifestyle and business considerations help you break down the decision into manageable pieces. The many quizzes and activities are fun as well as eye-opening, and the writing style makes it a quick, enjoyable read. One reading may not be enough, however! There's so much good information here, you will want to review many sections over and over!