Posts from — January 2008

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

Thoughts/Words/Reviews:

Creativity is about capturing those moments that make life worth living. The author’s objective is to offer an understanding of what leads to these moments, be it the excitement of the artist at the easel or the scientist in the lab, so that knowledge can be used to enrich people’s lives. Drawing on 100 interviews with exceptional people, from biologists and physicists to politicians and business leaders, poets and artists, as well as his 30 years of research on the subject, Csikszentmihalyi uses his famous theory to explore the creative process. He discusses such ideas as why creative individuals are often seen as selfish and arrogant, and why the tortured genius is largely a myth. Most important, he clearly explains why creativity needs to be cultivated and is necessary for the future of our country, if not the world.

View More about Creativity: Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention

Ruth Towse

Thoughts/Words/Reviews:
`This is an important work on compensation of the artist and the incentives for artistic activity. The explosive evolution of the technology of communications raises particularly pressing issues in this arena and poses new threats to remuneration of the artist. The discussion of copyright in this book provides vital information for analysis of this issue. The book is informative, intelligent and well written - precisely what is needed for understanding of its subject.’

- William J. Baumol, New York University

Creativity is crucial to the Information Age economy. It is the basis of production in the cultural industries. In this excellent book, Ruth Towse provides an analysis of the interaction between creativity, the law, and markets for cultural goods and services.

Copyright law establishes property rights that create economic incentives to cultural production and Ruth Towse uses her analysis to draw conclusions about policy on copyright. This unique study will be of interest to those in economics, law, cultural studies and management.

View More about Creativity, Incentive and Reward: An Economic Analysis of Copyright and Culture in the Information Age

Julia Cameron

Thoughts/Words/Reviews:
Now in paperback, the national bestseller that is breaking down the mythology behind the “writing life.”

What if everything we have been taught about learning to write was wrong? In The Right to Write, Julia Cameron’s most revolutionary book, the author asserts that conventional writing wisdom would have you believe in a false doctrine that stifles creativity.

With the techniques and anecdotes in The Right to Write, readers learn to make writing a natural, intensely personal part of life. Cameron’s instruction and examples include the details of the writing processes she uses to create her own bestselling books. She makes writing a playful and realistic as well as a reflective event. Anyone jumping into the writing life for the first time and those already living it will discover the art of writing is never the same after reading The Right to Write.

View More about The Right to Write: An Invitation and Initiation into the Writing Life

The Artist’s Way makes you write first thing in the morning. This is a great and powerful thing; start doing it regularly and subtle magic things WILL start happening. A nice new blog about writing and gettin’ ‘er done, http://writetodone.com/, has some nice tips on doing just that: How to Write First Thing in the Morning.

Check it out!

More essential writing tips can be found in today’s FreelanceSwitch post: Essential Reading for Writers and Novices Like Me. Now read these and then get writing!

Thoughts/Words/Reviews:
acidfreeink.com says: Holy moly. This thing is huge!

The Encyclopedia of Creativity is the sourcebook for individuals seeking specialized information about creativity and motivation. Subjects include theories of creativity, techniques for enhancing creativity, individuals who have made significant contributions to creativity, physiological aspects of creativity, and virtually any topic that touches upon the subject. Entries are placed in alphabetical order with cross-references to other topics and entries where appropriate. Each entry is written in simple easy-to-understand terms summarizing the most important aspects of creative research and writing relating to the specific topic. A bibliography in the back of each article suggests additional sources for more information. The text is visually enhanced throughout by illustrations and photographs.

Key Features
* A source-book of specialized information about creativity and motivation
* Includes virtually any topic dealing with creativity
* Entries are placed in alphabetical order with cross-references
* Written in easy-to-understand terms
* Illustrations and photographs throughout
* Contains select biographies of internationally renowned creative individuals from throughout history

View More about Encyclopedia of Creativity Set

Ann Raimes

Thoughts/Words/Reviews:

Keys for Writers is the most accessible, user-friendly handbook in the tabbed, comb-bound market. With a simple tabbing system (five red tabs for the writing process and research, and five gold tabs for sentence-level lessons), thorough and concise coverage of grammar, and an easy-to-read format, Keys for Writers is a valuable resource to students in all disciplines throughout their college careers.

The Fifth Edition features enhanced discussion of plagiarism (and how to avoid it), expanded argument coverage, a full literature paper, two-page “Source Shots” that visually demonstrate to students where to find citation information in different kinds of publications, and even more discussion of evaluating online sources and writing in and for online environments.

An emphasis on critical reading and critical thinking appears throughout discussions of the writing process, argument, and research. Superior coverage of style includes the popular “5 C’s of Style”—Cut, Check for Action, Connect, Commit, and Choose the Best Words—which helps students submit their best work.

• Critical reading and critical thinking features help students through the writing process, argument, and research.
• Thoroughly updated research chapters include a major new section devoted to avoiding plagiarism and new Source Shots that demonstrate visually where to find citation information in different kinds of sources, such as online databases.
• Superior ESL coverage takes a “difference, not deficit” approach. The text integrates Language and Culture boxes, new Editing Guides to Multilingual Transfer Errors and Vernacular Englishes, and ESL Notes.
• New! A full student argument paper, and sample APA and Chicago Manual of Style papers serve as attainable models for student work.
• Key Points boxes; clear, two-part organization; laminated tabs; and color-coding make information accessible and easy to review.
• To support users of Keys for Writers, the content-rich WriteSpace online writing program offers a wealth of interactive teaching and learning aids, including a new assessment resource and peer/instructor review tools. Additional features promote visual literacy, collaboration, and plagiarism prevention.

View More about Key’s For Writers 5th Edition

Check out the official site: http://www.thesilenceoftrees.com/

Too often the women of history have been silenced, but their stories have power to reveal, to teach, and to transform. This is one such story . . .

Valya Dudycz Lupescu

Our Rating:

Thoughts/Words/Reviews:
Oblivious of the dangers that surround her in World War II Ukraine, sixteen-year-old Nadya sneaks out in the middle of the night to ask a fortuneteller about her lover. She returns to find her house on fire, her family missing, and her boyfriend suspected in their disappearance. The couple flees to escape the invading Russian army, but only Nadya survives, ending up in a Displaced Workers camp in Germany. There she meets Pavlo, and fear and loneliness bind her to him. She chooses to leave the past behind as they begin anew in America. After a lifetime of love and loss, Nadya is forced to confront her ghosts when an envelope arrives from Ukraine. In Nadya’s world, myth and magic are a part of daily life-house spirits misplace eyeglasses and sewing needles, a fortuneteller’s cards can predict the future, and the dead softly whisper secrets in the night. Nadya must decide how to appease her dead, and in doing so she may finally find a way to start living.

View More about The Silence of Trees - Official ABNA Entrant

Although it has a blogger or web worker slant for many of the items, many more of the items in 101+ Resources for Creative Minds are great for any creative endeavor.

Check it out: http://www.skelliewag.org/110-resources-for-creative-minds-121.htm

Joseph M. Marshall

Thoughts/Words/Reviews:

View More about Keep Going: The Art of Perseverance

Sark

Our Rating:

Thoughts/Words/Reviews:
acidfreeink.com says: My partner sent me this book (via Amazon!) when I was going through a particularly hard time in my life. He had not read it, but a coworker mentioned the book to him and he thought it would be something I would like. While laying on my couch at home sick with pneumonia the doorbell rang and this book was delivered. I read it that day from cover to cover that day. This book touched me deeply - I credit it (and SARK) with helping me take my first step to making my creative dreams real. (I have also gone on to buy every other book SARK has written). If you are having trouble remembering what it is to live life with joy, Inspiration Sandwich will help you take the first steps to getting there.

an amazon.com customer says: Believe in daily miracles!
And let discovering SARK’s books be one of them! This book is filled with SARK’s distinctive handwritten thoughts and doodles. The colored inserts are a touch that adds some visual jump to the book. I particularly like the inserted small book ‘Daily Miracles’: there are miracles everywhere, relax, fill your heart with wonder, you are not alone, have an adventure, relax. These thoughts are the backbone of “Inspiration Sandwich” and SARK gives all kinds of great examples and suggestions on how to incorporate them into your life. If you’re looking for some ideas on how to add joy and passion to your life, in SARK’s words, “Eat this book”.

View More about Inspiration Sandwich: Stories to Inspire Our Creative Freedom