Twelve Books to Pack for Your Creative Journey

Twelve Books to Pack for Your Creative Journey

As an obsessive student of self-study and creativity, my library overfloweth with trusty old friends who, time and again, have the power to inspire my inner muse and, when needed, employ a much-needed kick in the tush. 

The following books are my essential go-to’s—from zen-infused philosophical musings, to prompt-laden guides, to self-help books that (ahem) actually help—with the overall thesis being: We Are All Creative. 

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The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity
By Julia Cameron

A 12-week program designed to shepherd the broken artist to a place of creative recovery by nurturing their intuition and passion, chock-full of exercises such as the well-regarded “Morning Pages” and “Artist Dates.”


Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear
By Elizabeth Gilbert

A New York Times bestseller, Gilbert offers a charming and conversational approach to the paradoxes of the creative process, with the unshakeable belief that ideas are living, breathing organisms waiting to be realized.


Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within
By Natalie Goldberg

Though writer-centric, this easily digestible book beautifully explores the freedom in unleashing your inner artist through bite-sized stories, zen practices, and insightful lessons learned.


Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life
By Anne Lamott

Also composed with the writer in mind, Lamott imparts universal observations on the intersection of reverence and creativity beneficial to all artists, via a collection of anecdotes as provocatively honest as they are refreshingly witty. 


No More Secondhand Art: Awakening the Artist Within
By Peter London

A heady, slightly academic read focused on the pursuit of creativity as an act of personal and transformative growth, worth every underlined sentence, highlighted excerpt, and note-saturated margin.


Fearless Creating
By Eric Maisel

Known as the father of creativity coaching, Maisel generously distills years of working with artists of all levels and disciplines into an enlightening six-part breakdown of the creative process.


One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way
By Robert Maurer

While this quick guide on making lasting change through small steps isn’t specific to the artist’s journey, per se, it is essential reading to reframe how small rewards lead to large returns—key ingredients for building a sustainable creative life. 


The Courage to Create
By Rollo May

A thought-provoking, timeless examination of the alchemistic creative psyche with an emphasis on cultivating courage, meaning, and authenticity. 


Free Play: Improvisation in Life and Art
By Stephen Nachmanovitch

A deeply brilliant, if at times dense, undertaking of the importance of process over product, practice over perfectionism, and trust over control, Free Play instills the mantra: Sit back, relax, and enjoy the creative ride.


The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles
By Steven Pressfield

The War of Art is a swift, shake-you-awake manifesto on what Pressfield so aptly describes as the nemesis to creativity: Resistance; overall, a no-nonsense read for how to muster the strength to carry on in the face of artistic adversity. 


Letters to a Young Poet
By Rainer Maria Rilke

A series of ten letters written by Rainer Maria Rilke to an aspiring artist, this treasure-trove of insight revealed Rilke’s humble yet expansive wisdom on life, art, and their perpendicular nature.


The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life
By Twyla Tharp

From world renown choreographer Twyla Tharp, this every-artist’s handbook examines the importance of developing good habits to yield creative bounty, full of tough-love and tried-and-true practices. 

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Consider joining Inward & Artward’s monthly virtual book club (ArtWord Lit Club) focused on the creative process, the art of inspiration, and purposeful personal development!

Three Tips for Maintaining Creative Life While Parenting

Check out my article on creativity and parenthood in Psychology Today and Thrive Global.

Full text below:

As a COVID-coerced stay-at-home mother, I quickly came to resent the phrase “work-life balance.” Pandemic notwithstanding, the whole journey of having a child completely disrupted my prior way of creative living—teaching workshops, tending to my projects, serving on arts boards, and doing freelance writing on the side. If anything is “a la carte” these days, it’s laundry, grocery shopping, and tidying up the tornado that makes its way through my den every few hours.

Somewhere through the fog of uncontrolled chaos, however, I stumbled onto a profound realization: Balance is what I make of it, and I can either be a victim or master of my reality.

The truth is, a sustainable and healthy creative practice is all about perspective. And just as life changes and evolves, so does our practice. We have two choices: to resist or go along for the ride. As for me, I’ve found changing my perspective on three main points has made the ride much more enjoyable.

1. Hitting the Creative Gym

As a fervent believer in the idea that creativity begets creativity, I’ve started approaching daily “kid” activities as a way to strengthen my “creative muscles.” Boxes become forts; paper towel rolls become telescopes; musical instruments are everywhere. What’s more, other important “muscles” essential to the creative process are being honed—practicing patience; being in the moment; cultivating imagination—all skills that hardly received as much playing time prior to having a child.

2. Reclaiming Time and Self

The big lesson of motherhood I’ve learned thus far is that everything is temporary. Lessening the big emotional grip on what’s lacking (time, personal space, sleep) and redistributing that precious energy has been monumental. Now, inspirational podcasts regularly play in the background; I drastically limit television and social media; I go for walks with my toddler and the idea I’m currently dreaming about. I’ve also made significant efforts to “find my people” while letting go of old relationships that no longer serve.

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Most importantly, I’ve had a conversation with family about honoring the times I set aside for my creativity. Modeling the importance of a creative practice, in fact, is something I consider a responsibility to my children, and an example I’m proud to set.

Beyond that, I feel a sense of responsibility to other parents in debunking the myth that creativity is only reserved for the undomesticated. We parents have a great gift in our children, one that simultaneously opens our hearts up to vulnerability beyond imagine, while also catapulting us into expert time-managers, psychology majors, and well-rounded beings capable of multifaceted identities.

Having this sense of purpose, as it turns out, helps.

3. If You Can’t Beat ‘Em, Join ‘Em

Despite my best intentions, the one constant of childrearing is its unpredictability. Even though there are many days where I don’t have the time or energy for my creative projects, the powerful reality is: Every day is a creative practice. Whether the lesson is in letting go, or letting our little ones teach us a thing or two, we are given the unique opportunity to grow more deeply into the people we want to be. (Not to mention, kids are indisputably the most creative, playful beings on the planet—don’t forget to pack your notepad!)

After all, what kind of parent to your creative projects do you want to be? One who’s unrelenting, perfectionistic, and full of expectations for the unknown? Or a nurturing caretaker who gives space for them to take on a beautiful, untethered life of their own?