8 Books To Reignite Your Creative Spark
Tips, insights, and much-needed motivation to help you push through your creative block
Every creative has, at some point, faced the struggle of feeling stuck and being unable to progress through a creative project. Commonly referred to as artist’s or writer’s block, this challenge can manifest as difficulty generating new ideas, lacking motivation, or waiting for that spark of inspiration. While there's no one-size-fits-all solution for a creative block, one effective method to regain your creative spark is through reading. Books can offer fresh perspectives, practical tips, and the much-needed motivation to push through creative blocks. To help you on your journey, I've compiled a list of eight must-read books from my own library. These books have either inspired me, are currently inspiring me, or are on my to-read list. I hope that they will awaken your creative soul and provide you with the tools to overcome any creative hurdles you may face.
1. The Artist’s Way - Julia Cameron
While this overall list is in no particular order, I had to put this book first. I have had this book in my library for at least two years now and, for some reason, have not read it. But timing is everything because recently I felt moved to pick it up and dive right in, and I must say from the first two chapters, I am excited to move through this book.
With this book, Cameron created a comprehensive 12-week program designed to unlock and cultivate one’s creative potential. The program’s exercises and tools, such as Morning Pages and Artist Dates, are to help the reader overcome blocks and rediscover their creative self. Cameron’s approach is heavily based on her spirituality, but she does let readers know that being spiritual is not a requirement and that the verbiage can be modified to fit individual belief systems.
Despite the title being "The Artist's Way," this book and program are not just for those who consider themselves artists; it’s for anyone looking to enhance their creative process in whatever journey they are on.
There are so many reviews that have proclaimed that this book changed their lives, so it’s safe to say that this is a necessity for every person who is already active in their creative practice and those wanting to make room for their inner creative to thrive.
2. The Creative Act: A Way of Being - Rick Rubin
In The Creative Act, Rick Rubin uses his decades of experience as a legendary music producer to guide the reader in an exploration of creativity. This book takes us on a journey that encourages us to embrace creativity as a way of life. Rubin's insights are deep but not overwhelming, offering wisdom on finding inspiration, overcoming self-doubt, experimenting, building habits, and staying true to one’s artistic vision.
3. Big Magic - Elizabeth Gilbert
If you find fear getting in the way of your big creative dreams, Big Magic is the book for you. Gilbert draws from her own experiences, and wisdom gained from fellow creatives, to give readers a refreshing perspective on inspiration, curiosity, and the pursuit of a creative life. A big takeaway from this read is how ideas will come and go from person to person, searching for someone to bring them to life. If an idea comes to you and you wait too long, it will go on to the next person until it finds “the one.” She dismantles the myths surrounding creativity, proving that everyone is creative, and advocating for a playful and fearless approach to creative endeavors.
4. Creative Quest - Questlove
Questlove, a multi-talented musician and co-founder of the band The Roots, shares his wealth of knowledge on creativity through a mix of personal experiences, interviews with others, and research. This book will help you fight your creative block as Questlove talks about his own creative processes, exploring themes of inspiration, collaboration, and the importance of nurturing one’s artistic spirit. “Creativity isn’t candyland; it’s more complicated than that. But there is a gameboard and general principles to follow” is what Questlove “sketches out” for readers (or listeners) of this book. If you are an audiobook enthusiast, you will love listening to this book as Questlove himself narrates it in a way that keeps you engaged (and you’ll also get a bit of musical razzle-dazzle throughout the listen).
5. The War of Art - Steven Pressfield
If you are feeling a lot of resistance to anything, it means that you need to take some action. This is the overarching advice that you will get from The War of Art. Pressfield delivers a powerful manifesto on overcoming the internal obstacles that hinder our creative pursuits. He details how resistance is the primary enemy of one’s creativity and offers a tough-love approach on how to conquer it. This book is an easy read with concise and motivational chapters that will give you the mindset needed to defeat procrastination, self-doubt, and fear. The War of Art is a must-read for creatives seeking to unlock their full potential and live a more productive and fulfilled creative life.
6. Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative - Austin Kleon
If you have not already read this book, you most likely have seen or heard about it. Steal Like an Artist is a short and to-the-point guide to unlocking your creativity by embracing the influence of others. Kleon argues that no art is entirely original and that the best ideas are born from borrowing and remixing existing concepts. Some may disagree with this idea, but I couldn’t agree more because we have to learn from somewhere, right? Once we study and learn from many different people, we can then take bits and pieces of things that resonate and sprinkle our own unique flavor to create something new and fresh. However, DO NOT COPY someone else’s work! Instead, use it as inspiration to create something else- something new with more of you in it. If you feel inspired to create something solely based on someone else’s work, it is important to credit them.
Through his ten things to “unlock your creativity,” Kleon encourages readers to explore their creative lineage, find inspiration everywhere, and transform their unique perspectives into innovative works. With illustrations throughout, Steal Like an Artist is a great reminder that creativity is about connectivity and reinvention, making it an essential read for all creatives.
7. Atomic Habits - James Clear
This is the only book on the list that is not targeted specifically to those seeking creative inspiration. However, I had to include this book because it is very necessary for creatives to develop consistent habits to inevitably maintain creative inspiration and momentum. In Atomic Habits, Clear provides a comprehensive guide to building and sustaining good habits while breaking bad ones. Through a combination of scientific research and real-world examples, he explains how small, incremental changes can lead to significant improvements in one’s personal and professional life.
8. Creative Confidence - Tom Kelley and David Kelley
Brothers Tom Kelley (bestselling author) and David Kelley (founder of the renowned design firm IDEO) share engaging stories and practical strategies that debunk the myth that creativity is a rare gift possessed by only a select few. A major takeaway from this book is that creativity is a skill that can be nurtured and developed by anyone willing to take risks and embrace failure as part of the learning process. Through Tom’s and David’s blend of inspiration and actionable advice, Creative Confidence provides individuals and organizations with a powerful guide for innovation and maximizing their creative abilities.
Creativity is an ever-evolving journey filled with both triumphs and challenges. The insights and experiences shared in these books remind us that feeling stuck is a universal experience that should be used as a stepping stone for growth. So, the next time you encounter a creative block, remember that the solutions can sometimes be found in the words of those who have walked the same or similar paths. Let the experience and wisdom of these authors guide you, and watch your creativity flourish once again.
All of the books on this list can be conveniently purchased from my Amazon Storefront. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click on any of the book links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!
