The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life
by Twyla Tharp
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 275)
Read in July, 2008
I wasn't an avid fan of Twyla Tharp the choreographer, but her suggestions for creative discipline were inventive and inspiring. She draws from her personal inventory of art knowledge, offering anecdotes and metaphors from literature, classical music, painting, film and dance. I was impressed with her interdisciplinary approach. One of the most valuable tidbits I got was the understanding of what actually makes a habit a habit: for instance, she says she goes to the gym every single morning and ...more
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I was expecting this book to be a lot better than it actually was, and I feel that the idea was good, it was just presented in a way that I didn't find at all engaging. I felt that Tharp's ideas were kind of shoved down my throat in a very demeaning way, and I didn't like the way she treated the reader. I read about multitasking while reading the book on the cross trainer at the gym; the part when she says how much she hates seeing people reading while working out. That statement was just one of...more
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Read in August, 2008
I started this book some time ago after I received it as a gift. I didn't get very far as other books elbowed their way to the front of the line. I, finally, decided to get serious and really started reading it. One of the best things about it so far is that Twyla Tharp describes creativity as a habit. While that sounds much more boring that creativity being a flash of light from God, it is much more comforting for me. I can develop a...more
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recommended to Dharma by:
a forum on Ravelry
recommends it for: anyone who wants to get dirty with creativity
recommends it for: anyone who wants to get dirty with creativity
OMG I am in love! My other creativity book (Ealy) has been dragging - it has good tidbits but it's a fairly dull read about creativity. But this? It reached out and shook me from page 1. It's library borrow but I think I might have to own this one to reread it from time to time.
I have loved Twyla Tharp forever. In reading this book so far I can see she is incredibly anal, perhaps even would be classified as OCD via the DSM-IV but she is brilliant and honest in this book, asking really ...more
I have loved Twyla Tharp forever. In reading this book so far I can see she is incredibly anal, perhaps even would be classified as OCD via the DSM-IV but she is brilliant and honest in this book, asking really ...more
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Read in April, 2007
Twyla Tharp deconstructs her creative process so that the reader can find ways to use her techniques in daily life. I particularly like the idea of reading as an archeaological dig; i.e. reading the author's current work then reading back through time to apprentice work. It's another way to track the evolution of an artist instead of the academic routine of moving chronologically from the beginning pieces through an author's canon to the present or death, which ever comes first.... Also, she sta...more
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I received a recommendation for this book from an article passed to me by a friend, Time Management for Creative People, by Mark McGuinness. His article discusses the battle between being creative and being organized/well-managed. I highly recommend reading through it, if you are a creative professional or even if you are not. I have found that time management is so important when running my business, and that creativity can oftentimes take the back seat. Yet, being creative is what is the most ...more
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Read in January, 2005
I enjoyed reading this book at the same as I was directing the development of PBS Parents Guide to Creativity (pbs.org/parents/creativity).
Some ideas I resonated with included, that starting can be the hardest part. Ms. Tharp considers herself 'started' when she is in the cab on the way to her studio. I found this a liberating definition. A Just Get Going kind of thing.
I definitely thought Chapter 6 "scratching" would resonate with all of us who have ever been teachers. Consta...more
Some ideas I resonated with included, that starting can be the hardest part. Ms. Tharp considers herself 'started' when she is in the cab on the way to her studio. I found this a liberating definition. A Just Get Going kind of thing.
I definitely thought Chapter 6 "scratching" would resonate with all of us who have ever been teachers. Consta...more
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an interesting take on creativity and how to develop it. Her dance, music, choreography background permeate a lot of the examples and discussion but the core concepts are relevant well beyond this. It has many useful ideas that could be implemented even in professions that are not normally labeled as "creative" pursuits. I liked the philosophy of learning how to capture your ideas, stay true to the best parts, and approach each day in a way that promotes these goals. The "exercise...more
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recommends it for:
artists, makers, doers
A wonderful, non-sappy book.
If you've ever found yourself in a creative slump, this is the book to turn to. Twlya is a dancer but her thoughts and exercises on creativity and creation are universal.
The last section of the book is particularly helpful for anyone working through a common theme of the creative life: Failure and rejection.
Don't be fooled by the self help-y classification. Her prose forgoes the generally gushy encouragement of similar books. This is a smart book and high...more
If you've ever found yourself in a creative slump, this is the book to turn to. Twlya is a dancer but her thoughts and exercises on creativity and creation are universal.
The last section of the book is particularly helpful for anyone working through a common theme of the creative life: Failure and rejection.
Don't be fooled by the self help-y classification. Her prose forgoes the generally gushy encouragement of similar books. This is a smart book and high...more
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I am reading this right now and it has truly been my salvation.
For people that have been doing creative work for a long time, most of her points are sort of 'givens' but she touches upon points that one does not clearly identify as part of the process.
If anything, I have never read or heard anything that so clearly and realistically breaks down the creative process as she she does and its not even just for art, she also touches upon as it works in business and business management.
For people that have been doing creative work for a long time, most of her points are sort of 'givens' but she touches upon points that one does not clearly identify as part of the process.
If anything, I have never read or heard anything that so clearly and realistically breaks down the creative process as she she does and its not even just for art, she also touches upon as it works in business and business management.
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Read in December, 2005
recommends it for:
anyone with creative projects
Easy to read, lots of good tips and exercises. It is interesting to hear from a dancer about her process to get projects done. I've adapted several of her ideas including using a box for every new project to start to accumulate anything related to it. It helps to group thoughts and ideas in one place to come back to. There will always be space problems in this lifetime I'm convinced! It's a book I pick up and read randomly when I'm starting a project.
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Read in March, 2008
Though I don't agree entirely with all of her assertions about the creative process, I am getting allot of usefulness from this practical guide to preparing for and developing creativity. What I like is the nuts and bolts approach that demystifies the process and spells out the work of being ready for creativity. I am amazed by dancers but this can be applied to any field. The down side is that it gets a bit preachy and redundant.
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Read in November, 2007
Tough love book of creative pursuits. She has an excellent vocabulary, lots of life experiences to glean from - her writing is very straightforward. I am reading it again for the inspiration and also to complete all of the exercises I skipped over the last time I read it. I would recommend this book if you need a kick to do some creative projects you have been considering and help in integrating creativity into your life every day.
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Read in May, 2007
I was not/ am not a huge fanatic of modern dance, but was intrigued enough to check out this book, and found Twyla Tharp's outlook on planning for, and executing, creative endeavors to be wonderfully inspiring. It prompted me to get a ticket to see Alvin Ailey Dance Company here in Chicago when they performed a piece by Tharp, which was fantastic! It's only like $10 from Amazon. Great gift for creative people of all sorts.
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Read in December, 2007
I just started but I love the pragmatic approach Ms. Tharp has to creativity. She demystifies her process and attempts to make creativity and innovation accessible.
I actually stopped reading the book because the style was very expository. Since I did not have the time to treat this like a workbook with exercises I gave up on it. It got dull. She really made her creative process mundane.
I actually stopped reading the book because the style was very expository. Since I did not have the time to treat this like a workbook with exercises I gave up on it. It got dull. She really made her creative process mundane.
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I find it inspiring to read about Twyla Tharp's daily rituals and creative habits. I suppose it belongs to the self improvement genre but it is written by a brilliant choreographer and dancer. I guess I like reading about the weird things people do to trick themselves into working fearlessly.
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Ms. Tharp includes many aspects of thought/behavior in her exploration of creativity that I would not have initially considered part of the creative process. Most helpful to me were her personal examples of failures and triumphs and how she had learned from both. I did not actually perform suggested exercises in each chapter but still benefitted from her ideas.
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Read in July, 2008
This is a great compilation of information about thinking creatively. While, like many similar books, much of the information in here is intuitive, sometimes you just need to see it written out in front of you to remember it. Tharp did a great job analyzing her creativity and explaining her process to generate ideas and solve problems. Definitely a good read.
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Read in January, 2008
Although Julia Cameron's Artists Way had some elements I liked (I read it a decade ago but still remember my almost adolescent disdain for Morning Pages) Twyla Tharp's book focuses on the reality that artistry is less whimsical than most assume. It's one of those books that you highlight and feather with post-its to return to when you're in a funk.
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This book gives you the tools to be creative everyday and practise the craft through which you explore your particular creative talents. If you want to be a writer you still have to put discipline into it as a carpenter or jewelery maker hones his craft over years f labor and intensive practice. good book if you feel like you are in a rut in life.
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book data (includes all editions)
avg rating (all editions): 3.93 (275 ratings) avg rating (this edition): 3.90 (251 ratings) number of reviews: 69popular shelves
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