The Good Creative

by Paul Jarvis

You’re creative. You dream and plan and make stuff – all the time. And whether that “stuff” is a book, a startup, or abstract crayon art on the bathroom wall, you have a nagging feeling that you could take your work further. Do it better. Become more successful.

In The Good Creative, I outline the 18 habits of the world’s most respected artists. It’s a concise, invigorating manifesto for creative pursuits of every kind.

Unlike the get-rich-while-you-meditate programs and e-courses that seem to multiply by the day, there offers no guarantees here. None. These 18 principles might not fund your early retirement, but when applied consistently with a healthy dose of hard work, they will help you to make better, more meaningful art. Now that’s a promise you can take to the bank (or at least to Twitter).

You’ll learn how to:


Promote yourself without feeling like a used car salesman
Hug your critics, embrace failure and reinvent your work
Launch small and build a larger, more engaged audience
Share your process and break the rules


You will NOT learn how to:


Take over the world from your bathtub
Win the Sundance Grand Jury prize
Earn six figures, yesterday
Make an age-defying green smoothie (but you might learn how to attract more fans and readers for your recipe books)

Genres: Nonfiction, Business, Design, Art

ebook

First published April 12, 2014

About the author

Paul Jarvis is a veteran of the online tech world, and over the years has had such corporate clients as Microsoft, Yahoo, Mercedes-Benz, Warner Music and even Shaquille O'Neal.

​Today, he teaches online courses, runs several software businesses and hosts a handful of podcasts from his home on an island on the West Coast of Canada.

Reviews

[Niki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Been a fan of Paul Jarvis' work so naturally I'd have picked up this book. I only got around to reading this today and I'm giving it four stars because it's exactly the book you need if you don't want to wade through thick hardbound books of fluff to find the golden nuggets.

His work is always very lean. He's straight to the point and doesn't think in terms of number of words or number of pages. If he can say it in a haiku, he probably will.

The Good Creative, like his other books, is direct, casual, and interspersed with humor. While the insights don't necessarily knock the ball out of the park, he does it so well and so well-intentioned that you can't help but listen. The advice that really stood out for me are the ones about hugging critics, sharing the wealth and starting simple.

This book is for anyone who may have lost their way and need a little push in the right direction. You'll never go wrong with Paul.

[Ignas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick and easy read but not the best book by Paul. Maybe I was already doing or knew most of the things I found in the book - that is why this book wasn't earth mover for me. You will find some nice inspirational examples, few really good insights. If you just entered world of creativity and you are not sure how to act in this world - read this book. It will not give you all answers, but will give few really good tips. If you are creative person who already support yourself from your creativity - I would say, skip it. P.S. Paul, high five (yes I read also the place where you promised high five for review)!

[Beth Jusino · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got to read a pre-pub edition and write a blurb for this book. Here it is:

"Are you ready to take your creative life to the next level, but you're not sure how? Start here. The Good Creative is a no-bullshit guide, straight from one artist to another and full of wisdom from those who have gone before you, that will equip you to share your projects and passions with the world. This is a book I plan to come back to whenever I feel stuck (and it happens to everyone), and I know I’ll find the inspiration I need every time."

[Daniel Puglisi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Down to the earth and valuable for every creative person. If you read a lot of self help books this book doesn't contain much new information, its more a reminder of things you propably already know and inspires you to stick to your common sense instead of listening to all that new tricks to improve your life/work garbage that is released any other day.

[Bruno Brito · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet - a great collection of tips that will definitely improve your creative approach. I will keep this one close to me, as I have the feeling that I will revisit it often.

[Aras Atasaygın · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast, good read. +Liked the illustrations

[Tony Tran · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good quick read and great points brought up to remind ourselves of the life of behind being creative as humans.

[Jimmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Book on creativity. Will reread soon.

[Tiffany Hathorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick and insightful read

Less than an hour to read, but packed with insight. Recommended for creative entrepreneurs who need to create more and sell more.

[Deron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like Austin Kleon’s Share Your Work, there’s a lot of best practices laid out in an entertaining fashion. Both of those books I’ll pick up again for inspiration and a push in the right direction.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I initially wanted the Kindle edition, but received the paperback as a Christmas gift - which actually turned out to be a wonderful thing. This book is oversized but slim, with a great tactile finish on the cover. The font is large, the margins wide, and all together these details creating a relaxing reading experience. I would imagine a large audience for this book spends a good portion of their day staring at a screen, so to have this rest for my eyes was welcome.

The content of the book was equally satisfying; straight, to the point, without some of the fluff others feel the need to fill their pages with. I would say I finished this in about 3 short sittings over a week; it was easy to digest and it felt satisfying to be able to FINISH a book so easily (rather than add it to my "currently reading" pile on my nightstand).

Illustrations were also delightful, and I could see revisiting this for specific chapters as a refresher in the future.

[Curtismchale · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great and fast read by Paul Jarvis with 18 (plus a sneak 19th) tips on being a creative.

Now some may not consider themselves creatives but take a look at Paul’s intro and then think about whether you’re a creative.

"You’re a creative if you: Make anything, anything at all. Transform your ideas into something tangible. Curate or edit. Lead or teach. Put what you know out into the world for others to watch, taste, read or hear. It’s a wide net right?" - The Good Creative

I agree and think that developers like myself are creatives.

So while this book is firmly pointed to ‘artists’ there is so much in it that is simply awesome advice for anyone running a business or being a developer or…living on earth.

So that’s everyone.

I’d recommend this book as a very quotable short book with lots of great philosophical take aways for your business.

[Ashley Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick and easy read. Jarvis gets straight to the point and offers advice that can be easily applied to any creative's career. I've been struggling to write lately - allowing my failed pitches to discourage me from moving forward. I've been stuck. This book encouraged me to quit feeling sorry for myself and to get back on track. Much of what Jarvis shares in this book felt like common sense to me, but sometimes it helps to hear what you already know from someone new. I look forward to reading more of his work. Also, he's pretty easy on the eyes.

[Mike Vardy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paul Jarvis has written a concise guide for those looking to put out their best creative work on a consistent basis. Sharing 18 tips to making this happen, he's crafted a book that is easy to digest, features solid examples of creators that are "walking the walk," and can be read all in one sitting. Well worth the read!

[Mateus Pinheiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet - very Paul Jarvis. A quick read on being a better person, not only a better creative.

I've always dismissed the word "creative" from what I do because it have so much meaning I don't want to be associated with me. But Paul owns the term and talk about it with resolution.

A very good read.

[John Nelson · Rating 2 out of 5]

*meh* it's nothing but a curation of blog post lists done in an eBook form. While his intentions are sweet, it's just too basic for my needs. However, this is good for some one one younger or some one who has never read anything about self empowerment. But I got this for free on the Kindle store, so I shouldn't complain

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty simple and straightforward ideas and concepts to apply to your life as a "creative" person wanting to share your work/art. A lot of no-brainer themes that are good to keep in mind because the simple and most obvious ideas are the best to recall, utilize and implement. This was a free book for me, so I can't complain about it and a short/quick read.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

I stumbled across Paul Jarvis' settings. He is straightforward with his insights towards helping with the creative process. It is good format here to give the.material for those with a short amount of time to read. This helpful for those who are needing some encouragement.

[Denzil Miguel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Motivation for the creative soul

Paul Jarvis' book was a pleasure to read. It provides insightful nuggets of knowledge and motivation for anyone who is creative. This book can be finished in one sitting. Love the examples he provided. This is a book I will reread frequently!

[Mk · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a quick read, enjoyable but nothing really new to me. I thought the title was a bit misleading - I thought I was going to get more ways to spark creative bursts but that wasn't the gist of the entire thing.

[Rosa Frei · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Creativity is the act of making something from nothing. It requires making public those bets first placed by imagination." The author Paul Jarvis inspires and explains what it takes to be creative and how you can be successful in pursuing a creative life.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good, quick little book with some excellent tips. Most of these tips I am sure that as artists we all know but don't pay attention to, we put them on the 'back burner' but the author reminds us to remember them.

[Tristan King · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of the best modern books I have read that encouraged me to better my craft. Idealist, hesitant on an idea Paul Jarvis holds your hand and makes you believe in yourself

[Edgaras Benediktavicius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple, but very important tips for every creative person. Make a summary list and take a look at it from time to time.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick, straightforward, & motivating read for creatives.

[Fatima Afridi · Rating 4 out of 5]

It spoke to me. Very motivating!

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and focused. Some good tips for anyone trying to make a living as an artist or a creative.