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So, You're a Creative Genius... Now What?
Until now there hasn’t been a comprehensive, philosophical guide to prepare you for the strange, beautiful, and downright dangerous lifestyle known as a Creative Career. So, You’re A Creative Genius… Now What? is here to help you take control of your destiny, follow your own path, and open your own creative studio anywhere.
Divided into two parts, YOU and THEM, this fun book teaches you how creative freelancing can bankroll your own artistic dreams.
Whether you’re an artist, writer, filmmaker, or musician, So, You’re A Creative Genius… Now What? will help you conquer that Creative Genius within.
Divided into two parts, YOU and THEM, this fun book teaches you how creative freelancing can bankroll your own artistic dreams.
Whether you’re an artist, writer, filmmaker, or musician, So, You’re A Creative Genius… Now What? will help you conquer that Creative Genius within.
200 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2011
8 people are currently reading
201 people want to read
About the author
Carl King
17 books21 followersI was a musician under the names Sir Millard Mulch and / or Dr. Zoltan Øbelisk. Now I spend my time as a person instead of a persona.
This just in, from my Chief Meme Architect:
• I've made albums with famous drummers.
• Decibel Magazine called me an auteur.
• Author of the book, "So, You're A Creative Genius... Now What?"
• Sci-Fi / Fantasy / Superhero writer / director / animator / producer.
• I don't believe in one-dimensional Industry Designations.
• Bicyclist. Vegan. Introvert.
I'm wealthy, have a lot of free time, and no one likes me.
This just in, from my Chief Meme Architect:
• I've made albums with famous drummers.
• Decibel Magazine called me an auteur.
• Author of the book, "So, You're A Creative Genius... Now What?"
• Sci-Fi / Fantasy / Superhero writer / director / animator / producer.
• I don't believe in one-dimensional Industry Designations.
• Bicyclist. Vegan. Introvert.
I'm wealthy, have a lot of free time, and no one likes me.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 20, 2012
I recieved "So, You're a Creative Genius... Now What?" as a Goodreads Giveaway. (by the way, I thought it would be at least next month until it arrives, but, woah, that was fast!)
I was twisted even before I started reading.
So far I've never managed to read a book that could be called 'help' in any way that's mainly concering *real* life.
But something about it is so very odd and that seemed exciting and made me think, 'Could be weird enough to be entertaining. Maybe even helpful'
My personal thoughts on it after reading:
This book...
- I love it. I hate it.
- It's intriguing. It's frustrating.
- It makes me grin. It makes me rage.
Okay, I'm really glad I got to read this book!
Some parts cracked me up; some parts threw a brick in the face of that awkward, easily embarrassed side of me, which always insists on getting mad at having a mirror held up in front of me. I got mad - multiple times.
And that's a huge part of the reason why I will read the book again and again (mostly because there's still much I haven't fully processed yet, and most probably much I haven't even noticed yet), and the reason why I love it. If it would'nt have been maddening, it wouldn't have been of any use to me. but it is.
It's like looking at an almost *finished* painting and discovering the mistake that makes it look bad overall - a mistake that can't be removed unless you do at least half of the work again. (just that I was the painting this time.)
I learned something about myself and something about the world. ...quite a lot, actually.
For me, one of the most important things to learn was to accept who I am.
I have to admit, I'm often pretending to be someone else in front of other people - someone who is 'better'. It never felt right, anyway; and now I feel silly for not getting to this point by myself. Maybe nobody is an experimental joke of nature gone entirely wrong and in need to be hidden.
I had to put the book aside several times to think about what I just read. (I think, musing and daydreaming is a sign that something is important enough to go through it again.)
However it's easy to read, because it feels alive. I don't know how to describe it properly. Things I can comprehend. Some sooner, some later. Some after I found the translation/definition of this or that word. ahem.
It didn't feel like the lessons in school did. Proven by the fact that I didn't accidentally fall asleep.
I also really like the formatting! (This is an important point.)
I won't lie; I'll go with many things I learned from this book, not all, though. But only because I can't see *myself* ever doing well with this or that. Everybody's different in some ways.
That's another thing I liked about the book: it didn't make me feel like there was only one and *exactly the same* way for everybody to do it right.
Btw, I'd like to add a point: sleep.
I've heard people say, "Sleep is overestimated" (I used to say this myself for some time) But it's not. It's important - very. For body AND mind -> recharging.
(When I skip sleep for one night I'll get fascinated by reality-tv)
I recommend this book. Especially to everybody who has at least once in their lifes felt like the one wry clay mug in the cupboard stuffed with porcelain.
Yet... it's probably a good idea for the porcelain cups, too. To get a feeling for the weirdo's world.
Read it. If it makes you nuts, read it twice.
Oh, one more thing: Those *bubbles* -> They're a great reminder on what's going on, or what should be going on.
-This was the long and complicated way of saying: Good Book. Like it very much.-
I was twisted even before I started reading.
So far I've never managed to read a book that could be called 'help' in any way that's mainly concering *real* life.
But something about it is so very odd and that seemed exciting and made me think, 'Could be weird enough to be entertaining. Maybe even helpful'
My personal thoughts on it after reading:
This book...
- I love it. I hate it.
- It's intriguing. It's frustrating.
- It makes me grin. It makes me rage.
Okay, I'm really glad I got to read this book!
Some parts cracked me up; some parts threw a brick in the face of that awkward, easily embarrassed side of me, which always insists on getting mad at having a mirror held up in front of me. I got mad - multiple times.
And that's a huge part of the reason why I will read the book again and again (mostly because there's still much I haven't fully processed yet, and most probably much I haven't even noticed yet), and the reason why I love it. If it would'nt have been maddening, it wouldn't have been of any use to me. but it is.
It's like looking at an almost *finished* painting and discovering the mistake that makes it look bad overall - a mistake that can't be removed unless you do at least half of the work again. (just that I was the painting this time.)
I learned something about myself and something about the world. ...quite a lot, actually.
For me, one of the most important things to learn was to accept who I am.
I have to admit, I'm often pretending to be someone else in front of other people - someone who is 'better'. It never felt right, anyway; and now I feel silly for not getting to this point by myself. Maybe nobody is an experimental joke of nature gone entirely wrong and in need to be hidden.
I had to put the book aside several times to think about what I just read. (I think, musing and daydreaming is a sign that something is important enough to go through it again.)
However it's easy to read, because it feels alive. I don't know how to describe it properly. Things I can comprehend. Some sooner, some later. Some after I found the translation/definition of this or that word. ahem.
It didn't feel like the lessons in school did. Proven by the fact that I didn't accidentally fall asleep.
I also really like the formatting! (This is an important point.)
I won't lie; I'll go with many things I learned from this book, not all, though. But only because I can't see *myself* ever doing well with this or that. Everybody's different in some ways.
That's another thing I liked about the book: it didn't make me feel like there was only one and *exactly the same* way for everybody to do it right.
Btw, I'd like to add a point: sleep.
I've heard people say, "Sleep is overestimated" (I used to say this myself for some time) But it's not. It's important - very. For body AND mind -> recharging.
(When I skip sleep for one night I'll get fascinated by reality-tv)
I recommend this book. Especially to everybody who has at least once in their lifes felt like the one wry clay mug in the cupboard stuffed with porcelain.
Yet... it's probably a good idea for the porcelain cups, too. To get a feeling for the weirdo's world.
Read it. If it makes you nuts, read it twice.
Oh, one more thing: Those *bubbles* -> They're a great reminder on what's going on, or what should be going on.
-This was the long and complicated way of saying: Good Book. Like it very much.-
December 26, 2011
So you like motivational posters, but you think that maybe the messaging on them is a bit trite to be of any practical use? That, and why are they so expensive just for one?
Well this book may be for you. It's core essence is 100 (I didn't count) phrases that were designed by the author to inspire and remind him of how to implement creative genius for fun and profit. He goes over each phrase in a distilled manner which isn't either wordy nor completely expanded upon; just enough to take something from if one is willing.
I think that some of these can be taken with a grain of salt though, but if you're struggling for inspiration or don't feel that "you can do it" maybe this book will tip you over the edge to do something about it. Or, maybe not and you'll wonder why you just read this, but you wouldn't have wasted much time as it's a relatively quick read.
There are quite a few funny and personal stories in the book that help to keep the pace light-hearted and up beat. Even the sections where the author challenges the reader to look at themselves in the mirror and step up to self-imposed challenges is often dealt with the tender gloves of humor.
So, if you want a little kick in the pants to get motivated and apply your creativity, this might be the book for you. If you're not a creative person at all, you may just want to skip this book altogether.
Well this book may be for you. It's core essence is 100 (I didn't count) phrases that were designed by the author to inspire and remind him of how to implement creative genius for fun and profit. He goes over each phrase in a distilled manner which isn't either wordy nor completely expanded upon; just enough to take something from if one is willing.
I think that some of these can be taken with a grain of salt though, but if you're struggling for inspiration or don't feel that "you can do it" maybe this book will tip you over the edge to do something about it. Or, maybe not and you'll wonder why you just read this, but you wouldn't have wasted much time as it's a relatively quick read.
There are quite a few funny and personal stories in the book that help to keep the pace light-hearted and up beat. Even the sections where the author challenges the reader to look at themselves in the mirror and step up to self-imposed challenges is often dealt with the tender gloves of humor.
So, if you want a little kick in the pants to get motivated and apply your creativity, this might be the book for you. If you're not a creative person at all, you may just want to skip this book altogether.
February 17, 2013
This is a BRILLIANT book. I mean it..it's darn brilliant! I have no idea why I waited for so long to read it..honestly, I even feel bad about this:( I won it a year ago through a GR giveaway but somehow I ended up reading other books instead of this one. I guess I thought I wouldn't like it. WHY? Well, mostly because I've already read so many self-help books. But you know what?
This is not just another self-help book, this is actually a great book with lots of humor in it. This is a book that will kick you in the ass and make you think about what you're doing with your life, all while laughing like crazy. You're gonna love Mr King!
At the end, I would like to thank GR and the author for this read. Highly recommended to everyone!
This is not just another self-help book, this is actually a great book with lots of humor in it. This is a book that will kick you in the ass and make you think about what you're doing with your life, all while laughing like crazy. You're gonna love Mr King!
At the end, I would like to thank GR and the author for this read. Highly recommended to everyone!
December 10, 2019
An excellent practical resource for all creatives.
March 2, 2020
I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in a creative career who could use both a hearty laugh and a kick in the pants.
May 14, 2012
As you'd expect of a book of this sort, parts were more helpful or interesting than others. And, the less interesting parts might be what others like the most.
Part affirmation for creative types, and part roadmap for turning your creativity into a profession, the book sometimes seemed scattered and sometimes fell into the "this is how I do it and you should too" trap that would seem to contradict the main messages of the book. However, most of the time, the author is spot on. If you want to live your creative life and aren't sure where to start, and if you want some ideas for breaking free and making a living off your creativity (or at least examples of how one guy did it), this book will help.
With advice on fostering your creativity, remaining healthy physically and mentally (both challenges for many creative people), setting up your workspace (your "spaceship"), and turning your creative impulses into a living, the book will give you plenty of help for making your life your own. You just have to recognize that much of the author's experience might not apply to you, then use that creativity of yours to figure out what will.
Part affirmation for creative types, and part roadmap for turning your creativity into a profession, the book sometimes seemed scattered and sometimes fell into the "this is how I do it and you should too" trap that would seem to contradict the main messages of the book. However, most of the time, the author is spot on. If you want to live your creative life and aren't sure where to start, and if you want some ideas for breaking free and making a living off your creativity (or at least examples of how one guy did it), this book will help.
With advice on fostering your creativity, remaining healthy physically and mentally (both challenges for many creative people), setting up your workspace (your "spaceship"), and turning your creative impulses into a living, the book will give you plenty of help for making your life your own. You just have to recognize that much of the author's experience might not apply to you, then use that creativity of yours to figure out what will.
January 1, 2015
I think this is a great book. It's a fairly short read, and a very honest and creative book, and it came along at the right time for me. I was at a point where I had just left the corporate world of work and wanted to begin to follow my own creative dreams. I'm not where I want to be yet, but this book has helped point me in the right direction with inspiration and advice from someone who is clearly walking the walk and paving the way. Carl King's writing on creative career choice along with his blogging on what it means to be an introvert and a creative has really struck a chord with me. I enjoyed the book and enjoy following Carl's other creative projects as well. If your a creative struggling to put your creative leanings into some kind of workable perspective, this book can help. I highly recommend it.
May 15, 2012
I'm giving it four star because I read it from start to finish and I had a good time.
The book is really a biography of a kid that was raised in a boring Florida town who moved to LA after many decades to pursue a creative career. In practice, he is a web designer who spends some of his time on his own projects.
The book contains advice on how to run a small freelance business, on how to come to terms with your desire to be creative and so on. It is interesting and inspiring.
The writing is solid, even if it is informal.
The book is really a biography of a kid that was raised in a boring Florida town who moved to LA after many decades to pursue a creative career. In practice, he is a web designer who spends some of his time on his own projects.
The book contains advice on how to run a small freelance business, on how to come to terms with your desire to be creative and so on. It is interesting and inspiring.
The writing is solid, even if it is informal.
October 27, 2015
Carl King writes in a way that truly connects people. He connects almost every nugget of knowledge with a situation he's experienced. This is one of the best books I've ever read, and is truly inspiring. If you are a both a creative and driven person, but "real-life" has hindered your path to success, then this is the book that can change your life.
April 14, 2016
This is more of a practical advice on living a creative life from the experience of the author. There are no scientific motivations behind. An easy and fun read describing ways to simplify your life and make it more personalised than living for others sake.
June 25, 2014
Informal writing, pleasure to read. Very inspiring, makes you think about how you're spending your life.
Want to read
January 26, 2012Dani find, not exactly recommended but sounds interesting.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews