Creating: A practical guide to the creative process and how to use it to create anything -a work of art, a relationship, a career or a better life.

by Robert Fritz

Whether you wish to create a work of art, a novel, a thriving business, nourishing relationships, or a deeply satisfying life, Robert Fritz, composer, artist, writer, and entrepreneur, reveals the guiding principles that can empower you to reach your goals.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Psychology, Personal Development, Philosophy

320 pages, Paperback

First published October 8, 1991

Reviews

[Drew Johnson]

Some thoughtful perspectives on how to create what you want in life and the common barriers to doing so. Key take aways:
1. Need to change structures in our lives rather than focus on behaviors;
2. Most structures create oscillation (apply energy to a problem, problem becomes less acute, leading to less energy directed to the problem then to more acuity of the problem) rather than resolution. Most people minimize oscillation rather than create resolution.
3. Resolution comes from changing the structure of our lives.
4. We have three choices in dealing with unfulfilling situations. A) reduce our vision B) lie about reality C) create the vision that makes us fulfilled.
5. Our creations should be separate from us—have their own existence.
6. In creating our vision do not consider process and achievability. That can lead to lying to ourselves about what we want.
7. Be clear about primary choices (what you want), secondary choices (supporting what you want) and fundamental choices (life orientation).
He is more effective in applying thoughts about creating and transcendence to individual circumstances than to societies and macro situations.

[Hannah Hawkins]

At first, I found this book annoyingly repetitive, but the repetition is intentional. Fritz makes some fantastic points about creating the life you want, but I didn’t find it inherently captivating. I also wouldn’t read it again like I would with most books in this genre. That said, I did appreciate the recap at the end, it tied everything together well. I would recommend just reading that.

[John Deacon]

This is an excellent book exploring the depth of the creative call within the spirit of humanity. The distinctions made by Robert Fritz is insightful and uniquely descriptive. This is a book I read from often and it will feed me for the rest of my life. The creative process is a journey in liberating the soul through creative initiation.

[Matt]

Unexpected gem here. Great insights into creative processes (for anyone, even if you don't think of yourself as an artist), and not the usual slop-trough of recycled self-help truisms either.

[JP]

No one learns the art of creation by reading books or attending seminars because it happens inside of us.
You can have an idea, but the process of achieving is challenging .
Here in this book, the author helps you to understand how the process works and how you should carry to the next level and what temperament you should have while in the process of creation.
I have read his previous book ''The path of least resistance'' that was so amazing to learn to channel the flow of energy.
This book remains outstanding and truly helps you in your process of creation.
More of a psychological book says more about your behaviour in the process of creation. I admired the idea of ''Don't fill with your perception'' We always fill our perception with unknown events. He cautioned us not to fill in and try to learn the silence (the space) between you and the event.
Simply superb!
Writing is so good, you love to carry on till you finish the book.

Nice book to start at the beginning of the new year!!

[Alejandro]

This is a profound book as it lays out the process for how to create. Robert challenges a lot of the notions of the new age and self help movement, which was hard for me. However, after processing his ideas, I have come into agreement with many of them. This can be a transformational book if you wrestle with it and have the intellectual honesty to engage with it. It's one of the best 5 books I've ever read.

[Taylor Ellwood]

This is one of the most unique and thought provoking books I’ve read. The author explores the act of creating in depth. The perspective and depth he brings to the topic of creativity can help you change your understanding of creativity, what it means to create and also become more creative in the process. His perspective on long term thinking, alone is invaluable and necessary.

[Prerana Shah]

It’s an amazing book for anyone who doesn’t know where to start with creating something. It doesn’t matter what field you are going to create something in as the book talks about the concept of creativity. The examples were very helpful. I think it’s a really good book

[Nancy]

His books are all variations on the theme of getting your creative self focused. Each book has a different angle. I think they are all helpful reads. Good stuff.

[Adam]

Some really interesting parts about the creation and resolution were my favorites. A lot of the sections on emotions and emotional management didn't really resonate for me.

[Kat V]

This a weird one. Mostly nonsense but a few really excellent pieces of advice sprinkled in. Definitely not worth a reread. 3 stars even

[Francis O'Neill]

A good book for anyone wishing to know more about, and apply creative visualisation towards the success of their lives - in every department.

It is a long since I read it - back in the 1990s. As I recall I didn't find it quite as stimulating as Fritz other book, The Path of Least Resistance, and I may well read through it again.

[Mary]

Textbook view of creativity, good to apply when I get scattered. This book uncovers some erroneous ways that I (and many others) may look at the creative process. There are some good exercises and practical examples to test out in any area.

[Lisa]

This book changed not only my capacity to create, it changed the way I live. When I see everything I do in life as a creation that can be started and completed, I can move forward in so many ways. I found this book challenging my assumptions and freeing up my energy. I highly recommend it.

[Nazeeh Magar]

In this book Fritz expounds even further on the creative process and includes many exercises for developing your skills in using this process in either artistic or routine every day projects.

[Caroline Barron]

Set text for Creative Processes paper at Massey. Very helpful insights, of particular help to me was the section on group dynamics.

[Louise Mathewson]

Very abstract and intellectual, but a good book.

[James]

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!