by

Bev Walton-Porter

"Imagination is more important than knowledge."
--Albert Einstein

To help us feed the creative urge within, we must seek out tools to nourish our writing. These tools are found most often in books -- and not always those just on writing, but those strictly meant for reading. As I mentioned in previous columns, in order to produce works of art through the craft of words, we must also feed ourselves images and soak in the words of those who've come before us. What goes in will eventually come back out in interesting combinations and will be communicated through our own personal style and voice.

Some of the books I find particularly helpful in lighting my creative fires may sound all too familiar to you as well. Some may not. Give them all a try, and seek out more of your own treasures. Whatever speaks to you will work just fine -- and that can be as different for me as it is for another writer. The key is to explore and find what works to pique the interest of your own writing self.

There are essentially six books I *highly* recommend, but keep in mind there are MANY more out there that rank just as high as the ones I choose to mention. If I had enough room, I'd discuss them all -- but alas, it can not be so. Just consider this a taste of the smorgasbord of books available to aid in feeding that hungry Muse of yours! Then search for more. When you find them, let me know. I'm always on the lookout for more inspirational tools!

One of the most influential books for me has been THE ARTIST'S WAY by Julia Cameron. Although I found it under the ART section in my local bookstore, it is NOT just for artists. She is a writer who speaks volumes of wisdom to writers and artists of all persuasions. This book is full of inspirational quotations and wonderful exercises designed to release the Muse within. The work includes twelve weeks of recovering the artist within -- the one you thought had been buried all these years. I bought THE ARTIST'S WAY for about $12.00 in the local bookstore, but shop around and you might find it for less. It is published by Tarcher Putnam, part of G.P. Putnam Son's Publishers, 200 Madison Avenue, NYC, NY 10016.

If you so desire, you may also purchase the companion volume of THE ARTIST'S WAY MORNING PAGES JOURNAL. But if you're not looking to invest a lot of dough, or can't afford to, just buy a simple spiral-bound notebook and that will suffice for the morning pages you'll be writing. Morning pages are three HANDWRITTEN pages done every morning, first thing. Don't groan, don't wail -- it WORKS!

Once you're finished with AW, you may be ready to continue on with Julia's follow-up book, THE VEIN OF GOLD -- A JOURNEY TO YOUR CREATIVE HEART. This book contains teachings on the creative process and urges you to get involved with over 100 tasks which utilize your imagination and are design to energize your Muse. She arms us with tools so we can mine the vein of gold all of us have within.

Another book I found refreshing was FEARLESS CREATING by Eric Maisel, Ph.D. In it, he provides a step-by-step guide for starting and completing your work of art, whatever that may be. Just as AW uses inspirational quotations, so does this book. I'm nuts for quotations from creative people, so these two books held a bounty of joy for me -- and I hope you'll feel the same. Dr. Maisel addresses all artists, just as Julia Cameron does, and tells us we can only create by risking failure. That's right -- everytime you create, you ARE risking failure. But this book furnishes creators with the necessary tools to gain strength in order to break through fears and anxiety and complete those seemingly impossible tasks. Just as AW, FEARLESS CREATING offers powerful and inspiring exercises to help you along your journey. And at the end, you'll not only have your task completed, but you'll have gained insight into what it takes to continue creating without fear. This is also a Tarcher/Putnam book and can be ordered through most bookstores.

As for the fourth book, you've probably heard of BIRD BY BIRD by Anne Lamott. If you haven't, RUN, don't walk to the store! This book ranks up there with Natalie Goldberg's classic book, WRITING DOWN THE BONES, and could be considered a "sister" book. Filled with warmth and humor, Anne Lamott hits all the raw nerves you have as a writer. She tells it like it is, and tells it with biting wit in a strangely warm and fuzzy way. There's no tip-toeing around the tulips here -- there's rampant trampling through the jungles of writerdom. If you've ever felt less-than as a writer or to the end of your rope and wondering WHY God bestowed this gift of words upon you when you can't seem to get it "right", read this book! When you emerge from its pages, you'll be a better writer, a better person, and have a better understanding of how fortunate you are to have the Muse within you. At $11.95, this book is a must-have for not just some writers, but ALL. Contact your local bookstore to grab this one up. Published by Anchor Books, a division of Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, Inc., 1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036.

Finally, I must mention a couple others you might find helpful. And as I said, this list does not nearly cover all the books available on the market. WRESTLING WITH YOUR ANGELS-- A SPIRITUAL JOURNEY TO GREAT WRITING offers support and challenges us to develop more "soul" in our work. You'll find essays and exercises here, and a fascinating "Writer's Wheel" which shows the four ingredients of the writing process and how they're incorporated into your personal style of writing. The book is published by Adams Media Corporation, 260 Center Street, Holbrook, MA. 02343.

THE HIGH-PERFORMANCE MIND by Anna Wise is an intriguing book designed to help you master your brainwaves for "insight, healing, and creativity." Another product of Tarcher/Putnam, Ms. Wise guides the reader through a journey promising to lead one to a more "awakened" mind. Of course, I cannot vouch for its effectiveness early in the morning before a muddy cup of java (coffee, not the programming language!)

Your local library or bookstore offers a wealth of books designed to spark your imagination and get you into writing gear. Take a day off and go scavenger hunting -- seek out guidebooks of creativity to help you along your way to freer writing. And one more thing: ENJOY the trip!

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