Customer Reviews

The 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women: A Portable Mentor

5 star:		(71)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This is another of several excellent books in which an author has assembled what she or he has learned from a number of different in-depth interviews. In effect, the reader is given direct access to the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of persons who may otherwise be inaccessible. McMeekin interviewed 45 "highly creative women" whose responses reveal 12 "secrets" which, in fact, are affirmations of basic values which most of us have been encouraged to embrace by caring parents and other relatives, teachers, coaches, clergy, etc. My own opinion is that these same values would also be affirmed by highly creative men.

McMeekin organizes her material within a series of three "Gateways" (ie rights of passage): Engaging Your Creativity, Mastering Your Challenges as a Creative Woman, and Actualizing Creative Results: The Power of Positive Priorities. She suggests that certain lessons can be learned from "a myriad of practices called Challenges." It takes courage (sometimes great courage) to confront such challenges. Hence the importance of the "lessons." McMeekin suggests that a "fabulous notebook, a gorgeous notebook" be purchased in which to record responses to all of the Challenges included in her book. She further suggests that the 12 Secrets be applied during each week or each month of the year.

Prior to reading a book, it is my standard procedure first to check out its title and subtitle, its Table of Contents, and then its Introduction or Preface. Frankly, I had some apprehensions after doing so with this book. How does McMeekin define "creative"? Written for and about women, will the book have any relevance to me and other males? Also frankly, by now I have become skeptical (if not cynical) about references to "secrets." Nonetheless, I began to read her "Note to the Reader" and then the 12 chapters which follow. Those interviewed provide a diverse and abundant range of personal experiences which both suggest and corroborate McMeekin's key points. Now having read the book, I can add affirmation of my own: This is one of the most thoughtful and thought-provoking books on human fulfillment which I have read in recent years. Who will derive the great benefit from it? My response is: Those (regardless of their gender and circumstance) who are accessible to what the 45 "highly creative women" were willing to share, those who possess the courage to take on the Challenges, and finally, those who are both willing and able to learn from the Secrets and then apply the Lessons.

Centuries ago, John Bunyan's Pilgrim embarked on a perilous journey. He was sustained by his faith and eventually prevailed. McMeekin seems to be suggesting that, in our own time, an equally perilous journey must be made. There are Gateways through which we must pass, meanwhile overcoming various Challenges. The 45 women whom McMeekin interviewed (most of them unfamiliar to me) were "highly creative" during their own personal and perilous journeys. They are modern-day Pilgrims who prevailed. McMeekin seems totally convinced that each of her readers can do so also if having the same faith and the same courage. I agree. If you share my high regard for this book, I urge you to check out Ellie Wymard's Conversations with Uncommon Women. Obvious to me, both she and McMeekin are uncommon human beings.

I have been collecting and reading books on creativity since the 70's and this is one of the best published to date. Don't let the cover fool you. It's NOT just another collection of the famous and near famous talking about how creative they are. McMeekin has artfully woven a fine tapestry from her own material as well as threads provided by the 45 interviewees. Because of this author's skill, this is a fine example of the whole being much more than a collection of its parts. It's masterfully done and provides more than creative theory--it's real. And it's valuable on so many levels. The secret's out!

A fine meal requires the diner to slowy savor and digest the contents in order to appreciate the wonderful experience it brings. Such is the case with 12 Secrets. You must slowly digest, savor and absorb the fine insights it brings to nourish your dormant creativity.

Creativity is the vital lifeblood of women which too often is surpressed by our inner critics and outside influences. Regaining that vital force in our lives is the key to fully engage the unlimited possibilities set before us.

Enter Gail's three doorways which unfold the secrets we need to begin our creative venture. At the end of each chapter questions are presented to enable us to unfold the specifics of what holds our creativity back. Throughout the book interviews are shared about other successful women who had to go through a similar process to awaken their creative powers.

12 Secrets is a gentle mentor that raises women's consciousness and encourages them along the way. I couldn't put it down and neither will you when you have this resource in your hands.

Unfortunately I feel that the title of this book, 12 secrets of Highly Creative Women, was misleading, and am not surprised that several eminent woman would not contribute to it.
Misleading in that 'secrets' was certainly not what was discussed, rather ways of solving common problems faced by creative women. Being a woman with 3 children myself, I was looking for advice on how to cope with childrearing and the 'creative process.' The main gist of advice given, was that most women with children couldn't really be fully creative until those children had virtually left home, or at least be in full time education. Either that or one was given an example of a 'creative woman' who basically had little or no sleep to write. Is this a 'secret' I ask myself. The author had no children herself and had found difficulty in managing to get this book written. Perhaps I was at fault in expecting the book to contain real 'secrets' or at least some advice I had never tried myself. I think a list of possible solutions, the problems involved in following these solutions and then maybe some brainstorming by the author with several groups of 'creative' and non creative women and maybe even some men, may have made more useful interesting and entertaining reading.

The overall tone of the book was not only that of someone barely scratching the surface of an interesting idea, but also of no summarising or conclusive thinking by the author. Much as I admire anyone writing any book, I do feel that if this author had decided on actually trying to give some followable practical advice, before she started to write, we would all have been much wiser.

The title I believe should have been,
"My Meanderings on What Some Women have Said to Me Once"

Rachel
Melbourne Australia

McMeekin has thoroughly researched how women overcome inner and outer resistance to attain their cherished goals. This book provides specific guidance to empower yourself and realize those always-put-off dreams. She's interviewed a wide variety of women, from entrepreneurs to poets,who share details about exactly how to turn secret dreams into fully realized projects. This book points the way to many other books to guide, or push us towards success. It's extremely well written and will help anyone turn their vision into reality -- male or female. One of my favorite quotes (among the many):"Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing." -- Helen Keller.

This book is amazing! Reading about these women has been an inspiration. Since I began reading this book, I have reorganized my office and closets. I have started to experiment with different color schemes in my decorating efforts. I used to paint every room in my house white and now it looks vibrant and alive! I am starting to use my creativity to improve business for my clients by taking more chances. This book has motivated me to challenge my creativity which I never knew I had!

McMeekin's book is a must for all who feel frustrated and stuck in their career. She takes you step by step through a process that helps you define your needs, your desires, and tap into your own creativity...you. Eight women read it as part of our book club and more than half of us are expanding our paths as a result. Incredible!

A very helpful guide to creative endeavors; full of supportive advice and great anecdotes. I like the format as well as the author's ability to weave her own story and those of other women into a framework of creative gateways and guidelines. As a writer, I re-read the book to help me get past my personal obstacles of procrastination and doubt; as a psychotherapist, I recommend it to my female clients as a true portable mentor. Highly recommended!

This book is not only enjoyable to read, but richly rewarding as well. It's a delightful guide to being fully alive. The interviews with creative women are interwoven throughout the book in a highly organized fashion as each reveals their "secrets" to living a successful life. Gail McMeekin's approach to creativity is practical, easy-to-learn, and confidence building. Her book is an immensely valuable tool for anyone who wants to pursue their creative dreams. Two thumbs up.

Reading "The Twelve Secrets of Highly Creative Women: a portable mentor", is like chatting over a cup of tea with a group of dynamic, creative women. It's the first book I've read from cover to cover in a long time. The conversation is down-to-earth, practical and inspiring. I've already begun to recommend it to my career clients and friends.