Customer Reviews

The Creative Fire: Myths and Stories about the Cycles of Creativity (Illustrated Living History Series)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is one of two books/audio that I give or recommend to anyone struggling with their creativity (the other is Julia Cameron's 'The Artist's Way', the first book only). You can listen to these tapes on a regular basis and begin to remember what it all means -- why you want to create art, why it matters intensely, who is standing in your way, how to regain the spark, and how to live fully in your creative imagination.

All of Estes' audio tapes are fabulous -- she has the voice and the wisdom of the mother/friend/ therapist we all wish we had in our lives.

If you've ever felt "stuck" or as if people weren't really paying attention to you... if you're an artist and frustrated with your own work or how others perceive some of your work... if you've ever wanted to be an artist, but didn't feel "good enough"... You need this tape set. No, I don't mean you should hear it someday; I mean that you need to get this tape set right NOW. You need to hear it. (That should be in neon lights, flashing in front of your monitor.) Put "The Creative Fire" on your tape player and take out a box of tissues. If you listen to it in the car, be prepared when Dr. Estes starts reading from her poem, "How to Silence a Woman," because you may be ready to vent, big time, right then & there. She's telling you the truth you've needed to hear since forever. I repeat: if you've ever felt creative, or wanted to do something creative, and felt stuck or sad or not good enough, at ANY step in the creative process (including when you finished it), you need this tape set. It is the most significant message I've heard in the past year, at least. It is really, really, REALLY important.

I listen to these tapes over again every few months. I learn something new each time. Her stories renew my spirit. They teach me the way to guide myself creatively. I think anyone who ever wanted to create would be inspired. I would recommend these tapes to artists, musicians, authors, actors, poets, healers. Those who know the process gain insight into their own creative energy. Wounderful insperation for those whose creative energy is blocked and need guidence. In these tapes she gives us the tools to respect the process and keep the fire burning bright not for a day but a lifetime.

After the other raving reviews, I had a friend give it to me for my birthday, but was actually disappointed. I did finish because I felt obliged toward my friend. Summing up what I heard in over 2hrs: you are an artist before you have produced anything; you must be willing to enter the dark parts of your soul; art is toiling, dont give up and dont destroy. Estes' harped on powerlessly, obviously in love with her own voice but not considering the listener, making me fall asleep!