Customer Reviews

Creative Is a Verb: If You're Alive, You're Creative

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*****
I took me a month to read this book, thinking about it, journaling about it, savoring every bit of it, being unwilling for it to end. Although it can be read cover-to-cover, you will miss out on much if you simply breeze quickly through this latest book by Patti Digh. Like the author's other recent books, "Life is a Verb" and "Four-Word Self-Help", this is a gorgeous colorful book, filled with art (created by many different readers of the author's blog) and stories and inspirational quotes. It is blessed with ("blessed" is the only word I can come up with here) poetry by the amazing poet Maya Stein.

The book is organized into chapters around six "creative commitments", with sections of each chapter ending with two sets of exercises--a shorter one that could take 10 minutes or so and another longer one that you could do (she suggests) for 37 days. The "37 days" has special significance for the author, as it is the length of time her beloved stepfather lived from the time he got a fatal diagnosis until his death. The six creative commitments are: (1) Be Ordinary, (2) See More, (3) Get Present, (4) Catch Fire, (5) Clear Ground, and (6) Let Go.

Telling you what I have so far about the book cannot convey how special and how different this book is. It doesn't matter if you've read other books on creativity. This book isn't just about that. It is about life, about living, about truly being alive, and about how we can all create, not just as artists or writers but as humans. The author writes, "...living fully, openly, deeply is a creative act". THIS is what the book is about. And the book takes you on a journey via stories told by the author so that you can experience this for yourself.

This is by far my favorite book by Patti Digh, and one of my favorite books of all, period. Buy this book if you would like to go on your own personal journey to more creativity, but also greater aliveness and a more meaningful and wondrous life.

Highly recommended.
*****

Having been in a bit of a creative slump lately, I wanted to dive into this book and roar through it, hoping to be hit with a lightening bolt of inspiration and drive. Instead, something quite different happened. I found myself compelled to take my time with it. I read through the book slowly, from front to back (often I skip all over the place until I land on something I find interesting), and then going back and re-reading - highlighting - writing in the margins - making notes of how the thoughts and messages contained in the book related to me and my own creative path. The book has been on my nightstand for a month, and it has become something of a night time ritual for me to pick it up, and randomly open it to a chapter... and then spend a few minutes savoring it all over again, while all the while making notes and capturing ideas that are flowing much more freely these days. Thank you, Patti, for being such an authentic, delightful, encouraging guide.

"This is a book about the deeper questions of the ways in which we divide ourselves from our innate creative spirit...and how to walk back toward that space in which every instant is a miracle and an inspiration for artfulness, an opportunity for graceful expression of who we are as humans." (Patti Digh, from Creative is a Verb)

If I'm very honest, I will admit that I saw this book on the shelf and initially passed over it. I wasn't looking for another general book on creativity - whatever I thought that meant.

A series of events led me to actually opening and reading Creativity is a Verb, though, and I can now wholeheartedly say:

This is not just another 'general book on creativity.' This book is truly something different and something you won't want to miss.

Creativity is a Verb is passionate, practical, poetic, and profound.

Patti Digh's writing will open your heart and inspire you in a deep, lasting way. Add to all this the abundant art (on almost every page!) by a wide variety of artists and Creativity is a Verb is a book you'll savor and then want to share with all your friends.

It's hard to express how wonderful this book is. It's like food, like air, like a giant tray of rice-kirispie treats except good for you.

I absolutely loved this book. I was not familiar with Patti's other books but, if they are all as good as this one, I need to buy them. As someone trying to live a more creative life, there are many obstacles that seem to block your way. Patti has experienced ALL of them and has answers that make sense. Her fast moving style and amazing sense of humour are a bonus. Be warned, this book is not a game, there is work to be done and you will be better for it!

I couldn't say enough about this book. I started reading it at a low point in my own creative life, and the author's simple and authentic stories about her family life mixed in with creative thoughts just sat well with me. Just about every point made me pause to think and apply to my own daily life. Love this book far too much.

Excellent book! I would highly recommend it! I loved it so much I bought one for my adult daughter and best friend for Christmas. It makes you think about being active in your life and creating the experiences that will make you feel whole. Don't just sit around and wait for life to happen. Be a verb!

I had been suffering from a creative block for quite some time, and within the first ten pages of this book I was journaling again. =]

Patti is so human, so funny, and makes you think outside the box all the time. Great book just like her: Life is a Verb.
Loved it.

but with this one I have. She has done it again: inspired me to live a fuller life and be more creative. I love the format of this book and find it easy to pick up and put down at will (although once I pick it up, I want to re-read the whole thing again).