Customer Reviews

Everyday Creative: 30 Ways to Wake Up Your Inner Artist

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Some time ago, I purchased a set of 48 playing-card-sized cards painted by Susan Seddon Boulet. I've kept them by my computer and occasionally dip into the deck, pull one out, and see if the colorful painting in some way inspires me in my writing. Now, with his new "A Little Every Day Decks," creativity coach, writer, and psychologist Eric Maisel has given me an exciting new deck and a simple, easy-to-use program to spur creativity and inspiration. Each card contains a truth about creativity: "Grow creative by astonishing yourself" or "Grow creative by opening to serendipity," for instance. The point of focus on each card is book-ended by ideas about the truth and then an exercise that can be done to enhance or change one's experience and accessing of creativity.

In an introductory section, Maisel tells us, "You can read through the thirty cards in your deck, pick out the one that feels particularly resonant, and try the simple exercise the card suggests. You can use the cards as a thirty-day program, taking in one message a day....You can shuffle the cards, cut the deck and let a random (is it really random?) message speak directly to you." All of these are good ideas, and once you've gone through the deck, I have a hunch it will pay off to go through it again. And again.

I've been examining and pondering the meanings of the cards for a couple weeks now and have settled upon using one each day at random before I begin my writing. In just a little over two weeks, I find that each morning I am anticipating reading the next card. Often the idea contained within stays with me all day, firing me on to carry out my appointed tasks. The cards are not just for writers or artists but for anyone seeking to expand, explore, or open up channels of creativity. Highly recommended. ~Lori L. Lake, author of lesbian fiction and freelance reviewer for Midwest Book Review, Golden Crown Literary Society's "The Crown," The Independent Gay Writer, and Just About Write.com.

Whenever I sit down to work (I am a visual artist) with my coffee in the morning, I pull out one of the cards and read it. Then as the coffee smell fills the air, and the warm liquid fills my body - ahhh...I think about what the card is saying to me, and I get to work! A very nice way to start the day! Each little card makes me smile. (They are good for helping you to get out of a temporary rut, too.) One of life's simple pleasures. Try them, you will like them!

I really liked the cards. I teach a class in creativity and I was able to give them to individual students to encourage their creative growth.

An artist I admire mentioned these, so I bought a set for myself. They weren't very expensive, which is the only reason I didn't return them. (I keep thinking I will find someone who might actually appreciate these cards, and I can give them away.) The idea behind them is great, but they failed to deliver the goods. The cards are somewhat repetitious and are straightforward to a fault. They offer no mystery or excitement which, as a professional artist, is what impels me to work at all. I decided instead to make my own set of cards that resonate with my own personal style of getting inspired and getting down to work. I function better with abstract suggestions,so these cards were not useful. (But then, since they nudged me to create my own version, I can't really say they were a total bust!) Before you consider buying these, ask yourself if you need some kind of 'feel good about yourself' product, or something that truly gets you thinking and motivated. If it's the latter, don't bother.

When it comes to being creative, we often need help. Eric Maisel's books have given me great insight into the creative process, as well as concrete suggestions for assistance when creating doesn't come easy. These cards so far haven't helped me in a deep way, but they are fun, and encouraging. They would probably help more if I used them in a more ritualized, consistent way.

This is a deck of creativity cards--wonderful starters to enhance personal creativity. In a class setting they have proved a powerful closing exercise for each student to pick a card (face down of course) and use as his or her assignment until the next meeting. I would be When it comes to coaching creativity, Eric Maisel is clear, concise, and kick starts us in a gentle way.