Sound of Paper [Paperback]

Julia Cameron (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 4, 2006

'Lately, I am trying to provoke myself into art - into writing...I wasn't exactly in despair - I was in cynicism, which is despair's more torpid sister...Let me tell you how writing snuck back on me.' Whether you are starting from scratch or need a gentle nudge back in the right direction, "The Sound of Paper" is a wonderful creative companion. Through inspiring essays and practical tasks, it stimulates creativity so that the reader becomes more and more familiar with their own strengths. Including her own fascinating journey from writer's block back to productive work, which takes the reader across America from New York to New Mexico, this is a story of inspiration infused with brilliantly practical suggestions, the perfect combination for anyone on the path to creativity.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Julia Cameron is the author of fifteen books, fiction and non-fiction, many plays and movies. She lives in the high desert of New Mexico where she busies herself with movies, musicals, poetry, horses and dogs. She has taught extensively for two decades from London to Los Angeles, from Esalen to the New York Times. Her work on Creativity features the bestselling books The Artist's Way, The Vein of Gold, The Right to Write, Transitions, Blessings and Heartsteps.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Books (May 4, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0141018690
• ISBN-13: 978-0141018690
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,045,646 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fine and Wise Counsel for Artists, July 14, 2005

By 

Sharon K. Cooper (Oregon) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Sound of Paper: Starting from Scratch (Paperback)

This book focuses on facing the winds of change and challenge in the commitment to fostering artistic creativity. I would have preferred a *Table of Contents* in the beginning of the book which I think would be beneficial to the reader. Cameron is self revelatory in the book, honest enough, shares some deep encouragement for drought and waiting times in the creative day to day process. It is obvious that this author practices what she preaches and is writing from the heart of her own experience.

The middle section of the book between P. 97 and 195 had the most personal meaning for me. Cameron's assertions encourage blooming artists to adhere to practices of discipline and wade out the rough adversarial waters which inevitably rise during the day to day artistic awakening process.

The chapter on "Remembering Who We Are" contains a profound essential truth. On p. 182, Cameron is right on the mark when she addresses the self-sabotaging cruel voice within each human life that completely erects blocks from within and without. She states, "Some of the finest painting gets done on the days when we just show up at the easel because that is our job. In other words, when we practice self acceptance of where we are and who we are instead of striving, always to be better. We are enough, exactly as we are." From this essential truth, the artist is encouraged to take heart and not lose hope.

Most of the writing activities at the end of each chapter are "keep in your hip pocket" types. You may wish to make photo copies of them and tuck them in the inside pocket of your journal to use later. I recommend just reading the book straight through. You'll have a pretty fair idea after reading the entire piece where you want to focus your time and energies. At that time, you can make copies of the *end of chapter activities* which seem most appropriate for where you are in your creative journey.

On p. 213, she clearly has a handle on the essence of art, that it is a process of soul bearing and to engage this process "requires great humility." Art weaving and art making is a quite vulnerable endeavor. When a project is finished it is subject to receptivity, rejection or both. Commitment to the process remains the goal for budding artists whether any project received or rejected. This is often a profound challenge each artist faces. Cameron offers examples of those who remained faithful to writing, to "art making" while day in and day out sifting through reams of very mediocre material before the "ah ha" creative wonder emerged. She offers sound guidance in how to keep one's commitment on steady grounding.

The chapter on "Drama" I found rather humorous and insightful. Cameron absolutely nails the deadly effects of "letting the (...)" of drama get you down. I appreciated reading how absolutely distracting this is to living the life of an artist. The beauty of her solution is to create art straight at the energy flagging dramas that run through the mind. In meditation art we learn to detach from dramas and this is helpful. In the conscious life and in work, I find it important as well to watch becoming entangled in dramatic plays and ploys that occur in any relationship. Awareness of drama magnets assists in the wise practice of detachment and getting on with the art.

There is fine wisdom in "The Sound of Paper" for journal work and delving more deeply to one's daily artistic endeavors.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For the Other Group, May 28, 2006

By 

Gregory A. Kompes "Author of 50 Fabulous Gay-... (Las Vegas, NV) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Sound of Paper: Starting from Scratch (Paperback)

I make a point of telling anyone searching for their inner voice or a sense of self about Julia Cameron. Her work, The Artist's Way changed my life. I was diligent and worked through Ms. Cameron's twelve week program several times over from beginning to end. The book, the exercises, and Ms. Cameron's method worked for me.

As I talk to people about that book there were two recurring themes among those who had also discovered her work. Either they, like me, found it immensely helpful, or they started in and quickly lost interest. The second group is much larger.

There are varied reasons the second group gives, but at the top of their list is the required discipline to make your way through The Artist's Way. Ms. Cameron addresses this problem in The Sound of Paper.

The Sound of Paper is different. The chapters are short and the method and process aren't at the fore. This time, Ms. Cameron writes short essays from a biographical focus telling stories of her life, her failures, her fears and her successes. These short essays are lyrical snapshots of an artist's life. At the end of each essay is an exercise. For those who've skimmed, scanned or experienced her previous book, you'll notice many of the same exercises come up again. There isn't that sense of urgency about the process. Instead, the exercises are gentler and have a random feeling in their placement.

While I will always recommend The Artist's Way as the life changing book that it is, The Sound of Paper is another excellent experience for those interested in discovering their artist within and letting that artist out into the world. Having choices and options is always a good thing and Ms. Cameron has delivered us choice in her latest work.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good read for writers/artists, August 15, 2007

By 

Reading my way thru life "Sharing what I read" (VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Sound of Paper: Starting from Scratch (Paperback)

This is a book of essays on life and being a writer. There are interesting and helpful excercises at the end of each essay. Alot of the essays stem from her 'Artist Date' experiences, and her reflections and observations. She does write about the 'Morning Pages' that she has become so well known for. Besides the Artist Dates and Morning Pages, she also highly recommends taking a 20 minute walk everyday and an hour walk at least once a week.

I have revisited this several times and, although I don't think it made a big difference for me with my writing, I do enjoy and benefit from many of the essays. Mostly according to what I'm going through at the time I read or reread this book.

One thing is for sure. This woman knows about the pains of life, and writing. -And she knows how to keep on living in the most creative way she can. In many parts, I found myself consoled because I could tell that she wasn't merely speculating, you can feel that it comes from her heart.

This is not just for writers, but any artists. Honestly, it didn't knock my socks off, but that doesn't mean that it isn't good. Do we always need for a book to be out of this world to get something valuable from it? I don't think so. This woman has already made a huge contribution to the world with her "Artists Way." She doesn't need to prove anything to anyone. I think it's great that she chooses to continue to share what she's learned and observed.