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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Creative Immersion, June 4, 2008
This review is from: Standing at Water's Edge: Moving Past Fear, Blocks, and Pitfalls to Discover the Power of Creative Immersion (Paperback)
In ten chapters, Anne Paris explores the creative impulse, what may block it, and how to avoid the pitfalls. I admit to skepticism at first, as so many books on this subject fall into the pop psychology category, but the author has navigated these shoals skillfully, offering coping skills, insight, and impetus to readers who strive to create.
Writers, artists, and businesspeople should benefit from this book. As a writer, I found it particularly intriguing, especially the chapter on family dynamics, in which the author explains that roles are often thrust upon us without our knowledge. Paris addresses what can occur when one is viewed as "the baby" (even when we are older). With intriguing insight, she points out that when such a person achieves success, she upsets the applecart because her siblings "could not tolerate her change in position in the unspoken family hierarchy; her siblings could no longer feel better than their sister (an experience they needed to boost their self-esteem)..." When experiencing this situation, some writers even give up their craft, perhaps feeling the price of success is too high to pay. Paris urges, "Take back your dreams of childhood and then reach for them!"
The author acknowledges that the creative process does not have to be a lonely, solitary endeavor, as we have heard so often. Feedback, interaction and encouragement from friends, co-workers, and colleagues are useful and beneficial. Being positively seen by others when we are young is important. But if that is not part of our history, Paris suggests we can turn to "positive fantasies of a perceived audience," thus affirming that imaginary supporters, even ancestors, can bless and enrich our creative endeavors.
As I read, thoughts of my personal experiences surfaced, and I realized that each time before I make a public appearance, I summon a memory of my first poetry reading decades ago at a Women's Voices Writing Workshop in Santa Cruz, California. My audience applauded, whistled, stomped, and sent me home with an empowered feeling that I resurrect each time I get up to read my work. I don't know where any of these women are now, or if they are still writing, but I hold them in my memory as a gathering of compassionate souls whom I summon to bless my efforts when I need them. It was and is one of the principles Paris explores in Standing at the Water's Edge.
Having read Csikszentmilhalyi's Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience, I was delighted to see parallels in Paris' content. Flow explores the mental and emotional state in which an artist, if she is fortunate, finds herself in order to bring the creative process to its highest level, a condition the ancient Greeks referred to as Kairos.
At the end of each chapter, readers are offered "Guides" with helpful suggestions. So much of this book spoke directly to me. Multiple quotes sprinkled throughout the book enriched it. In short, Paris' entire theme seems to echo a quote from one of my heroes in the art world, Vincent van Gogh... "I am seeking, I am striving, I am in it with all my heart."
For people who create or who would like to create, for those who have struggled with fears and blocks, this book is more than helpful. Paris will move you toward understanding yourself as an artist.
by Joan Shaddox Isom
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Limner's View, September 19, 2009
This review is from: Standing at Water's Edge: Moving Past Fear, Blocks, and Pitfalls to Discover the Power of Creative Immersion (Paperback)
By the time I bought Anne Paris' book, "Standing at Water's Edge," I'd been on a how-to binge for almost eighteen months; gorging on anything that promised to teach people like me how to write better, and avoid the pitfalls every "real" writer experiences. One frightening, common thread/threat throughout was writer's block.
The more I read the more I doubted myself. Writer's block? But I'd never . . . Did it mean I wasn't a "real" writer? I had stories stumbling and tumbling to get out of my head and onto paper. My well would never run dry! Right?
I hadn't drawn or painted in years. I hadn't touched a camera in over three months. Writing was all I had left. Without the pen-and-paper creative outlet, what would I do? Maya Angelou understood. "There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." Quotes aren't cures though, and, I had way too many stories waiting.
I ran my hands over the cool, smooth cover like a sighted person trying to read Braille; almost hypnotized by the lone figure standing straight and sure, next to a bench. Was that me? A watercolor sky soothed and drew me down to the blue water waiting between Earth and sky. There's always a Negro spiritual to fit most occasions in my life: "Between the Earth and sky, thought I heard my Savior cry . . ." suited this one.
A promise of freedom to soar beyond the sky, but only if I left the comfort and stability of solid ground behind, gave me the courage to dive into that expanse of healing water within the pages of Anne's book. Not knowing how to swim, I took the first step into a creativity-saving dive.
The first sentence that held hope with a hook got me: "How do we take the plunge into creativity?" The second pulled me along: "If you are an artist, a writer, or a person who works in any other creative capacity, this book is for you."
I snapped to by page four, started highlighting on page five: " . . . this book will show how the nature of the artist's childhood experiences and the nature of her relationships with others shape her creative process." I think I whimpered.
Anne Paris laid out her cards; offered proof that she could help my sickness. Then she began. She said the therapeutic process of healing and growth involved a creative element. I'd already learned that in therapy! She went on, "The creative state is one that is similar to a meditative trance, in that the artist becomes unaware of his or her surroundings and is free of external judgment and self-evaluation." By then I was in up to my calves. So, I went for it! Sink or swim.
I had experienced "being In The Zone" before. I'd been there without knowing how I'd arrived. I had done some of my best work there. I knew this truth.
At the bottom of page seven, I noted in pencil: "7-24-08 I believe we tap into a collective consciousness that we can take away from, but only as much as we are capable of handling . . ." In the margin along the outer edge of the page I wrote: The more we dip into the "well," the deeper the depths are plumbed . . . Our cistern fills and runs over. We become masters of the well's contents."
Standing at Water's Edge confirmed that I've sabotaged my own success as an artist and photographer. I've known it for years, but knowing didn't stop it from happening. I only suspected that I was sabotaging my desire to become a writer.
I have learned that there are healers for what ails us. Sometimes we have to search hard and long, all the while, hoping . . . believing in our quest. But, I hoped, and help came in the form of Standing at Water's Edge. It helped me. It lifted me up; it helped me undo damage from early childhood; it helped change my damaging inner critic . . . Finally! I had proof that someone DID understand. "It takes one to know one," and Paris' "knowing" is part of what helps creators understand and break barriers between creator and creativity.
I wish I could offer up the paragraphs or chapters that undid me, or jump-started the creative flow again. I can't. But, I am grateful for all the parts that worked together for me. I haven't read from Standing at Water's Edge recently. I've been too busy writing, and drawing, and painting, and loving photography again. Yes, I am creating. And, I've learned that there's nothing wrong with being good at more than one thing. My new mantra is, "Never fear a gift." Anne Paris wrote the key that unlocked the blocks that had held me prisoner. She taught me not to fear immersion, and to enjoy down time.
Get Standing at Water's Edge. Then dive right in, and learn how to move "past fear, blocks, and pitfalls to discover the power of creative immersion."
Limner
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Standing At Water's Edge.by Anne Paris PHD, January 16, 2009
This review is from: Standing at Water's Edge: Moving Past Fear, Blocks, and Pitfalls to Discover the Power of Creative Immersion (Paperback)
Paperback 190 pages.
I really enjoyed this book.I found it interesting,informative,friendly and very readable. I am not a writer but I like to dabble and play with words.
I purchased the book because I wanted to better understand fear and blocks in thought patterns as I have a disability and they are something I can ill afford.
Dr Paris explains the process very well. The book is an immersive experience just as the author suggest. I found all the procrastination and other stuff made a lot more sense. (Great to know it was not wasted time after all.)
The introduction and guide summaries were a great idea and very helpful for later use. I hope to use them in other activities when learning new skills. I liked the organisation of the book, I also liked being encouraged and inspired as I read. This is a great first book. I hope there will be many more. It is pleasing to see professionals sharing their knowledge in this way. It helps to improve the lives of others. I note also you have a web site.
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