Customer Reviews

Unstuck: 52 Ways to Get (and Keep) Your Creativity Flowing at Home, at Work & in Your Studio

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This book is deceptively simple. While many of the activities are lighthearted, crafty diversions and brain teasers, there is something deeply human being explored here about the ways we think, perceive, and inhabit the world. This not just about getting unstuck, but shifting ones perspective and developing awareness of the ways we work, the ways we think, the ways we ARE.

Not every exercise will speak to you the same way, but that's OK because the book is packed with so many ideas you are bound to encounter some zingers that move you. And that is well worth the price of admission.

Once you read this, once you DO this book, you will be hard-pressed to un-DO it.

Once was not enough. Noah Scalin has done it again. His new book "Unstuck" provides a depth of inspiration through seemingly endless ideas and pictures to demonstrate at least 52 ways to explore your creative potential. His best advice centers on having simple expectations of yourself. Be reasonable with your creative goals, and when you're ready, reach beyond them.

"Unstuck" has a similar layout to "365: A Daily Creativity Journal" in that you can record your progress after some of the 52 prompts in the book. There is often space to record brainstorms or even to participate in the activity by completing an exercise on the page. But I would say that "Unstuck" is packed with even more idea-generating material and more often than not uses all of the space on each page to help you think outside of the box. What I love most about "Unstuck" is the way the book is organized into sections of projects based on how much time it would take to finish them. Ranging from 30 seconds to multiple hours, each section contains approximately 10 activities and guides you by baby steps until you're ready to stand on your own and confidently let your creativity grow. Whether you have a case of artist's block or are looking for a book to encourage a creative person, "Unstuck" will cure what ails you.

My copy came today and I couldn't put it down. I devoured it straight away. My husband and I just started a major project, and while we are definately thriving artistically right now, this will no doubt inspire us in other ways. I actually think this book is good for both times, when you are thriving and of course, when you are stuck.

Nonetheles, there's not a creative person who hasn't lost his or her inspiration at one time or another. Annoying? Yes. Excruciating? No doubt. But please, suffer no longer. If you're stuck, do yourself a favor and buy this book. Scalin's book is chock full of ways to get your creativity flowing again. Fast forward to the last pages where the author tells you the secret about this book, that it took a year to create, which perfectly illustrates the author's intention, to get you back on track and in the habit of doing something creative every day. Not only does this book give you plenty of ways to get the pen moving forward, the paint brush swishing, the camera clicking again--but also other artists will tell you their secrets, how they avoid roadblocks, ways they keep the Muse landing even on a rainy day. Nothing beats the company of other working artists who've been stuck before, who've been there before. Nothing beats another artist offering tried and true suggestions, that might help you get back up on your feet and experimenting again. Plenty of blog and web links are included, so you can check out each artist's work, and see other cool places, for massive doses of needed inspiration. What a gift, what an act of generosity from so many talented artists. And if you know someone who needs support, this would be the perfect gift for them.

When I pre-ordered this book I was hoping the publisher would post a Kindle version by publication date. UPDATE: this book is so gorgeous, the design, photographs, illustrations so lovely--I cannot imagine that Kindle would be able to create the same version, which makes sense since the book is about finding your way back to creative inspiration. What better way to show this than by example, no? :-)

Are you a creative? Than you know you need this book. Just order it and move along.

Everyone else, sit down and let's talk. Me first.

The truth is no matter who we are or what we do, we all get stuck and we are all creative. The sad truth is most of us don't realize it. You can argue with me until you are blue in the face how you are not stuck and there is no way "Unstuck" will benefit your personal life or career. Go head, do that now. I'll listen attentively. Be sure to mention how busy your life is while you're at it.

Now, let me point out that your argument demonstrates your stuck-ness.

Diving into these projects can stretch your brain in a new direction, uncover a hidden talent or inject a bit of unexpected delight to your life. Anyone who invests 30 seconds, a couple minutes or a half hour to this book will be rewarded with any thing from a sense of satisfaction to the seed of a brilliant new idea. The key to suffering through that spreadsheet analysis might just be going off the grid (project 43) or answering some of the questions in project 14 (bigger than a bread box). You don't know until you try.

Noah has handed over his tool chest of goodies and I'm happy to find that we use many of the same tools. My personal life, relationships and my careers in the arts, technology, management, coaching and medicine have all benefited from getting unstuck. What appeared to be a simple project has often lead me to a profound insight or diffuses distracting tension. The tools that are new to me are being swiftly incorporated into my bag of tricks.

As for those few of you who have actually convinced me that you are not stuck in any facet of your life. Good for you! Now reward yourself with "Unstuck" and keep the flow going!

I found the projects and format to be more for a crafter, not an artist. I'd send it back but the line at my post office is always really long.

First- I admit that I wrote something for this book (unpaid, except for a free copy, but I bought another copy here on Amazon for my brother).

Second- I'm lucky that I rarely get "stuck" for an idea, but I have my bad days too. This morning, after a project seemingly went down in flames, I picked up my copy of "Unstuck" and drove down to the coffee shop and sat down with it. I had read some of it before, but today was the first time that I really went through it with purpose. I was hoping that I might learn how someone else handled problems like I was having, and I wasn't disappointed. By the time I finished my coffee, I had found a secret way to handling clients that I know will be very helpful in the future. What is it? Let's just say that it has to do with fake representation and emails. If you read the book, you'll see what I mean.
:)

Anyway- I recommend it.
Good luck!