Scan barcode
rscuderi's review
4.0
Great insight into the practice of being a creative genius. Exercises are thought provoking and useful as well.
deeparcher's review
5.0
This book has some fantastic exercises for boosting creativity and many of the things she outlines in the book are similar to what I've found in other books. I also found the anecdotes where she had to change some of her works in the middle fascinating because she describes how she has to juggle the feelings of performers with the demands of creating the best artwork. That dynamic was an interesting one to get a glimpse of.
kaylielongley's review
2.0
Disguised as a self-help manual, this thick yet surprisingly shallow book reads more like a memoir. Author Tharp's talents reside in a diverse understanding and appreciation for the arts, in particular dance, but not in nonfiction. While there are activities on how to build better creative habits, they are sprinkled throughout the book and largely anecdotal. In fact, her life story and unnecessary definitions consume most of the pages. The first half is more fresh, on rituals and beginning steps. However, I'm still gifting two stars for her theme on leveraging tools, like support groups, habit formation, and private practice, for creative growth. Habit formation is critical to production, and to her credit, Tharp has certainly produced, resulting in the choreography of over 100 dances across many stages. Quite simply, her ideas aren't for everyone.
joyensen's review against another edition
5.0
This was a really good book to be reading as the coronavirus hit. Leaning into my creative practice is really helping my sanity while we are socially distancing and in unpredictable and uncertain times.
Highly recommend. Adding this to my Creative Slump Rx reading list.
Highly recommend. Adding this to my Creative Slump Rx reading list.
dajenny's review
4.0
Great primer on cultivating creativity, though a bit unconventional at times. Twyla Tharp certainly has her own approach to things.
I didn't do all of her exercises - to be honest, some of them seem just a bit out there for me - but there are several I jotted down to try. She gives some good practical advice on how to encourage yourself to practice your art in everyday life.
That said, some of her advice is impractical for real life - not all of us have the time, resources, etc that she has to devote to our craft. (Though, to be fair, at one point she did say one of her regrets was trying to "have it all"- career, home life, etc - and that this really isn't possible).
(This isn't really a "writing" book per se, but I read it to encourage my writing, so I'll shelve it there.)
I didn't do all of her exercises - to be honest, some of them seem just a bit out there for me - but there are several I jotted down to try. She gives some good practical advice on how to encourage yourself to practice your art in everyday life.
That said, some of her advice is impractical for real life - not all of us have the time, resources, etc that she has to devote to our craft. (Though, to be fair, at one point she did say one of her regrets was trying to "have it all"- career, home life, etc - and that this really isn't possible).
(This isn't really a "writing" book per se, but I read it to encourage my writing, so I'll shelve it there.)
jennutley's review
5.0
Wanna be inspired? Wanna be more creative? Don't let the author's medium (dance) prevent you from giving this one a shot. Bought myself a copy and a copy for my friend Janet too.
mwbuell's review
4.0
This was good. It was fun to read about creativity from the mind of a great dancer and choreographer, and she wove in a lot of stories of artists in other crafts as well. Some of the exercises were a little out there for me personally, but some were good! This felt like a long read to be honest. I felt like it was a bit repetitive at times, or that some stories were longer than they needed to be. But overall, I enjoyed it and took a lot of notes
brdgtc's review
4.0
I am not a creative person, but am trying to challenge myself to not set boundaries on my life and this book was surprisingly helpful. The author is clearly a gifted and (well earned) privileged artist, but she is very good at distilling ideas and providing concrete exercises that really make sense.
tracithomas's review
4.0
This is my second read of this book. I’d forgotten a lot. I got a lot out of it as a creative process text. Tharp helps to make creativity a practice and not a fluke. The book is a little disjointed and lacking any real celebration or acknowledgment of creatives who aren’t white (and male…aside from Tharp) which sucks. Mostly because it shows that Tharp doesn’t truly value the genius and/or process of people outside white and maleness. Except when it comes to white women dancers.