The MOST Inspiring Books on Creativity & Writing

“A creative life is an amplified life. It's a bigger life, a happier life, an expanded life, and a hell of a lot more interesting life.” Elizabeth Gilbert

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Welcome back to another Slow Sunday Letter! I hope you have had a slow and gentle week.

A warm welcome to new subscribers to Generosity of Spirit and thank you to my paid members of Slow & Steady, I appreciate your company so much. I hope you are enjoying these letters and the invitation to slow down, and live gently.

Throughout the last year I have been seeking out more and more non fiction books and guides on writing, creative process and creativity. Not only do I find these books practically helpful and inspiring - but there is also something so comforting about reading about other people’s creative experiences, routines, practices and journeys. People who have also struggled with blank pages, wrestled with doubt, and still found the beauty in creating. My collection has grown and grown over the last year or so. These books have been not only become wonderful guides, but also my go to’s for encouragement, companionship, and creative sparks.

In this month’s A Writer’s Life, I want to share the books that remind me why I love to write, and live a creative life. I also wanted to share with you, my wish list for books on writing and creativity. I would love to know if you have read any of these, and what you thought of them, or if you have any recommendations to share.

So - grab a cuppa, get cosy and let’s jump in together!

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The MOST Inspiring Books on Creativity & Writing (in my opinion)

On Writing - Stephen King

Part memoir, part masterclass by one of the bestselling authors of all time, this superb volume is a revealing and practical view of the writer's craft, comprising the basic tools of the trade every writer must have.

King's advice is grounded in his vivid memories from childhood through his emergence as a writer, from his struggling early career to his widely reported, near-fatal accident in 1999 - and how the inextricable link between writing and living spurred his recovery.

Immensely helpful and illuminating to any aspiring writer, this special edition of Stephen King's critically lauded, million-copy bestseller shares the experiences, habits, and convictions that have shaped him and his work.

Brilliantly structured, friendly and inspiring, On Writing will empower and entertain everyone who reads it - fans, writers, and anyone who loves a great story well told.

Stephen King is one of my absolute heroes in writing. What he has produced is nothing short of astounding, the sheer volume and the quality! I am trying to read more and more of his work and every time I do, I love it. His character work is just brilliant, the skill he displays in delivering such well rounded, believable and vivid characters sometimes in just a couple of pages is a pleasure to read. Of course his stories are so unique, so imaginative and I have had the best time reading his books.

As I explored King’s work, I kept seeing On Writing coming up over and over again, even those who are not writers, were citing this book as one of their favourite Stephen Kings. It offers a rare peek inside the mind of a genius, and takes you through his process. It is part memoir and part guide. I love the balance from a natural story telling, letting you in on stories from his life and antidotes from family life - weaved effortlessly with practical and real help and advice on writing, and what it takes to create a writing routine. It is fascinating and so compelling. I think any lover of words would enjoy this book.

Big Magic -

Elizabeth Gilbert

Readers of all ages and walks of life have drawn inspiration from Elizabeth Gilbert’s books for years. Now, this beloved author shares her wisdom and unique understanding of creativity, shattering the perceptions of mystery and suffering that surround the process – and showing us all just how easy it can be.

By sharing stories from her own life, as well as those from her friends and the people that have inspired her, Elizabeth Gilbert challenges us to embrace our curiosity, tackle what we most love and face down what we most fear.

Whether you long to write a book, create art, cope with challenges at work, embark on a long-held dream, or simply to make your everyday life more vivid and rewarding, Big Magic will take you on a journey of exploration filled with wonder and unexpected joys. So many have loved this book- and you will be no different!

Big Magic is a timeless book - it will always be relevant, always be inspiring and will always speak to the heart of creative people. I owned this book for well over a year before I opened it for the first time. From the first chapter, I felt really comfortable with Elizabeth. It genuinely felt like a conversation just between me and Elizabeth, and so many times I felt really seen (how did she know I felt that way!?).

Big Magic has some brilliant insights into what it takes to live a creative life - leading with bravery and curiosity. Gilbert focuses on the experience of living a creative life, and the real joy the pursuit of creativity can have on you, if you are living in alignment with your art. This book is very inspiring and I defy you to read this book and not feel empowered and reinvigorated in your creativity.

This is a hugely popular book and for good reason, if you want to give more focus to your creativity I couldn't recommend this book highly enough.

The Artist Way - Julia Cameron

Since its first publication, The Artist's Way has inspired the genius of Elizabeth Gilbert, Tim Ferriss, Reese Witherspoon, Kerry Washington and millions of readers to embark on a creative journey and find a deeper connection to process and purpose. Julia Cameron guides readers in uncovering problems and pressure points that may be restricting their creative flow and offers techniques to open up opportunities for growth and self-discovery.

A revolutionary programme for personal renewal, The Artist's Way will help get you back on track, rediscover your passions, and take the steps you need to change your life.

The Artist’s Way provides a 12 week guided program to overcome artistic blocks, bad habits and inhibitions to fully embrace and own our creativity and artist identity. It speaks to the heart of the creative and creative life, and has so many life affirming, life shaking and life over turning moments.

It is a transformative read, but a real commitment. The programme is known for being very intense - and if you follow every aspect of it - it can be quite demanding on your time, emotions and creativity. But this is its potential magic - if you let it - this can be a life changing book and experience. I so enjoyed my time doing The Artist’s Way and I know I will return to it, and it’s wisdom again and again.

The Way of the Fearless Writer: Ancient Eastern wisdom for a flourishing writing life -

Beth Kempton

Join author and Japanologist Beth Kempton on a sacred journey to uncover the secrets of fearless writing which have lain buried in Eastern philosophy for two thousand years.

In a radical departure from standard advice and widely-held assumptions about the effort and suffering required for creative success, The Way of the Fearless Writer will show you there is another way to thrive - a path of trust, ease, freedom and joy.

Learn how to free your mind so your body can create, transform your relationship with fear, dissolve self-doubt, shift writer's block, access your true voice and bravely share your words with the world.

This profound book reveals the deep connections between mind, body, spirit, breath and words. Offering a rare insight into the writing life and a host of fresh and original exercises, it will open your eyes to writing as a direct connection to life itself.

Beth Kempton has inspired me so much, it is almost too hard to explain here just how much. Reason number 5347 I love Substack - is the opportunity to get to know Beth even more, and be part of a writing community as a member of Soul Circle.

The Way of the Fearless Writer was the first book of Beth’s I had ever read, and more than any other book on this list, this book made me fully believe and step into my true identity as a writer. It has endless wisdom, that I come back to time and time again. It is written from the heart, with so much generosity. I think of this as a soul guide for those who have been called to writing, and expressing themselves through words.

Written -

Bec Evans

and Chris Smith

Written is a transformative guide that anyone can use to overcome their blocks and build a successful writing habit. Writing is important to many of us - for our careers, studies, businesses or creative fulfilment - but sitting down and doing it can feel impossible. We often struggle to give it the attention it deserves. We can't find time. Our focus is torn. Distractions are everywhere. Our inner critic keeps telling us we're no good. But what if you could find a highly effective writing habit that was perfect for you?

Bec Evans and Chris Smith have helped thousands of people stop procrastinating, overcome their blocks and reach their writing goals. Now, they've turned their successful approach into this life-changing book that anyone can use to write more productively and with less stress. Packed full of tried and tested advice, stories you can relate to and the latest research from psychology and neuroscience, Written gives you the tools you need to start writing, keep going - and finish.

I sometimes get distracted by the idealistic dream of living a writers life … picturing myself in a cottage in the middle of nowhere, writing all day and fully immersing myself in my projects for days, weeks, months on end. Cut to real life … fitting creative work into daily life, around jobs, family, is hard. Many of us feel like we don’t write enough, don’t have the time to devote to our deep work and creative projects. I picked up this book in the hope it would wave a magic wand over my writing routines and habits, and transform my writing practice.

So, there was no magic wand, but there was something even better - so many relatable, practical and genuinely inspiring tips and guidance on how to overcome the many blocks in our lives to start being more productive, and taking real steps towards your writing goals.

Little Stories Of Your Little Life -

Laura Pashby

Embrace the power of storytelling with Little Stories of Your Life. Start telling your own story, find your creative self and be more mindful.

Combining the wellbeing benefits of mindfulness, creativity and daily photography, this book shows you how to use words and photographs to capture precious little moments and how to share these in order to connect with others.

Each chapter explores the different ways you can tell your own stories, considers why you might choose to tell them and helps you to create a patchwork of tiny tales about your life, however small they might be. Throughout the book, Laura shares her own personal stories and research that shows you how to tune out of the bigger picture and focus on the everyday. There are exercises to gently guide you through how to journal and harness your inner creativity, as well as tips on improving your photography, photo challenges and writing prompts to get you started.

It’s easy to feel that our own lives are not enough, but real lives are not defined by bright, exciting events: we don’t need a grand narrative arc. It’s the stretches of time in between that matter, the tiny moments and the daily choices that make us who we are.

This book is a wonderful companion for any one wanting to explore how to record their story in words or through photography. Filled with beauty and gentle wisdom. There are some stunning photos included all by Laura Pashby, who is such a talented photographer, as well as a gifted and inspiring writer.

I loved my time with this book, and the exercises within it are genuinely inspiring, and fun to do. It gives you so many ideas, and the confidence to explore them. I loved the focus on the beauty of ordinary life and the magic moments we all experience day in day out. I have always been so preoccupied with the beauty and precious nature of simple living and every day life, and Laura builds on this notion and creates a thought provoking and practically inspiring book.

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MY WISH LIST

• Daily Rituals: How Great Minds Make Time, Find Inspiration, and Get to Work - Mason Currey

• Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World - Cal Newport

• The Creative Act: A Way of Being - Rick Rubin

• We Need Your Art: Stop F*cking Around and Make Something - Amie McNee

• Bird by Bird: Instructions on Writing and Life - Anne Lamott

I would love to know if you have read any of these, and if you would recommend them - or any others!

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I really hope this letter has inspired you to pick up a book about living a creative life- maybe you have one on your bookshelf right now, or perhaps this has added a few more books to your TBR list!

I have gained so much from these books - reading about other people’s creative lives, benefiting from their advice, hearing their stories has been so helpful, inspiring and really positively impacted my work, my writing and my self belief.

Each one has reminded me that living a creative life, isn’t just about what we create but it is the process, the experience, the courage to begin, the curiosity to keep going, and the heart and soul we pour into our work.

Whether you are an established creative, or you are just beginning to explore your voice, I hope these titles offer the same spark of inspiration and gentle wisdom they have given me - to be brave, to follow your curiosity, and to embrace your creative life (every day not just as an end goal).

I would really love to know your thoughts, and what your favourite books about writing or creative life are … if you feel able, please do share in the comments.

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