The Well of Creativity (New Dimensions Books)

Researchers, teachers, and authors discuss the nature of creativity and the creative process with New Dimensions Radio host Michael Toms

New Dimensions radio-host Michael Toms explores the subject of creativity with six specialists: Julia Cameron (The Artist's Way), Natalie Goldberg (Writing Down the Bones), Deena Metzger (Writing for Your Life), composer-musician Keith Jarrett, author Isabel Allende, and psychologist Mihály Csikszentmihályi. If you are already familiar with the work of Toms's subjects, there is not a lot new here to be gleaned: Cameron recommends writing three pages first thing in the morning to get past fear and procrastination; Goldberg talks about the need to record the thoughts that come before your inner censor kicks in; Metzger emphasizes writing about what you don't already know ("It's very boring to write what you do know"); Jarrett talks about the need to push one's limits; Allende discusses the "particles of truth" that are found in the "bunch of lies" we call fiction; and Csikszsetmihályi talks about how "our education is based on convergence thinking," while creativity arises out of divergent thinking. But Michael Toms asks all the right questions, which makes this a fine introduction to the interviewees' thoughts on the matter of creativity and a good way to determine where to direct your reading next. --Jane Steinberg