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willjacks's review
4.0
This hit my shelf at the perfect time. I've had the idea for a sci-fi YA series for about 3 years now, and my experience of lockdown was that I was more busy than when there wasn't a pandemic. I have been yearning for a point in which I can stretch my creative muscles and finish a first draft.
This book not only helped me understand why the brain works the way it does (refer to Cleese's hare brain and tortoise mind analogy), but gives suggestions and anecdotes that give insight and direction. Writers, painters, artists etc. that are just starting out can sometimes feel completely alone and the role models within their chosen arena seem like mythical figures with unattainable skills and talent. Cleese pulls your head down from the clouds and up from the sand, explaining in simple, coffee-table-book terms how everyone has the ability to be creative, they just need to know that it isn't supposed to be easy-peasy.
A great book, fifth star stricken off simply because Cleese could've written a 300 page book on this, but I guess this was his lockdown project.
This book not only helped me understand why the brain works the way it does (refer to Cleese's hare brain and tortoise mind analogy), but gives suggestions and anecdotes that give insight and direction. Writers, painters, artists etc. that are just starting out can sometimes feel completely alone and the role models within their chosen arena seem like mythical figures with unattainable skills and talent. Cleese pulls your head down from the clouds and up from the sand, explaining in simple, coffee-table-book terms how everyone has the ability to be creative, they just need to know that it isn't supposed to be easy-peasy.
A great book, fifth star stricken off simply because Cleese could've written a 300 page book on this, but I guess this was his lockdown project.
clowduh's review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
tyndareos's review
3.0
41/100
A really short guide about creativity .
Would be only around 30 pages with an average text design .
Big Fonts , a lot of empty pages and some sketches to stretch the book .
The few Pages about creativity are nonetheless good, even when the key point is pretty simple .
If you lack of Ideas , rest the work , go to bed, and it will be easier to continue on the next day.
The rest is some nice little stories and some example when this was the case .
A really short guide about creativity .
Would be only around 30 pages with an average text design .
Big Fonts , a lot of empty pages and some sketches to stretch the book .
The few Pages about creativity are nonetheless good, even when the key point is pretty simple .
If you lack of Ideas , rest the work , go to bed, and it will be easier to continue on the next day.
The rest is some nice little stories and some example when this was the case .
osborne2read's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
lordnelson's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
What
John Clay in one of the best dives into creativity I’ve ever heard seen or read.
Establishes Hare Brain (Logical&Critical) & Tortoises Mind(creative &playful pondering) as two essential equally important ways of thinking. HB is clear cut and direct, TM is mysterious and takes longer to subconsciously develop. It’s playful pondering over ruthless problem solving, can go away and ideas will just come to you if remain patient and undiscouraged. HB and TM need each other but keep them seperate to to function properly individually to completion. Iteration is drafting between creative and analytical and then redrafting. 15 drafts is ok.
Interuption is the biggest killer of creativity. So dedicate allotted time to practice without distraction. Includes disconnecting from anxiety that comes with wanting to be right or avoiding being wrong. Just try to find out if or what is right, then you’re always curiously engaged.
Thoughts follow mood, music is a op hack to finding an optimistic mood.
Brevity is the soul of wit and not being boring.
After drafting cut what’s not relevant and don’t repeat unless intentional.
Testing
Kill darlings (sidetracked improvements) and get second opinions once have enough clarity and feedback can become practical.
Don’t ask for a solution, that’s your job to create. Ask;
1. Where were you bored
2. Where did you not understand
3. Where did you not find credible?
4. Was anything emotionally upsetting?
Take note where bordem hits, and hopefully next draft it’s a little later on.
How: Cleese writes with humor but honestly, clearly and concisely on such a vague topic that would require years of understanding and cultivated research.
True. Yes
What of it. Such an important format to nurture creators in any field. The book gives excellent tips and clarification that even the most creative mind record and have the same issues. No matter no matter the medium.
John Clay in one of the best dives into creativity I’ve ever heard seen or read.
Establishes Hare Brain (Logical&Critical) & Tortoises Mind(creative &playful pondering) as two essential equally important ways of thinking. HB is clear cut and direct, TM is mysterious and takes longer to subconsciously develop. It’s playful pondering over ruthless problem solving, can go away and ideas will just come to you if remain patient and undiscouraged. HB and TM need each other but keep them seperate to to function properly individually to completion. Iteration is drafting between creative and analytical and then redrafting. 15 drafts is ok.
Interuption is the biggest killer of creativity. So dedicate allotted time to practice without distraction. Includes disconnecting from anxiety that comes with wanting to be right or avoiding being wrong. Just try to find out if or what is right, then you’re always curiously engaged.
Thoughts follow mood, music is a op hack to finding an optimistic mood.
Brevity is the soul of wit and not being boring.
After drafting cut what’s not relevant and don’t repeat unless intentional.
Testing
Kill darlings (sidetracked improvements) and get second opinions once have enough clarity and feedback can become practical.
Don’t ask for a solution, that’s your job to create. Ask;
1. Where were you bored
2. Where did you not understand
3. Where did you not find credible?
4. Was anything emotionally upsetting?
Take note where bordem hits, and hopefully next draft it’s a little later on.
How: Cleese writes with humor but honestly, clearly and concisely on such a vague topic that would require years of understanding and cultivated research.
True. Yes
What of it. Such an important format to nurture creators in any field. The book gives excellent tips and clarification that even the most creative mind record and have the same issues. No matter no matter the medium.
katykelly's review against another edition
4.0
Honest, concise - a helpful shoulder rub of a book.
This took literally half an hour to read. It was just what I'd hoped for too. A touch of the personal (would have liked more of that!), which was lovely.
Mostly this was just the thoughts of someone who over a lifetime of creating comedy, scripts, TV, speeches, has had the good fortune to both meet and talk with those who can give insight into unconsciousness and the creative mind. And consider his own writing/thought process when working/procrastinating/creating.
Cleese makes some good points, about the ability to play (around), to let yourself have time to think things over without consciously worrying at something. To accept the bad days (and ideas) with the good and accept this as part of a process. To trust your ideas to others ("don't ask yourself who is right. Ask which idea is better.") for feedback and listen to it.
It was quite inspiring actually, a reminder that everyone has the same qualms, fears and lazy patches. That it takes time and experience to hone a craft. I wasn't keen on the anthropomorphising of the unconscious, but aside from that, this is something you could read regularly for inspiration, it's without genre or politics, class or gender, it's just a great little book to push you to create whatever it is you have bursting to get out.
This took literally half an hour to read. It was just what I'd hoped for too. A touch of the personal (would have liked more of that!), which was lovely.
Mostly this was just the thoughts of someone who over a lifetime of creating comedy, scripts, TV, speeches, has had the good fortune to both meet and talk with those who can give insight into unconsciousness and the creative mind. And consider his own writing/thought process when working/procrastinating/creating.
Cleese makes some good points, about the ability to play (around), to let yourself have time to think things over without consciously worrying at something. To accept the bad days (and ideas) with the good and accept this as part of a process. To trust your ideas to others ("don't ask yourself who is right. Ask which idea is better.") for feedback and listen to it.
It was quite inspiring actually, a reminder that everyone has the same qualms, fears and lazy patches. That it takes time and experience to hone a craft. I wasn't keen on the anthropomorphising of the unconscious, but aside from that, this is something you could read regularly for inspiration, it's without genre or politics, class or gender, it's just a great little book to push you to create whatever it is you have bursting to get out.
slayra's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
This is what every book written to help other people should be. First, it should be written by someone with proven experience on the subject (check!), and then be concise and straight to the point (second chapter and it's done!). The book is quite short and even the audio version is under 1h. I didn't learn anything that blew my mind, but it's the sort of advice that I need to keep with me and revisit every now and then. "Self-help" books with one idea stretched out for more than 200 pages are a waste of my time as I'll forget most ideas within a couple of months and won't check them again.
geekwayne's review against another edition
4.0
'Creativity: A Short and Cheerful Guide' by John Cleese is an encouraging and fun look at the topic of creativity.
This quite short, but fun, read is from someone who is quite creative. Starting off with discussing the creative mindset, the book shortly moves on to hints and suggestions.
I liked the approach this book took and the positive aspect of the message. The hints and suggestions are approachable ways to get the creative juices flowing and to help one get out of their own way.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Crown Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
This quite short, but fun, read is from someone who is quite creative. Starting off with discussing the creative mindset, the book shortly moves on to hints and suggestions.
I liked the approach this book took and the positive aspect of the message. The hints and suggestions are approachable ways to get the creative juices flowing and to help one get out of their own way.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Crown Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.