9 Inspiring Books To Kick-Start Your Creativity

Books For Artists & Writers: Our 9 Picks

Tips For Being More Creative

• Ask questions
• Learn more about any topic you find interesting
• Make time to play, no matter how old you get
• Keep a journal
• Don't be afraid to take risks
• Carry a camera with you
• Do something creative every day, even if it's small

8 Great Films About Art

1. Frida (2002)
2. Shakespeare in Love (1998)
3. Rent (2005)
4. Dead Poets Society (1989)
5. Moulin Rouge (1952)
6. Sunset Boulevard (1950)
7. Stranger Than Fiction (2006)
8. Loving Vincent (2017)

The Myth of the Tortured Artist

In Depth

No matter how creative you are in your work, it's common to get stuck every so often. With the pressures and distractions of the modern world constantly vying for your attention, it can be difficult to remember what really matters. Whether you're trying to jumpstart a specific project or you're looking for general advice about how to reawaken your artistic side, here, in no particular order, are some books that can help.

At #1 is "Daily Rituals" by Mason Currey. Life is full of obstacles to creativity. Artists have to walk the dog, make dinner, and pay the bills just like everyone else. So how can people with busy, full lives possibly make time for art? In this helpful volume, the author encourages readers to take a tip from literary greats like Franz Kafka, Jane Austen, and Thomas Wolfe, writers who turned their rituals into aids to creativity rather than dreary hindrances.

Coming in at #2 is "Figure It Out!" by Christopher Hart. Whether you're a gifted artist or a hopeful beginner, it can be intimidating just to get to the point of sketching out your ideas on paper. In this handy step-by-step guide, novices and seasoned doodlers alike can learn a few basic drawing skills to use as either an entry point or a way of developing their craft.

Whether you're a gifted artist or a hopeful beginner, it can be intimidating just to get to the point of sketching out your ideas on paper.

For #3, we find "The Amazing Thing About the Way It Goes" by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. Sometimes, getting the life you want means giving up a few unnecessary extras. Author Pearl-McPhee uses this work to show stressed-out creatives how they can tackle the million annoying obstructions to artistic freedom, one messy bedroom or missed email response at a time.

At #4 is "Geek Girls Unite" by Leslie Simon. Anyone who's ever lived with the stigma of the geek label in high school knows how painful it can be to be mocked for your passions and preferences. They also know how growing up geek can lead to a much more interesting adulthood. In this book, accomplished, self-described geeks like Amy Sedaris and Regina Spektor break down how they get work done and keep their self-esteem high in a world full of muggles.

At #5 is Victoria Finlay's "The Brilliant History of Color in Art." Ever wonder how your favorite color came to be? The history of cerulean blue or forest green is probably more fascinating than you ever dreamed. In this eye-opening celebration of hues and shades, Finlay explores how colors were created in the ancient world out of anything available, from crushed-up bugs to cow dung. Anyone who's curious and passionate about the arts will find themselves inspired after only a few chapters of this enchanting history.

Anyone who's curious and passionate about the arts will find themselves inspired after only a few chapters of this enchanting history.

Coming in at #6 is "Soap Making Essentials" by Sophia Johnson. Whether you're looking for a way to cut down on cleaning costs or simply want to find a cool, relaxing hobby, soap making could be right up your alley. In this clear, easy-to-understand book of resources and recipes, first-time soap makers can find the perfect way into the craft, and longtime enthusiasts can be inspired by new methods, ingredients, and challenges.

For #7, we get Grace Bonney's "In the Company of Women." Despite being ignored and disrespected for centuries, female creators have been behind some of the most powerful inventions in history, from beer to the first computer system. Now, culture is finally catching up to the amazing power of these entrepreneurs. In this celebration of women who teach, craft, create, and incite change, readers can gain insight into how some of the most accomplished workers hone their craft and stay in the game.

At #8 is "My Random Acts of Kindness Journal" by D.M. Andrews. Sometimes, the key to unlocking our own creativity can be found in the act of reaching out. For some artists, engaging with the world can feel like a distraction. But for Andrews, initiating a daily project of extending kindness to friends, neighbors, and strangers was a revelation that led him on an entirely new path. Using this guided journal, readers can now follow in his footsteps as they head down a road of connection, kinship, and inspiration.

Sometimes, the key to unlocking our own creativity can be found in the act of reaching out.

Finally, at #9, is Craig Morgan Teicher's "We Begin in Gladness." Poetry is an art form that requires a lot of patience and a lot of time. If you're a busy person trying to practice your art every day, it can be difficult to stick with it. This book offers a helpful solution by encouraging poets to slow down, listen, and pay attention to the world around them. Anyone who loves reading or writing poetry should consider this volume a must-read.