The Muse Is In: An Owner’s Manual to Your Creativity

by Jill Badonsky

Following her perennial-seller The Awe-Manac: A Daily Dose of Wonder, Jill Badonsky returns with a fun new book that will help her readers get their creativity working like a well-oiled machine. As a creativity-coaching pioneer, Jill knows that many people feel distracted, blocked, and overwhelmed.

The Muse Is In: An Owner's Manual to Your Creativity outlines how to power up one's genius, take it for a test drive, troubleshoot problems along the way, and offers tips for proper care and maintenance. With her dazzling illustrations and quirky humor, Jill Badonsky delivers the operating instructions for helping her fans spark their creative passion.

Genres: Art, Self Help, Nonfiction, Writing

238 pages, Paperback

First published December 25, 2012

Reviews

[Coreena McBurnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say that I'm biased toward Jill's books. My own road to writing and exploring my creativity took a huge leap a few years ago when I participated in a course based on her first book, The Nine Modern Day Muses. Reading that book and taking that course changed so many things for me.

So, I was crazy excited and honoured to participate in the blog tour for Jill's new book, The Muse Is In, and I have to say, I was not disappointed. I eagerly opened the package when it arrived in the mail, savouring the feel of the book - I love it's size and weight of it, the clear way it's presented, the peppering of brilliant quotes throughout, and all of the great artwork. Yes, not only is this a book about creativity, it is copiously illustrated.

The Muse Is In is an owner's manual for your creativity, and is full of baby steps and advice designed to help with common creative problems like procrastination, fear, perfectionism, and not enough time. There are also steps for finding your passion, focus, and courage. She covers so many topics that I can't list them all here. The second half of the book is the maintenance section and has a day by day guide of creativity prompts. And she presents all of this in a light hearted, funny way.

Already, my copy is dog eared and pasted with sticky notes, marking places I want to go back to when I have more time or highlighting places where I found something particularly helpful for me. That is the kind of book this is - one that is hard to read cover to cover because you want to stop and get creative or flip around to the section that covers the topic that helps you out the most. It is a book that begs to be fondled and flipped through over and over again.

And that is why making this book into an owner's manual is absolutely genius. It is a book you keep on your desk, flip through for inspiration, say to yourself: what did she say about getting started again? Or, I'm feeling overwhelmed, what was Jill's advice on that?

Then there is the maintenance section for a quick daily prompt that can get the juices flowing when you are feeling stuck, to try something new, or as a part of a daily creative routine.

I can't recommend this book enough. Really, everyone is creative, whether you write, paint, do pottery, reiki, or solve mathematical problems. If you are feeling stagnated, you will be able to use the gentle approaches that Jill suggests. She has a way of breaking down big concepts into baby steps that anyone can do.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review. This in no way impacted my review.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will never be finished reading this beautiful little book. That's the point. The information included inside is for viewing, reviewing, looking at in a new light, considering again, returning to, and applying in separate projects. It is quirky, fun, helpful, encouraging, full of tough love, silly, and essential all at once. Jill Badonsky has a way of speaking to all types of people with her easy conversational prose, and her whimsical illustrations are inspiring embellishments. It's a visually stunning book with useful prompts, suggestions, questions, exercises, quotes from famous people with creative minds, and even reminders of the obvious things we have forgotten. Those who only focus on a concept at a time will benefit from it as well as those who choose to sit down and read the entire thing the first time in one sitting. It is designed to be an owner's manual to something we all possess-- our creativity. I recommend this book to anyone and everyone, whether you believe you are creative or not. And I intend to come back to this one again and again. You should, too.

[K.E. Garvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've owned a reference book or two in my time, but never one like 'The Muse Is In'. In most reference books, the writing is linear, beginning with an idea and following it through to the end, the truly relevant parts strewn here and there. What makes this book different is that no matter which page you open the book to, there are ideas, suggestions or information that will kickstart a stalled imagination.

There was a time (long ago) when I thought I had to have every reference book ever written to become a serious author. As I honed my craft I realized that idea was a myth and that I was better off having one book to turn to during those times when I needed to shake up my stale thought pattern.

If you're like me and don't need books that tell you how to show, not tell, or how to write dialogue, but could use an idea generator, a thought provoker, make 'The Muse Is In' your writing bible.

[Jessica Furtado · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not find this guide very useful. It's set up as a sort of test launch makes the book feel like it is constantly priming the reader, but never really leading the reader to content worth spending time on. There is a great deal of wasted space and the content feels cluttered. I didn't learn anything new about kick-starting my creativity. In the end, I appreciated the intent of the book more than the execution of it.

[Debbie Hoskins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this at Barnes & Noble because I found a gift card for Barnes & Noble in the house. We're moving. The card only had 19 cents left on it. Since I was in the store anyway, I went upstairs to look for grief or creativity books that I couldn't resist. I hate to buy books, because I have too many and I can borrow them from the library, but if there's one that will take me a long time to read or if it's really cute...
This one is really cute. The first part reads like a flow chart. If you are procrastinating you go to page 50 and if you're also frustrated you go to page 20, etc. One of the things I've kept in my pocket is that "thinking about doing a small step is a small step."
The illustrations are very fun, but since my computer skills aren't that good I have to point out that she uses a lot of computer work in her doodle style.
The 2nd half of the book is meditation style. With a reading and helpful suggestions of things to do to ignite your creativity for every day of the year. I have enough on my creativity list without adding her suggestions, but some people might find it helpful

[Kate Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jill Badonsky has done it again. The prefect owners manual for any creative person. I especially liked the Troubleshooting section. Finding yourself in fear, or overwhelm, check out that chapter and you get a list of techniques to move your through that block. Its brilliant. The daily prompts are fantastic, you need to jumpstart your day, start with one of the daily prompts. They will inspire and get you going. I also love the durability of the book and all the wonderful illustrations. Go order a copy right now, you won't regret it.

[Laurie London]

This is one of those books you don't just "read." You keep it close and thumb through it to get some fun, creative inspiration, or if you need a boost when you're doubting yourself. I loved the illustrations and the pictures.

[Michelle Brunet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun, made a lot of duh observations that were actually AHA moments for me.

[Jeanine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly a picture book about finding one's creative skills.

[Marijke McCandless · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jill’s book is just so… Delightful! I suppose I could edit out the “just” and “so,” but honestly, after picking up her book, I’m in a pure state of flow—with a happy feeling creeping through me, a smile escaping my lips even as I sit alone at my desk, and a willingness to let perfectionism go.
Jill shows us what she tells us with gorgeous whimsy, child-like confidence, and spectacular descriptions of the creative process that somehow (okay, I want to edit that word too) point right to the heart of the issue—while layering in light-hearted humor that fills me with joy and the irresistible possibility of being creative. I feel ready to play.
Badonsky tells us that creativity doesn’t have an agenda and isn’t about an end product—it’s about “how you do everything in your life.” It’s an attitude, a mindset, and a willingness to look for unique solutions, approaches, or responses.
The book’s structure is creative, too—mimicking a car manual, it walks us through various creative “states” and includes a troubleshooting section for when you’re facing creative chaos, resistance, fear, perfectionism, overwhelm, ruthless self-talk, or procrastination. It ends with a “maintenance schedule” full of ways to keep your creativity thriving year-round.
Get this book. I tell you, just seeing it on my desk inspires me. ~ Marijke McCandless, Grand Prize–winning author of Naked in the Now and guide in the art of presence

[Jmp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful book. Colorful illustrations lists original ideas

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this as it was fun and practical. May have to buy my own copy, my highest accolade.

[Usagi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only negative thing I have to say about this book is that the glossy black pages show finger marks. Otherwise, this a fun read-through, but also great to open to a random page for inspiration.

[Lori Gertz · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I broke open this incredibly beautiful book full of original artwork I was a bit flummoxed and found it a little chaotic and disjointed, but after a few pages I got my bearings and fell in love with it. I most associated with the insights on the Process Fuel. The suggestion to think about how I want the creative process to feel and the idea starters to get to that feeling were fantastic. The book's creative insights are punctuated by a daily "inspiration" to incorporate creative exercises into every day of the year. I'm excited to follow it in 2015.

[Leora Wenger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love, love, love the whimsical drawings. Not so crazy about all the quotes that fill up the second half of the book. The advice in the beginning rings true, such as don't be afraid to make mistakes, although her drawings don't look like they have mistakes. Maybe that is the point? (What looks like a mistake to the artist may be fine to a viewer). I would enjoy more of her books just because I love her drawing style.

[Nicholas Cho · Rating 4 out of 5]

Practical advice on how to get your creative motor running and going.
There's a lot of up and downs that will come in a creative oriented journey, and it is this book that will give you perspective on persevering through the hard times and staying optimistic and playful during the good times.
Pick this book up if you're on a journey that encounters resistance from your environment and/or society.

[Stef · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the presentation of this book, as well as the section at the end where there were creative suggestions for 365 days. But during a time of me feeling creatively stagnant, I wish this book was more inspiring -- I hadn't expected it to seem so "technical"(e.g., reasons why you're not doing something creative and how to fix that).

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

This inspiring little book encourages us to bring out the best in our creativity and persevere with anything that may hold us back. It provides tidbits of creative wisdom and ways to promote our artistic self. I may go back to it as a reference for jump-starting my creativity.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even if I am making art in my head, I still have those days when I'm stuck! This is just what I need for just such days to get me started again! Love this whimsical manual with so many soulful recipes to create!

[Lee Heffner · Rating 1 out of 5]

Best suited to a five year old

[Jillbadonsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books ... that I've written.
Hope my next is even better.

[Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book about creativity and things you can do to jump start it.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little below 3.5. It is creative and colourful, but there are a lot of typos and unrefinement. it was enjoyable in that it was different and it accomplished its objective decently enough.