Making Your Creative Mark: Nine Keys to Achieving Your Artistic Goals

by Eric Maisel

Writers, painters, singers, filmmakers, musicians, craftspeople, and actors confront daunting challenges every day. It is hard to produce new work, find success in the marketplace, manage relationships, and keep spirits up. Many doubt that solutions to these very real problems exist, but they do, and world-famous creativity coach Eric Maisel has compiled them in this book. You will learn how

* make sense of the challenges of your personality, the challenges inherent in creative work, and the challenges of culture and marketplace
* quiet your overactive mind
* increase motivation and avoid blocks
* engage in practices that create and reinforce meaning
* align self-talk with goals, avoiding negative loops that block creativity
* identify stressors and implement stress-management techniques designed specifically for artists
* maintain emotional intimacy and healthy relationships in the midst of the creative process
* claim your identity as an artist
* rekindle passion for your art and feed that flame during dark days and dry spells

Intended for professional artists and those aspiring toward professional status, this book offers the nuts and bolts of sticking to a successful and fulfilling life in the arts.

Genres: Nonfiction, Art, Self Help

240 pages, Paperback

First published March 22, 2013

About the author

Eric Maisel, Ph.D., is the author of more than 40 books in the areas of creativity, coaching, mental health, and cultural trends. He is a psychotherapist and creativity coach, and writes for Psychology Today and Professional Artist Magazine and presents workshops internationally.

Reviews

[Emma Sea · Rating 3 out of 5]

sound, and useful to a degree, but less than I hoped for. 2.5 stars

[Jennifer Louden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Eric. He's is so the opposite of pie in the sky creative advice. If you like it honest and strong, like black coffee, and you struggle with your mind and the marketplace, and above all, if you struggle to make meaning through your work, read this!!

[Ellen]

I joked on Twitter earlier this week about how the universe seemed to be trying to teach me a lesson in managing my own mind, based on the number of books and articles I'd stumbled across on the subject. MAKING YOUR CREATIVE MARK by Eric Maisel was one of those books, the kind of nonfiction I expected would focus on developing a creative routine or choosing the right creative projects and instead had a very different message.

Too often, we artistic types tend to forget that our self talk and our anxiety and our environments have just as much of an effect on our ability to do creative work as the amount of free time, our skill level, or the number of ideas we have. And if there's any one reason I'd recommend this book, it's because of how effectively it serves as a reminder of the ways in which your thoughts and your attitude and the way you structure your life impact your ability to do creative work. Plus, it's full of usable tips and good advice that you can apply to any artistic medium, which is exactly what I've needed in the chaos of 2020.

If you've also spent most of this year feeling wildly out of control, this book will remind you that - at least in terms of your creativity - you have a lot more control than you think.

[Peter Szabo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant insights into the emotional, psychological, and practical challenges of pursing art in a society that favours commerce and intellect. Maisel writes well about each Key, giving easy-to-embrace tips and instructions, with engaging case studies to demonstrate each key. I think this can help unstick the stuck artists, boost the confidence and courage of the timid, and give encouragement and clarity to dedicated artists.
I found the Identity Key the most interesting for me as a writer because I wrestle with my artist identity and my 'normal' life identity as a husband, father, social friend, and employee. "Your side of the relationship is up to you," writes Maisel. This call to follow my own values and character in all communications with artist-market connections, others writers, and all people was helpful, especially when applying it to social media where I'm tempted to say and show what I think people want me to say instead of what's genuine (and respectful).

[Jacory Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Throughout this book I truly valued Eric Maisel's ability of constructing very in depth & insightful questions when interacting with his clients. If you're a Artist that tends to overthink and seek value within the testimonies of other creatives and their process, I highly recommend.

It's really one of the books where you take what you need & leave what you don't.

[Deb (Bee) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book so much I bought it and will keep it in my library. It will be reread and I know I will glean something anew each time.

[Brian McAleer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Want to get more creative but feeling stuck? This book will help. After only one chapter in I got so many insights and ideas.

[Jill Frederickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent advice, well organized and actionable.

[Jolene]

This book is directed toward those who wish to pursue a creative interest, whether professionally or as a hobby. Personally, I am not a big reader of "self help" books (just a reading preference, not a criticism) and I wondered if that was what I was getting into with this one initially. I was, however, needing to feel inspired and, so, I picked this book up at the library. I am not providing a star rating because, in reality, I only read about half of this book, as I was looking for insight from specific chapters, but I found what I did read to, indeed, be inspiring and I feel that, even though I caught myself thinking the points made should have really been obvious, the author really speaks to all of the negatives and self doubts that we allow to stall or, effectively deter us from creative pursuits. Had I more time, I would likely have continued with the book, but the reading I did was sufficient to illustrate its value to anyone who needs a kick in the creative pants.

[Tanja · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has plenty of info on what kind of actions to take to (indeed) achieve your artistic goals. I read through it fast enough. Most of the info I sort of already knew, not the authors fault of course. The book focused a bit too much on making money with your artistic goals and your creative expressions. I have no interest in this so I mostly skipped those parts.

[Phyllis Ring · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eric Maisel knows how to support creating souls at their core. This book is a fine and empowering companion. These keys help shift perspective and empower creative process. Worthwhile carry-along reading to strengthen inner life and creative determination and focus.

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful read from Eric Maisel who gets into the artists and finds the way to keep making art. No matter where you are in your artist career, there is something that will you find of interest in this read. A must read for the creative types!

[Quinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Giving it three stars in no way indicates it's not a strong, readable book, because it is. Maisel gets people in action and keeps them there. Which is needed to be a successful artist.

I reviewed the book fully on my blog: http://wp.me/p2H1i-2Tt

[Paullette · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book contains interesting hints for all creative folk, but is primarily and quite specifically geared toward painters; the few pages on writers weren't really worth the effort it took to reach them, must admit I did a lot of skimming.