What do you think?
Rate this book
Untitled: Thoughts on the Creative Process
The blank page.
It has so much power.
Some days it's terrifying, sometimes thrilling, but mostly it's just plain old scary.
It is the reason many people never finish that novel, or complete that project, or follow through with that one thing they used to dream about.
Sadly, it is the reason many people never even begin.
Blaine Hogan's manifesto, Thoughts on the Creative Process is here to change all that.
As an artist who has designed t-shirts, made light fixtures, created performance art in alleyways, performed on big and small stages all across the country, acted on network television, and is now a creative director at one of the largest churches in North America, Blaine walks you through the creative process of attacking the blank page, executing vision, finding the importance of contemplation, fighting the battle with resistance, and learning from your failures.
Blank pages be gone!
Read UNTITLED and get ready to fill those suckers with good and meaningful work.
It has so much power.
Some days it's terrifying, sometimes thrilling, but mostly it's just plain old scary.
It is the reason many people never finish that novel, or complete that project, or follow through with that one thing they used to dream about.
Sadly, it is the reason many people never even begin.
Blaine Hogan's manifesto, Thoughts on the Creative Process is here to change all that.
As an artist who has designed t-shirts, made light fixtures, created performance art in alleyways, performed on big and small stages all across the country, acted on network television, and is now a creative director at one of the largest churches in North America, Blaine walks you through the creative process of attacking the blank page, executing vision, finding the importance of contemplation, fighting the battle with resistance, and learning from your failures.
Blank pages be gone!
Read UNTITLED and get ready to fill those suckers with good and meaningful work.
94 pages, Paperback
First published July 20, 2011
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
September 17, 2011
Just the description of this book shows that the author is prone to clutter. He seems like a great, wise man, but I don't know if writing is his niche. Acting and designing are more his creative fortes. Didn't necessarily finish any smarter or more inspired, but I highlighted a couple quotes worth tweeting. Took me a night to read. Good for beginning writers.
March 7, 2012
Wonderful, light, but inspiring book on the creative process. A definite help if you ever find yourself stuck or discouraged about your work.
August 17, 2017
A few years ago, I heard Blaine give a talk to a group of communicators I was part of. That talk had a profound impact on how I thought about my job and creativity in general. So, of course I got the book.
Some Glows... He puts a high value on structure in his approach to creativity (spreadsheets, organization, discipline, hard work) that I've not read in many other places. This is something that I've had to work on through the years. He masterfully explains the marriage of creativity and hard work.
While a lot of the content of this book is really great, I couldn't help feeling that this book was, well, unfinished. He talks to the reader throughout, but if feels more likes he's writing to his younger self and I'm just listening in. As with any eavesdropping (not that I make a habit of the practice), there's some stuff that I can apply and a lot that I can't.
But can we talk about his writing style?
I know he's trying to be artsy.
I know he thinks it's cool.
But he could have grouped a few more sentences into paragraphs.
But then the book would have been only 30 pages.
Who wants a book that's only 30 pages, though?
This book reads like a metronome.
It's a steady staccato of short sentences.
It was tiring to read this style—always wondering how to group his random thoughts.
But who knows? It may have been intentional.
All said, he's a brilliant guy that has a lot of good things to say on the topic of creativity. Anyone interested in Blaine's philosophy or how he approaches things should read this book.
Some Glows... He puts a high value on structure in his approach to creativity (spreadsheets, organization, discipline, hard work) that I've not read in many other places. This is something that I've had to work on through the years. He masterfully explains the marriage of creativity and hard work.
While a lot of the content of this book is really great, I couldn't help feeling that this book was, well, unfinished. He talks to the reader throughout, but if feels more likes he's writing to his younger self and I'm just listening in. As with any eavesdropping (not that I make a habit of the practice), there's some stuff that I can apply and a lot that I can't.
But can we talk about his writing style?
I know he's trying to be artsy.
I know he thinks it's cool.
But he could have grouped a few more sentences into paragraphs.
But then the book would have been only 30 pages.
Who wants a book that's only 30 pages, though?
This book reads like a metronome.
It's a steady staccato of short sentences.
It was tiring to read this style—always wondering how to group his random thoughts.
But who knows? It may have been intentional.
All said, he's a brilliant guy that has a lot of good things to say on the topic of creativity. Anyone interested in Blaine's philosophy or how he approaches things should read this book.
January 1, 2014
1. It feels unfinished, BUT welcome to the world of instant self-publishing. Not too surprising. Hard to see this little book published for real without a major overhaul.
2. There isn't any meat to this work. Here's why. We have an artist trying to give advice on - what? How to be creative. And how to not let the 'product' determine if your idea is good or not. And to not worry about other people's critiques, etc. etc. Here is the problem, when an artist talks about their art they are talking about their feelings and their is nothing to directly evaluate then. You either like it or you don't. So when the artist creates they CAN'T worry about what others think or they would have to start creating for others and not themselves. That's the problem here. What process did the author put forward? Effectively nothing. There is no actionable course to take and be more creative. Or better creative - whatever that would mean. In the real world the only measurable way to look at art, creations, products or anything is if they sell. Anything else is strictly an individual's feeling and if it didn't sell, then obviously not a majority feeling. I'm not saying you have to become a billionaire with an idea but SOMEONE has to be willing to put out money for it or it isn't worth anything. Funny how the action and the definition of worth are tied together, eh?
I may mention this book in conversation, but it won't be as something for others to read.
2. There isn't any meat to this work. Here's why. We have an artist trying to give advice on - what? How to be creative. And how to not let the 'product' determine if your idea is good or not. And to not worry about other people's critiques, etc. etc. Here is the problem, when an artist talks about their art they are talking about their feelings and their is nothing to directly evaluate then. You either like it or you don't. So when the artist creates they CAN'T worry about what others think or they would have to start creating for others and not themselves. That's the problem here. What process did the author put forward? Effectively nothing. There is no actionable course to take and be more creative. Or better creative - whatever that would mean. In the real world the only measurable way to look at art, creations, products or anything is if they sell. Anything else is strictly an individual's feeling and if it didn't sell, then obviously not a majority feeling. I'm not saying you have to become a billionaire with an idea but SOMEONE has to be willing to put out money for it or it isn't worth anything. Funny how the action and the definition of worth are tied together, eh?
I may mention this book in conversation, but it won't be as something for others to read.
March 9, 2012
Blaine talks about the challenge of the blank page, and how the creative needs to fill it with something beautiful and meaningful.
The book is divided into four parts: the work; the inside out; failure, fear and making mistakes; and worth it. He focuses on different aspects of the creative process in each part.
In the first part, for example, he explains why he thinks that having ideas are not what matters. What really matters is how you execute your ideas.
He also talks about getting inspiration, about our fears, experiences (and how we turn them into our art), our challenge of living in the information era, with lots of information but not much time to digest it (and lots of junk too).
I've never thought of myself as a "creative", but while reading Blaine's book I was able to identify with much of the struggles and challenges that a creative goes through. So I understood why he chose to open his focus to any creative: because we are all in some level creatives. No matter if you write a blog, or a journal, or you're an author or actor or musician, or if you make up bedtime stories for your kids, we all create art somehow.
And even if you don't consider yourself a creative, I'm sure this book will inspire you.
The book is divided into four parts: the work; the inside out; failure, fear and making mistakes; and worth it. He focuses on different aspects of the creative process in each part.
In the first part, for example, he explains why he thinks that having ideas are not what matters. What really matters is how you execute your ideas.
He also talks about getting inspiration, about our fears, experiences (and how we turn them into our art), our challenge of living in the information era, with lots of information but not much time to digest it (and lots of junk too).
I've never thought of myself as a "creative", but while reading Blaine's book I was able to identify with much of the struggles and challenges that a creative goes through. So I understood why he chose to open his focus to any creative: because we are all in some level creatives. No matter if you write a blog, or a journal, or you're an author or actor or musician, or if you make up bedtime stories for your kids, we all create art somehow.
And even if you don't consider yourself a creative, I'm sure this book will inspire you.
March 26, 2012
I don't really understand what I am supposed to take away from what I read. I feel as though I just looked through the first draft of a book, rather than a piece ready to publish. I enjoyed the sample chapter provided by Amazon, but when I read the rest of it, wasn't as excited. It was more anecdotal than analytical, but the stories weren't even that memorable. Also, I don't know if it was my digital copy, but the formatting had a return after every sentence, which wasn't a great way to ready a book. I was expecting to like it from the reviews on Amazon, after finishing it, I really can't think of who I might recommend this to.
April 6, 2012
This was a really great book on the creative life.
Hogan writes with short, yet profound, sentences. He is able to apply the creative process across the board - to all creative mediums, not just to his experience in acting.
And he spent a lot of time talking about the inner process that has to occur before any outward art can happen. It's about reflection and transformation - the artist has to be moved by the art before anyone else can be. If this inner transformation hasn't occurred, the art will lack meaning.
I will read this book again, and I think it's a great read for anyone who aspires to create anything.
Hogan writes with short, yet profound, sentences. He is able to apply the creative process across the board - to all creative mediums, not just to his experience in acting.
And he spent a lot of time talking about the inner process that has to occur before any outward art can happen. It's about reflection and transformation - the artist has to be moved by the art before anyone else can be. If this inner transformation hasn't occurred, the art will lack meaning.
I will read this book again, and I think it's a great read for anyone who aspires to create anything.
November 8, 2012
Creativity is not a gift, it’s a discipline. Ideas don’t come by inspiration alone, there is a process involved.
In his book “Untitled” Blaine Hogan @BlaineHogan outlines his thoughts/manifesto on the creative process and it is worth the read. He articulates perfectly what we all knew or at least suspected that creativity is work. In his words “just plain old, unsexy work.”
There are a lot of great axioms to be found in this book. The one that stuck out to me was the idea to “scratch when you don’t itch.” Finding ways to entice ideas. Putting yourself in front of things that inspire you. Making time to slow down and wait for inspiration.
So get to work. Read this book.
February 25, 2012
Blaine Hogan writes an engaging, rapid-fire book that will hold your attention all the way through. He delves into the philosophy and thinking behind creativity and is honest with the reader in communicating the hard work behind being creative.
A great point made in the book is the necessity of down-time to think and evaluate things of life. Blaine is convinced that this is what ultimately aids the creative mind.
Overall, "Untitled" is a good read for anyone looking to stretch their creativity. If you have a few hours to spend, that is about all you will need to finish the book.
A great point made in the book is the necessity of down-time to think and evaluate things of life. Blaine is convinced that this is what ultimately aids the creative mind.
Overall, "Untitled" is a good read for anyone looking to stretch their creativity. If you have a few hours to spend, that is about all you will need to finish the book.
January 2, 2013
Blaine Hoan read "The War of Art" and decided he wanted to write something just like it.
That's not necessarily a bad thing. This is a very good book and is written in a much warmer and more personal style than Steven Pressfield writes "The War of Art." Yet, it doesn't offer anything nearly as profound as Pressfield's book. Rather, reading "Untitled" is like hanging out with one of your good friends and waxing poetic about art and creation.
It's easy to pick up and put down, and I personally read it on my phone when waiting in line, etc.
That's not necessarily a bad thing. This is a very good book and is written in a much warmer and more personal style than Steven Pressfield writes "The War of Art." Yet, it doesn't offer anything nearly as profound as Pressfield's book. Rather, reading "Untitled" is like hanging out with one of your good friends and waxing poetic about art and creation.
It's easy to pick up and put down, and I personally read it on my phone when waiting in line, etc.
June 22, 2013
The book has a few nuggets of creative wisdom that are worth highlighting but generally the author's writing style and flat anecdotes were unsatisfying. I found myself bored and annoyed with his lacking depth of wisdom. It read like a first draft (dry and simple) and not a published piece of work (rich with passion oozing from each page.) The author suggests that art takes time and I wish he took more time with this because it just wasn't that good.
For deeper creative wisdom and application, I'd suggest "The Creative Habit" by Twyla Tharp.
For deeper creative wisdom and application, I'd suggest "The Creative Habit" by Twyla Tharp.
August 3, 2011
This short e-book talks about the creative process in a fresh way. While a little light on practicality, Hogan's call to just get going on creative projects rather than drowning in fear is always a welcome challenge. Felt a little like a collection of reformatted blog entries, which isn't necessarily bad, but left me wishing each chapter was 15% longer.
November 9, 2011
A great (but short) book on the creative process.
Although the author focuses much of this discussion on his own application of his artistic talents in faith-related areas, what he talks about is applicable to any artistic endeavor in any arena.
Any book that starts off with the line: "No one cares about your ideas," is a keeper.
Although the author focuses much of this discussion on his own application of his artistic talents in faith-related areas, what he talks about is applicable to any artistic endeavor in any arena.
Any book that starts off with the line: "No one cares about your ideas," is a keeper.
January 8, 2014
I really liked this book, what it said, and what it asked. It's one of those I want to go back and read through slowly answering the prompts when my heart gives it time. He deals with the creative process quite wonderfully, and there were several things which struck me as poignant or made me simply stop reading for a bit to process.
July 10, 2014
Heartfelt honest book about creativity
creative work is hard. execution is hard. there is just work and more work and a high likelihood of failure. the author captures all of this and gives his advice on how to overcome the blank page and rejection. his conclusion is that it is worth it. this book is also worth your time.
creative work is hard. execution is hard. there is just work and more work and a high likelihood of failure. the author captures all of this and gives his advice on how to overcome the blank page and rejection. his conclusion is that it is worth it. this book is also worth your time.
August 8, 2011
Great book that successfully chips away at the major obstacles to being creative. Written in a casual, easy to read style, it's very similar to Steven Pressfield's The War of Art, which is one of my all time favorites. Highly recommended for anyone in a creative field.
November 5, 2011
If you are a creative this is a MUST read. It's a short but intense read and he gave me several ideas to help me with my creativeness. After watching a video done by him where he did not speak a word.... and reading the book....He has inspired me :)
August 1, 2012
Good, quick read. Blaine talks honestly about his experiences in the arts and challenges others to move out of fear and laziness and be willing to make mistakes in effort to create something truly beautiful.
July 27, 2011
Blaine Hogan got in my head and shot down all my excuses.
July 31, 2011
this is a great read. 50% in to it and its been a breathe of fresh air. anyone who does any creating at all will be blessed by the way Blaine walks through his journey on creating.
November 17, 2011
If you are a creative type, this book is a must read. Completely cuts through the fog & gets right into the heart of art.
December 25, 2011
What a great read for any creative. It's cheap, and a quick read. Do it!
January 30, 2012
This one had some great practical advice. It was encouraging and confirmed that creativity is a process. It isn't easy, but it is worth it.
July 9, 2012
Wonderful book on the creative process and how much it's worth it. A more human, caring, realistic version of "The War of Art".
December 19, 2012
Blaine's just great. Would recommend this book to any creative. Really easy to read, easy to finish, easy to apply.
February 3, 2013
Seriously one of the best books I have ever read. Here's a blog post with some observations: http://blog.shelleypaulson.com/2013/0...
July 31, 2011
a must read...about 50% into it and its a great read. much practical wisdom from his journey.
July 9, 2012
Great message. Only caveat was the presentation and structure was left wanting.
July 2, 2013
I love this book!!! I highly recommend this book to any artist out there!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews