Living Out Loud: Activities to Fuel a Creative Life

by Keri Smith

Remember those childhood days spent running in your bare feet, playing make-believe, and most of all, living life with wonderment? That youthful enthusiasm and playfulness are key to discovering who you are and what you love to do. Living Out Loud is the perfect prescription for a creative jump start to your life. Included are games, projects, activities, crafts, postcards, and playful ideas that will send you off on an exciting adventure, where you'll discover inspiration around and within you.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Self Help, Writing, Creative, Crafts, Journal

128 pages, Spiral-bound

First published July 1, 2003

About the author

Keri Smith is an author/illustrator turned guerilla artist. She has several bestselling books, including Wreck This Journal, This is Not a Book, How To Be An Explorer of the World, Mess, Finish this Book, and The Wander Society all published by Penguin Books. Read more at her website http://WWW.KERISMITH.COM
http://kerismithbooks.tumblr.com/
http://pinterest.com/penguinbooksusa/...

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Ok short activity book about how to bring more creativity into your life, which apparently involves a lot of stickers and vaguely New Agey sentiments. I did like the directions (page 61) for how to make a wee book from a single sheet of paper.

[Liliana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este no es un libro precisamente para leer sino que sirve para experimentar y despertar la creatividad. Me gusto mucho, principalmente porque habla de como podemos empezar a construir la vida que queremos (si, se que suena a melcocha barata, pero realmente no lo es) más que un libro de autoayuda lo considero un libro optimista, que nos alienta a probar, a observar, a aventarnos a escribir, pintar, fotografiar y que no hay un momento adecuado para ello, cualquier momento es bueno y cualquier herramienta es válida.

[Robin Norgren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read on a road trip this past weekend and oh my gosh I now have a full blown vision of how I would want to bring creatives together to art, love, laugh, cry, be!

[Val~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keri is one of the best creative authors I’ve known.

[Tristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Keri Smith. Her books are such joyful invitations to create every day and to live an authentic life of expression. I think this is one of her first publications in what has now become kind of her own "genre." I recognize the seeds of ideas in this book that went on to sprout entire books on that topic later on. So, I think because I have read her more recent stuff first, this seemed a little jumbled to me - as she is trying to squeeze a lot of ideas into one book. But that being said, it is so sweet, and full of funny "assignments." The illustration is also stellar, as all her books. If you are just wading into the idea of creating something every day, this is a sweet book to check out. And if you haven't visited her website, GO THERE. It is so much fun.

[Lucie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is really a cute little book with lots of fun ideas and tips to inspire and motivate. That was my first impression. Then i flipped through it again to jot down a few points i wanted to remember and found it was a bit more than just a cute little book...
Yes, it has a lot of info i've read in other books (just look at the source pages in the back) but it's nicely condensed and to the point. I'd recommend it to anyone who needs a pick-me-up, but has no time to read.

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Changed my life. I adore the direction this book placed me in. Keri Smith is a true gift of a writer. She celebrates the littlest moments that get overlooked often and in turn creates a brand new perspective filled with creativity, imagination, love, light, and fun. I will read anything she writes.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this one very much because its not just about being creative in the 'normal' sense of the word but looking how life is lived and encouraging to step outside the box and experience it!

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful little book. Each page has an activity to perform. (Keri Smith is delightfully unconventional.)

Example: One activity is "originality" (the activity is to write as many uses for a pencil as you can think of).

There are games, too. Parts of the book are to be cut out, but I think I would prefer to photocopy them, or scan them and print, rather than destroy the book.

I decided to just read the book, first. Now I'll go through and do the activities

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book for Christmas 2007. It is an enjoyable read. I was somewhat disappointed that much of the information contained I'd seen elsewhere with more detail. However, the exercises are inventive and lead to interesting self observations.

[Rebecca V.Y · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another 'project' book, only a bit more girly this time. Inspiring to-do's, fun board game and a very helpful piece on how to make a living doing what you love¬

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoy this book. Many a dull moment has been brightened with it's recommendations.

[Malu Vargas · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is freeing. It is one of those books I'd give a copy to every friend if I could. :)

[Danielle Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

So fun! Full of tips and activities for mindfulness and creativity. Plus it comes with stickers... Who doesn't need stickers?!

[Luke Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book - I received it as a gift many years ago, and it's one I always go back to when I'm feeling a little low, need a boost of inspiration, or some reassurance that being creative in whatever way I feel is okay. It is gentle, and positive, and always puts me back on track.

It's full of great ideas, reflections from an experienced creative, and activities that will help you fuel the creative aspects of your life. It's also short enough to be able to dip back into whenever you want or need to.

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so incredibly relevant in 2020, stuck in my second round of lockdown and seriously seriously lacking creative juices and any kind of positive energy. Especially love the make your own mini-vacation at home page, but pretty much all these pages are just perfect for resetting your mind in the most beautiful creative way while still at home, refreshing your space.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are some books that should be kept nearby and opened to a random page - ALWAYS. This is one of them.

[Bea Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feel-good book!

[Kitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read through it and I’m really inspired to go back and do all the activities!

[Nia Nymue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this in less than 30 minutes. A fun book and the target age is a bit ambiguous. :)

[LucyInTheSky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keri Smith never fails at making me feel bursting with energy and ispiration, eager to explore, create, write, live with reckless abandon. Whohoo! Such good books to come back to!

It’s been a while since I last read this book. I didn’t remember how this book is very much focused on women - female empowerment, lots of “You got this, you go girl!” It was a nice surprise! (Feeling kind of awkward having recommended this book to a male friend not too long ago though…)

I’ve bought almost all Keri Smith’s books over the years. Interesting to, in hindsight, see her development, where she “came from”. It feels to me like she and her work grew so much. By which I certainly don’t mean this is a bad book - it is just from a different phase in her career. Also it feels like such a gift that in this book she shares her biggest inspirations. My Want to read list just expanded a lot!

This book very much feels like Keri Smith wrote the book she would have wanted to read herself back then, a gift of encouragement to herself. And I absolutely love it.

[Mary Kenyon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, fun, quick read, with lots of ideas and activities to try that I know I won't do, which is why I've rated this book lower than it probably deserves. One idea that really appealed to me was that of starting a "Creative Women" group, although I think "creative" is the wrong word for the group I'd love to be a part of that would recharge me and feed my creative soul. I know exactly which of the wonderful women I know would be invited, and they don't all know each other; there would be pots of tea and cups of coffee freely available, plates of crackers and cheese and vegetable trays with crunchy carrots. We'd come with notebooks and ideas and leave with a sense of purpose and community.

[Tammy · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's difficult for me to give 2 stars to one of Keri Smith's books but this one just doesn't hold a candle to books like "How to Be an Explorer of the World" which is one of the books I highly recommend for sparking creativity. Keri has good ideas throughout the book but it doesn't seem as cohesive as her other books. The book is in need of better editing. It's a very fast read. So I am still a fan of Keri Smith, but this isn't the book to get.

[Marina · Rating 2 out of 5]

** Books 272 - 2014 **

I have read this books in one of bookstore near my offices. It is actually great idea but it was already some old ideas that repackage into a new books.. i have done some activities when i was younger.. it is great books for someone who love doing something new and out of the box..

but for me a great books should be enrich my knowledge.. so that's why i just give 2,4 of 5 stars! sorry :)

[Liv]

I'm really enjoying this!! The book is full of activities for a playful life, including lots of fun cut-out stuff, stickers etc. So far, it's been really fun although it's surprisingly intimidating scribbling randomly in a journal, or making a 'pocket shrine.' I consider myself pretty creative but its hard to not think, 'is this just a waste of time!?'

[ناصر نصرالله · Rating 4 out of 5]

هدية من شخص عزيز وصلت في وقتها، كل كلمة كتبت كنت محتاج لقراءتها في هذه الفترة من حياتي، فترة مميزة يبقى بريقها للأبد. تتحدث الكاتبة عن كيفية الحياة عن طريق اللعب.

تقصد باللعب أن نجعل وظيفتنا من شيء نحبه، وظيفة يمكن أن نخترعها نحن من أساس لعبة نحبها و نحن صغار مثلاً، أو هواية تشغل بالنا أغلب الوقت.

أحببنت الكتاب كثيراً، و أنصح الجميع بقراءته. ة.ة

[jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

miss esme asked for this at the bookstore, and when we didn't have it, i special ordered copies for both of us. this is super fun to read, and has little things you can cut out, a declaration you can sign, and other fun stuff like how to start a "creativity group".

[Brian Dickinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do love multi-dimensional books.

This one is fun but only for those who can remember how to be a kid again. Its perhaps a bit on the girlie side so beware.

The games and exercises are a great help with positive creativity.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

FANTASTIC kick in the seat of the pants, creatively speaking! Smith has so many wise and wonderful way to reignite the playful, productive spirit in us! Read on and shine on! Truly one of the best gift books I've ever received!! Thanks you, M.S.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is full of little ideas to live a positive and creative life. But it wasn't those ideas that really won me over, it was all of the stickers, the postcards, and craft-like things inside. I love me some stickers.