Kick-Ass Creativity: An Energy Makeover for Artists, Explorers, and Creative Professionals

by Mary Beth Maziarz

There are over 40 million people who work in creative careers. You may be one of them. Or, perhaps, you would like to join their ranks. If either of these statements is true, this book is for you.
Maziarz offers a concrete program for helping you tap into and develop your creative potential. In fact, if your incorporate these teachings into your life, you can be not only creative, but kick-ass creative.
Maziarz provides a framework full of fun and practical tips for kick-starting the creative process. Included

* An examination of energy and what it has to do with art.
* How to deep with your deepest motivations, desires, and feelings.
* Concrete tips about time management.
* How to develop a support group.
* How to get rid of those flimsy excuse that block your creative output.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Art

256 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2010

Reviews

[Marie Z Johansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really having a bit of a go-round about what to say about this book. I was eager to read it - and the title was really right up my alley...I am always looking for ways to spark my creativity and get my creative juices going. This was - and was not - that sort of a book.

There are some really excellent exercises in the book that truly do present you with some very usable information about yourself. The book is more about a rah rah for yourself- catching the energetic wave.It's about the energetics of creativity rather than about "how to" - at least that's more how I read it.It's about creative focus and pumping yourself up. Sort of a coaching book. I have to admit to disliking the "Kick-Ass" part of the title - although I understand that what Ms. Maziarz says in the book can be well defined as kick-ass. I read some in this book and then put it down, digest the information and then read some more and re-read some that I have already read once.

This book will, I think motivate you, coach you, cheer you on, empower you - I am not sure that it is about creativity though as much as it about creating a kick-ass life that makes you jump for joy. It's a good book and I can recommend it!

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I kind of expected more of a process book but this was like a creativity cheerleader book - not my jam.

[refine here]

the book starts with this quote - There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening, that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and will be lost - martha graham ( 1894 - 1991 )

working with creativity can be very exhausted sometimes, it could be a brain drainage too. but i love to push to the edge when come to creativity, i feel it sparks energy to my everyday life as well as keeping my brain functioning and refresh everyday. there is up and down when keeping up with creativity.basically this book help confirming my guess and assumption to my everyday life that deals with creativity. it also gives some tips how to rejuvenate the creativity back to motion which a lot of it i have been doing it already.

it takes a lot of organizing, sorting out, simplifying things around you ... the easier the better. creativity push better when you have a clear mind. and i believe in that too as well ... everyday keep it clear and simple and you will be surprised what can you THINK of.

[Refine Lubis]

the book starts with this quote - There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening, that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and will be lost - martha graham ( 1894 - 1991 )

working with creativity can be very exhausted sometimes, it could be a brain drainage too. but i love to push to the edge when come to creativity, i feel it sparks energy to my everyday life as well as keeping my brain functioning and refresh everyday. there is up and down when keeping up with creativity.basically this book help confirming my guess and assumption to my everyday life that deals with creativity. it also gives some tips how to rejuvenate the creativity back to motion which a lot of it i have been doing it already.

it takes a lot of organizing, sorting out, simplifying things around you ... the easier the better. creativity push better when you have a clear mind. and i believe in that too as well ... everyday keep it clear and simple and you will be surprised what can you THINK of.

[Experience Life]

Do you dream of learning the piano or finishing your novel? Is your beloved guitar gathering dust, or has your big career ambition been on perma-hold? Kick-Ass Creativity might be just the kick-start you need. All of life is a creative act, author Mary Beth Maziarz insists, and getting your projects moving is really just a question of unblocking stuck energy and getting out of your own way. Using interactive exercises to spark fresh thoughts and experimental changes to bust you out of ruts, Maziarz guides you in the art of directing more and better attention to your creative pursuits. A great tool to help procrastinators and reluctant geniuses discover their best gifts — and to help anyone reawaken their lust for life. For a taste of Maziarz’s advice, check out www.kickasscreativity.com.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started reading this book because of changes going on in my life and because I began pursuing the artistic side of myself. First of all I loved the defintion of Kick Ass:

DEFINITION: KICK-ASS (KIK’AS’) adjective 1. having a strong effect on someone or something; forceful; powerful 2. exceptionally good; spectacular, impressive, etc.

This book offers a concrete program for helping you tap into and develop your creative potential and become kick-ass creative.
The book provides a framework full of fun and practical tips for kick-starting the creative process. Included are:
* An examination of energy and what it has to do with art.
* How to explore your deepest motivations, desires, and feelings.
* Concrete tips about time management.
* How to develop a support group.
* How to get rid of those flimsy excuse that block your creative output.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're stuck creatively, read this book right away! Music, art, writing... it doesn't matter. The different sections talk about all aspects of a creative life and there are some amazing ideas and advice to get unstuck. The author's friendly tone makes the book very readable and its fun to think through the prompts included.

[Christopher Bergeron · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this one up from my mother and found it to be very similar in it's message and content to "The Secret" but it did have an artist's slant throughout the whole book which was nice.

If you liked "The Secret" and have a connection to art, or would like to. The book is a good read.

[Ms_prue · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ridiculous pseudo-spiritual claptrap. Was hoping for practical advice and got some inane, repetitive, long-winded lecture on 'energy' instead. If you prefer results to chakras this book is not for you. DNF.

[Rosi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldnt get through it. not sure if it was because I didnt really need it, or because the writing didnt quite grab me. all the same, there is good information in this book about how energy works in sourcing creativity.

[Kristenyque · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, the focus on your energy levels and your personal habits were very common sense but it helps you examine your daily routines to help you maximize your creativity. Very introspective in a different and detailed way, great book!

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book's focus on _energy_ to be helpful for me personally, and different from other creativity books that I've read/used.

[Mike]

get active! make stuff happen - all the time ;)