Steven Pressfield penned this concise and useful how-to guide with creative types in mind. I would go so far as to call it a “Bible for Creative People Who are Stuck.”

Isn’t everybody at least a little bit creative?

And don’t we all get “stuck” sometimes?

You may think “Oh, this book is for writers, artists, actors or inventors.” I disagree. It’s for anyone (like me) who occasionally benefits from an inspiring reminder to do your thing – whatever it is! Pressfield encourages you to stop listening to the negative voice in your head.

Do you dream of one day running a marathon? Have you always wanted to open a restaurant? Start a charitable foundation? Or maybe you struggle with lingering regret over not completing a painting or novel you began long ago. . .

And every time you try to get started on your project or idea does there always seem to be a distraction? Or an excuse?

With direct and humorous style, Pressfield shows you how to spot the internal obstacles to creativity. He asserts that “resistance” is the enemy and it comes in many forms.

“We fear discovering that we are more than we think we are. More than our parents/children/teachers think we are. We fear that we actually possess the talent that our still, small voice tells us. That we actually have the guts, the perseverance, the capacity. We fear that we truly can steer our ship, plant our flag, reach our Promised Land. We fear this because, if it’s true, then we become estranged from all we know.”

Steven Pressfield, The War of Art

Author Patti Callahan Henry personally recommended this book to me and I enjoyed it so much, I bought a hard copy and a few weeks later, I purchased the audio version. Later on, I bought it as a gift for one of my favorite people. I think it’s an inspiring, useful book you will return to again and again.

I’d love to know if you’ve read this book already. Let me know in the comments.

Happy Reading!

p.s. I ran into Patti Callahan Henry while I was wandering around one of my favorite South Carolina indie bookstores, MJudson. This is Reason #428 for why you should support independent bookstores. The best authors support them! And I have never run into anyone cool or interesting while adding items to my cart on Amazon.