The Creative Act: A Way of Being

Written by Rick Rubin

Narrated by Rick Rubin

The #1 New York Times bestseller.

"A gorgeous and inspiring work of art on creation, creativity, the work of the artist. It will gladden the hearts of writers and artists everywhere, and get them working again with a new sense of meaning and direction. A stunning accomplishment.” —Anne Lamott

From the legendary music producer, a master at helping people connect with the wellsprings of their creativity, comes a beautifully crafted book many years in the making that offers that same deep wisdom to all of us.

“I set out to write a book about what to do to make a great work of art. Instead, it revealed itself to be a book on how to be.” —Rick Rubin

Many famed music producers are known for a particular sound that has its day. Rick Rubin is known for something else: creating a space where artists of all different genres and traditions can home in on who they really are and what they really offer. He has made a practice of helping people transcend their self-imposed expectations in order to reconnect with a state of innocence from which the surprising becomes inevitable. Over the years, as he has thought deeply about where creativity comes from and where it doesn’t, he has learned that being an artist isn’t about your specific output, it’s about your relationship to the world. Creativity has a place in everyone’s life, and everyone can make that place larger. In fact, there are few more important responsibilities.

The Creative Act is a beautiful and generous course of study that illuminates the path of the artist as a road we all can follow. It distills the wisdom gleaned from a lifetime’s work into a luminous reading experience that puts the power to create moments—and lifetimes—of exhilaration and transcendence within closer reach for all of us.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penguin Audio
• Release date: Jan 17, 2023
• ISBN: 9780593671726

Reviews for The Creative Act

[hipdeep_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Some portions of this book were good, mostly in the last half. I'm taken, for instance, with Rubin's attention to the stages of creation (which I might call ideation, editing, incorporating feedback, and sharing) and the absolute necessity of respecting the stage you're in so that you can get to the next stage. I'm really taken with his metaphor that every experience in our lives acts as a "prism" which cast unique patterns based on the input of neutral events, and that art is about exploring those different patterns, choosing which to focus on or how to combine them. He also applies this metaphor to our collaborators.

The first half, unfortunately, struck me as frequently surface-level, ranging from the obvious to the uninvestigated. Rubin is correct, of course, that there's not a one-size-fits-all creativity solution, and I don't much mind the fact that every suggestion seemed to be paired with "or the opposite... whatever works." But *some* specific techniques to try would have been more my speed.

I should also say I think this is not a good text for audiobook, which is how I encountered it. Rubin's voice is so peaceful, and the topics and language so warm and fuzzy, that I frankly found it hard to stay engaged. I did appreciate the chimes at the end of each chapter, as an invitation to hit pause and think or meditate for a moment. But I think I would have gotten more out of Rubin's aphorisms if I'd been focused on a paper book.

[nmele_4 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Like his music, dislike this collection of vague aphorisms and exhortations.

[tobinelliott · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow.

I know a lot of reviewers are slagging the hell out of this book, but here's what I'll say...

This book, while thick, has very brief slices of all aspects of the creative process and, to me, no one has ever better captured precisely how I work when I create. Honestly, at times it felt as though Rubin was in my head and had observed the stages and aspects of my creative process, then translated it into this book.

As well, I can say that I had a fairly severe crisis of creativity, literally questioning whether I should keep going, about a month ago.

And this book, Rubin's observations and illustrations and explanations? Yeah, it went a long way in bringing me back to faith in myself and how I do things.

Does he hit a couple of sour notes along the way? Yes. But is that also part of the creative process too. I choose to ignore those, and focus on the other 99% of this book, because what he offers is wonderful.

[aapremlall · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Exactly what I needed to read right now at this pivotal point in my life. Had I heard some of these quotes before? Of course! Did this book validate the lifestyle that I have created for myself? Hell yeah! I did appreciate the the refresher and the fact that I have carved the perfect path for myself and for my art.

[brianinbuffalo · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Perhaps I have read too many self-help/personal development books, but I found Rubin’s work devoid of genuine “light bulb moments.” Admittedly, the music industry icon offers interesting insights and anecdotes that showcase the creative process. And there are a number of sections that reinforce tenets that have already been explored in various books, articles and studies. For example, our subconscious state allows us to tap into a reservoir of out-of-the-box ideas. Rubin also explores the concept of “innovation through ignorance,” asserting that our lack of knowledge about a topic can open doors to new ways of thinking. Still, so much of the material is fairly fundamental stuff. Examples: Creativity cannot be rushed. Accessing our child-like spirit can fuel creativity. Accepting self-doubt as opposed to repressing it can make it easier to come to terms with it. I have a hunch I was expecting too much from this widely acclaimed book.