The Sound of Paper
Since I read The Artist’s Way several years ago I’ve been a fan of Julia Cameron. Not a totally sold out fan, though. There’s some things she says that are spot on, in my opinion, yet some of her beliefs are simply that; beliefs that I could never agree with. But as I’ve discovered there’s no need to discard a book or idea just because I don’t see things the same way as the author. I’ve come to learn to take what I want from a book and leave the rest right where it is.
I did take away the practice of Morning Pages with me; more on that in a later entry, but have stopped doing those since I discovered I was pregnant last year. I look forward to getting back into that habit once my baby is more settled in his sleeping patterns.
While The Artist’s Way is a structured and even severe introduction to Cameron’s view on creativity, The Sound of Paper is far gentler on the reader. With this book the author assumes you’ve already established the habits of Morning Pages, Artist’s Dates and Walks which I think were introduced in Vein of Gold, please correct me if I’m wrong. This book softly urges you to stay with these practices, not to give up and to continue creating whatever art you’ve come to call your own.
I found myself romanced by the short essays, wanting to create more writing for its own sake, feeling a welling desire to lift my pencils and paintbrushes again. I couldn’t rush the reading of this book. I needed to take in and digest each simple thought. Although I didn’t actually pick up a pen and attempt any of the exercise at the end of each essay, they were simple and achievable. I’d recommend the book for the simplicity of those exercises, most of them requiring little more than making a list.
Although there’s nothing really new in this book I would recommend it to anyone interested in refreshing their creativity or who is facing a block in their work.
Heather
Tags: heather-goldsmith, julia-cameron, morning pages, personal-journal-writing, the-artists-way, Vein of GoldRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Journal Tools
7 opinions for The Sound of Paper
Kristin Chenoweth
Oct 13, 2006 at 5:14 am
green welling…
Interesting post. I came across this blog by accident, but it was a good accident. I have now bookmarked your blog for future use. Best wishes. Kristin Chenoweth….
Heather Goldsmith
Oct 13, 2006 at 8:23 am
Hi Kristin,
Thanks for commenting on this entry. I hope you found the book review useful. ;-)
sophia
Mar 19, 2008 at 1:12 am
I have many of Julia’s books. She really impressed me with how she demystified creativity and how to get in touch with the self.
Heather Goldsmith
Mar 20, 2008 at 12:09 am
Hi Sophia,
Yes, she does write in a way that makes us all feel so human, and that it’s ok to struggle. ;-)
What Are Morning Pages?
Jun 25, 2008 at 1:49 am
[...] few entries ago I mentioned Morning Pages and promised more on the topic. While reading and researching online I came across Angela [...]
Hope Wilbanks
Jun 25, 2008 at 9:26 pm
I realize this post is over a couple years old, but I just came across it and thought I’d add my two cents here. :) I absolutely adore Julia Cameron. The Artist’s Way was her first book I received. I have to admit I didn’t love it, but I did work through most of it. I also have all the books mentioned in your post above. I don’t know if you have it yet or not, but THE book I’d recommend most by Julia Cameron is The Right To Write. It’s by far my favorite. The Sound of Paper comes in at a close second. If you don’t have The Right To Write, though, you MUST get it! :)
Heather Goldsmith
Jun 25, 2008 at 11:55 pm
Hi Hope,
Actually, I do really love that book; The Right to Write. I can’t for the life of me think why I didn’t mention it here while I was writing this up. Must’ve been baby brain. I actually own that one, too. Thanks so much for reminding me about it. I may write up another entry about that shortly. Thanks again. ;-)
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