This book spot is a bit sentimental for me as it’s the first one I ever posted here on QE. I’m recycling it because when I initially posted it four months ago I didn’t have much of a following. On a side note, the image up above (which I talk about in a second) is what inspired me to take select quotes and compile them into collages for this webpage.
Now to the original post…with a couple additions at the end.
I found this beautiful collage while searching for the cover of the book, The War of Art. Steven Pressfield wrote the book and I’ve found it to be a solid call-to-action type read. The collage above comes from Sunni Brown, and I linked it to their website.
Sunni Brown, the owner of this image and creator/owner of the linked website, offers some amazing eCourses. If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to be a creative taker of notes, these courses will be right up your lane. For me, I find doodling notes really helps cement the concept material in my mind. It was also the source of much scolding during my younger years.
Back to the book! If you were considering snagging The War of Art, I would encourage you to do so. It’s a look at the struggle writers face as they pit themselves against the many obstacles they encounter. It also works to highlight what differentiates a wannabe writer from a professional one.
“This is the other secret that real artists know and wannabe writers don’t. When we sit down each day and do our work, power concentrates around us. The Muse takes note of our dedication. She approves. We have earned favor in her sight. When we sit down and work, we become like a magnetized rod that attracts iron filings. Ideas come. Insights accrete” (p. 108).
I don’t know if I believe in the “us versus them” mentality of a writer versus a wannabe writer. In my opinion, if you are writing, you are a writer. I don’t care if you never publish a word. If your words somehow find a way to influence the way a person thinks or feels, that’s worth more than monetary reward. Heck, if the writing is just for you, you’re still a writer. After all, this blog isn’t making me rich (unless you count the $2.30 I’ve made from Amazon referrals…cha-ching!), but I sure enjoy sharing insights and collaborating.
[Update] Despite this being a book I read a while ago, it still holds up for me as a book that offered me inspiration. I remember struggling with aspects of Wastelander: The Drake Legacy, and thinking of passages from this book to help motivate me to finish.
QE from four months ago forgot to mention the premise of the book. It’s written like a series of letters to a friend. Each letter addresses a way to fight Resistance (I know Thomas, there’s a purpose for the capitalization though).
To Pressfield, Resistance is basically anything that gets in the way of you completing your work. Resistance is capitalized because Pressfield works to enforce the idea that distractions and self-doubt are universal forces conspiring against you. They are the enemy that must be defeated to reach your potential.
The War of Art now lives in my bathroom. It’s written like a daily devotional, so it really is the perfect bathroom companion. Plus, with a book, I don’t have to worry about dropping my cell phone in the toilet…not saying that’s ever happened to me.
That’s it for today. If you are curious about some of the other writing books I have read, you can check out a listing of them I made by clicking right here. I’m constantly eating my greens, and I encourage you to do the same. If you have a book recommendation, I would love to hear about it! I’m always looking for more books to devour. Until tomorrow, keep reading, keep writing, and as always – stay sharp!
Corey Truax 