Receive a free short story when you subscribe

PR Isfeld

Reading: "The Creative Habit"
Reading: “The Creative Habit”

“Creativity is a habit, and the best creativity is the result of good work habits.”

– Twyla Tharp

Twyla Tharp’s 2006 book, The Creative Habit: learn it and use it for life (Simon and Schuster) is one of the best practical guides on how to develop habits to allow you to take your creativity into the real world. The book is a culmination of Tharp’s experiences and expertise as a renowned dancer, choreographer, and creative director who built a  very successful career spanning more than half a century.

Each chapter of The Creative Habit looks at creativity from a different angle. In her conversational, easy-to-read style, Tharp emphasizes the importance of discipline and routine in the creative process. She argues that creativity is not a gift but a habit—almost like a muscle-memory– that can be developed with consistent effort and discipline. She encourages readers to establish a routine that involves setting aside a specific time and place for creative work.

Tharp also stresses the importance of preparation and inspiration in the creative process. Rather than sitting back and waiting to be attacked by the muse, she advocates for immersing yourself in different experiences, reading widely, and deliberately exposing yourself to new ideas and perspectives. She notes that creativity often emerges from unexpected sources, and it is important to be open to new experiences and ideas.

Another key theme in the book is the role of failure. Tharp argues that failure is an inevitable part of any creative journey and should be embraced as an opportunity for growth and learning. She notes that many of her most successful works have emerged from failure and that it is important to view setbacks as opportunities to try again and to refine your approach.

Throughout the book, Tharp provides readers with practical exercises and techniques that can be used to develop a creative habit. She encourages readers to experiment and take risks. She is generous with examples from her own experiences as a dancer and choreographer, highlighting the practical ways she has applied these techniques in her own work, and the results she has seen. Her insights and advice are applicable to a wide range of creative fields, from writing and music to dance, theatre, and visual arts.

In short, if you’re interested in taking your ideas out of your head and into the real world in a consistent way, this book is worth your time.

Captives
A psychological mystery that explores the aftermath of a brutal abduction and the secrets that haunt the survivors.

Three years ago, Samantha Gilchrist and her friends Amanda, Kaylee and Maria forged an unbreakable bond when they survived a brutal kidnapping in Kandahar. Sam wrote a best-selling memoir about their ordeal and moved on to a great new career as a journalist and a happy relationship with Dave, a handsome intelligence officer she met in Afghanistan. Still, she can’t help wondering about the reasons behind their capture.

On their way to Maria’s remote Gatineau cottage to commemorate the anniversary of their escape and rescue, Sam and Kaylee hear news reports about a missing Afghan diplomat. Then, they think they see Ali, their former interpreter and the mastermind behind the hostage-taking, who was supposed to have died during their rescue. When Amanda’s lifeless body is found the next morning, the friends’ suspicions lead them down a dangerous path that uncovers dark secrets and hidden motives.

The narrative alternates between the present day and the version of events presented in Sam’s memoir, as she and her friends struggle with their grief over the loss of Amanda and lingering trauma and jealousy over their differing fortunes in the aftermath of the kidnapping. As tensions rise and secrets are revealed, Sam starts to question everything she thought she knew about her friends, her lover, and herself, not just in the past, but in the here and now. 

Full of suspense, complex characters, and unexpected twists, Captives will cause fans of mystery and psychological thrillers to make irresponsible decisions about their sleep. 

Learn more