Suggestions for how to stop warring with your art. But first, I

need candy.

CHERRIL DOTY

Hobbes: Do you have an idea for your story yet?

Calvin: No, I’m waiting for inspiration ... You can’t just turn on

creativity like a faucet. You have to be in the right mood.

Hobbes: What mood is that?

Calvin: Last-minute panic.

I am a procrastinator. Now that I’ve said that aloud, I feel so

much better.

Last week, my son-in-law Patrick, loaned me his copy of “The War

of Art,” by Steven Pressfield. I knew Pressfield’s name only from

“The Legend of Bagger Vance” and wondered if I would get much from

this new book. A quick scan of the book made it seem intriguing,

though. I brought it home and then forgot about it until, in avoiding

some other activity, I picked it up again. So here I am, writing a

book review of sorts on one of my favorite subjects -- creativity and

how it works ... or doesn’t work, as the case might be.

Oh, sorry. Had to go sort my sock drawer. Now, where was I?

Oh, yes. Well, reviewing a book is not in my job description, but

here goes.

In a clear-cut, tongue-in-cheek manner, Pressfield examines the

obstacles within ourselves that block creativity and keep us from

success. In fact, he says most of us fear success, rather than

failure, as is commonly believed.

Oops! Gotta answer that phone.

Again, sorry about that. It was my sister and you know how she

goes on and on. Seems her best friend ran off with some Russian polo

player. Quite a melodrama, really. The husband chased after them in

his Mercedes sedan, with a shotgun out the window, just blasting

away. But enough of that. Back to procrastination and resistance and

how Pressfield sees their role in self-sabotage.

Oh, just two games of computer solitaire. Then, I’ll be

clear-headed and will tell you more about this wonderful book.

Well, OK. So it was five games. I had to win one, after all,

before I could stop. And then I had to win one more to prove I could

do it.

So back to “The War of Art.” In Book One, which the author refers

to as “Defining the Enemy,” an array of characters is displayed.

Horrors! The reader recognizes him/herself in each of them. But,

before giving yourself up as a lost cause, read on, for Pressfield

gives us, in Book Two, the way to overcome resistance -- turn

professional.

Oh, listen to that mockingbird’s song. I think he’s calling me out

for a walk. I won’t be gone long. It is such a healthy thing to do,

after all, and we all want to be healthy.

OK back from my walk. While I was walking, I found a hummingbird

nest and so I sat down to wait for the small bird to return. Time

just slipped away. It definitely wasn’t resistance. No. No.

Pressfield doesn’t even list hummingbirds as a source of resistance.

Though, he does say resistance is insidious. I guess I’d better watch

out. He says also that resistance is a toxic force and that it will

bury you.

OK. Nose down. I don’t want to be buried alive here.

The final section of the book, Book Three, is titled “Beyond

Resistance”. Without giving too much away, I can tell you that

Pressfield says in this section that “the most important thing about

art is to work.” Sound way too simple? It is. And it isn’t. Most

artists I know who work at their craft would agree. It has something

to do with the power and momentum that is achieved in the process of

doing the work. There is something magical there. For me, this is

what chasing down the muse is all about.

Of course, resistance and even procrastination as a form of

resistance are never completely conquered. Last-minute panic is all

too often the inspiration that really gets us going, just as Calvin

says.

But take the time to read Steven Pressfield’s “The War of Art.” It

is a quick and entertaining read and he has some really good ideas to

help with the discipline of “just do it.”

Meeting adjourned.

* CHERRIL DOTY is a creative life coach and artist in love with

exploring the joy-filled mysteries of life. You can reach her by

e-mail at [email protected] or by calling 949-251-3883.