Synopses & Reviews
A book for all who strive to tap into their own creativity
Following up on her successful Life Is a Verb, and in the tradition of Julia Camerons The Artists Way, Patti Digh here presents a book that leads readers by both heart and head to acknowledge, reinforce, and use their own creative spirit. Creative Is a Verb is equally a book for people who say, Im not creative” or Im just a dabbler” or Im an artist.”
Thirty-three related essays are organized around six overarching themes that guide readers beyond the fear of creativity to embrace their inner artist. As the author says, "If you're alive, you're creative." Among the themes: Be Ordinary,” See More,” Get Present," and Catch Fire.” Each essay is followed by creative exercises for the reader, allowing her to apply the principles of each story to her own life.
Original artwork contributed by artist/followers of the authors blog 37days enhance each essay.
Praise for Patti Dighs Life Is a Verb
Damn, girl. You write good.”Lee Hancock, Dallas Morning News "Ive said it once and Ill say it again: I adore Patti Dighs book Life is a Verb: 37 Days to Wake Up, Be Mindful, and Live Intentionally. I love her writing, her depth, her sizzle. This is a book that makes me sing with life and the possibilities we all have for transformation and awareness. It is the best antidote Ive got these days for the pain and fear raging around us--that and loving hugs, long naps, frevent prayer and letting myself feel whatever Im feeling."Jennifer Louden, author of The Woman's Comfort Book
Life is a Verb is brilliantly crafted, raw, gorgeously designed, and daringly different from self-help books. It relates, through stories that sparkle and astonish and soar, how to move, to be on your way, to realize who you really are through your actions.”
Dave Pollard, author of The Natural Entrepreneur and the weblog How to Save the World
Pattis guide for the last 37 days of life will turn every one of your next 3,700 days into a fully lived experience. . . . I have never seen such a simultaneously practical, esthetic and soul-caressing book in my life.”
Kichiro Hayashi, PhD, Professor Emeritus, Aoyama Gakuin University, Tokyo
I laughed. I cried. I want the t-shirt! Seriously, Life is a Verb may well be the single book that will change the world or maybe only your life. . . . This will surely be the last self-help book you will ever need or want to read.”
Patricia Ryan Madson, Stanford Emerita, author of Improv Wisdom: Dont Prepare, Just Show Up
Review
What people are saying about Creative is a Verb
Soulful, warm, funny, smart--Patti is the perfect guide for anyone who knows deep down they are an artist but is having trouble finding the doorway." --Susan Piver, NY Times bestselling author of The Wisdom of a Broken Heart
"I adore Patti Dighs writing, her depth, her sizzle.This is a classic, and I said it first." --Jennifer Louden, NYTimes bestselling author of The Woman's Comfort Book and The Life Organizer
Praise for LIFE IS A VERB: "Damn, girl. You write good." -Lee Hancock, Dallas Morning News "Ive said it once and Ill say it again: I adore Patti Dighs book Life is a Verb: 37 Days to Wake Up, Be Mindful, and Live Intentionally. I love her writing, her depth, her sizzle. This is a book that makes me sing with life and the possibilities we all have for transformation and awareness. It is the best antidote Ive got these days for the pain and fear raging around us--that and loving hugs, long naps, frevent prayer and letting myself feel whatever Im feeling."--Jennifer Louden, author of The Woman's Comfort Book
"Life is a Verb is brilliantly-crafted, raw, gorgeously-designed, and daringly different from 'self-help' books. It relates, through stories that sparkle and astonish and soar, how to move, to be on your way, to realize who you really are through your actions. Through exercises that you participate in, as if in conversation with the author, you will learn, as she promises in the prologue, 'deeper thingshow to know what to care about, how to treat others around you (and yourself), what to question, how to love, what to stand up for, and why you should tell stories and listen to the stories of others.' There is no more important learning.
So read it. Inhabit it. Breathe in every word, because every word of this book is essential. Let it animate you. Annotate it to make it your own. And then let it let you change yourself, and become who you were intended to be. Begin now. You have no time to lose."
--- Dave Pollard, author of The Natural Entrepreneur, and the weblog How to Save the World
"Pattis guide for the last 37 days of life will turn every one of your next 3700 days a fully lived experience. If you had some unsolved fear for death, that would be your season ticket to have a free ride on the train with the author. I have never seen such a simultaneously practical, esthetic and soul-caressing book in my life."
--Kichiro Hayashi, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Aoyama Gakuin University, Tokyo
"I laughed. I cried. I want the t-shirt! Seriously, Life is a Verb may well be the single book that will change the world or maybe only your life . . . Artful, funny, heart-breaking, Digh reminds us that today isn't a dress rehearsal and we can start today celebrating the magic of ordinary life. Reading Life is a Verb is like mainlining goodness. Digh shows us what is real and what matters, and she gives us insiders tips on how to make minuscule life corrections that result in quantum shifts in experience. She reminds us that life can easily be fun. This will surely be the last self-help book you will ever need or want to read."
--Patricia Ryan Madson, Stanford Emerita, author of Improv Wisdom: Don't Prepare, Just Show Up
"Life Is A Verb is a wonderful treat! Good exercises, stories, and examples. Reading it will help you appreciate just how much can be gained through living with intention. It's also a lot of fun."
--Roger von Oech, author of A Whack on the Side of the Head: How You Can Be More Creative
"Life is a Verb is at once beautiful, profound and helpful--you can't beat that combination." --Sam Keen, NY Times best-selling author of Fire In the Belly
"We need this book." -Naomi Shihab Nye, award-winning poet
"Patti Digh writes like her hair is burning. You will dog-ear the pages and circle words and phrases and write in the margins. Patti is a great big, wide open contribution to the planet." --Lisa Gates
Synopsis
A book for all who strive to tap into their own creativity Following up on her successful Life is a Verb, and in the tradition of Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way, Patti Digh here presents a book that leads readers by both heart and head to acknowledge, reinforce, and use their own creative spirit. This is equally a book for people who say, I'm not creative or I'm just a dabbler or I'm an artist. Thirty-seven related essays are organized around six overarching themes that guide readers (whether actual artists or not) beyond the fear of creativity to embrace their inner artist. Among the themes: Put down your clever (no more trying to be smart), See the pencil (learning to really see again.), Throw more pots (focusing on the process, not the outcome), and Close the door (finding ten minutes a day for oneself). Each essay will be followed by a creative exercise for the reader, allowing her to apply the principles of each story to her own life. Original artwork created by artist/followers of the author's blog 37days enhance each essay.
Synopsis
Following up on her successful Life Is a Verb, and in the tradition of Julia Camerons The Artists Way, Patti Digh here presents a book that leads readers by both heart and head to acknowledge, reinforce, and use their own creative spirit. Creative Is a Verb is equally a book for people who say, Im not creative” or Im just a dabbler” or Im an artist.”
Synopsis
Yearning to reclaim a creative spirit in your fantastic, unique life? . . . To live your whole life as art, not just the bits you draw on a canvas or embroider or sing? Join Patti Digh in a new kind of book that leads you by both heart and head to acknowledge, reinforce, and use your own creative spirit by teaching six creative commitments—Put Down Your Clever, Turn Around and Look, Show Up Like Magic, Please Lick the Art, Stop Trying So Hard, and Ignore All the Critics. Whether you’re apt to say, “I don’t have a creative bone in my body and really wish I were more creative,” “I’m just a dabbler but would love to be a real artist or craftsperson,” or “I’m an artist and would love to be known and respected,” Creative Is a Verb is for you.
Synopsis
A guidebook for all who call themselves artists and those who need permission to re-insert creativity into their lives.
About the Author
Patti Digh, the creator and author of the award-winning blog 37days.com, is the author of the best-selling Life Is a Verb (skirt!), a Books for a Better Life nominee. She is an internationally recognized speaker who has worked in more than sixty countries, and her comments have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, the London Financial Times, and the New York Times. Her Web site is pattidigh.com.