Written during lockdown, Creative Demons and How to Slay Them finally arrived in book stores in 2022, after a difficult gestation during which I had to confront my own creative demons, one by one.
This is how the publisher sums it up …
‘If you’ve ever embarked on a creative endeavour, then there’s a good chance you’ll have been bedevilled by self-doubt, fear of failure or a lack of inspiration at some point along the way. This book will help you to banish those mind-forged monsters one by one, no matter how grotesque or scary they may be.
Drawing on inspirational anecdotes from art, philosophy, neuroscience, nature, music and contemporary culture, creativity expert Richard Holman provides you with your very own mental armoury to see you through every stage of the creative process. By learning through the experiences of such creative luminaries as Leonardo da Vinci, Marina Abramovic, J.K. Rowling, Dr Seuss and Herbie Hancock, you’ll find out how best to overcome the perils of procrastination, the sting of criticism, the seductive tug of convention or the gnawing feeling that you’re not up to it.
It’s time to say farewell to your demons and make your next creative project the very best it can be.’
And this is how some of my very generous readers sum it up …
“I just want to say how great I think this book is. I’m currently reading it for the second time. After the first read I felt like it was a book that addressed all of my creative problems. All these demons have troubled me for years, to a point of creative paralysis. Until reading this book I hadn’t really thought these demons can be positives ... or that there are strategies to get around them - it all depends on how you view things. This book has definitely helped me to be braver and to enjoy life as an ongoing creative journey. A wonderfully positive and uplifting read.”
“ I wanted to say how great I thought your book was. I’ve just finished the last page and I think I might start at the beginning again! All these demons have troubled me for years, to a point of creative paralysis. Until reading your book I hadn’t really thought that they can be positives ... or at least it all depends on how you view things. Thank you. Your book will help me to be braver and to enjoy life as an ongoing creative journey.”
“As a creative, both professionally and personally, this book completely resonated with me. Richard does a wonderful job of connecting with the reader through powerful parables, amusing analogies, and thoughtful teachings. It’s a book I’ll keep close and return to when facing any of the debilitating demons us creatives encounter so often. There’s wisdom aplenty in this book to fight (or embrace!) them. I highly recommend to any fellow creative minded person.”
“I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is something I will return to when I’m having a creative dilemma. Excellent.”
“A lot of the times, you get wrapped in your own head and forget that everyone goes through feelings of insecurity and fear, gets creative blocks, etc. Creatives can spend a lot of time alone (at least I do) - which can exacerbate that. Well, this book is a good reminder that hey, you aren’t crazy and the way you feel is totally normal!”
“Greatly enjoyed this! A must read for writers and all creatives!”