The Artist's Way Morning Pages Journal [Paperback]

I started out with Cameron's original "The Artist's Way" book, and it's a path that I don't regret. The very act of writing those morning pages - every day, and no matter how tired, sore, or just generally horrid you feel - starts a fascinating trip through your own psyche that never really ends. Not that I agree with her idea of "joining with God, the ultimate Creator" to tap into your own creativity; frankly, that tired old Judeo-Christian "let go and let God" advice belittles the very real ability we all have to come up with new ideas and patterns once we get past the old baggage blocking our past.

And this "companion book" is yet another bit of that baggage.

Before I was a writer, I was what you might call an "I-want-to-be-a-writer". I bought many books, decorated my office just so, had the nicest notebooks and best fonts for my word processor.....and didn't do a thing. It wasn't until I gave myself a boot in the rear, grabbed an old scribbler and simply WROTE that I starting writing and marketing my work.

Save your money.

Of course, if you want yet another pretty book that will sit on your desk and delay that stop-stalling-start-writing moment, then by all means buy it. And make your office/studio an interior designer's dream.....and color-coordinate your desk accessories...

Or turn off the computer, grab some paper and that old Bic pen, and get to work.

Up to you.

This journal is helpful, but unnecessary. It's mostly blank pages, with a few references from the book up in the headers. At this price you might as well just buy a blank journal you like. Please do not confuse this with a workbook, which it is not.

If you are looking for something different, or more insight, take a chance with The Artist's Way Date Book, a more interesting and whimsical companion to The Artist's Way, from the same author. It isn't a workbook or journal, but 365 days worth of little creative sparks. It's not really necessary either, but fun.

Reading "The Artist's Way" & actually doing some of the key things can change your life. Morning pages are one of the key things (others include a weekly artist date & the use of affirmations) & this is a great volume to start in. I'm a slow learner so I actually went through four of these before I bought my own blank-paged journals. Things I like about this volume include that it forced me to fill a certain amount of space: there are three pages for each day & that's what Cameron wants you to do & this volume gives a very good guide of how much writing is desirable. I also like the quotations, the summaries of the goals for the coming week & even the potentially cheesy contract with myself to commit to the process. Time IS an issue & Cameron's 30 minutes is at least at the beginning optimistic, though that's what I now generally use. At first it might take longer, even significantly longer, but it's well worth it. I started writing morning pages in November 1998. Three years later, I am still writing them. They are a wonderful tool toward a clear head & the working through of issues & about the only thing I believe someone can do wrong in using them is to be afraid of letting whatever comes out come out. Coincidentally (I don't THINK so) I started serious work on my first, non-fiction book at the same time I started morning pages & three years later I'm very close to finishing it, so I know the program works. It also goes very well with 12 Step programs, for people in those. If you buy this journal, also buy "The Artist's Way," the book that lays it all out ... & consider some of Cameron's little books of affirmations, which are outstanding. This is a wonderful tool and deserves five stars.