The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity (first published in 1992) is a wonderful writer's workbook and self-help book to help people with artistic creative recovery. It contains many prompts and techniques to boost self-confidence so you can get into the creative flow.
Julia Cameron's 10 Rules for the Road:
1. Show up at the page. Use the page to rest, to dream, to try.
[Freedom of expression is one of life's great luxuries.]
2. Fill the well by caring for my artist. [Take yourself out on an artist's date: a nice walk, a trip to the museum, or treat yourself to a good film.]
3. Set small and gentle goals and meet them. [Start with just 1 page per day and build from there.]
4. Pray for guidance, courage and humility. [Be sensitive to your dreams, feelings, memories, etc.]
5. Remember that it is far easier and less painful to do the work than to be a blocked artist. [You don't want to later regret the artistic works/articles/books that didn't get written.]
6. Be alert, always for the presence of the Great Creator leading and helping my artist. [Be open to great stories from the news, current events, people and books we encounter, memories, etc.]
7. Choose companions who encourage me to do the work, not just talk about it or why I'm not doing it. [No toxic or crazy-making friends.]
8. Remember that the Great Creator loves creativity. [Each person is unique and has unique writing/art to do.]
9. Remember that it is my job to do the work, not judge the work.
[Go with your gut.]
10. Place this sign in my workplace: Great Creator, I will take care of the quantity. You take care of the quality.
"Very often, a creative block manifests as an addiction to fantasy." -- Julia Cameron
You may experience the creative impulse as something uncomfortable, like "a cat that doesn't want to be held." Half the battle is learning to value ourselves and our contributions.One way to overcome whatever blocks you is to practice honing the important skill of paying attention. Then capture ideas as they come (while they're fresh in your mind.) Value your creative ideas and take good care of yourself because you are precious, a unique creation, like everything in the entire universe.
"The painting has a life of its own. I try to let it come through."
--Jackson Pollack
