The Creative Act
Easy read
Pure
Timeless

The Creative Act A Way of Being

Rick Rubin2023
Many famed music producers are known for a particular sound that has its day and then ages out. Rick Rubin is known for something else: creating a space where artists of all different genres and traditions can home in on who they really are and what they really offer. He has made a practice of helping people transcend their self-imposed expectations in order to reconnect with a state of innocence from which the surprising becomes inevitable. Over the years, as he has thought deeply about where creativity comes from and where it doesn’t, he has learned that being an artist isn’t about your specific output; it’s about your relationship to the world. Creativity has a place in everyone’s life, and everyone can make that place larger. In fact, there are few more important responsibilities. The Creative Act is a beautiful and generous course of study that illuminates the path of the artist as a road we all can follow. It distils the wisdom gleaned from a lifetime’s work into a luminous reading experience that puts the power to create moments – and lifetimes – of exhilaration and transcendence within closer reach for all of us.
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Reviews

Photo of Nina Alexandra Bacrau
Nina Alexandra Bacrau@nina05
2.5 stars
Oct 22, 2024

I wanted to stop reading it multiple times. I wish there would have been a more structured and well thought approach to the topic, but all in all, it was an easy read.

+1
Photo of erin alise
erin alise @thehollowvalley
3.5 stars
Sep 9, 2024

Well-written, but it feels mostly like a more accessible reframing of the concepts of The Artists’s Way and not a presentation of new concepts around creativity. It’s probably more appealing to a younger audience than An Artist’s Way, with a similar overall message from a more musical and secular perspective.

This review contains a spoiler
+3
Photo of Kevin Wammer
Kevin Wammer@cliophate
5 stars
Jul 18, 2024

Maybe one of the best books on creativity by one of the most creative people currently roaming this planet. Part inspiration, part guidebook, The Creative Act perfectly encompasses why we creative people, ultimately, have no other choice than to create. It is the only way we can feel whole.

Photo of Serge L
Serge L@comerades
5 stars
Jul 5, 2024

I think Rick Rubin, the person, is someone to be admired. The modern-day Buddha who is able to completely ignore what the world perceives him as and do things for himself. Some will assume that that's some "hippy-sh*t," but that's mostly people who think too much of what other's think of them. This book really isn't about creativity. This book is about being true to yourself and your passions. If you think Rick cares what people think of this book in the end, you clearly didn't read the book. You may have looked at the pages though. If you came here for a "manual on creativity" you will walk away sorely disappointed. If anything, this is more of a mission statement for Rick and Rick alone. Whatever you take away from it, is entirely up to you, just don't assume Rick cares.

Photo of Omar
Omar @sparsesuccess
1 star
Apr 11, 2024

Rupi Kaur vibes… what is this guy talking about? So many better resources for creatives, event philosophically leaning ones. The kind of book a pretentious but deeply simple and slightly stupid person who has never been exposed to good art and thinks he’ll be the next Van Gogh would enjoy.

Photo of Sebastien Bailouni
Sebastien Bailouni@seba
3.5 stars
Apr 3, 2024

Had a few nice nuggets of wisdom, but a lot of fluff around the points.

+1
Photo of Julian Paul
Julian Paul@julianpaul
5 stars
Mar 3, 2024

Makes you rethink your creativity in every way you can’t imagine.

+5
Photo of Vera Heilig
Vera Heilig@veraheilig
2.5 stars
Feb 22, 2024

A good read for when you are in a creative block. For me Rubin presents his ideas too broadly and lacks some kind of narrative to relate to.

+2
Photo of Anna Bostick
Anna Bostick@aebostick
5 stars
Feb 9, 2024

Relaxing to read and good perspective on approaching various aspects of life as a artist/creative.

+2
Photo of Mireia
Mireia@mireiaallende
5 stars
Oct 9, 2023

Bible

+7
Photo of Roisin O'Flaherty
Roisin O'Flaherty @roisinof
4.5 stars
Aug 24, 2023

Really inspiring book on the creative process. I read it cover to cover but I think it would be better suited to a book you read when stuck in a creative rut. The chapters are short and snappy so you could get a chunk of inspiration when you need it.

Photo of Krystal
Krystal@demonhour
1.5 stars
Jul 27, 2023

i think i missed the part where this book was gonna be spiritual. i tried to get into it but i didn’t feel like i learned anything. meditative though

+1
Photo of Daniel Gynn
Daniel Gynn@danielgynn
3 stars
Jul 11, 2023

Probably should have had his appendix out

Photo of Sebastian Stockmarr
Sebastian Stockmarr@stockmarr
3.6 stars
May 26, 2023

It's beautiful in a slightly woo woo sense of the word. Some parts of what I've experienced in the creative act ring true, though I really have to open my third eye wide open to see it. But true none the less.

For me, this book mostly makes sense looking backwards and less so when trying to deduct tools for going forward.

Anyhow, enjoyable read.

+3
Photo of Ali Angco
Ali Angco@aliangco
3.5 stars
Apr 9, 2023

A meditative journey with Rubin as he describes the creative act. Much like any spiritual practice, it was a bit awkward at first but as you spend more time and reflecting, your inner artist is ready to get up and create once more.

+3
Photo of Shad Gibran
Shad Gibran@shad
2.5 stars
Mar 25, 2023

Obviously Rubin has good insight into the creative processes of hundreds of artists, however he presents his anecdotes and allegories too broadly. Lacks coherence and narrative element.

+2
Photo of Keven Wang
Keven Wang@kevenwang
4 stars
Feb 4, 2023

A bit fragmented. Lack coherence

Photo of g.m.
g.m.@genie_m
3 stars
Mar 29, 2025
Photo of peri
peri@bambicide
4 stars
Mar 20, 2025
Photo of Hakan Erbas
Hakan Erbas@hacomeister
3 stars
Jan 4, 2025
+1
Photo of Kevin Juneos Mei Le
Kevin Juneos Mei Le@kvnjmle
1 star
Dec 28, 2024
Photo of Karmen
Karmen @karmentorralba
4 stars
Dec 9, 2024
Photo of Bairaghi Music
Bairaghi Music@bairaghimusic
5 stars
Oct 11, 2024
Photo of lelayna
lelayna@wigglewip
5 stars
Aug 27, 2024

Highlights

Photo of lelayna
lelayna@wigglewip

By practicing to improve, you are fulfilling your ultimate purpose on this planet.

Page 333
Photo of Grace McCarter
Grace McCarter@gracemccarter

Be as specific as possible with your feedback. Zoom in to discuss the details of what you’re seeing and feeling. The more clinical the feedback, the better it will be received.

Saying, “I think the colors in these two areas don’t interact well together” is more helpful than, “I don’t like the colors.”

Hold back on offering a fix immediately; the recipient may be able to come up with a better solution on their own. 

Chapter: Cooperation

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Grace McCarter@gracemccarter

It’s best to wait until a work is complete to discover what it is saying. Holding your work hostage to meaning is a limitation.

Chapter: Freedom

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Grace McCarter@gracemccarter

If you're at an impasse in an A/B test, consider the coin toss method. Decide which option will be heads and which will be tails, then flip the coin. When the coin is spinning in the air, you'll likely notice a quiet preference or wish for one of the two to come up. Which are you rooting for? This is the option to go with. It's the one the heart desires. The test is over before the coin ever lands.

Page 275

Chapter: How to choose

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Sachi@sachi

To create is to bring something into existence that wasn’t there before. It could be a conversation, the solution to a problem, a note to a friend, the rearrangement of furniture in a room, a new route home to avoid a trafic jam.

Photo of Grace McCarter
Grace McCarter@gracemccarter

– Thinking that anything outside of your control is in your way.

From “Thoughts and habits not conducive to creative work” (Chapter: Habits)

Photo of Amanda Rios
Amanda Rios@arios92

Our critical mind may kick in, taking note of what we agree with and what we don’t, or what we like and dislike.

Page 111
Photo of Amanda Rios
Amanda Rios@arios92

Darkness and light are only meaningful in relationship with each other. Without one, the other wouldn’t exist.

Page 108
Photo of Amanda Rios
Amanda Rios@arios92

Holding every rule as breakable is a healthy way to live as an artist.

Page 102
Photo of Amanda Rios
Amanda Rios@arios92

you’ve already exponentially narrowed what’s possible,

Page 99
Photo of Amanda Rios
Amanda Rios@arios92

it’s to amplify the differences, what doesn’t fit, the special characteristics unique to how you see the world.

Page 98
Photo of Amanda Rios
Amanda Rios@arios92

An intention is more than a conscious purpose, it’s the congruence of that purpose.

Page 94
Photo of Amanda Rios
Amanda Rios@arios92

The inspired-artist aspect of your self may be in conflict with the craftsperson aspect, disappointed that the craftsperson is unable to create the physical embodiment of the inspired artist’s vision. This is a common conflict for creators, since there is no direct conversion from abstract thought to the material world.

Page 89
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Amanda Rios@arios92

Distraction is a strategy in service of the work.

Page 86
Photo of Amanda Rios
Amanda Rios@arios92

When we reach an impasse at any point in the creative process, it can be helpful to step away from the project to create space and allow a solution to appear.

Page 86
Photo of Amanda Rios
Amanda Rios@arios92

doubting the quality of your work might, at times, help to improve it.

Page 80
Photo of Amanda Rios
Amanda Rios@arios92

Ultimately, your desire to create must be greater than your fear of it.

Page 79
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Amanda Rios@arios92

Gratitude can also help. Realizing you are fortunate to be in a position that allows you to create, and in some cases get paid to do what you love, might tip the balance in favor of the work.

Page 79
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Amanda Rios@arios92

papancha, which translates as preponderance of thoughts. This speaks to the mind’s tendency to respond to our experiences with an avalanche of mental chatter.

Page 79
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Amanda Rios@arios92

Perfectionism gets in the way of fun.

Page 78
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Amanda Rios@arios92

The mission is to complete the project so you can move on to the next. That next one is a stepping-stone to the following work. And so it continues in productive rhythm for the entirety of your creative life.

Page 77
Photo of Amanda Rios
Amanda Rios@arios92

chimes of the cosmic clock ring,

Page 71
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Amanda Rios@arios92

The experience of our inner world is often completely overlooked.

Page 60
Photo of Amanda Rios
Amanda Rios@arios92

The person who makes something today isn’t the same person who returns to the work tomorrow.

Page 57