Rick Rubin’s book, ‘The Creative Act’, draws upon his extensive experience of being a music producer to some of the world’s most successful musicians. In it, he provides perspectives on what it means to live a creative life. In many ways, it reminds me of Julia Cameron’s ‘The Artist’s Way’, as he describes creativity as a way of being, not simply a vocational skill.
I loved it. Is it the best book written on creativity? Well, it might well be. Let me explain why.
It’s Succinct
I love the language. No words are wasted. It’s sharp and to the point. It’s packed full of wisdom. It’s as if Hemmingway had written it. Some pages just contain single sentences or short quotes. Here’s a couple.
‘The work reveals itself as you go’
‘Taking a wrong turn allows you to see landscapes you wouldn’t otherwise have seen’
Although he talks about music, the advice and suggestions he imparts can be applied to any creative endeavour. It’s a book for everyone.
Given the breadth and longevity of his career, Rubin could have waxed lyrical about all the musicians he’s worked with and all his achievements. He doesn’t. He refers to the work he’s done, but he resists the temptation to big himself up. Bravo.
It’s Bitesize
The chapters are only a couple of pages long and each focuses on a single thought. It’s like a series of blog posts. There’s no obvious structure or narrative flow. You can dip into it at any point and you’ll feel inspired. Whilst on a train or having a quick break. It’s like having a creative caffeine hit. When I get a spare moment I go back to it and re-read random pages. I always find something new and interesting.
It’s Insightful
The author has a deep understanding of the creative process. I recognised many of the situations he described. For example, feeling blocked, needing patience, creating the right environment. It was all very relatable. I felt he truly understood the triggers, barriers, and requirements of being creative.
It’s also very practical. He offers tons of advice to help you get going and be more productive. Habits, behaviours, ways of thinking. The tone is very supportive.
It’s Attractive
I’d recommend that you buy the real book, rather than via Kindle. There’s a grey cloth cover that feels nice to hold. It’s chunky with a useful bookmark. The type is nicely spaced and easy to read. The kind of book you can leave lying around.
Given the subject matter is about creativity, I guess it’s important that the book itself looks and feels out of the ordinary.
Summary
It’s a book that surprised me. I’m a big fan of the Beastie Boys, so I knew of Rick Rubin and I’d heard him on a couple of podcasts. But I had no idea he was such a good writer or that he had such knowledge to impart. It’s not a ‘How To…’ book, full of tools, hacks and downloadable templates. But it’s full of wisdom and it makes you think. At this stage of my life, that’s more than enough for me.