Ever wonder what inspires creative people? Or how they find the courage to take risks, overcome obstacles, and follow their dreams? Leslie Halpern shares the techniques, attitudes and advice offered by creative people who have enjoyed documented success in her book, Passionate About Their Work: 151 Celebrities, Artists, and Experts on Creativity.

The chapters are divided by topics such as “Ideas and Inspirations,” “Accepting Criticism,” “Creative Synthesis,” and “Best Advice.” Each chapter begins with an overview type of introduction, and then features quotes from a wide range of sources. This style is what makes this book such an entertaining and easy read, whether you’ve got time to concentrate and read it through, or you’ve just got a few minutes and are looking for highlights.

Young people just getting started in their careers, those considering a career change, and those who have a dream but aren’t sure how to turn it into a reality will all find inspiration and solid advice in this book. It’s not a tired, step-by-step guide, it’s the actual words and reflections of people who have achieved success in a wide range of creative professions, often against tremendous opposition. A quote from Kurt Vonnegut: “We have a culture because people have written music and books, and produced pictures anyway despite the lack of an appreciative audience. This inability to control one’s artistic self is the reason for our great civilization.” Other quotes range from short quips to lengthy observations, from serious to funny, from very proper to outrageous. And in the interest of full disclosure: yes, you’ll find a number of quotes from me in there as well.

Reading Passionate About Their Work: 151 Celebrities, Artists, and Experts on Creativity will show you how to organize your own education, experience, skills, and network to light a fire under your own passion and follow your dreams, regardless of the path.

Jacquelyn Lynn
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