Some of the chapters feel like they were written by publicists. I thought there would be a bit more about overcoming challenges and less gushing. The recaps at the end of each chapter felt like too much and were redundant and reductive. I think my favorite chapter was on Erik Larson, author of narrative nonfiction. There were some interesting tidbits but there was a ton of repetition.

This is a very basic primer on creativity which uses ten case studies and interviews to demonstrate creative individuals at work, with some generic prompts for people who are looking to explore their own creativity. However, for anyone who isn't new to this space, it doesn't have enough substance AND will be limiting in terms of the case studies. The first two, for example, come from the film world. I worry other creatives might dip out because they don't think the takeaways apply to them or their medium. These are just ten peoples' experiences, and while the authors work to make them universal and draw out bullet points and action items, I'm not sure this approach will resonate with those creative people who have done any thinking/reading in the creativity space. Maybe it'll help unlock a few middle managers who have never considered themselves creative, but for people working in the arts already, it's a rather limited approach.

I quite enjoyed learning about these many different artist and how they manage their creativity and originality.

I have been in my artistic journey for a couple of years now so many of the tips I found in the book are ones that I have heard before, that said it is never bad to have a good reminder of them and to keep them at the front of your mind.
But I did find fascinating how each of them approach the creativity in their own lives. Which I guess it could be summarized as:have the courage to follow your dreams no matter how crazy they might seem.

The down side of the book for me was the structure of the chapters. I found them extremely repetitive within themselves and that created a tedious reading process.

Now, as mentioned previously the book certainly contains really good advice for anyone who is interested in developing their creativity no matter if it is for professional purposes or hobbies. With the 5 C’s you are sure to be on your way.

As a creative person, I struggle with consistency in my work, so I was excited to read The Creative's Mind when I was approved to review it.

I found practical advice here on staying on track with my creative goals, avoiding burnout, building relationships with colleagues, and starting from scratch. The stories of the interviewees are exceptional and inspiring. They highlight the struggles and obstacles these creatives had to overcome, but most importantly, they show how they did it and the mindset required to succeed.

The first four or five stories felt fresh and inspiring, but the later ones became repetitive in structure and ideas. In some cases, several consecutive paragraphs conveyed the same thought with slight paraphrasing, which felt like wasted space in the book. The overall writing style seems more suited for a blog rather than a serious book featuring outstanding interviewees. I even found myself Googling their work to understand why they stand out from their peers—I wish the book had included brief introductions to each of them.

Overall, I enjoyed reading it and found the inspiration I was looking for, but due to the flaws mentioned above, I give it three stars.

Thank you to BenBella Books and NetGalley for providing an advanced copy of this book for an honest review.

The Creative’s Mind sets out to explore the inner workings of high-performing creatives across disciplines, and I appreciated its framework — five thematic “C’s” that organize the insights into easy-to-apply summaries: Courage, Confidence, Concentration, Composure, and Commitment. The structure is clean, and the takeaways at the end of each section offer accessible, actionable ideas, especially for those early in their creative paths.

That said, the interview content felt a bit repetitive, and I personally struggled to stay engaged. Given the artistic focus of the book, I couldn’t help but feel that visual elements — photos, artwork samples, design mockups — would have significantly enriched the experience. The stories often referenced a creator’s process or work, but the lack of images or examples made it harder to connect with the featured voices. I found myself googling several of the artists to better understand their work, which could have been a more integrated part of the reading experience.

Still, for readers newer to creative exploration or those looking for light inspiration in digest form, this book may serve as a motivational spark. It’s clear that the authors approached this project with care and intention, and I appreciate their effort to compile a range of voices under a shared umbrella of creativity.

Thanks to BenBella Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.