BOOK REVIEW

“The Creative Act: A Way of Being”

By Rick Rubin with Neil Strauss Penguin Press• 2023• 432 pages•$32

Reviewed by Darcy Peters

Rick Rubin is a well-known and extremely revered music producer. He began his career in hip-hop, and eventually became partners with Russell Simmons, founding Def Jam Recordings. Rubin has worked in many other genres, including country and pop, and was credited with helping Johnny Cash revive his career. The late country icon attributed his success with 10 more albums to the barefooted, quasi-Zen producer, who also became his cherished friend.

Rubin is famous for his unique manner of assisting his clients. He can listen to music with his eyes closed, lying down or swaying to the sounds. Many of the musicians he consults feel he provides them with the space to create. The act of artistry is the impetus behind this book, where Rubin offers many techniques about being creative and living the creative life.

Rubin states: “As artists we seek to restore our childlike perceptions: a more innocent state of wonder and appreciation not tethered to utility or survival. What we create allows us to share glimpses of an inner landscape, one that is beyond our understanding. Art is our portal to the unseen world.”

He feels nature can provide much inspiration. “Material for our work surrounds us at every turn. It’s woven into conversation, nature, chance encounters and existing works of art.”

He advises ways to increase creativity: “To support our practice, we might set up a daily schedule, where we engage in particular rituals at specific times every day or week … the gestures we perform don’t need to be grand. Small rituals can make a big difference. In service of this robust instinct, consider submerging yourself in the canon of great works. Read the finest literature, watch the masterpieces of cinema, get up close to the most influential paintings, visit architectural landmarks.”

Rubin offers suggestions on accessing your creative side: “Oscar Wilde said that some things are too important to be taken seriously. Art is one of those things. Setting the bar low, especially to get started, frees you to play, explore, and test with attachment to results.”

He explains: “Some musicians, for example, do a better job of writing melodies while driving than sitting in a room with an audio recorder on. Instead of sounding like others, value your own voice. Develop it. Cherish it.”

Rubin describes other processes, including: “If it’s music you’re listening to, consider closing your eyes. You may find yourself getting lost in the experience. When the piece ends, you might be surprised by where you find yourself. You’ve been transported to another place. The place where the music lives.”

He advises keeping a dream journal. “Inspiration, vary your inspiration, consider varying your inputs. Turn the sound off to watch a film. Listen to the same song on repeat, read only the first word of each sentence in a short story, arrange stones by size or color, learn to lucid dream.”

While listing many thought-provoking methods to access the creative life, Rubin also says thoughts and habits not conducive to the work include feeling inadequate or procrastinating.

This No. 1 New York Times best seller has received lavish praise, including from author Anne Lamott, who called it: “A gorgeous and inspiring work of art on creation, creativity, the work of the artist. It will gladden the hearts of writers and artists everywhere and get them working again with a new sense of meaning and direction. A stunning accomplishment.”