the WAR of ART was a little preachy for me, but I found enough interesting things to make it worth the read on the train to and from work. Subtitled Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles, I initially put it on hold at the library because it was referenced on a site (which, of course, I don’t remember now). It is focused on writing but it can have applications to other art forms and event just stuff that is good for you, like exercising. There are three things that I should remember from this book: make a start, show up and act territorially.
The first part is about what the author calls resistance and the second part of the book how to fight it. There are several sub headings that are basically one or two pages. What I’m going to take away from this book is the sub headings and largely ignore the few paragraphs that explain them.
Resistance Is Invisible
Resistance Is Internal
Resistance Is Insidious
Resistance Is Implacable
Resistance Is Impersonal
Resistance Is Infallible
Resistance Is Universal
Resistance Never Sleeps
Resistance Plays For Keeps
Resistance Is Fueled By Fear
Resistance Only Opposes In One Direction
Resistance Is Most Powerful At The Finish Line
Resistance Recruits Allies
Resistance And Procrastination X 2
Resistance And Sex
Resistance And Trouble
Resistance And Self-Dramatization
Resistance And Self-Medication
Resistance And Victimhood
Resistance And The Choice Of A Mate
Resistance And This Book
Resistance And Unhappiness
Resistance And Fundamentalism. This was a particularly fascinating chapter actually – I’d recommend this book just for this chapter. Basically he argues that the artist and the fundamentalist come from societies at different levels. He argues that the artist is grounded in freedom and and seeking a truth that is still hidden. He describes the fundamentalist as believing that humanity has fallen from a higher state, that the truth has already been revealed. One thing that he states is that fundamentalism and art are mutually exclusive; which, to an extent, I agree. But what I find so interesting is the interplay of these two attitudes. In fact, it is a nice little exercise to apply this to history and a broader world view. I don’t think the world is simplistic enough to just claim this era or area is one or the other, but I think that I can understand both ‘artist’ and ‘fundamentalist’ a little better now. This is one of the longer sections in the book and well worth the effort to find a read.
 Resistance And Criticism
Resistance And Self-doubt
 Resistance And Fear
Resistance And Love
Resistance And Being A Star
Resistance And Isolation X 2
Resistance And Healing
Resistance And Support
Resistance And Rationalization X 2
Resistance Can Be Beaten
I’m listing all these here as a reminder that resistance can come in a lot of forms. While I don’t appreciate a lot of the examples, I wanted to make sure that I could look back at this and be reminded of the different forms it takes. I don’t have to have Pressfield’s exact interpretation, but I have a feeling this might help when I’m discouraged. Somehow naming something takes its power away, so with this list I can name resistance.
 The second part of the book is about beating resistance. Pressfield starts off describing a professional vs. amateur. Basically treating your creativity as a job, doing it daily, slogging through, getting help when you are out of the area of your expertise, separating the criticism from the work, showing up for work, mastering technique, being prepared, practise, not taking success or failure personally. Basically, treating your creativity the same as you treat your job, not as an aspect of your personality. This is similar to what Elizabeth Gilbert talks about genius and being there in her Ted talk.
The third part of the book is about reaching higher. The best part of this, and a mantra that I want to adopt is Make A Start. But more importantly later there is a discussion about hierarchy and territory. What the author has to say about hierarchy is simple: “In the hierarchy, the artist faces outward. … In the hierarchy, the artist looks up and looks down. The one place he can’t look is the one place he must: within.” Pressfield believes that “the act of creation is be definition territorial.” I like his definition of territory, but he does not define it simply with a sentence but rather concepts.
A territory provides sustenance. A territory sustain us without any external input. A territory can only be claimed alone. A territory can only be claimed by work. A territory returns exactly what you put in. Like Gilbert, the author wants the artist to be a vessel for the Muse and do the work for its own sake. What would you do if there was no other person on earth to validate you?
While there is some handy wavy / hooey / wtf parts of this book, there was enough in here that can help. For me, I must remember to: make a start, act territorially and show up.
the WAR of ART is by Steven Pressfield and was published in 2002.
