The Artist's Way
by Julia Cameron · first published 1992
69% recommend28% neutral3% critical
Why HN recommends it
Workbook for unblocking creativity, best known for morning pages: three handwritten stream-of-thought pages each day that quiet the inner critic and ease rumination. Suits programmers, writers and artists.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
The Artist's Way is the seminal book on the subject of creativity. An international bestseller, millions of readers have found it to be an invaluable guide to living the artist's life. Still as vital today-or perhaps even more so-than it was when it was first published one decade ago, it is a powerfully provocative and inspiring work. In a new introduction to the book, Julia Cameron reflects upon the impact of The Artist's Way and describes the work she has done during the last decade and the new insights into the creative process that she has gained. Updated and expanded, this anniversary edi
Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
Related books
2019–2026Our town
Thornton Wilder
Recommended by 4 · mentioned by 54 recommend · 5 mention4 recommend · 54 recommend
2017–2022Oathbringer
Brandon Sanderson
Recommended by 5 · mentioned by 125 recommend · 12 mention5 recommend · 125 recommend
2009–2024Thinkertoys
Michael Michalko
Recommended by 5 · mentioned by 95 recommend · 9 mention5 recommend · 95 recommend
2013–2025The first and last freedom
Jiddu Krishnamurti
Recommended by 3 · mentioned by 43 recommend · 4 mention3 recommend · 43 recommend
2010–2026Warbreaker
Brandon Sanderson
Recommended by 19 · mentioned by 2319 recommend · 23 mention19 recommend · 2319 recommend
2010–2026Elantris
Brandon Sanderson
Recommended by 15 · mentioned by 2615 recommend · 26 mention15 recommend · 2615 recommend
2012–2025To the Lighthouse
Virginia Woolf
Recommended by 11 · mentioned by 2611 recommend · 26 mention11 recommend · 2611 recommend
Notes from the Underground
Fyodor
Recommended by 21 · mentioned by 3321 recommend · 33 mention21 recommend · 3321 recommend
…experts like you to explain things to other tech experts. There are several paths you can follow. I would start out by writing for yourself, first. That could be a blog or even a daily journal. (The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron is recommended.) At this point don't worry about what to write; just get yourself into the habit of articulating your thoughts. Nobody needs to see this, just as they don't need to see…
on “Ask HN: Topics for writing” ↗…about good writing. Strunk & White is good. Their advice is "keep it simple." Clear and Simple as the Truth is sort of a step past that to a slightly more artful style. Another book I enjoyed was The Artist's Way, which despite the title has a lot about writing. I don't know anything about professional therapy, and perhaps these suggestions are all way off the mark for you, but I offer them just in case you find…
on “Undervalued Engineering Skills: Writing Well” ↗…So lists like this help remind you that you still can, if you're so inclined. For more inspiration in the creative direction (e.g. writing like in this list), see particularly the well-known book The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. [1] [1] https://www.amazon.com/Artists-Way-25th-Anniversary/dp/01431...
on “35 Over 35” ↗I do morning pages (three pages of longhand writing). I usually feel a lot better by the end of the third page. It's a technique I learned from Julia Cameron's book "The artist's way". The words must be stream of thought (whatever comes to mind), they must be written on paper, longhand, without interruption and without judging yourself. And noone is allowed to read them, not even…
on “How are you managing stress?” ↗…while trying not to repeat yourself. This primes the pump and gets the gunk out. I've done this technique and it's really amazing to learn to tame the inner critic. AFAIK the origin is the book The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron.
on ““The Onion” founder explains his strategy for sparking creativity” ↗…others. Rooted in Eastern philosophy, Ulrich's fully developed treatise nicely updates the solid works of Brewster Ghiselin (The Creative Process), Rollo May (The Courage To Create), and Julia Cameron (The Artist's Way). It also supplements Pressfield's inspirational thoughts on overcoming resistance through introspective questions and practical exercises that further elaborate the creative process. Both books are recommended…
on “Believe you can change ” ↗…as a job" to "programming as creative act", somewhat a la our gracious hosts article: http://www.paulgraham.com/hp.html In order to actually make that shift I personally was recommended the book "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron. If you are anything like me you may experience an intense aversion to something so "artsy", and I 100% understand. BUT I decided that since following that instinct had led me to what…
on “Ask HN: How to rediscover the joy of programming?” ↗…especially at first). 3. Take cold showers. You can start warm, but aim to have a two minute cold shower. Or even better going swimming in cold water everyday. --- A book I can highly recommend is The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. Lemme know if you want a copy.
on “Ask HN: Words of encouragement for someone lost in life?” ↗…after posting. Have you tried writing a diary? I did that for decades. Yes, it's great to get the stuff out, but do you need other people to see it also? Maybe try the idea of morning pages from the Artist's Way books - write 3 pages every morning on paper, quickly as you can, just stream of consciousness, don't judge or edit it, don't plan to read it again.
on “Ask HN: How do you tackle your own negativity?” ↗The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. Helped me reduce bad habits, get useful things done, and have more fun.
on “Ask HN: What book changed your life?” ↗Get a copy of The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron and see if anything resonates. Its primary purpose was as a workbook designed to help overcome creative block but the exercises and tools are applicable for everyone in a rut, not just…
on “Ask HN: Depressed, need to leave web development, what can I do?” ↗Obligatory recommendation whenever burnout comes up: Get a copy of The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron and work your way through it. It was originally designed to help blocked creatives but it’s helped all kinds of different people escape ruts.
on “Ask HN: Tips to relearn how to care about my job?” ↗If you haven’t yet, try doing 3 handwritten morning pages each day. This technique is pretty well known in helping with unblocking creativity by the author Julia Cameron in “The Artist’s Way”. Journaling is by far the most effective technique I’ve come across in my life so far. It gets the rumination out. Helps you brainstorm. Gets you reflecting on unresolved things in your life. I wish…
on “The Need to Read” ↗the book The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron kinda does this for some things. It did help me a lot, I guess you could say it taught me the art of "self parenting".
I recommend the artist’s way [0]. [0]: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/615570.The_Artist_s_Way
on “Get unstuck from a creative rut” ↗