The Creative's Curse

By: Todd Brison

Narrated by: Todd Brison

Length: 2 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

All creatives are cursed.

And it isn't the sexy kind of cursed like where you turn into a werewolf or something - I think we can all agree that'd be pretty awesome. No, it's the subtle kind of curse. It's the kind you might not notice until you're 46 years old at a desk job wondering why you let the best years of your life slip away. It's the kind that keeps you paralyzed at 18 when you know you have something special to offer the world but everyone says you are too young.

This book is not about overcoming that curse.

It's not about outgrowing the curse.

It's about learning to live with it.

What if loneliness is not something to be defeated, but an incredible source of power and inspiration? What if that vision you have that nobody else can see is the very thing which will set you apart from the rest of the world? What if what makes you weird also makes you unique?

The creative's curse is real, it's here to stay, and it shows up in all three phases of the creative journey:

Discovery: When the voices in your head are telling you nothing you create will ever be good enough.

Discipline: When you start to taste success, but freeze with the challenge of replicating that success.

Destiny: When you feel you've reached your artistic potential, and now have to figure out what on earth to do with your life.

Because the creative is afraid of success and failure and obscurity and fame all at the same time. He is beautiful and bold and timid and courageous. He is unique to the core, so will never be understood by anyone.

This is the creative's curse.

©2016 Todd Brison (P)2016 Todd Brison

Nice to hear

I will admit that he doesn't always have the most encouraging things to say, but it is something worth listening to. Every now and then its nice to hear some truthful, but encouraging messages when one needs them the most.

Brilliantly Right Writer!

Two days ago I decided to not enter an art show because I was upset by the writing and editing of the producers. This was after I looked at my work (from shows I'd been in) and found all it's poor choices and sad idiosyncracy. Almost all the pieces needed important alteration. Then I finished chapters 32 through 37 (I finished the book, and started it again.
I AM going to apply for the show. And go to the studio... and work!
This book exactly hits the spot!

Energetic

From the adlibs to the advice and suggestions available in this audio book, everything was able to resonate with me from the very beginning. Irony is that Todd caught one of his contradictions and provided a semi correction which was humerous. This book is a great listen for anyone needing that push back on track and to dig deep for YOUU!

Great great book! Thanks Todd for...

...such a wonderful creation. It is funny and thoughtful. It is simple and deep. I love it! I hope others find this book as much interesting as I do. Keep the great work coming Todd!

Get the Audible book; you won't regret it.

Listening to this book on audible feels like you are on a phone call with a friend. What a treat it is to be able to hang with a local artist and get tidbits of wisdom from someone who has mastered the art of staying on task. He comes across as a caring older brother who is there to guide you through the hard bits of your artistic journey. You start to lean in and take notes, knowing he has been there and experienced much of the same thoughts and situations that you have. Validating your journey while sharing his own. I highly recommend this book to anyone feeling stuck on their creative journey. I am now a fan of Todd Brison. looking forward to listening to his next book on Audible.

Awesome book! Read on a whim and can’t wait to read it again!

Great book of advice for anyone shifting to a more creative lifestyle! There are countless social and emotional adjustments to make when you move creative time up on your priority list, this book is full of great tips to help alleviate the guilt, doubt and social criticism that comes along with this lifestyle change. Highly recommend! Will be buying a copy for all my creative friends 🙌🏻

No stretched out filler!

This book is so dense, that my only complaint is that with the audio book, I don’t have enough time to let an idea float in my brain before he’s onto a new one. So I got the kindle version as well. (I do wish there was a physical copy!)

That said, I’m still glad I got the audio book, because he is so enthusiastic. Sure, the recording isn’t super clean, but he is super entertaining.

Finally!

I finally found it! I finally found the book I was looking for without knowing exactly what I was looking for. After countless searches on the web (rewording the searches in hopes of different results each time), after downloading kindle and sifting through book samples, and finally after downloading audible to further that same search, I found this refreshingly honest, relatable, and inspiring take on being a creative person. I found the author who doesn’t just “get it”, but “gets it” and knows just how to talk about “it.” Todd Brison’s writing style coupled with the extra audio bits added in this version, kept me interested, laughing at times, and nodding my head as if attending a church sermon, ready to be the random yet passionate “hallelujah” from the crowd (even though I was often in the bathroom getting ready for work or driving in the car with no one there to hear me). I also blurted the occasional “awe” from the subtle yet adorable mentions of Brison’s wife. Thank you for helping me through this block of mine and helping me set more realistic goals for myself. This is the first book I’ve finished in years.

Great tools and perspective for finding balance as a creator!

A great book given to me by a friend. I decided to get the audio and this turn out to be super motivated way a looking at creativity in life and really finding that balance between a business mindset and a creative mindset. Lots of tools in this one. Great for crunching time and getting the important information right out front. I definitely appreciate that.

Perfect Pep Talk

First off, the audio quality of this isn't professional grade, but that's what I like about it. There are points where you can hear trucks passing by in the background (if you listen very closely). That being said, it adds to the feeling of sitting on Brison's couch while he chats with you about creativity. Before listening to this audiobook, I had never heard of Brison. A lot of people are more inclined to take the advice of bigger name writers like Stephen King, etc. but I found the advice on this particular audiobook brimming with just the right attitude and delivery. Best of all, it ends right when it should. A 3 or 4 hour+ audiobook would have run dry, but Brison hit it right on the money. What you get in this book is a lot of funny, witty support and experience about fostering your inner creativity, and then doing something with it. And, it's not all theory, or generic, "Believe in yourself." He's had some success with writing online and gaining some following via viral articles, etc.

All in all, I feel this was a five star book for me, and it was enlightening enough that I jotted down notes and plan to revisit the book in the future. Again, if you're a nitpicker about sound, you'll get annoyed by the sound quality, but I reiterate that it works very well with his attitude and delivery and the content of this audiobook.