Top 10 Books to Overcome Writer's Block: Artist and Illustrator-Friendly Edition
Sooner or later, all of us face moments of doubt—whether it's about the next personal project, feeling overwhelmed by commissions, or just being in a low-energy state when nothing seems to work. If you're feeling stuck, these books lifted my spirits during creative slumps and have been invaluable in helping me organize my professional life and balance my creative workflow.
1. The War of Art – Steven Pressfield
A powerful read on overcoming resistance and unlocking your creative potential. Pressfield’s insights help push through self-doubt and procrastination.
A powerful read on overcoming resistance and unlocking your creative potential. Pressfield’s insights help push through self-doubt and procrastination.
2. Big Magic – Elizabeth Gilbert
Gilbert dives into the magic of creativity, encouraging a fearless pursuit of your artistic passions without overthinking the outcome.
Gilbert dives into the magic of creativity, encouraging a fearless pursuit of your artistic passions without overthinking the outcome.
3. Getting Things Done – David Allen
This productivity classic is perfect for creatives juggling multiple projects. Allen’s system helps you stay organized, manage time, and reduce overwhelm.
This productivity classic is perfect for creatives juggling multiple projects. Allen’s system helps you stay organized, manage time, and reduce overwhelm.
4. Catching the Big Fish – David Lynch
A look into the creative process of filmmaker David Lynch, this book discusses how meditation and mindfulness can fuel creativity and innovation.
A look into the creative process of filmmaker David Lynch, this book discusses how meditation and mindfulness can fuel creativity and innovation.
5. Purple Cow – Seth Godin
Godin’s marketing wisdom encourages thinking outside the box and creating work that stands out—an essential mindset for any artist or illustrator.
Godin’s marketing wisdom encourages thinking outside the box and creating work that stands out—an essential mindset for any artist or illustrator.
6. The School of Life – Alain de Botton
De Botton offers philosophical insights into everyday life, including how to navigate emotional and creative challenges with wisdom and reflection.
De Botton offers philosophical insights into everyday life, including how to navigate emotional and creative challenges with wisdom and reflection.
7. Overwhelmed – Brigid Schulte
This book addresses the pressures of modern life, especially for those balancing creative work with other responsibilities. Schulte provides strategies to manage stress and reclaim time.
This book addresses the pressures of modern life, especially for those balancing creative work with other responsibilities. Schulte provides strategies to manage stress and reclaim time.
8. Design as Art – Bruno Munari
Munari explores the intersection of design and art, making it an inspiring read for artists looking to find beauty and creativity in everyday objects.
Munari explores the intersection of design and art, making it an inspiring read for artists looking to find beauty and creativity in everyday objects.
9. Thinking, Fast and Slow – Daniel Kahneman
A deep dive into how our minds work, Kahneman’s insights on decision-making and creativity will make you rethink your approach to artistic challenges.
A deep dive into how our minds work, Kahneman’s insights on decision-making and creativity will make you rethink your approach to artistic challenges.
10. The Power of Habit – Charles Duhigg
Understanding how habits work is key to developing a consistent creative practice. Duhigg’s book shows you how to build better routines that nurture your artistic flow.
Understanding how habits work is key to developing a consistent creative practice. Duhigg’s book shows you how to build better routines that nurture your artistic flow.
Have any favorite books you'd like to recommend or share your thoughts on?
Let me know, and I'll add your suggestions to this post.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Let me know, and I'll add your suggestions to this post.
Looking forward to hearing from you!