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Standing at Water's Edge: Moving Past Fear, Blocks, and Pitfalls to Discover the Power of Creative Immersion | 
 enlarge | Author: Anne Paris
Publisher: New World Library
Category: Book
List Price: $13.95
Buy New: $8.25
You Save: $5.70 (41%)
New (35) Used (4) from $8.25
Avg. Customer Rating:  5 reviews
Sales Rank: 148308
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 272
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.5
ISBN: 1577315898
Dewey Decimal Number: 153.35
EAN: 9781577315896
ASIN: 1577315898
Publication Date: April 28, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: BRAND NEW
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Product Description
For most people who seek to create — whether they are artists, writers, or businesspeople — the daily task of immersing themselves in their creative work is both a joy and a profound challenge. Instead of stepping easily into the creative state, they succumb to chronic procrastination and torturous distraction.
In Standing at Water’s Edge, psychologist Anne Paris calls on her extensive experience in working with creative clients to explore the deep psychological fears that block us from creative immersion. Employing cutting-edge theory and research, Paris weaves a new understanding of the artist during the creative process. Rather than presenting the creation of art as a lonely, solitary endeavor, she shows how relationships with others are actually crucial to creativity. Shining a light on the innermost experience of the artist as he or she engages with others, the artwork, and the audience, Paris explores how our sense of connection with others can aid or inhibit creative immersion. She reveals a unique model of “mirrors, heroes, and twins” to explore the key relationships that support creativity. Paris’s groundbreaking psychological approach gives artists valuable new insight into their own creative process, allowing them to unlock their potential and finish their greatest projects.
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| Customer Reviews:
Standing at Water's Edge June 26, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Artists, writers, and other creative individuals know that our passion tends to bring with it great ups and downs. One day, we are on top of the world. The story, the painting, or the healing flows like we are simply channeling the work. There is no effort, no thinking, and no worrying about the end result.
Then, seemingly for no reason, we get stuck. Just getting to the computer to type is more than we can handle. We find ourselves fixating on a single aspect for hours (or days or even months). At some point, we begin to judge ourselves as lazy and question our talent. Forcing the issue only seems to make the problem worse.
Standing at the Water's Edge is a must have for any creative individual. In her counseling work the author has come to understand that there is a real psychological reason that we choose such creative endeavors. Essentially, we are trying to immerse, engage, or otherwise make connections with other human beings. This is something that we both unconsciously yearn for but are also terribly afraid of achieving. So we start writing completely open and willing to make that connection. Then, we start to analyze: will the reader like this, what will my publisher say, will this book sell as well as my last book, etc. Basically, the fear takes over and disrupts the flow. In knowing this cycle, we can learn ways to keep the creativity flowing, particularly by seeking out relationships that serve our immersion needs in various healthy ways.
Standing At Waters Edge by Anne Paris, PhD June 24, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is a very readable and understandable book about the problems associated with being creative, and how to overcome these blocks and fears. The insights in this book can also be applied to parenting and other relationships. A new approach to psychology and the creative experience. Wonderful!
Creative Immersion is the connection to our soul and healthier relationships June 5, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Though intended as a tool for professional artists immersing in the creative process, Dr. Paris' book has universal appeal as a profoundly revealing guide to understanding the human condition and teaching all of us how to immerse in healthy relationships with our children, our parents, our partners and others. As a single mother, I only wish that I had been able to read this book 18 years ago when my sons were first born. Dr. Paris puts herself out there, sharing not only her professional therapy experiences with gifted artists but also by exposing her own creative hopes and fears and highly personal dreams.
It has profoundly opened me to a new understanding of my own early childhood relationships (dysfunctional and otherwise) and given me guidance and hope for healthier relationships with my own children. I have always believed that creativity is our soul calling, and that nurturing a child may be our greatest masterpiece though I have made mistakes in the pursuit of both. Dr. Paris' book has given me hope that it is never too late to heal ourselves and our relationships whether that be in pursuit of an artistic endeavor or in the raising up of our children to know boundless joy.
 Creative Immersion June 4, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
In ten chapters, Anne Paris explores the creative impulse, what may block it, and how to avoid the pitfalls. I admit to skepticism at first, as so many books on this subject fall into the pop psychology category, but the author has navigated these shoals skillfully, offering coping skills, insight, and impetus to readers who strive to create.
Writers, artists, and businesspeople should benefit from this book. As a writer, I found it particularly intriguing, especially the chapter on family dynamics, in which the author explains that roles are often thrust upon us without our knowledge. Paris addresses what can occur when one is viewed as "the baby" (even when we are older). With intriguing insight, she points out that when such a person achieves success, she upsets the applecart because her siblings "could not tolerate her change in position in the unspoken family hierarchy; her siblings could no longer feel better than their sister (an experience they needed to boost their self-esteem)..." When experiencing this situation, some writers even give up their craft, perhaps feeling the price of success is too high to pay. Paris urges, "Take back your dreams of childhood and then reach for them!"
The author acknowledges that the creative process does not have to be a lonely, solitary endeavor, as we have heard so often. Feedback, interaction and encouragement from friends, co-workers, and colleagues are useful and beneficial. Being positively seen by others when we are young is important. But if that is not part of our history, Paris suggests we can turn to "positive fantasies of a perceived audience," thus affirming that imaginary supporters, even ancestors, can bless and enrich our creative endeavors.
As I read, thoughts of my personal experiences surfaced, and I realized that each time before I make a public appearance, I summon a memory of my first poetry reading decades ago at a Women's Voices Writing Workshop in Santa Cruz, California. My audience applauded, whistled, stomped, and sent me home with an empowered feeling that I resurrect each time I get up to read my work. I don't know where any of these women are now, or if they are still writing, but I hold them in my memory as a gathering of compassionate souls whom I summon to bless my efforts when I need them. It was and is one of the principles Paris explores in Standing at the Water's Edge.
Having read Csikszentmilhalyi's Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience, I was delighted to see parallels in Paris' content. Flow explores the mental and emotional state in which an artist, if she is fortunate, finds herself in order to bring the creative process to its highest level, a condition the ancient Greeks referred to as Kairos.
At the end of each chapter, readers are offered "Guides" with helpful suggestions. So much of this book spoke directly to me. Multiple quotes sprinkled throughout the book enriched it. In short, Paris' entire theme seems to echo a quote from one of my heroes in the art world, Vincent van Gogh... "I am seeking, I am striving, I am in it with all my heart."
For people who create or who would like to create, for those who have struggled with fears and blocks, this book is more than helpful. Paris will move you toward understanding yourself as an artist.
by Joan Shaddox Isom
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women
Reach Your Ultimate Creative Potential June 2, 2008
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
Standing at Water's Edge by psychologist Anne Paris is an exceptional read for everyone. The author brilliantly examines our fears that prevent our access to our ultimate creative potential. She highlights that our deep connection with self and others is a powerful tool that can encourage inspiration and creativity. Whether you are an artist, musician, author or simply someone who is interested in facilitating your creativity in every day situations, this book is a valuable guide.
Throughout this book, the author offer practical "Guides" that are questions and exercises that shift us beyond what we perceive to be our fears and blocks so that so that realize our potential.
"Standing at the Water's Edge" is well documented with footnotes, a Bibliography, and most helpful Index, so that you may conveniently refer to subjects presented in the book.
Good read and highly recommended.
Katie Davis, Awake Joy: The Essence of Enlightenment
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