About the Author

Twyla Tharp, one of America's greatest choreographers began her career in 1965, and has created more than 130 dances for her company as well as for the Joffrey Ballet, the New York City Ballet, the Paris Opera Ballet, London's Royal Ballet, Denmark's Royal Ballet, and American Ballet Theatre. She has won two Emmy Awards for television's Baryshnikov by Tharp, and a Tony Award for the Broadway musical Movin' Out. The recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship, she was inducted into the American Academy of Arts & Sciences in 1993 and was made an honorary member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 1997. She holds nineteen honorary degrees, most recently from Harvard University. She lives and works in New York City.

Reviews

"The Creative Habit emphasizes the work habits that lead to success." -- C. Carr, O: The Oprah Magazine

"[An] exuberant, philosophically ambitious self-help book for the creatively challenged." -- The New York Times Book Review

"[A]s accessible, smart and eye-opening as her dance." -- Linda Winer, Newsday

"An entertaining 'how to' guide, The Creative Habit isn't about getting the lightning bolt of inspiration, but rather the artistic necessity of old-fashioned virtues such as discipline, preparation and routine." -- Cathleen McGuigan, Newsweek

"Though its context is a choreographer's world, its principles are universally applicable and sound....It could change your life." -- Elizabeth Zimmer, The Village Voice

"Twyla Tharp's amazingly plain-spoken treatise...is a frank, honest, and tough-love testament essentially arguing that art and creativity are matters of hard, old-fashioned work." -- Sid Smith, The Chicago Tribune

Adult/High School-Tharp shows how and why artists must actively seek and nurture inspiration. The dancer/choreographer draws heavily on her personal experiences to guide readers into cultivating habits that give birth to success. In addition, she recounts the experiences of artists from other disciplines, including painting and cinematography. Vignettes from the lives of people such as Mozart underline the fact that even geniuses work hard to realize the fruits of their labor. A personable tone is carried throughout the book, and within the text is a gold mine of advice. Tharp not only promotes tried-and-true habits, but also encourages readers to dig deep within themselves and come up with their own answers. Most sections conclude with exercises; they are fun and almost seamlessly bring home the author's main points. The black-and-white illustrations and photos are few in number. Students from all manner of creative arts who wish to make their dreams come true would benefit from reading this book.-Sheila Shoup, Fairfax County Public Library, VA Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

"The Creative Habit emphasizes the work habits that lead to success."

-- C. Carr, O: The Oprah Magazine
"[An] exuberant, philosophically ambitious self-help book for the creatively challenged."

-- The New York Times Book Review
"[A]s accessible, smart and eye-opening as her dance."

-- Linda Winer, Newsday
"An entertaining 'how to' guide, The Creative Habit isn't about getting the lightning bolt of inspiration, but rather the artistic necessity of old-fashioned virtues such as discipline, preparation and routine."

-- Cathleen McGuigan, Newsweek
"Though its context is a choreographer's world, its principles are universally applicable and sound....It could change your life."

-- Elizabeth Zimmer, The Village Voice
"Twyla Tharp's amazingly plain-spoken treatise...is a frank, honest, and tough-love testament essentially arguing that art and creativity are matters of hard, old-fashioned work."

-- Sid Smith, The Chicago Tribune