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Allen Gannett

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The Creative Curve: How to Develop the Right Idea, at the Right Time Kindle Edition

by Allen Gannett (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

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Big data entrepreneur Allen Gannett overturns the mythology around creative genius, and reveals the science and secrets behind achieving breakout commercial success in any field.

We have been spoon-fed the notion that creativity is the province of genius -- of those favored, brilliant few whose moments of insight arrive in unpredictable flashes of divine inspiration. And if we are not a genius, we might as well pack it in and give up. Either we have that gift, or we don’t. But Allen shows that simply isn’t true. Recent research has shown that there is a predictable science behind achieving commercial success in any creative endeavor, from writing a popular novel to starting up a successful company to creating an effective marketing campaign.

As the world’s most creative people have discovered, we are enticed by the novel and the familiar. By understanding the mechanics of what Gannett calls “the creative curve” – the point of optimal tension between the novel and the familiar – everyone can better engineer mainstream success.

In a thoroughly entertaining book that describes the stories and insights of everyone from the Broadway team behind Dear Evan Hansen, to the founder of Reddit, from the Chief Content Officer of Netflix to Michelin star chefs, Gannett reveals the four laws of creative success and identifies the common patterns behind their achievement.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"In this stimulating business manual, Gannett, founder and CEO of the marketing analytics firm TrackMaven, asserts, 'There is in fact a science behind what becomes a hit,' namely, neuroscience. He discusses recent psychological research into the appeal that both the novel and the familiar hold for people, writing that successful innovators “find the sweet spot” between 'safety and surprise, similarity and difference.' Gannett debunks the myth that creativity is imparted to select individuals by sharing the little-known but entertaining backstories to enduring creative breakthroughs by the Beatles, J.K. Rowling, and others. He also examines whether hard work and practice can compensate for a lack of innate talent. The central focus of Gannett’s treatise for entrepreneurs with an idea centers on his 'four laws of the creative curve,' which include consumption (familiarizing oneself with a chosen field), imitation (learning from successful predecessors), creative communities (finding collaborators and/or a support group), and iterations ('the use of data-driven processes to refine ideas'). Gannett offers the ideal balance of valuable instruction, accessible writing, and refreshing stories, providing tangible evidence that the creative process he advocates actually works for businesspeople."
— Publishers Weekly review

"The Creative Curve takes on one of the most pernicious beliefs about creativity -- that it is limited to natural-born geniuses. In fact, as Allen Gannett argues so capably, we all have the potential to come up with ingenious ideas and make them a reality. Seasoned with lively anecdotes, The Creative Curve will take you through the science and practice of creativity so that you can start tapping into your own breakthroughs.”
— Daniel Pink, author of WHEN and TO SELL IS HUMAN

"A juicy, rollicking tour along the path toward creativity. The good news is that there is no writer's block, and if you want it badly enough, creativity awaits."
— Seth Godin, author of Linchpin

“To anyone who thinks they are uninspired, stifled, or creatively infertile... this book is for you. Allen Gannett shows that you aren't truly any of those things. You're just doing it wrong.”
— Ann Handley, bestselling author of Everybody Writes

"Insightful, inventive and practical. . . The Creative Curve shifts our understanding of creativity from a difficult-to-repeat light-bulb moment into a well illuminated and researched path to continual inspiration and creative success."
— Shawn Achor, New York Times bestselling author of Big Potential and The Happiness Advantage

"All human beings have the potential for great creativity. Gannett explodes the myth that creativity is some mystical talent some are born with while others are not. Read this book to help understand how to unlock your own creativity, and the creativity of every person on your team."
— Kim Scott, New York Times bestselling author of Radical Candor

“The internet leveled the playing field for content creators, the creatively inclined and just about anyone interested in sharing their thoughts with others. The Creative Curve provides a learned perspective on how the structural barriers that prevent people from connecting with one another, and ultimately understanding each other, have shifted while showing how everyone has the ability to create their own creative masterpiece.”
—Alexis Ohanian, Cofounder of Initialized Capital, Reddit

"The perfect book for any marketer who feels that they want to be more creative but doesn't know how. Gannett makes clear that creating hit products and campaigns, is not something mystical, but rather a critical skill to learn and arm yourself with."
—Meagen Eisenberg, CMO of MongoDB

“If you want to understand creativity, and cultivate and maximize your own, The Creative Curve is the book you need.”
—Richard Florida, author of The Rise of The Creative Class

“The Creative Curve is a must read for digital marketers. Our job is to tell amazing stories that resonate with our audience. Gannett makes it clear that honing this skill is not only possible, but has a well-traveled roadmap.”
—Beverly Jackson, VP of Social Strategy for MGM Resorts International

“In The Creative Curve, Allen Gannett demystifies creativity and gives readers the tools to launch more creative lives. Through a powerful combination of research, stories and surprising insights, this delightful read makes creativity accessible for the self-identified non-creatives and empowers the creatives to maximize their potential”
—Sanyin Siang, CEO Coach and Executive Director, Duke University Coach K Center on Leadership & Ethics

“The Apollo lunar program is arguably humankind’s single most creative endeavor. Being a personal and professional passion of mine, I can say with certainty Apollo came from hard work. Now, fifty years later, Allen Gannett shows you a remarkable system to harness that same creative power for your idea or company and he does so in an engaging fast-paced way. What are you waiting for? With Allen as your guide, it’s time for your moon shot!”
—David Meerman Scott, bestselling author of ten books including Marketing the Moon: The Selling of the Apollo Lunar Program, soon to be a major film

“Drawing on interviews with highly successful entrepreneurs, Gannett shows that the generation of creative ideas is not the result of a stroke of genius—any more than are the winning performances of Olympic athletes. Both are the culmination of years of preparation and practice. His book uncovers the effective practice methods, such as intensive self-study and experimentation, the search for feedback from masters and peers, and gradual refinement of product ideas.”
—K. Anders Ericsson, Conradi Eminent Scholar and Professor of Psychology, Florida State University; and co-author of Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise

"The Creative Curve is a must-read for anyone in the business of innovation. And Allen Gannett is one of the smartest entrepreneurs and writers of his generation. His writing is fresh, compelling, and delightfully fun to get through. You'll find yourself wishing for even more."
—Shane Snow, author of Dream Teams and SmartCuts

About the Author

ALLEN GANNETT is the founder and CEO of TrackMaven, a software analytics firm whose clients have included Microsoft, Marriott, Saks Fifth Avenue, Home Depot, Aetna, Honda, and GE. He has been on the “30 Under 30” lists for both Inc. and Forbes.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Chapter 1

The Making of a Dream

It was November 1963.

Paul McCartney woke up obsessed with a melody he had heard while dreaming. The twenty-one-year-old pop star stumbled over to the small piano nestled in his room on the top floor of 57 Wimpole Street in central London.

What was that melody?

He sat at the piano, trying to re-create the notes he had heard in his sleep.

It felt so familiar.

He finally put it together: G, F-sharp minor 7th, B, E minor, and E. He played it again and again. He loved the way it sounded but was certain the melody must come from some half-forgotten song he had heard before. Like many musicians, he fretted that he might be borrowing the melody of another song. Too familiar, he thought. Where have I heard this before?

The melody McCartney heard in his dream would ultimately become “Yesterday,” the most recorded song in music history with three thousand different versions. It has been played more than seven million times on American television and radio and is the fourth-highest-grossing song of all time.

McCartney himself once said of his famous song, “It is possibly the smash of this century.” Indeed, “Yesterday” may well have been one of the twentieth century’s biggest hits, and, apparently, it was the result of a dream. He told an interviewer for The Beatles Anthology that the experience had a profound impact on how he viewed creativity: “It’s amazing that it just came to me in a dream. That’s why I don’t profess to know anything; I think music is all very mystical.”

For creativity researchers, Paul McCartney’s sudden melodic epiphany is a classic example of creativity coming to an artist unplanned, in a flash of genius: a “moment of inspiration,” in which an idea suddenly rises to one’s conscious awareness. It is the unexpected nature of these bursts of inspiration, with no apparent origin, that gives them a supernatural quality. Anyone who has had a great idea in the shower or on a run or walk has experienced some version of these moments.

Whether it is J. K. Rowling being struck with the idea for Harry Potter on a train to London, or Mozart being able to compose songs without effort, these accounts have become modern-day staples of what I call the inspiration theory of creativity: the idea that creative success results from a mysterious internal process punctuated by unpredictable flashes of genius. And our culture has embraced the idea that a self-reliant person, born with the right innate talents, can produce hits out of sheer inspiration.

What’s more, this view is not confined to the traditional arts, like music and literature. Steve Jobs, the prototypical genius of the digital age, explained, in an often-repeated quote, that creativity is an organic process: “When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn’t really do it, they just saw something.”

The inspiration theory of creativity dominates how most people think about creative greatness today. But why do these sudden moments of inspiration occur? Is sheer IQ genius the only explanation? If we studied the settings of these creative moments, would they verify or disprove the inspiration theory?

Name That Tune

The morning the melody for “Yesterday” came to McCartney was a typical lazy day. As was his routine, he awoke around noon. He and his girlfriend Jane would often stay out late at London’s restaurants and clubs.

McCartney worried about why the melody he woke up with was so clear, so concise. It seemed too finished, too complete. He assumed he had accidently plagiarized it. Was it from one of the classics he had heard his father play so often? “Stairway to Paradise”? “Chicago”? “Lullaby of the Leaves”?

The Beatles were thoughtful about creating their hits. Lennon once described to an interviewer how intentional the band had been when writing their first number-one single, “Please Please Me”: “We tried to make it as simple as possible . . . we aimed this one straight at the hit parade. It was my attempt at writing a Roy Orbison song.”

For McCartney, “Yesterday” was an explicit exception to his typical methodical songwriting process. The tune of “Yesterday” was like “a jazz melody,” McCartney later said. “My dad used to know a lot of old jazz tunes. I thought maybe I’d just remembered it from the past.”

He went to his friends and asked if they recognized the song.

First, he asked his songwriting partner, John Lennon. Lennon told him he had never heard it before. Still skeptical, McCartney tried his friend Lionel Bart, who had composed numerous hit songs. When McCartney hummed the melody, Bart drew a blank. It seemed as if the song might be original.

Still not convinced, McCartney pressed on. He tried to think of someone older and more experienced, someone who might be able to clear his conscience.

A few days later, McCartney visited Alma Cogan, a British singer known for the song “Dreamboat” and sixteen other hits. If anyone could recognize the song, she could.

He sat down at the piano and played the melody for Cogan and her sister. “It’s lovely,” Cogan said when he was done.

Had she heard it before? McCartney asked. Was it someone else’s song?

Cogan said, “No. It’s original. Nice song.”

Finally, McCartney was persuaded. He had seemingly dreamed a masterful melody, following the mystical nature of the inspiration theory of creativity.

We can interpret the inspiration theory in one of two ways.

The positive view is that a flash of genius can strike anyone. “Yesterday” came to McCartney in a dream, outside of his control. It’s possible that all of us can dream a chart-topping melody.

On the other hand, most of us believe that if we lack the raw talent or innate genius, these moments will never strike. The inspiration theory of creativity is only relevant for those born with so-called genius.

As a result, many of us are tempted to put aside any ambition to become the next great musician, novelist, or entrepreneur, settling instead to be a consumer or patron of the arts. Meanwhile, the optimistic ones are just waiting, hoping for a sudden flash of inspiration to visit them.

The inspiration theory is supported by countless anecdotes from the creative artists of our time. Authors talk of waiting for creative inspiration. Entrepreneurs talk of waiting for a great idea to strike. Musicians talk of falling into a creative groove.

There are countless books and blog posts on creativity, offering suggestions on how we can push through writer’s block or discover our “flow.” Biopics of great artists amplify the inevitability of their creativity, as well as suggesting it is the domain of mad geniuses.

Meanwhile, the rest of us are left on the sidelines.

But what if this entire theory is wrong? What if you don’t have to wait for lightning to strike?

The Road to “Yesterday”

While the sudden creation story of “Yesterday” is relatively well known, what is less known is how McCartney went from the original melody to crafting the full song.

The notion that this song came to McCartney in an instant is wrong.

All that had come to him in the dream was a simple chord progression. When McCartney awoke with a melody in his head, it was a long way from a completed song. For one thing, the tune had no words. He knew he needed to come up with placeholder lyrics while he continued working on the song’s structure.

As he was playing the melody to Alma Cogan, her mother walked into the room, asking, “Anyone like some scrambled eggs?”

This gave McCartney the temporary lyric he needed: Scrambled Eggs.

The initial lyrics he came up with were:

Scrambled eggs

Oh, my baby, how I love your legs

Diddle diddle

I believe in scrambled eggs.

From there, it took almost twenty months of grueling work to complete the song. McCartney became obsessed. While he worked on it, the people around McCartney became sick of hearing about his ever-changing song in progress.

As George Harrison told an interviewer about that period, “He’s always talking about that song. You’d think he was Beethoven or somebody . . .”

Even when the Beatles started filming their second movie, Help!, McCartney didn’t waver. He worked on the song during breaks. At one point, the film’s producer, Dick Lester, was so fed up that he said, “If you play that bloody song any longer, I’ll have the piano taken offstage. Either finish it, or give it up!”

Later, on their first tour through France, Paul had a piano placed in their hotel room so that he could continue working on “Yesterday.” It paid off. When producer George Martin first heard the song, he was mesmerized. It was different. In fact, it was so original that he was worried that it wouldn’t fit into a Beatles album.

McCartney realized that the song needed melancholy lyrics (scrambled eggs were not a valid topic for a brooding song). “I remember thinking that people liked sad tunes; they like to wallow a bit when they’re alone, to put a record on and go, ‘Ahh.’ ” He finally finished the song, sketching out the final lyrics, on a trip to Portugal in May 1965.

A month later he went to the studio with George Martin to record “Yesterday.” According to Martin, McCartney came into Studio Two at EMI and played “Yesterday” on an acoustic guitar. The only change Martin could think of adding was orchestral strings. Paul, however, thought that was too much. In response, Martin suggested a quartet, and with that melodic but dark addition, “Yesterday” was born.

The iconic song that is remembered as the result of a flash of genius was, in fact, a nearly two-year odyssey—one that at times wore McCartney (and his friends) down. While the mythology behind the Beatles celebrates the story of “Yesterday” as one of sudden creative genius, as we’ve seen it was hardly a linear path from dream to recording. “Yesterday” was not a pure product of a light-bulb moment. It was hard, grueling work.

But couldn’t you argue that it began with an initial moment of divine inspiration? How do we account for that?

There is a cottage industry of researchers who are fascinated by the origin story of “Yesterday”: academics interested in creativity, music historians, and avid Beatles fans. All have worked to answer the question of where the melody really came from.

The most enlightening theory of the origin of “Yesterday” comes from Beatles expert Ian Hammond, who points out that the song “is a direct evolution of the melody from the Ray Charles version of ‘Georgia on My Mind.’ Not only does ‘Yesterday’ share a chord progression with the earlier song, but it also mirrors the bass lines of ‘Georgia on My Mind.’ ”

True enough, the Beatles and Paul McCartney were big admirers of Ray Charles. They kicked off their career playing his covers in the bars and clubs of Hamburg, Germany. John Lennon said that when they started playing their own songs, it was a “quite traumatic thing because we were doing such great numbers of other people’s, of Ray Charles and [Little] Richard and all of them.”

For Paul McCartney, what looked like divine inspiration was in fact likely the result of subconscious processing of music he loved. Like most music, it was an evolution of the chord progressions that already existed. In fact, as Hammond points out, Ray Charles’s version of “Georgia on My Mind” was an evolution of Hoagy Carmichael’s original version of the song. This type of ingestion, reinvention, and influence is common in stories of creative success.

When McCartney reflects on how he wrote “Yesterday,” he tends to focus on his sudden inspiration for the tune. But, in at least one interview, he acknowledged that there was something more mechanical at work: “If you’re very spiritual then God sent me a melody, I’m a mere vehicle. If you wanna be a bit more cynical, then I was loading my computer for millions of years listening to all the stuff I listened to through my dad and through my musical tastes, including people like Fred Astaire, Gershwin, and finally my computer printed out one morning what it thought was a good tune.”

The things we view as unexplainable genius often have a genesis of some sort.

The inspiration theory of creativity has been around for thousands of years, since the era of ancient Greece. While the theory is still breathlessly recounted in the press, modern research that I’ll discuss demonstrates that creative potential is within all of us.

However, if our perception of McCartney and other creative artists is flawed—if they are more accurately described as tireless and intensely focused—that still does not explain how they achieved commercial success. Plenty of artists toil away for years at their craft without recognition or acclaim. An endless procession of novelists has labored tirelessly for years writing novels that never sell a copy. Many painters, sculptors, choreographers, and musicians work for years without ever tasting critical or commercial success. Clearly, popular success is not just a matter of sweat equity.

Could it be possible to identify the true causes of creative success?

Chapter 2

Learning a Lie

As I said earlier, I have always been addicted to recognizing patterns. Much of the phenomena we observe that seem organic or unique are actually the result of repeating processes and systems. By decoding the right patterns, I believe you can achieve goals ranging from the frivolous to the meaningful.

When I was eighteen, I set my sights on getting on a game show. It seemed like an unusual challenge, yet one that offered a potentially fun and lucrative reward. So, I applied to all the shows I had heard of (and some I hadn’t known existed).

Some asked for essays. Others, like Jeopardy, asked you to take online tests. Still others, like Wheel of Fortune, simply requested you fill out a form.

I sent away e-mails and filled out web forms, and then I waited.

After months of not hearing anything, one day an e-mail appeared asking me to audition for Wheel of Fortune. Rather than study the puzzles, I decided I would spend the weeks before my audition trying to figure out what the producers wanted. I watched dozens of episodes, looking for common elements in the contestants’ behavior. I delved through message boards about how the game worked, and read blog posts about other peoples’ experiences auditioning. After hours of research, I found a pattern: the casting team wasn’t looking for expert puzzle-solvers. They were seeking contestants who could enunciate (and really loudly, too), were willing to embarrass themselves, and who came across to a home audience as over-the-top and energetic.

That’s why instead of studying vocab words, I came up with various ways I could embarrass myself. I worked on an Elmo impression that I thought might make the audience laugh—or cringe—and on the morning of my audition, I drank two shots of espresso. A lack of energy would not be an obstacle.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B075PVQ99T
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Crown Currency (June 12, 2018)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 12, 2018
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 21610 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 296 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #749,093 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #231 in Psychology of Creativity & Genius
- #752 in Popular Psychology Creativity & Genius
- #1,666 in Personal Success in Business

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Allen Gannett

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Allen Gannett was the founder and CEO of TrackMaven, a marketing analytics platform whose clients included Microsoft, Marriott, Saks Fifth Avenue, Home Depot, Aetna, Honda, and GE. In 2018 it merged with Skyword, the leading content marketing platform, where he now serves as Chief Strategy Officer. He has been on the “30 Under 30” lists for both Inc. and Forbes. His book The Creative Curve, came out June 2018 from Currency, a division of Penguin Random House. The book has been featured on CNBC, Forbes, numerous top podcasts, and has been translated into eight other languages. Most importantly, he was once a very pitiful runner-up on Wheel of Fortune.

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Chris

⭐️Impactful. Keeps genius alive!⭐️

Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2019

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Keeping genius alive! Allen has scripted a true gem and anyone who appreciates storytelling in a way that truly breaks new ground must partake! Anyone who is driven and motivated will find this book is full steam ahead!! This is an absolutely fine read. Allen chooses to take us on a journey to crack the myth of the creative curve. He manages to weave the story together perfectly as spoken through the stories of many, some well known and some not. His stories start with Paul McCartney and end with JK Rowling. He covers inspirational and relevant stories from a variety industries including; music, art, fashion, technology, film, business, literature and yes- even ice cream. He tests inspiration theory and those forever discussed and baffling “aha moments”. Some of the most compelling themes involve consumption and the impact on pattern recognition. With this in mind, and all the hard work, dedication and focus to get there, those “aha moments” that appear to be a stroke of genius are actually a product of something else. So much more here!

The research he did for this book is incredible and the 14 pages of referencing notes at the end of the book is some evidence of that. His parting note is extremely thoughtful and reflective. Everyone has it in them to prepare for the moment. Train like geniuses, and watch out for lightning 🌩 !!

One person found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

An Essential Narrative Must Read for Creative People

Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2018

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Allen Gannett’s “The Creactive Curve” is an essential narrative must read that seeks to disprove the idea that creativity consists of inspirational visions rather than through the application of successful practices.

I felt like the author successfully embraced the research process; which was demonstrated by his reflection of dozens of interviews with top influencers. I was also impressed with his selection of works consulted; which can be used as a resource of fascinating information for anyone interested in learning about making the world more creative.

The author’s enthusiasm for the topic is obvious throughout the book.
Highlights include:

The author’s identification, organization, and explanation of four patterns commonly used by creative achievers.

The author’s ability to educate, entertain, and motivate anyone who wants to have moments of creative genius.

An interesting account of the history and science of creativity throughout centuries.

Overall, this book is a detailed story of the advancement of creativity and it is shown in a readable and engaging style. Each chapter is filled with an in-depth analysis of various aspects of being successful in a creative field. It will ignite your curiosity and it allow you to “get that much closer to creating and executing your own great ideas.”

If you are looking for a book that catches your attention and doesn’t let go...
“The Creative Curve” is the book for you.

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Garrett Klausner

A two-session must-read for any career-focused individual

Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2018

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To start, this is a quick read, and it is certainly worth the time investment to go from cover to cover. There are a myriad of books that are suggested reading as a prospective entrepreneur, so it is imperative that the book respects your time, which The Creative Curve does. Mr. Gannett introduces his concept, the "Creative Curve", and uses the very same "Four Laws" he describes (Consumption, Imitation, Creative Communities, and Iterations) to bring to the table an idea not entirely novel, comfortingly familiar, yet strikingly of need to be gutted and methodically analyzed.

Who is this for?
- This is for anyone who knows they want to set off on a creative path, but are unsure of taking the first leap. I'd also happily recommend this to any individual who may suffer from imposter syndrome, as this book will demystify the circumstances that garnered success thus far, and will describe how one may continue fruitfully.

Why you should read this?
- Do you ever find yourself wondering when your big hit idea will come to you? Do you envy the genius of Mozart or Jobs? Ever wondered if a Ben & Jerry's pickle-flavored sorbet would be good? Do you get a kick out of pop-psychology books? If so, there's something for you in these pages.

Caveats: The interviews in this book are not often extensively relayed to the reader, so if you buy this solely on the hope of learning the inner-workings of Mike Einziger's mind, you will be left feeling a bit unsatisfied.

This book will be holding a prominent place on my bookshelf for some time to come, and I hope it does the same with yours.

One person found this helpful

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Joseph Nelson

The science of creativity delivered in an entertaining fashion

Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2018

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The Creative Curve debunks the myth that creativity is innate or a lightning sensation and provides insightful recommendations on how to hone one's creative process.

There's two parts: (1) an enjoyable, academically verified review of what Creativity (vs creativity) is and (2) anecdotes and insights from living creative 'geniuses' from Disney, Ben & Jerry's, Netflix, and more.

Typically, books that debunk societal norms (e.g. "Natural talent is the key to creativity") rely on straw-man anecdotes. Instead, Allen applies rigorous research to convince the reader otherwise. Allen laces in relatable, fun anecdotes along the way. (Did you know Mozart's first concierto was at age 14, not 3, and after 10 years of Europe's best private tutors?) The concise yet playful writing style has you read a near literature review on the science of creativity without even realizing it. The book then transitions to Allen distilling his learnings from interviewing dozens of breakout creative successes.

Spoiler: while creativity isn't magic, the truth is it is an excessive amount of deliberate practice!

PS: I attached photo of me and my reading buddy.

30 people found this helpful

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Cliente Kindle

Very inspiring reading

Reviewed in Brazil on September 11, 2020

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This book is a very good reading for those looking to learn more about creative and the creating process I love it.

Mariana

Creatividad con ciencia

Reviewed in Mexico on June 11, 2020

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Si eres de los que piensa que la creatividad solamente es para un par de personas, con este libro te darás cuenta que no es así, el autor toma referencias de grandes autores para demostrar que se requiere una visión para poder ser creativo. Muy interesante, demasiado revelador y ligero de lectura.
No se requieren muchos conocimientos en marketing o publicidad para poder entender el punto del autor. Se hace muy sencillo de leer y lo mejor es que te deja con ganas de aprender más. 5 horas en promedio de lectura.
Ampliamente recomendado.

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Amazon Customer

Creativity is a skill, not a bolt out of the blue.

Reviewed in Canada on August 5, 2018

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I found Allen’s book by accident. The title “The Creative Curve” interested me after reading a couple social media comments. The book illustrates a few easy to accomplish skills and techniques to help with the creative process. It really is a simple process that is illustrated by well crafted examples about how to form creative, new and novel ideas. The easy reading and stories made me feel like we were having a friendly and engaging conversation.

Rather than describing the uncomplicated laws as they are called in the book, I’ll let the reader discover and explore the creative process on their own. The experience of reading through the four laws has as much value as the descriptive stories and insights gained from Allen’s one-on-one interviews.

“The Creative Curve” not only shows how anyone can get the creative ideas flowing, it also provides insight into how to continue developing new and innovative ideas. This is the left side of the creative curve. Again, I will not spoil your reading here. The left side of the curve is definitely where you want to be.

I recommend this book to everyone who has struggled to produce ideas that are familiar enough to be accepted, new enough to be different from the rest and intriguing enough to get the desired and continued attention. Allen’s parting words ring true to me. Getting the right idea is only the start of a lot of hard work. An idea doesn’t live long on its own. In needs to be conceived, refined, organized for presentation and then tested by opinion (and repeat as necessary).

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Aleksandar Zlatkov

Kreativität ist (meistens) kein Geniestreich

Reviewed in Germany on January 17, 2020

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Dieses Buch ist für jeden der kreativ sein möchte und Ideen umsetzen will ein absolutes Muss. Kreativität ist in der heutigen Zeit ein sehr geläufiger Begriff. Wenige wissen jedoch, dass Kreativität nichts mit genetischen Faktoren oder “kreativen” Gehirnhälften zu tun hat. In diesem Buch wird eines ganz klar kommuniziert: KREATIVITÄT IST ERLERNBAR UND FOLGT BESTIMMTEN MUSTERN. Aus diesem Grund empfehle ich dieses Buch weiter- um Leute zu motivieren kreativ zu werden und ihr kreatives Potential zu nutzen. Jeder kann es, wenn man’s will.

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Ashley Davidson-Fisher

Helped Me Jump Start The Creative Side That I Never Thought I Had

Reviewed in France on September 22, 2018

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Everyone can learning to be creative. We all have a creative side, it's just finding it that's the problem for some. I used to think that I was not a creative person. I believed that people were either born "with it" or "without it" and I got shoved into the "without it" line when creativity was being handed out. Guess what?? It's not true. We all have creativity inside and Allen's book breaks down the why, the how, the when and all that's in between and explains the reasoning behind hitting that creative curve. He shares how there is a pattern to developing your ideas, how the things that you intrinsically do in your life can push you towards your path of creativity. You just have to recognize it and harness it. This book is for everyone who's just waiting for that little spark, or push, in order to believe in themselves and their own creativity. I highly recommend it!

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