What inspired "The War of Art"?
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"The War of Art" by was inspired by his own encounters and conversations about resistance in creative endeavors. As a working writer, Steven would often find friends asking for advice on writing their own books. He would warn them about a formidable force he called "resistance," which manifests as procrastination, fear, and self-sabotage. After many late-night sessions trying to help his friends overcome this resistance, he decided to formalize his advice in a written format. This led to the creation of "The War of Art," a book aimed at helping individuals recognize and battle the internal obstacles that impede their creative work 1 2.
Steven described resistance as a negative force that radiates from the blank page, trying to push the writer away. Initially, he believed this struggle was unique to him, but soon realized it was a universal experience for all creatives 3 4. His idea of resistance speaks to anyone attempting to move from a lower level to a higher level, whether morally, ethically, or creatively 2.
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