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Creativity by John Cleese
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Creativity

A Short and Cheerful Guide
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Narrator John Cleese

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Length 58 minutes
Language English
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Brought to you by Penguin.

We can all be more creative. John Cleese shows us how.

Creativity is usually regarded as a mysterious, rare gift that only a few possess. John Cleese begs to differ, and in this short, immensely practical and often very amusing guide he shows it's a skill that anyone can acquire. Drawing on his lifelong experience as a writer, he shares his insights into the nature of the creative process, and offers advice on how to get your own inventive juices flowing.

What do you need to do to get yourself in the right frame of mind? When do you know that you've come up with something that might be worth pursuing? What do you do if you think you've hit a brick wall?

Not only does he explain the way your mind works as you search for inspiration, he also shows that, regardless of the task you've set yourself, you can learn to be better at coming up with a promising idea, refining it and knowing when you're ready to act on it.

We can all unlock new reserves of creativity within ourselves. John Cleese shows us how.

'Humorous and practical ... Whether you're hoping to write a novel or paint a masterpiece, you're sure to feel inspired' OK Magazine

'His candor is endearing ... An upbeat guide to the creative process' Kirkus

'A jovial romp ... Cleese fans will enjoy, and writers and other artists will breeze through, picking up a few nuggets of wisdom along the way' The Festival Review

'A sincere and thoughtful guide to creativity, and a very useful book' Graham Norton

'Wise words on the serious business of being silly' Sunday Business Post

ยฉ John Cleese 2020 (P) Penguin Audio 2020

John Marwood Cleese was born in 1939 in Weston-Super-Mare. He studied Law at Cambridge University and has enjoyed a successful career in comedy, theatre, film and television.

He first achieved success at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and as a scriptwriter and performer on The Frost Report. In the late 1960s, he co-founded Monty Python, the comedy troupe responsible for the sketch show Monty Python's Flying Circus and the four Monty Python films: And Now for Something Completely Different, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Life of Brian and The Meaning of Life.

In the mid-1970s, Cleese and his first wife, Connie Booth, co-wrote and starred in the British sitcom Fawlty Towers. Later, he co-starred with Kevin Kline, Jamie Lee Curtis and former Python colleague Michael Palin in A Fish Called Wanda and Fierce Creatures. He has appeared in many other films, including the James Bond films, Harry Potter and Shrek and has guest-starred in numerous TV shows.

John Marwood Cleese was born in 1939 in Weston-Super-Mare. He studied Law at Cambridge University and has enjoyed a successful career in comedy, theatre, film and television.

He first achieved success at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and as a scriptwriter and performer on The Frost Report. In the late 1960s, he co-founded Monty Python, the comedy troupe responsible for the sketch show Monty Python's Flying Circus and the four Monty Python films: And Now for Something Completely Different, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Life of Brian and The Meaning of Life.

In the mid-1970s, Cleese and his first wife, Connie Booth, co-wrote and starred in the British sitcom Fawlty Towers. Later, he co-starred with Kevin Kline, Jamie Lee Curtis and former Python colleague Michael Palin in A Fish Called Wanda and Fierce Creatures. He has appeared in many other films, including the James Bond films, Harry Potter and Shrek and has guest-starred in numerous TV shows.

Illustration of person sitting

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Reviews

'[A] humorous and practical guide . . . Whether you're hoping to write a novel or paint a masterpiece, you're sure to feel inspired' A versatile entertainer shares encouraging advice. . . his candour is endearing. An upbeat guide to the creative process. Wise words on the serious business of being silly. Drawing on his lifelong experience as a writer, John Cleese shares his insights into the nature of the creative process, and offers advice on how to get your own inventive juices flowing in this humorous and practical guide. A sincere and thoughtful guide to creativity, and a very useful book! Expand reviews
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