The Artist Way Toolkit App Review
If you have ever had writer’s block, then you will be happy to discover there is now an app that can help solve your problem. If you have heard of Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way, then you are aware that the twelve week, freeing your creativity program is popular with writers, artists and other creative souls. In January, Penguin Group launched the My Artist’s Way Toolkit and App.
The App works with an iPhone or iPad, but is a bit unique because it is subscription based. Users can subscribe by the month for $4.99 or can sign up for a full year for $3.99 per month. That is a $12 savings over the course of the year. The app offers features such as daily affirmations and a digital notebook.
The affirmations can also be e-mailed to your friends and writing colleagues to provide additional support or simply to share the goals you hope to accomplish by following the Artist’s Way method. Stuck on an idea for an artist’s date? The app has solutions for that problem as well and all the tabs match up to the weeks within Julia Cameron’s book, so that the person following the Artist’s Way program has a seamless experience.
While it is not necessary to own the print copy of the book The Artist’s Way to use the app, it is nearly impossible to refill your “creative well” without understanding the concepts within the book. The app works best when used in conjunction with the book.
When you login from the main screen to access the program an interactive notebook lies to the right and to the left are tools like daily affirmations, inspiration, creative soundbites and daily meditations. There is even a blank area where you can jot ideas. Suddenly inspired to write a novel and want to get the idea down? Type it in this box and record it to come back to at a later time.
On the right, where the journal is located, are also some tabs. You can access notes later by clicking on the appropriate tab. You can record artist dates, view ideas for artist’s dates, and find a place to complete tasks that match the week in The Artist’s Way that you are on. For those who have trouble seeing, you can personalize the app by changing the font size and shape or even the background color.
Pros
- The program is easy to use and navigate through the different features.
- The journal is saved so you can read back through it later.
- The daily affirmations at your fingertips.
Cons
- The journal is kept electronically and Cameron recommends the actual act of writing with a pen and paper in her book.
- There is limited availability with some devices.
- It would be nice to add a music feature to play while working on the morning pages or for added inspiration.
For artists who are trying to do The Artist’s Way while juggling a busy schedule, this app may solve the problem of getting in daily journal pages, weekly tasks and regular artist dates. It is yet another tool in the creative person’s arsenal to help unclog frozen creativity and solve writer’s block.
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Topic Links
* Visit the Artist Way Toolkit online.
