Creative Quest

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Books written by celebrities can sometimes fall flat, but Creative Quest, Questlove's book about the process of creativity, is surprisingly terrific. It's smart but readable, inspirational but no-nonsense, and chock-full of advice and stories. Super practical and informative in addition to entertaining — what's not to love? Recommended By Leah C., Powells.com

What is creativity? Do you have it? How can you make it work for you?

Questlove — musician, bandleader, designer, producer, culinary entrepreneur, professor, and all-around cultural omnivore — draws on a lifetime of experience to offer insights into how to build the best creative life, and how to let the best creative life build you. Questlove has worked with or around hundreds of other artists, and engaged in dialogue with them regarding the creative process, whether in person or from an appreciation of their work: musicians like D’Angelo and Björk, filmmakers like Ava DuVernay and Mike Birbiglia, comedians, chefs, designers, writers, and more. In Creative Quest, Questlove synthesizes all the creative lessons and stories he’s collected from these collaborators, mentors, and colleagues, as well as reflecting on his own experience. The result is a guide to the role of creativity in everyday life: where it comes from, where it goes, where it leads you. Whether you’re curious about how to find that initial spark, unsure about how to handle failure (or for that matter, success), or unclear how to keep inspiration alive, Questlove’s sharp, wise, and witty philosophy of creativity displays the candor and enthusiasm that fans have come to expect.

“I read so many books, and I have time for so few of them. This book paid off every minute: I loved keeping company with Questlove’s agile mind as he worked through the problems and promises of creativity.” Issa Rae

“Questlove never stops. He doesn’t set limitations or let fear guide his creativity, his imagination, or his dreaming. When Questlove says he’s going to do something, he will find out how to do whatever that is, and become a master at it. I can’t think of a person more suited to write a book about being creative.” Jimmy Fallon

“Creativity presents an opportunity for people from all walks of life to be heard. Questlove brilliantly delivers a must-read guide for all creatives, who desire to define and cultivate their own, unique voice.” Lena Waithe

“Creative Quest is a comprehensive, funny, and honest exploration of artistic process. My favorite read this year.” Donald Glover

NAMED A MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF 2018 BY Esquire - PopSugar - The Huffington Post - Buzzfeed - Publishers Weekly

A unique new guide to creativity from Questlove--inspirations, stories, and lessons on how to live your best creative life

Questlove--musician, bandleader, designer, producer, culinary entrepreneur, professor, and all-around cultural omnivore--shares his wisdom on the topics of inspiration and originality in a one-of-a-kind guide to living your best creative life.

In Creative Quest, Questlove synthesizes all the creative philosophies, lessons, and stories he's heard from the many creators and collaborators in his life, and reflects on his own experience, to advise readers and fans on how to consider creativity and where to find it. He addresses many topics--what it means to be creative, how to find a mentor and serve as an apprentice, the wisdom of maintaining a creative network, coping with critics and the foibles of success, and the specific pitfalls of contemporary culture--all in the service of guiding admirers who have followed his career and newcomers not yet acquainted with his story.

Whether discussing his own life or channeling the lessons he's learned from forefathers such as George Clinton, collaborators like D'Angelo, or like-minded artists including Ava DuVernay, David Byrne, Bj rk, and others, Questlove speaks with the candor and enthusiasm that fans have come to expect. Creative Quest is many things--above all, a wise and wide-ranging conversation around the eternal mystery of creativity.

--Hank Willis Thomas

Questlove is a drummer, DJ, music producer, executive producer for film and television, culinary entrepreneur, designer, New York Times bestselling and James Beard Award–nominated author, and cofounder of Philadelphia’s most influential hip-hop group, the Roots. He serves as the musical director for the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where the Roots are the house band, and is a four-time Grammy Award–winning musician.

Ben Greenman is a New York Times bestselling author who has written more than a dozen books of fiction and nonfiction.