A great introduction to self help books. The little nuggets of wisdom were amazing and inspirational. this actually motivated me to thiink outside the box!

Recommend!

'Zen Pencils: Creative Struggle' by Gavin Aung Than is a new volume in the inspiring cartoon series.

This time around creative blocks are discussed in the words of famous people who have had them. From Vincent Van Gogh and his blank canvas to Ludwig Van Beethoven and his dwindling hearing, these are pretty inspiring stories about where to create and how to overcome the adversity that keeps the artist from creating.

I really like this series. The art is good and the quotes here are inspiring. Included is more information about most of those included in the book.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.

I have no idea what took me so long to come to write this review, but I have always loved Zen pencils blog so much had to read the book too. I wasn't disappointed. The thing with Zen penils, as against other illustrated, digital webcomics, and the like is that it makes you pause and think, quite a bit. So I cannot binge it the way I binge on other books. But it still feels quite satisfying having read through the wisdom.

Using well known examples from literary, scientific, artistic and musical greatness, Gavin Aung Than has compiled a collection that highlights both the struggles and successes of these creative lives. Comics are used to illustrate quotes from each person. These are accompanied by a short summary of their lives.

The people included in this book faced various struggles including addiction, physical and mental illness, rejection, grief and lack of recognition of their genius during their lives. Despite these, and sometimes because of them, they persevered and have ultimately become known for their creations.

This is the type of book I’d usually purchase as a gift or borrow from the library for myself. However I didn’t encounter a great deal in this book that I wasn’t already aware of. For example, I’m sure most creative people already know the story of how Mary Shelley came up with ‘Frankenstein’.

Unfortunately I got put off while reading about Van Gogh, whose life was the first explored in the book. The insensitivity of “He even failed at committing suicide” made my skin crawl.

I hope this book encourages people to persevere with their creative endeavours with the knowledge that, while there are no success only journeys, the journey is also important. If you don’t at least try you’ll never know what could have been.

Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.

This was one of your typical, feel-good motivational reads. It basically pulled on the stories of several famous artists, told us about their struggles in the beginning, then talked about how well-known they are now. The point was to make you feel like even if you're not doing well now, things will get better and you'll achieve the success you strive for. It's a good message, but it was pretty typical, to be honest. This novel might be a good pick-me-up for someone though. The art is nice, at least.

My Thoughts on Zen Pencils: Creative Struggle:
I discovered Gavin Aung Than through one of the other books in the Zen Pencils series: Zen Pencils – Inspirational Quotes for Kids. When you read that review, you will know how glad I was to discover this talented creative. This book simply increased that gladness!

Gavin includes personalities from all walks of life and from all over the world. There are people from the past and the present in this collection. He brilliantly illustrates both their struggles and their ultimate successes, showing that there is always light at the end of the tunnel. He provides little known facts about them through details in his drawings and the words. Gavin uses both biographical and autobiographical sketches of these creative greats to illustrate this point (from what I gleaned after reading this brilliant book) –

You Can Do It if You Can Dream It, You Just Need to Act and Keep At It, No Matter the Odds.

While the message and many of these stories might be familiar, it is Gavin’s presentation and the little details that he includes that make this book truly wonderful.

Sometimes, it is the inspirational, like the story ‘The Eternal Struggle’ that superbly illustrates Brene Brown’s brilliant words: “There is no such thing as creative people and non-creative people. There are only people who use their creativity, and people who don’t.”

Zen Pencils Creative Struggle Brene Brown
Image Courtesy: Zen Pencils: Creative Struggle

At others, it is artfully portrayed quirks:

Zen Pencils: Creative Struggle Frida
Image Courtesy: Zen Pencils: Creative Struggle

And at yet other times, something that truly needs to be said OUT LOUD. And this is a lesson I am relearning and trying to inculcate in my kids, oh so much. The story behind this image below is Akira Kurosawa’s quote on note-taking and how it helps.

Kurosawa Zen Pencils: Creative Struggle
Image Courtesy: Zen Pencils: Creative Struggle

One additional point to note:
And I would be remiss if I did not mention that one of the best pieces of inspirational advice for me came from Gavin himself – also included in the book! Dealing with current-day issues and distractions, and overcoming them makes this particular inclusion so very relevant.

Empower yourself out of your slump with this brilliant Zen Pencils book. Click to tweet.

In Summary:
Zen Pencils: Creative Struggle is a book that will inspire anyone. So gift it to that anyone in your life who needs a shot of inspiration at anytime – you, me, and everyone else – because everyone will benefit from inspiration! This is a great addition to school and home libraries, and a unique way to introduce kids (and adults) to these wonderful personalities.

Side Note: I definitely learned a lot more than I knew before about all the people included in this book. And I feel truly inspired and encouraged to do as Gavin says at the end of the book – put the book down and get to work!!

Rating: A+
Reading Level: 9 years and above (some of the illustrations might be a bit graphic but no more than included in cartoons or comics; still a word of caution for those who might want to read it with the younger audiences to check for themselves)
Reread Level: 5/5

Disclaimer: Thank You #NetGalley for introducing me to Zen Pencils and for the original DRC of this book. The opinions are my own and made by re-reading another copy of the book.

5 helms

Please follow me on my blog :) Review originally posted on Vellum Voyages (www.vellumvoyages.com)


I really enjoyed reading this.....Not only was it informative about some major creative figures and their lives but it was also inspirational....especially if you are one of those lucky creative souls! Creative struggles inspires you to keep your chin up....remember everyone is a critic...but you can't please everyone when you want to please yourself...And for those seeking a creative pathway, this is again an encouraging read...yes Da Vinci had doubts too!

I really enjoyed this book as it brings many great creatives to a more human level and encourages the rest of us to not give up!

I recommend this to anyone looking for some light, entertaining, inspirational and informative reading :)

*Thank-you Gavin Aung Than, Netgalley & Andrews McMeel Publishing for the ARC.

Equally helpful and informative, Creative Struggle is another amazing comic from Zen Pencils that gives advice and encouragement in the shape of little stories about well-known "genius"

Gavin Aung Than has found a unique approach to introducing the young reader to the backstory behind those famous people whose names are a familiar part of our modern culture. What a surprise that their talents didn't flow naturally but were often accompanied by numerous trials and tribulations, providing inspiration to others as they persevered in spite of poverty, physical infirmaries, lack of opportunities, internal demons, or other adversities.

Zen Pencils - Creative Struggle: Illustrated Advice from Masters of Creativity uses cartooning, quotes, and biographical sketches to tell these stories, showcasing that even the greatest creative minds had challenges to overcome. The delightful caricatures of each subject along with Than's colorful, descriptive illustrations perfectly express the emotions behind their own words describing the visionary processes surrounding their life's work.

Included in the 150 page book were Artists (Vincent Van Gogh, Leonardo Da Vinci, and Frida Kahlo), Scientists (Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, and Nikola Tesla), Writers ( Mary Shelley, Stephen King, Ernest Hemingway, and Japanese film director and screen writer Amira Kurosawa), Musicians (Ludwig Van Beethoven, Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, and John Coltrane), with three "Creative Pep Talks" by Jiddu Krishnamurti - a philosopher from India, Brene Brown - a research professor at the University of Houston, and the author, Gavin Aung Than - a cartoonist. In addition, references to the full length works which assisted the author in his research provides a pathway for those who are motivated to read beyond the excerpts included in the book.

While anyone can pick up this book, I think its strength is in filling a neglected niche for upper elementary and middle school students. While there is not enough information to use this book as a research tool for upper grades, it is an interesting introduction to some of the personalities who have made a name for themselves via their contributions to society. I also appreciated that the names chosen represented a diversity of race and nationality covering various eras of world history. I definitely found this title more relevant for children than Than's other comic book endeavor, Zen Pencils - Inspirational Quotes for Kids.

Four stars and a thank you to Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was pretty pleased with this little volume, though I wish there had been a bit more concrete advice peppered in with all of the great quotes. I thought the illustrations were definitely a nice edition and I think this could be a fun book to have around and share in creative circles.

This book gives wonderful bite-sized biography of creative thinkers through bright comic illustrations. The biographies balance the portrayal of facts with comedy in a way that will appeal to younger readers as well as adults. The biographies are a great way to learn a little something new when you have five minutes to fill while waiting for your kid at the bus stop.

I expected more illustrated quotes, like the last Zen Pencils book. I appreciated the longer quotes, the more complex stories and imagery. The hidden gem, though, is the brief biography laying out the challenges and creative barriers for the various figures.

The latest Zen Pencils book brings us the story of various visionary innovators and how they harnessed their creativity. Perfect for Growth Mindset lessons.

Gavin Aung Than's derivative and ridiculously exaggerated comics manage to make what should be inspiring quotes appear trite and derivative. Breaking the quotes up into caption boxes over multiple panels also makes it hard to follow the thrust of the content.

It doesn't help that his source choices are so generic -- you've likely heard these stories (about Einstein, van Gogh, Stephen King, Mary Shelley) before. His additional text could have been created by computer, it's so redundant. The worst kind of "I think I can add something to the words of the great in order to make a new product and get some reflected glory (and money) for myself."

For an aspirant writer, who wants to start writing her debut novel this year, Zen Pencils: Creative Struggle was definitely an important and inspiring read.

It shares a light on how everyone's method is different, specially creators: everyone has a different method and a different goal, but all good creators stick to their goal and don't budge while facing insecurities. You don't have to be born a genius to create, you just have to do it. Nothing comes alive out of nowhere, and Gavin Aung Than explained that exact thought in this book.

Don't wait to be the next Leonardo da Vinci, or Stephen King, just do what you feel passionate about and don't let fear, insecurities or even procrastination stop you. Just create.

Sadly, i wasnt able to finish this before its expiry. I had only a quarter left. So sad about it.

I was really enjoying the book. I loved the illustrations and the stories and then the motivational information about the different creative, talented people.

In short, this was informative, intriguing and quite enjoyable.

I will be getting the book as to continue with it and also buy this as a gift.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the Publishers for this review copy.

Creative Struggle is wonderful. It is such an uplifting, inspirational book. I was familiar with Zen Pencils before picking up this book, so I was thrilled to see this collection.

My favorite piece was the section on Stephen King and his giant desk. Its inspiring to see the priorities of someone you consider to be the best of the best.

I really enjoyed seeing the struggles and successes of some of the most well known people that have ever lived. It was inspiring to read about how they all persevered in spite of what life threw at them. I found myself learning quite a lot about the human behind familliar names ( like Frida Khalo and the bus!! OMG THAT WOMAN WAS INCREDIBLE).

Overall I thought this book was great. Probably not something I would reread as a whole, but I would absolutely go back to some of the more memorable sections.

Recommended for: People who are struggling with inspiration, anyone who is feeling discouraged, or just in need of a pick me up. Anyone who appreciates stories told through art.

Cartoonist Gavin Aung Than has, since 2012, been posting cartoons based on various inspirational quotes and stories at zenpencils.com. For his newest book, Zen Pencils--Creative Struggle: Illustrated Advice from Masters of Creativity, he selected quotes from some of his favorite authors, writers, musicians, and scientists and drew them in comic book form for our enjoyment and inspiration.


The featured subjects are eclectic, and the quotes are, indeed, inspiring: Leonardo da Vinci's Notebooks, Stephen King's Memoir, Akira Kurosawa's Autobiograpy, Nikola Tesla's My Inventions, Ernest Hemingway's Nobel acceptance speech, and others. The quotes are well-selected. Stephen King reminds us that "Life isn't a support system for art. It's the other way around." Kurosawa encourages us to read actively, with pen in hand, collecting memorable quotes and thoughts in a notebook.


Most of the cartoons set the subject in his or her natural setting, but in an unusual turn, Than applies the writings of the Indian mystic Jiddu Krishnamurti to a modern urban setting. I don't particularly like Indian mysticism or rap music, but I loved the message that art should be created for the love of it, not merely with the aim of notoriety or material success. "Our present education is rotten because it teaches us to love success and not what we are doing."


I thoroughly enjoyed Than's approach to this book, presenting the respective figure's words without editing, but with his own clever illustrated interpretation. As one of his subjects, Brenè Brown, writes, "There's no such thing as creative people and non-creative people. There are only people who use their creativity and people who don't." Check out Creative Struggle and be inspired to unleash your creative side.


Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!

The cartoons illustrate how famous people (artists, writers, composers, etc.) struggled -- and can be an inspiration to others. Even though I was already familiar with most of these creators, I still learned things. For instance, I had known that Frida Kahlo had a hard life, but I didn't know how physically difficult it was for her. Parts of this book could be helpful in a history class and/or any class dealing with creativity, such as art or writing.

I received a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I've really liked Zen Pencils ever since Gavin Than's art began appearing online. This is a great volume about the various ways that creative folks from all walks of life (ranging from art to music to science) have worked to overcome adversity and continue their creative work. Strangely, perhaps, I found that the most valuable bit was Than's own advice to modern-day creators.