Julia Cameron is the American bestselling author of The Artist’s Way, Walking in This World, Finding Water, and dozens more titles. She is an artist in nearly every sense of the word: “a novelist, playwright, songwriter, and poet […with] multiple credits in theater, film, and television” (247). She has an extensive portfolio of work, much of which focuses on the creative process, but this book, her most successful and recognizable work, came about after a series of hardships despite her creative success on paper.

She worked for Paramount with a focus on producing content rather than enjoying and exploring the creative process, which caused Cameron to experience professional and creative burn out. She turned to alcohol abuse and developed unhealthy habits and thought patterns before finally readjusting her life. Julia taught creative writing workshops in New York, where she helped students embrace their own creativity and experience the process through surrendering to the creative source and tapping into flow. She had her blocked students complete the morning pages and artist dates, activities which they claimed were helpful as they began creating work they were proud of and loved. After being encouraged by her teaching partner Mark Bryan, Julia collected her notes and thoughts into what would become The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity.