Idea Work

_On literary and artistic creative processes
_Insights into the experiences of seven authors and designers
_Different paths from the idea to the finished work
_Character of workshop discussions based on 15 sets of questions

How do ideas come, why do they sometimes take so long to come, and what can you do to get them flowing again? In workshop discussions, seven writers and seven illustrators from diverse backgrounds offer insights into their creative process.

As key witnesses to their own work, they recount both positive and bitter experiences and insights, but above all, the creative process of writing and designing itself—from the initial idea to the finished work. In this way, the focus is not only on the artist's self-image, but especially on the history of the work's creation. These are touching and inspiring insights into the elusive yet fascinating processes and skills of creativity.

"An exciting and sensual book full of surprising insights into the worlds of creative work! The highly subjective way artists reflect on their own creativity and its peripheral phenomena is extremely worthwhile reading: From the idea to the work, entire worlds are to be traversed: often exhilarating, sometimes fraught, always full of references to the present, to politics, to the changing nature of being. With its wonderful design, illustrations, and binding, the book is a delight and a treasure trove for me—as it is for all who have always wondered why and how we are creative!"

Dr. Irina Mohr, political scientist, Erfurt/Berlin

"I'm enthusiastic about 'Idee Werk'! It's true that trainers provide encouragement. The fact that the scholar focuses on the topic of writer's block with rigor is demonstrated by the interviews in this book, where prominent artists recount their struggles. Not just writers, but, thanks to Gabriele Pommerin's co-author Burkhard Vetter, also visual artists. The thematically organized volume also offers insight into many other questions, and it will take pride of place on my bookshelf as a reference work."

Dr. Michael Nentwich, retired Director, Goethe Institute, Berlin

"The title alone reveals it: With this work, an unusual book has found its way into the research on creative writing—unusual in its method of discovery. Based on the ontological finding that writing and design as creative forms of expression have common roots, the authors document the complex yet fascinating path to creative production in workshop discussions with writers and illustrators/designers. The book is a masterpiece both in terms of content and methodology. It is a treasure trove of innovative ideas on the subject of (creative) writing and thus also for teachers and students of German as a foreign and second language. This should make it an indispensable part of every German as a foreign or second language reference library."

PD Dr. phil. habil. Salifou Traoré, Department of Western Languages, Ramkhamhaeng University Bangkok

"What an idea! What a work!
It poses and answers many questions that concern me as a "non-creative." A fantastic insight into the world of those who touch us with their creative work. A wake-up call, a questioning, and a confirmation of why not everyone can be creative.
The presentation of the individual topics by Gabriele Pommerin-Götze and Burkard Vetter also succeeds in inspiring the reader without drifting off into literary territory, taking them along as a "guest" into the world of writers, designers, and illustrators.

Dorit Hische, Berlin

"Practical, square, good – functional form. These are my first associations when I hold the book "Idee Werk" in my hand – a piece from the workshop of writing and design, the search for the origin of creativity. (...) This results in an interesting kaleidoscope; colorful and multifaceted, the processes of literary writing and aesthetic design (as the book's subtitle also suggests) become visible and comprehensible. It reads well, arouses curiosity, and is fun. (...) A beautiful book, though not quite square, as I had thought..."

Gudrun Lukasz-Aden, Munich

"Whether self-doubt or overconfidence, yoke or liberation: the creative process, with all its ups and downs, becomes comprehensible. I am very pleased that, in times when virtually everything in the media is judged as 'art' and virtually everyone is labeled an 'artist,' this book makes a distinction, a 'critique' in the positive sense. For me, it is a long overdue rehabilitation of these recently devalued terms! (...) The presentation is, especially in our extremely fast-moving times, of outstanding beauty! And thus, the book itself is a work of art and shows us paradigmatically what matters: that content and form are on the same level, as they have been for ages!"

Pierre-Dominique Ponnelle

"In my life, both privately and professionally, I have witnessed people in the act of creation, with all its ups and downs. Your wonderful book, dear Gabriele, which you edited together with Burkhard Vetter, fulfills my wish to find the path from idea to work in a systematized and cross-genre way, presented in a form that is also tactilely beautiful. Through your sensitive and intelligently posed questions, one follows the interesting and often controversial creative process, and at the same time, a picture of the creators emerges."

Franziska Bronnen, actress from Munich

"A very beautiful book that offers complex and surprising insights into the thinking, working, and creative processes of writers and creative professionals. It becomes clear again and again that artistic creation is a daily struggle and effort. And from you, I discovered new sides and beautiful stories. This book deserves to be read by many."

Folker Schreiber

"The finely crafted work of Buckunst is an analogous collection of statements by creative people about themselves. They are very different people,
who describe the process of creativity in their work. Their intuition, imagination, craftsmanship, artistic talent, the joy and conflicts at work, and what marketing and criticism mean. All of the many aspects of human creativity that beautify our world are portrayed here in a very personal, very positive way."

Nicholas D.

"A very beautiful book that offers complex and surprising insights into the ways of thinking, working, and creating of writers and creative professionals. It becomes clear again and again that artistic creation is a daily struggle and effort. This book deserves to be read by many."

Folker Schreiber

"It's a beautifully designed book that explores the question of how literature and illustration come into being, across cultural boundaries and in a way that's understandable and moving even for laypeople. The thematic fusion of the individual conversations, in particular, makes the work exciting and worth reading. Here, the process of creativity becomes tangible."

Tobias Stanner

"265 pages full of impressions and insights about creative ability, talent, creativity, and art. Readers who are not themselves creative in language or design will be offered insights into an unknown world. Those who work with words or images themselves are invited to productive comparisons. (...) Fascinating conversation partners who, despite their many differences, are all thoughtful, passionate, and self-confident artists. The clever structure of the book makes it easy: You can first browse and skim, examine illustrations, and study individual artists' biographies, but then surprisingly quickly become absorbed in the answers to all 15 key topics. The end result is a deep sense of respect for all creative workers."

Felicitas Amler, Süddeutsche Zeitung