The 25th Anniversary Edition of the book "A Whack on the Side of the Head: How You Can Be More Creative" will be published by Business Plus on May 5, 2008. It should be in stores next week, and is currently shipping from Amazon. The retail price is $16.99 ($11.55 at Amazon).
Recently I did an interview with Andrew Mercer about the new edition. Here is part of the conversation.
Could you compare the climate for creative thinking in the early 1980s with today?
Roger: Back then, there was much less of an expectation for people to be creative — especially in their work situations. That has changed significantly. Nowadays, creative thinking is regarded as a vital survival skill. I’d like to think that “Whack,” in its own small way, was one of things that helped ignite and fuel this creative revolution.
Why do you think this book has been such a consistent strong seller over the years?
Roger: “Whack” is a fun, friendly, and interactive approach to
using your creative abilities more effectively. I’ve tried to create a
book that a person can open anywhere and find some inspiration. There’s
some weird stuff in it, some mind-stretching stuff, but also a lot of
good practical tips and strategies that readers find value in. Plus,
the illustrations by George Willett are a treasure.
What are your feelings about the new 25th Anniversary Edition?
Roger: I’m thrilled! I can’t believe that it’s been a quarter century since “Whack” first came out. And, of course, I’m delighted that it’s available to a new generation of creative thinkers.
How different is it from previous editions?
Roger: The core ideas of “mental locks” and my discussion of the creative process are the same. As are a number of stories and exercises. I’ve kept the old favorites. But I’ve also been able to add a number of new anecdotes, provocations, and strategies. Plus, this one has a “Breaktime” in the middle for the reader to stretch out.
How has your thinking on creativity changed over the past twenty-five years?
Roger: Well, I’ve come to appreciate more the value and importance of constraints and limits in stimulating the creative process. And I’ve added a new section on this topic. Several other areas I’ve expanded include: “Seeing the Obvious,” “Expecting the Unexpected,” and the “Thuban Phenomenon.”
Who are your readers?
Roger: They’re from all walks of life — and from all over the world. Over the years, I’ve heard from business people, ministers, teachers, coaches, nurses, people in prison, entrepreneurs, and students. They’ve sent me a lot of interesting stuff!
When you were creating this new edition, what resource did you employ that was previously unavailable to you?
Roger: One big thing is blogging (which I’ve been doing since 2006). It’s been a great way to get and share ideas with a wide variety of people. It’s also been a good way to get feedback on my new ideas.
Any final thoughts about this new edition?
Roger: I thoroughly enjoyed working on the project — everything from doing the design and layout to adding new material. It’s been like getting to play with an old friend. I feel fortunate! Oh yeah, one more thing: give your friends a “whack on the side of the head.” They’ll thank you for your thoughtfulness!
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