The Creative Curve: How to Develop the Right Idea, at the Right Time

Allen Gannett

Jun 2018 · Penguin Random House Audio · Narrated by Allen Gannett

About this audiobook

Big data entrepreneur Allen Gannett overturns the mythology around creative genius, and reveals the science and secrets behind achieving breakout commercial success in any field.
 
We have been spoon-fed the notion that creativity is the province of genius -- of those favored, brilliant few whose moments of insight arrive in unpredictable flashes of divine inspiration.  And if we are not a genius, we might as well pack it in and give up. Either we have that gift, or we don’t.  But Allen shows that simply isn’t true.  Recent research has shown that there is a predictable science behind achieving commercial success in any creative endeavor, from writing a popular novel to starting up a successful company to creating an effective marketing campaign. 
 
As the world’s most creative people have discovered, we are enticed by the novel and the familiar. By understanding the mechanics of what Gannett calls “the creative curve” – the point of optimal tension between the novel and the familiar – everyone can better engineer mainstream success. 
 
In a thoroughly entertaining book that describes the stories and insights of everyone from the Broadway team behind Dear Evan Hansen, to the founder of Reddit, from the Chief Content Officer of Netflix to Michelin star chefs, Gannett reveals the four laws of creative success and identifies the common patterns behind their achievement.

Ratings and reviews

First off, Allen is the best human ever, hands down. Second, this book was life changing. A creation ve life can truly get so overwhelming and bogged down at times, so much so that you wonder “is this even good? Does what I’m doing even matter?” Allen breaks things down to a methodology that I think about everyday day. He is a master at making sense of the madness in this book with a fresh tone and optimistic outlook. I HIGHLY recommend for anyone who heavily relies on their ideas in life, as well as those that want to learn more about cultivating creativity too. There is a way of validating your ideas and inner genius, and it’s in this book!

About the author

ALLEN GANNETT is the founder and CEO of TrackMaven, a software analytics firm whose clients have included Microsoft, Marriott, Saks Fifth Avenue, Home Depot, Aetna, Honda, and GE.  He has been on the “30 Under 30” lists for both Inc. and Forbes.