Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert

“Be the weirdo who dares to enjoy.” 

Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear is a motivational and inspiring take on creativity and living a creative life. Elizabeth Gilbert approaches the subject through six sections: Courage, Enchantment, Permission, Persistence, Trust, and Divinity.  She addresses these different topics, simplifying the creative process, making it less daunting, and adding a sense of fun.

“Creativity is sacred, and it is not sacred.  What we make matters enormously, and it doesn’t matter at all.  We toil alone, and we are accompanied by spirits.  We are terrified, and we are brave.  Art is a crushing chore and a wonderful privilege. Only when we are at our most playful can divinity finally get serious with us. Make space for all these paradoxes to be equally true inside your soul, and I promise—you can make anything.”

This book really spoke to me.  I love Elizabeth Gilbert’s perspective and found it to be refreshing in its lighthearted nature.  Especially interesting is her discussion of rejection and ego, her opinion on higher education when it comes to the arts, the pressures of “topping” your previous work that may have achieved a high level of success, as well as the distinction she makes between being a genius and having genius.

I feel this book is relatable whatever your creative endeavour, and particularly encouraging for writers as Gilbert uses many of her own stories and experiences throughout.  I would recommend Big Magic to anyone who is looking to add more creativity to their life, is pursuing a creative endeavour, or may be stuck in the creative process.  It may be the inspiration you are looking for.

“Do whatever brings you to life, then.  Follow your own fascinations, obsessions, and compulsions.  Trust them.  Create whatever causes a revolution in your heart.”