Big Magic: How to Live a Creative Life, and Let Go of Your Fear

Recently, the wonderfully inspiring author of Eat, Pray, Love and The Signature of All Things published a new book for aspiring writers. Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear. Big Magic is her first self-help book and as is as witty and humorous as Eat, Pray, Love. I took it with me on my solo trip to the Isle of Eigg and it was the perfect book to bring for those long rainy days when I couldn't get out but needed some inspiration and motivation to write. I haven't read other books about writing but I am sure after reading this that this is in a class of its own. When I first started reading it I thought that I probably wasn't going t get much out of it but I was still loving EG's style. She writes like she is speaking to a friend in the room. Big Magic is written openly and honestly and so therefore rather courageously I thought. One of the things which impacted me was the way she expressed the magical things that sometimes happen when one if writing. Perhaps some will scoff when they read about her theory that inspiration is floating around looking for creative people to birth these ideas or perhaps some will think, it's a good enough explanation as any. Elizabeth Gilbert offers quite a lot of sage advice as well as some wonderful personal anecdotes. I was totally wrong when I thought I would get nothing from it but an enjoyable read. This book is extremely encouraging and so much fun to read. At times she had me chuckling to myself and even laughing out loud. I was so inspired to write for the pure joy of writing that I ended up having an encounter of my own with 'big magic'. I wrote (or perhaps channeled) a short story of over 5000 words without hardly a pause except it was getting late and I was fighting sleep to keep going. It was an exhilarating experience which I won't forget. I am not saying that if you read Ms. Gilbert's book, you will also have a magical experience. Read the book because it is an enjoyable book or because you have lost that spark you use to have and need some igniting.

I’ve been buried in nonfiction books with only an occasional toe dipping into fiction until I came across Elizabeth Gilbert. In The Signature of all Things and this, I found two rompingly engaging reads. They both reek (in a good way) of authenticity, humour, depth, wisdom and humility. They have seduced me back to the delights of fiction and of honouring my own creativity, however unformed. To read Gilbert is to have an open intimate friendship at your fingertips. You will cry and smile and be in awe of her talent. Go read.

Big Magic is a charming, inspiring, and deceptively wise work. On the one hand, it’s deeply mystical (for example, the title comes from Gilbert’s concept of “Big Magic” as some sort of universal energy). On the other, it’s incredibly pragmatic, offering sage advice that applies to anyone engaged in a creative pursuit, whether purely for the joy of it or to make a living as well. This isn’t a “how-to” guide, but a series of essays and meditations on some of the challenges and contradictions involved in creative endeavours. Some more rationality-loving readers might find the beginning of the book a little “out there” as Gilbert attempts to make sense of how creativity works in her own life. The theory that ideas are floating around in the universe looking for an owner was a big stretch for me, and the anecdote involving Ann Patchett is something I, personally, would file under “extraordinary coincidence.” Despite this, Gilbert’s endearing and self-effacing writing style means she comes across as passionate without being dogmatic, and encouraging without being pretentious. Although the first couple of sections read more like magical realism, the rest of the book is down-to-earth and sensible, packed with valuable insights, suggestions and advice. Topics she covers include self-ownership (taking responsibility for your creative life), education vs. experience, commitment, not needing a permission slip, dealing with other people’s judgements and opinions and how to "follow your passion” when you have no clue what your passion is. She also tackles pervasive creativity-related myths, such as those of the impoverished artist and the tortured artist. Rather than leaving our creative fate in the hands of the universe, Gilbert’s message is clear: stop complaining, show up, don’t wait for permission, and avoid getting distracted by things like discussions about high art vs. low art. In other words, just focus on creating—and enjoy it.

After reading this book, I realized I am lucky to write, and it's a gift to write creatively. It changed the way I see things to creating. We don't always get a passionate feeling, but I don't sit around waiting for passion to strike me, especially me going through a midlife change of passion. So how to find the inspiration to work when your passion has flagged? Curiosity is the secret. Though passion can seem intimidating out of reach, curiosity is a milder, quieter, more welcoming, and more democratic entity. It's a clue. I can trace my source of curiosity and come closer to things I am interested in, inch by inch. In the coming years, I will make my work love me as much as I love it. The author trusts that inspiration is always nearby, sending messages in every form it can. It is all about creativity; with the Big Magic cracks open a world of wonder and joy. I've enjoyed myself reading this book!

I always saved this book for after dinner, as it made such a lovely dessert! Gilbert intrigued and magicked me, and certainly broadened my perspectives on creativity and what we are all imaginally capable of. The style she put forth in this book allows readers to really feel her, as an author and as a maker. It is personal and conversational and delightful; and in my experience, if a person can evoke delight in their audience, they have planted seeds for art and creation beyond themselves. And beyond delight, the actual reframes on making presented in this book have been extremely helpful in my own process as a writer and artist. Ideas as intelligent entities with wills of their own, the concept that all people HAVE a genius who works with and for them rather than someone BEING a genius themselves, the good advice that a person doesn't necessarily need to pay thousands of dollars for a fancy degree in order to create, the discourse on the fear and risk involved in creativity...I must say, this book is a total banger and it has consistently been the one I most hear myself recommending to friends this year!

I enjoyed the easy flow of the author and I would imagine the book was enjoyable for her to write, however there was very little substance to anyone reading who was not intent on creative writing as a hobby or maybe career move. So for me it was an OK read although I did have to suspend my logical thought processes a little, no a lot actually. If you are looking to be inspired and find magic in areas other than writing, then this book is not really for you.

Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear continues the conversation Liz Gilbert began in her two TED talks. Written in an easy and comfortable tone, Gilbert sits down the terrified, creative wannabe and gives permission, good advice and installs confidence to risk. With her spiritual take on creativity, Big Magic breaks away from the usual creative-how-to books. Rather than promote the usual path to creativity, she encourages us to explore our own path, within the constraints of our lives. She advocates self-reliance in this process and balances it with a heavily pragmatic approach which is a breath of fresh air and might seem slightly at odds coming from the person who went travelling for a year to "find herself". It is this that makes it excellent advice. This conversation is joyous, filled with enthusiasm, concern for your wellbeing as a creative person and practical. If you are thinking about how to get in touch with your creativity, this should be your first port of call before you dust off the notebook or pick up the brushes.

Review: I have to say, this book was quite different to what I was expecting. I didn't expect such a personal account of Elizabeth Gilbert and her life's creativity and this was a pleasant surprise for me. The structure of the book was fairly loose, with ideas and essays arranged in slightly linear form but then also arranged by topic. Gilbert would offer some personal account of something and then reference others and other texts that deal with this aspect of creativity. So many people have told me how inspiring this book was and I would agree with them. I found that it reassured me that my form of creativity, my casual writing, my blog and the other things i create in my life are worthwhile and something that I should take an active part in rather than waiting for them to happen to me. This has been something that I've been aware of in my life in the past. It also made me feel more confident in my role as an educator and gave me a tool to support those I teach to embrace their creativity too. This book has a strong voice and I listened to it on audiobook, despite having this one on ebook. I think it would be a good book to have a physical copy of too, because it is definitely something I'm going to be dipping back into as time goes on, but I loved hearing each part read in the way the author intended. Having an audiobook version also meant that I could listen to a bit of it and then go and do. This book is hard to describe but is definitely an uplifting and motivating read. If you read it all at once, like I did, or read it in parts, I think either way will have equal value and I really recommend picking this one up if you've been tempted to in the past!

いい本です。勇気づけられます。

inspirerend

I read all of the major books on creativity, yet this one is a true life-changer. It will transform the way you look at creativity, your artistic career and even your world view about work, creativity and personal life. Many books on the subject try to show to how to "succeed" in a creative career. This one instead does a revolution by freeing you from the result and detaching success & creativity. Highly recommended masterpiece on its field.

Lovey, fun, enjoyable, relatable. Giggles, amazement, hope. Love the book for anyone looking for the magic of creation they once had. A book to read over and over and over again. Thank you Liz :)

This book is such an inspiration! I didn't expect it would be. I'm an artist, a ceramicist and a colleague recommended this book as she knows I like to read. I create ceramics but I'm also a teacher of ceramics, and also I write texts for my social media accounts. The book Big magic is an inspiration in all three. How I see this book: It's written in a simple down to earth conversational way and it is easy to read. It's a kind of musing on subject of the creativity and creative process . It's almost like a self help book for anyone doubting their ability to create or anyone needing a push to pursue their passion as a hobby. For me it is way more than all that. For me it's a way of returning back to when I first discovered clay and living that moment of being a novice, a beginner. I's valuable to be able to do that as now I'm teaching beginners and it's good to remind myself how it is to be in their skin. For me this book is also an inspiration on social media. There are nuggets of wisdom and original thinking intersperced throughout the book. I have underlined the parts I particularly enjoyed reading so I can read a sentence or two as an inspiration and to put me in the mood of writing a post for social media. Seriously and totally unexpectedly, a line or a word from Big Magic sparks a whole post. I have reccomened Big Magic in various art groups and I keep it on my bedside. I thourougly reccomend you buy it.