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.

There are so many books on creativity - what it is, where it comes from, how to achieve it. But this book is different. It goes for the gut and gives you real and practical information. It is a brave, fun, erudite, encouraging, witty and honest take on creative making. As a maker who is often on the verge of giving up, I thank the writer for keeping me going. Very highly recommended.

Good product/service

Parts of this book were inspiring and motivating for the arts, other parts were dull and I actually found myself reading the book just to finish it. Not one of my favourite reads, however, can’t deny some parts did inspire me to be ‘creative’ and find my ‘big magic’

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.

“Are you considering being a creative person? Too late, you already are one,” Gilbert asserts. In Big Magic, living a creative life means living a life driven by curiosity over fear and this life is accessible to all who seek it. She breaks down creativity into five essential ingredients: courage, enchantment, permission, persistence, and trust. Whether readers believe in a magical world or not, her description of ideas, why they choose us, and when and why they leave is inspiring to no end and her roadmap through the twists, turns, and potential pitfalls of creativity are applicable to all who dare to venture on their own creative journey. Gilbert tackles our biggest creative fears and inner demons head-on with delicious humor, wit, and grace. She allows fear a spacious spot in the car on our creative road trip, but never allows it to give us directions and certainly not take the driver’s seat. Time and again, she effectively and effortlessly silences our inner critic on such universal experiences as: worrying about what others think of us and our creations, bowing to perfectionism instead of completion, evaluating our art as low or high, as brilliant or a disaster, the struggle to declare ourselves worthy of living a creative life, the desire to be fearless or passionate when all we need is courage and curiosity, and much more. She also explores various paradoxes of creativity: the desire for permission and the fact that we never needed it to begin with, that creativity takes persistent hard work on our part and also moments of divine inspiration that come from something else entirely, that no creation is entirely original and yet authentic expressions are always original, and the ultimate paradox: that our creative expression must be the most important thing in the world and it also must not matter at all. Written in easy to digest, bite-size chapters, readers will feel as if they’re chatting over a glass of wine with their amusing and insightful bestie, Liz, as she masterfully weaves together numerous stories from her personal and professional life with hard-earned creative wisdom, always with an endearing self-awareness that at times borders on self-deprecation, and with a charm that is nearly flirtatious. The lessons are so powerful and relatable that if one were to learn this much about their creative life in a year of therapy, they could consider it a great investment. Big Magic ultimately provides readers with the necessary courage and inspiration to live bigger, happier, and more interesting lives, coaxing out of us our own unique hidden treasures. -- Lisa Blair, MA

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 :)