Writer and motivational speaker Elizabeth Gilbert returns to Asheville on Thursday, October 22, in support of her latest book, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear. The new work delves into topics of creativity, bravery and living an inspired life. “With profound empathy and radiant generosity, she offers potent insights into the mysterious nature of inspiration,” says the author’s website. “She asks us to embrace our curiosity and let go of needless suffering. She shows us how to tackle what we most love, and how to face down what we most fear. She discusses the attitudes, approaches and habits we need in order to live our most creative lives.” Find quotes from the book here.
Recently Gilbert posted the following Big Magic-related thoughts on her Facebook page:
If you are alive, you’re a creative person.
Period.
We’ve gotten trapped recently (over the last few hundred years, I mean) into this mindset that “creativity” belongs only to a few — to the special, to the geniuses, to the professionals, to the rare souls who devote their lives to the fine arts.
Nope.
Creativity is our shared inheritance as human beings. Me, you, and everyone we know are descended from generation after generation of ancestors who created things. For tens of thousands of years, your most family members and mine were all makers — builders, singers, explorers, healers, storytellers, weavers, dancers, engineers, growers, cooks, tinkerers..
Creativity is not just what human beings do; it’s what human beings ARE.
Gilbert, who is best known for her memoir Eat Pray Love, posted the dates for her Big Magic book tour on her Facebook page earlier today. In response to a fan excited about the Malaprop’s-sponsored event, Gilbert wrote, “I LOVE me some Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe and I love me some Asheville!”
That love was certainly felt during Gilbert’s last Asheville appearance, held in June, 2014 at UNC Asheville’s Lipinsky auditorium in support of her novel, The Signature of All Things. Read an interview with Gilbert about that book here.
Event info from the Malaprop’s website:
Beloved author Liz Gilbert will be in Asheville on October 22nd to present her new book: Big Magic. We’re holding her event at Asheville Highschool Auditorium at 7pm. Order your tickets now!
Each ticket ($35) includes a pre-signed copy of Big Magic.
Event date: Thursday, October 22, 2015 – 7:00pm
Event address: Asheville High School Auditorium, 419 McDowell St.
Had to post this from her Facebook page which I just checked out:
Someone asked her regarding her new book:
“I love these ideas … but as an actor trying to make a career, I sometimes wonder if your ideas are best for certain types of creativity. I know that putting money pressure on anything is poisonous, but otherwise do we just throw up our hands and say that somebody’s will be discovered and some won’t? I’d like to make a career out of acting. I know full well that there are more actors than careers, but what does one do with the Uncertainty?”
And Gilbert answered:
“… are you ready for my fiercest inner truth on this subject? Brace yourself, because here goes: There is no shame in wanting to make a living from the source of your creative inspiration. I always wanted that, and I’m lucky enough to have achieved it, so I can’t blame anyone else for seeking the same good fortune. But there must be another part of you — a deeper part of you, a soul part of you — who understands this radical and sometimes unsettling truth: Inspiration owes us NOTHING in return for our devotion — other than the privilege of interacting with it at all. What Inspiration has to offer us is only the amazement of the process, the creative relationship of becoming and unfolding — and it promises us NO OUTCOME, no matter how hard we may work. Humans care about outcome; Inspiration simply does not. If you don’t have that relationship with your art, then you are almost certainly doomed to be disappointed and frustrated when Inspiration does not give you what you want, on your own terms. My understanding of this reality (again: Inspiration owes me NOTHING) is how I endured years and years of not being published, and also how I have endured — even in my success — years of hurtful criticism and even savage hatred from people who despise everything that I make. Trust me — the ego part of me would always rather be loved. I would always rather be successful. I would always rather be Number One, and win all the awards. It doesn’t always work out. And I never throw up my hands and surrender — I always strive, for that is my nature. Sometimes I am graced with great fortune; sometimes other people win. But deep inside (deeper than my ego) I understand that I have voluntarily chosen an innately insecure vocation, and I understand the terms of that vocation: Inspiration owes me nothing, except the privilege of working with it at all. By all means, go after what you want, my dear — but never lose sight of this truth. If you can embrace that fierce understanding about Inspiration, then you can survive the winds and waves and madness and uncertainty of your chosen vocation. God bless your brave journey, and good luck!”
Elizabeth Gilbert is really cool