Big Magic
By Elizabeth Gilbert
Creative Living Beyond Fear. Riverhead Books, 2015.
Summary of Big Magic book by Elizabeth Gilbert
Inspiring everyone to experience the magical quality of creativity, encouraging them to be brave enough to conquer their fears about producing and sharing their work, and amusing them with tales of artists who encountered the enchantment that fueled their endeavors.
Chapters in Big Magic book summary
What do you get from this book? A unique philosophy on creativity and encouragement to pursue artistic projects
To live a creative life, you must have the courage and curiosity to combat your fear
Elizabeth Gilbert experienced Big Magic over a project she abandoned but that nevertheless inspired her
Getting an idea may feel like a stroke of genius, but don’t become egotistical—you must still put in the work
You don’t need permission to express yourself authentically, and whatever reason you want to create is valid
Gather a group of creatives and support each other throughout the great paradox of making art
Persistence is a key aspect of creative living, as is “falling in love” with the process of creating
We romanticize the Tormented Artist, yet in reality, perfectionism can’t be reached—though discipline may get you close
Suffering through the creative process is a myth of martyrdom, when you should be more like a trickster figure
Be prepared to make changes to your project, and if you feel uninspired, choose a different activity to pursue
Distracting your fears with an alternative passion will awaken the creative trickster inside you
Summary of the key insights
Selected critiques in brief
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Big Magic — Book Summary Snapshot
Who should read Big Magic book
- makers of any kind
- those who are afraid to express themselves creatively
- anyone interested in creative living
About the author of Big Magic
Elizabeth Gilbert
Elizabeth Gilbert is the international best-selling author of Eat Pray Love, an autobiographical and travel tale, and the fictional The Signature of All Things, as well as several other books. She’s also a journalist, with her work being featured in GQ magazine, The New York Times Magazine, and Harper’s Bazaar.
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Will Storr
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Daniel Coyle
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