For aspiring artists seeking eventual acclaim, creating for the sake of fulfillment without the promise of tangible returns appears unrealistic. How can someone spend two years laboring over a script that no one might ever read? How can someone pour their heart and soul into a pilot pitch for a meeting they haven’t even acquired yet? How could anyone do either of those things and still live a happy and sustainable life?

Explained in the words of Elizabeth Gilbert, “What we make matters enormously, and it doesn’t matter at all.” 

In her book, Big Magic: Living Creatively Without Fear, Gilbert introduces the world to her perspective on creativity, life, the universe, and how all three meld together to fuel the artists in all of us. Readers are introduced to the concept of Big Magic, the core of a creative lifestyle, and provided with countless examples of how to cultivate this force of powerful creative energy into their individual pursuits. Ready to reshape your relationship with creativity? Open to page one.

What I Liked:

This book gave me chills. Gilbert’s perspective on creative living goes beyond anything I had ever considered, and yet I connected to it in a way that felt transcendent. A major point of inspiration for me was the principle of Big Magic that suggests “ideas” or “inspiration” aren’t things individuals create of their own free will. Instead, these concepts find us and latch on tight hoping that we will be the creator to fully realize them. To that end, if these ideas aren’t nurtured and loved, they can leave us and latch on to someone else. Hence the familiar feeling that comes upon us when we see a concept fully realized that we claim to have had first. 

Gilbert touches on every subject imaginable pertaining to Big Magic and answers questions readers might not even realize they have about her theory. She is thorough in her explanation, and her passion for this line of thinking jumps off the page. Her tone reads like a best friend anxious to share a major epiphany, big hand gestures, and all. 

In my favorite section of Enchantment titled “What Happens When You Say Yes”, Gilbert addresses the archetype of the Tormented Artist. She calls to attention that though it could be a successful contract to have with creativity, it ultimately isn’t worth it. Dying young and being angry about our individual talent is for the birds. Gilbert suggests creatives give enjoying their art a try. 

Constructive Criticism:

Gilbert alludes to her earlier novels and specific instances in her own life that give context to major points of her creative journey. Longtime fans more familiar with her and her work might have easily filled in the gaps. Since this is my first Elizabeth Gilbert book, some of that preexisting context was a little lost on me as I read. In that respect, there were some points I wish she could have elaborated on.

Famous Last Words:

Gilbert’s Big Magic gives readers a fresh perspective on a classic lifestyle, encouraging creators of all types to embrace the things that they are passionate about without fear or expectation. For writers, I think it means reverting back to the defining moment of passion for storytelling and chasing that rush regardless of the outcome. Tell stories, work hard, love the journey, and live creatively. Even if it’s all for absolutely nothing.

For more from this author: Elizabeth Gilbert

For more from this publisher: Riverhead Books  

About the Writer

Mercedes K. Milner is a Co-Founder and Administrator of the Write or Die Chicks and the Writers Group Coordinator. She is a staff writer for the WODC Blog and she heads the Reading on Writing column.