People like to make fun of Elizabeth Gilbert, because of EAT PRAY LOVE, and I can’t tell you why, but I feel like there is something misogynistic about that. In any case, here is her book on living a creative life. I enjoyed it. Try this:
“Sometimes I think the difference between a tormented creative life and a tranquil creative life is nothing more than than difference between the word awful and the word interesting. Interesting outcomes, after all, are just awful outcomes with the volume of drama turned way down.”
What an interesting thought, that we don’t have to create a rod for our own back. She is big on how unhealthy the tortured artist mindset is. She points out how strange it is that we have turns of phrase like ‘I’ve broken the back’ of a project. As if suffering gives us legitimacy. I think it’s a good point; why do we think joy can’t do that? I liked this:
“You can resist the seductions of grandiosity, blame, and shame. . . You can measure your worth by your dedication to your path, not by your successes or failures.”
“The seduction . . . of shame” is a great turn of phrase. The more I write, the more I think I really liked this. Let’s not bother with my ‘thoughts.’ Let’s just quote extensively:
“It seems to me that the less I fight my fear, the less it fights back. .. In fact, I cordially invite fear to come along with me everywhere I go.”
And
“Laziness and perfectionism are the worst. You want to learn to become a really disciplined half -ass”
And
“If you want to be an artist of any sort, it seemed to me, then handling your frustration is a fundamental aspect of the work. Frustration is not an interruption of your process, frustration is the process.”