Your elusive creative genius | Elizabeth Gilbert

Summary

The speaker, a writer, discusses the pressure and fear of achieving lasting success after the unexpected success of her book 'Eat, Pray, Love.' She explores the historical belief that creativity comes from external spirits, like 'daemons' or 'geniuses,' rather than solely from the individual. This perspective helped her manage the anxiety associated with creative work. She encourages embracing creativity as a collaborative process with these external forces, rather than as a burden solely on the individual. The talk emphasizes the importance of showing up for one's creative work, regardless of the outcome.

Takeaways

• ✍️ Writing is both a profession and a lifelong passion for the speaker.
• 📚 The memoir 'Eat, Pray, Love' became an unexpected international bestseller.
• 😨 Success has brought new anxieties about future writing and its reception.
• 🤔 Creative pursuits are often linked with fear and mental health concerns.
• 👨‍🔬 Unlike other professions, creativity is believed to lead to emotional turmoil.
• 📜 Ancient Greeks and Romans attributed creativity to external divine spirits called 'daemons' or 'geniuses.'
• 🎨 The Renaissance shifted the perception of creativity to being an internal human trait.
• ⚖️ The pressure of being seen as the sole source of creativity can be overwhelming.
• 🎶 Tom Waits' story illustrates a healthier way to handle creative inspiration.
• 🌟 The speaker advocates for a return to viewing creativity as a collaboration with external forces, reducing personal pressure.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the writer's speech?

The main theme of the writer's speech is the relationship between creativity and anxiety, and how artists can manage the psychological challenges that come with their creative work.

How did the success of 'Eat, Pray, Love' affect the writer's career?

The success of 'Eat, Pray, Love' made the writer a global sensation, which led to increased pressure and anxiety about whether she could replicate that success in future works.

What historical perspective does the writer reference to explain creativity?

The writer references ancient Greece and Rome, where creativity was believed to come from divine attendant spirits called 'daemons' or 'genius,' rather than from the individual.

How did the Renaissance change the perception of creativity?

During the Renaissance, the focus shifted to placing the individual human being at the center of the universe, leading to the belief that creativity came from the individual rather than from divine spirits.

What is the writer's perspective on the link between creativity and suffering?

The writer believes that the notion of creativity being inherently linked to suffering is dangerous and odious, and that it is better to encourage creative minds to live without such anguish.

What strategy does the writer suggest for managing anxiety about creative work?

The writer suggests creating a psychological construct to maintain a safe distance between oneself and the anxiety about the reaction to one's work, treating creativity as a collaboration with an external 'genius.'

What story about Tom Waits does the writer share?

The writer shares a story about Tom Waits hearing a melody while driving and speaking to the sky, telling the inspiration to come back at a more opportune moment, which changed his approach to his creative process.

How did the writer apply Tom Waits' approach to her own work?

The writer applied Tom Waits' approach by speaking to an empty corner of the room when she felt despair about her work, telling the 'genius' that she was doing her part and that the rest was up to it.

What does the writer say about the experience of transcendence in creative work?

The writer describes moments of transcendence in creative work as being like stepping through a portal and being lit up with divinity, but emphasizes that this should be seen as something on loan from a higher source.

What message does the writer want to convey to other creative people?

The writer wants to convey that creative people should not be daunted or afraid, but should continue to show up and do their work, trusting that any moments of wonderment are a gift from an external source.