From the Bookshelf of The Insecure Writer's Support Group Book Club…

Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear

Elizabeth Gilbert

Start date: December 1, 2018

Finish date: January 31, 2019

Why we're reading this: The discussion will start January 23, 2019 and will go to the end of the month, but it will be up indefin…more
[close] The discussion will start January 23, 2019 and will go to the end of the month, but it will be up indefinitely, so you can hop in whenever you're able.

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What Members Thought

Jan 12, 2019 Susan Swiderski rated it it was amazing

Shelves: entertaining, educational, writing

This book was the December-January IWSG (Insecure Writer's Support Group) book club, and it was a real winner. Or maybe I should say we're all winners for having read it.

Uplifting and inspirational, it offered this insecure writer the gift of self-acceptance and the assurance that creativity is a glorious gift to be cherished. All writers, no matter how talented or successful in the marketplace, harbor self-doubts. (Ergo, the IWSG.) But market success isn't necessarily a measure of talent or val ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Dec 05, 2015 Michelle rated it it was amazing

Shelves: non-fiction

5 stars+++
Restorative. A must-read for every writer/artist.

4 likes · Like · see review

Dec 12, 2018 Toi Thomas rated it it was amazing

Shelves: nonfiction, funny, rated, writing, reviewed, adult

I must admit that I did not expect to enjoy this book. I expected to gain some insights and maybe even be inspired, but enjoyment is not required for either of those. Yet, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. While nothing is for everyone, I think any creative person, especially a writer, seeking insight and inspiration, will enjoy this book.

The central idea of this book is that, “Creativity is a force of enchantment…” Gilbert believes that magic is a major factor in the stories that get tol I must admit that I did not expect to enjoy this book. I expected to gain some insights and maybe even be inspired, but enjoyment is not required for either of those. Yet, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. While nothing is for everyone, I think any creative person, especially a writer, seeking insight and inspiration, will enjoy this book.

The central idea of this book is that, “Creativity is a force of enchantment…” Gilbert believes that magic is a major factor in the stories that get told and become big hits. She does not belittle or undermine hard work, talent, and skill in the slightest, but she recognizes that something “magical” has to happen before a story can see the light of day, let alone become a best seller. I for one, agree with her, but there’s so much more to it.

One of the main reasons I worried I wouldn’t enjoy the book was my reaction to some of the section headings listed in the table of contents. With such titles as: Courage, Permission, and Divinity, I expected Elizabeth Gilbert to lecture the reader about overthought philosophical concepts. Instead, she spoke plainly about the many facets of creativity and writing.

Gilbert fills this thesis of creativity with honest and heartfelt stories from her own life. Her delivery of each anecdote is filled with whimsy and emotion. She really is a good storyteller.

Gilbert tells the story of her friendship with author Ann Patchett which spans many of the major themes of the book, such as: the loss and finding of ideas, Multiple Discovery, the transfer and transport of ideas through magic, turning an idea into a complete story, and so much more.

I know it sounds like I’m talking about a book of fantasy, but this really is a serious nonfiction book about writing and creativity, but it’s also fun and isn’t afraid to explore different ideas about how stories make their way in this world.

From a more practical standpoint, I found myself respecting Gilbert even more than I already had when she talked about keeping her day job, even after having a best-selling book. Gilbert wasn’t willing or ready to put pressure on her writing and creative process by adding the pressure of providing for her financially. Sure, at that point her writing could support her, but she wanted the assurance that she could write for the sheer joy of writing without the pressure to make all her writing profitable.

There’s so much more I could mention about this book, but I feel that would spoil it. So, from here, all I can do is recommend it. Highly.
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Feb 28, 2017 Juneta Key rated it it was amazing

Shelves: writing-craft

The book was not the perspective I expected. It made me think. It made me look at certain creative aspects that most of us get, differently. This is about the muse of inspiration rather than how to be creative or at least that is how it struck me. It is inspiring but not in the way I expected. It has a light lilting voice to the writing. The author also has a depth to the introspection because she is writing the book for herself. A very enjoyable read.

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Mar 17, 2022 Lisa Thomson rated it really liked it

Shelves: self-help

I really enjoyed the general message Elizabeth Gilbert was bringing to the page. I recognized some of the artist/creator myths that are so engrained in our society and families. Is being a writer or creator a great way to earn a living? No. Does that mean you should never create? NO. Elizabeth brings home this message by breaking down the life of a creator and by sharing her own experiences.
I do tire of the "When my best friend and best selling author ____ said ___". It had some name dropping h ...more

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Apr 16, 2019 Charity Rau rated it it was ok

2.5 ⭐️’s - I picked this up because I was intrigued by the title. However, it disappointed. This is basically an explanation of the author’s view of creativity with a lot of made up stuff included- like ideas being sentient beings floating around looking for good humans to inhabit. The tone was a little know-it-all which I didn’t care for. I did agree with the author on one point - you don’t have to have some big struggle or suffer endlessly for your artwork to be good. After finishing the book, ...more

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