Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear

I've not read anything else by Gilbert, and was delighted by this short book on creative living (something I'm particularly interested in). This book has some great suggestions but it doesn't feel prescriptive. Gilbert presents her experience as a writer as her own, and some of what she writes about is unique to her life - but much of it is relatable to creative people in general. I felt seen in several parts of the book - and reading it made me feel affirmed in my own struggles to make my creativity the center of my life.

It was interesting to read about her ideas on creativity as a form of magic. A few good stories about writing.

This might be the book of encouragement many people need to give themselves permission to embrace their creative pursuits or shake things up a bit. My challenge: I always find the author's tone a bit grating. She's like the friend you have who has figured out life and thinks of herself as the "wise one" in the room. A bit more self-deprecation or a less serious tone would help me get on the train.

If you only read one book on creativity, then this one will seem groundbreaking.

Gilbert's best moments are when she's giving personal anecdotes from her creative life. The metaphor of ideas having a life of their own isn't novel, but I liked her story about how her idea for a book in the Amazon left her and entered her friend through a kiss. There are moments where it's obvious she's story-fying experiences, and it comes across as disingenuous. Her worst ones are when she's "encouraging" her fragile reader -- comes across as condescending.

A better book about the creative process minus the angst and pandering is "Creative Quest"
by Ahmir Questlove Thompson. Same ideas, more of them, and less mysticism.