I’m going to start this blog post by giving you a GUSH ALERT.
If you choose to continue reading, you will hear me gushing about a book I read last week–a book I’ve been dying to share with you. In fact, as I finished reading it, what came to mind was…this is a book that all the humans should read! So, if you can’t handle my enthusiasm, this might be the time to slowly step away from your lap top.
You’re still here? Excellent! Then I’m so excited to tell you about BIG MAGIC by Elizabeth Gilbert.
Readers of all ages and walks of life have drawn inspiration and empowerment from Elizabeth Gilbert’s books for years. Now this beloved author digs deep into her own generative process to share her wisdom and unique perspective about creativity. With profound empathy and radiant generosity, she offers potent insights into the mysterious nature of inspiration. She asks us to embrace our curiosity and let go of needless suffering. She shows us how to tackle what we most love, and how to face down what we most fear. She discusses the attitudes, approaches, and habits we need in order to live our most creative lives. Balancing between soulful spirituality and cheerful pragmatism, Gilbert encourages us to uncover the “strange jewels” that are hidden within each of us. Whether we are looking to write a book, make art, find new ways to address challenges in our work, embark on a dream long deferred, or simply infuse our everyday lives with more mindfulness and passion, Big Magic cracks open a world of wonder and joy.
This book called to me. Certain books do. The ones I’m supposed to ready will pop up in my direct and peripheral vision over and over again. People will casually and even directly mention them to me until I pick those books up. Big Magic was one of those books that demanded I read it. And as always–I’m so glad I did.
I grabbed Big Magic in audiobook form after being pummeled with hints from the universe. Right off the bat, I was thrilled to hear that the delightful voice I was listening to, belonged to the author herself, Elizabeth Gilbert. If you decide you want to try the audio version–I promise you will not be disappointed. In fact, I feel as if Gilbert brings something extra to the reading through her connectedness to the content.
BUT…my one disappointment as I devoured Big Magic, was that I wasn’t able to underline quotes that I wanted to return to. I wasn’t able to write little notes in the margins–I always do that with books that will clearly be my companions over and over again though the years.
Here are some of the ones that I would have wanted to highlight as I was listening…
“The universe buries strange jewels deep within us all, and then stands back to see if we can find them.” ― Elizabeth Gilbert
“You can clear out whatever obstacles are preventing you from living your most creative life, with the simple understanding that whatever is bad for you is probably also bad for your work.” ― Elizabeth Gilbert
“Basically, your fear is like a mall cop who thinks he’s a Navy SEAL: He hasn’t slept in days, he’s all hopped up on Red Bull, and he’s liable to shoot at his own shadow in an absurd effort to keep everyone “safe.” ― Elizabeth Gilbert
“If I am not actively creating something, then I am probably actively destroying something” ― Elizabeth Gilbert
“Argue for your limitations and you get to keep them.” ― Elizabeth Gilbert
While adding to that list of quotes, I quickly realized I could keep going for pages. Make no mistake–I want to, but I won’t–for your sake. But if you do want more, you can click the link and see all the quotes that effected people on Goodreads.
But even though I was able to find the inspirational words that (I missed being able to grasp more tangibly by reading the audio version) I still wasn’t satisfied. Then I remembered this…
I had received a Barnes & Noble gift card as a thank you from three of my little ballerina’s this year. I hadn’t used it yet, because when you receive a special gift from special people–the purchase should be just as memorable as the people who gave it to you. I finally knew what to do with it. My ballerinas bought me a copy of Big Magic, which is it’s own kind of magic. Next time I see those girls, I’m going to have them write something in the cover because very quickly, little magic grows into big magic, and I always want to be reminded of that.
I know this post and my gushing is now all over the place. And I’m aware that I may not be doing the best job in explaining why YOU should read this book, but perhaps the best way I can explain why I think you should explore Big Magic, is to share why I believe it spoke to me so strongly…
I believe that our planet is inhabited not only by animals and plants and bacteria and viruses, but also by IDEAS. Ideas are disembodied, energetic life-forms. They are completely separate from us, but capable of interacting with us–albeit strangely. Ideas have no material body, but they do have a consciousness, and they most certainly have will. Ideas are driven by impulse: to be made manifest. And the only way an idea can be made manifest in our world is through collaboration with a human partner. It is only through a human’s efforts that an idea can be escorted out of the ether and into the realm of the actual.
Therefore, ideas spend eternity swirling around us, searching for available and willing human partners. (I’m talking about all ideas here–artistic, scientific, industrial, commercial, ethical, religious, political.) When an idea thinks it has found somebody–say, you–who might be able to bring it into the world, the idea will pay you a visit. It will try to get your attention.
This is how my writing process works. When I wrote my debut YA novel, Touching the Surface, I had this niggling fear that once I was done with it, I would have no idea what to write next.
But I didn’t have to worry. Once the story became fully formed in my mind, the next idea landed. I was still revising and working with my editor, but I knew I had captured the truth of my story and it would one day soon have wings. And as that happened, there was room for the next idea to perch along side me and begin to take shape.
This happens every single time. In fact, I was never as joyful as I was recently, when the next new idea flew at me. I have been “struggling” for quite a long time on my latest book. Dare I say it has been much like a dyslexic reader trying to attack War and Peace. It is a great idea–a worthy idea. It is an exciting and fulfilling idea. But it’s also been less then flexible at times–like a cold lump of clay that has had to be worked over and over again to find it’s shape. So, when the next new idea for a project began to relentless peck at me, I did a happy dance. I was a roller coaster that had reached it’s highest point after slowly chugging along for what felt like an eternity.
There is still track to ride, but I now have momentum to move me along. I have finally captured the essence of my current project. And I know I’ve done it according to the idea’s expectations, because it’s now inviting another idea to work with me. I feels as if my former employer had given me an outstanding letter of recommendation.
What I’m trying to tell you is that I didn’t fall in love with Big Magic because it told me things I didn’t know. The opposite was true. Elizabeth Gilbert spoke to me because she put into words all the things that I already knew to be true about ideas, fear, creativity, hard work and magic. I resonated deeply with what she said. Magic has always been discretely woven throughout my books, like delicate, shimmering threads that wait for someone sees the glint. But outside of that, my thoughts on magic have mostly been deep held beliefs I’ve been afraid to say out loud. What if no one else has these kinds of thoughts or experiences and I’m just a big weirdo?
But I’m not.
And you’re not either.
And that’s the gift of Big Magic.
So, go read it because there are ideas out there waiting for you. They are trying to get your attention.
Have you read Big Magic? Is it on your TBR list? What is your proof that big magic exists? How do ideas find you?
Can you believe it’s been almost a year since I became an author? And even longer since I sold my first book and got an agent. Here’s a little walk down memory lane. Humor me–I’m nostalgic today. So in no particular order because that would add a layer of organization I’m not capable of, here’s just a few of my most fabulous moments between finding my agent and birthing a paperback…
Standing outside the Simon & Schuster offices.
Apocalypsies at the LA SCBWI Conference!!!
Meeting my agent (Michelle Wolfson) and editor (Anica Rissi) for the first time. <3
Kimmiepoppins met Mary Poppins!!!! I met Julie Andrews!!!!
Signing my contract!!!!!! I AM GOING TO BE AN AUTHOR!!!
My book was at Bologna. Takes my breath away.
Wow!
My Yanni dance girls wearing TOUCHING THE SURFACE T-shirts. <3
Signing books at my book launch.
Good friends drove in from far away despite all the trouble with Hurricane Sandy.
Just an amazing experience.
Unable to thank my friends and family enough for their love and support on that special day.
More book launch at Oblong Books. I LOVE that bookstore and everyone in it. <3
Dad–there–even when he couldn’t be. The dedication.
On bookshelves in bookstores.
Kimmiepoppins finally gets a book launch in NYC after Hurricane Sandy delayed it. Mean Hurricane–awesome party.
Woo hoo!!! I got to speak at the NY Public Library.
I’m a fangirl–it’s A.S. King people!!!!!
I’m a fangirl–it’s Sharon Creech people!!!!
My first SCBWI faculty gig at the Eastern NY SCBWI Conference–where I got paid to talk with my hands about things I love.
Connecting with teen readers and making hedgehogs. *grin*
Loving on my writer mama, K.L. Going. <3 Wouldn’t be here without her.
And because you made it to the end of my reminiscing…you shall be rewarded with a chance to win a signed copy of the brand spanking new TOUCHING THE SURFACE paperback!!!!
Sat down last night to watch the SYTYCD Season 10 Finale only to find a political scheduling snafu. WHAT????
Fortunately, there is an encore performance on Friday. *breathes into a paper bag* And although I will get to watch the second half of the show, I do already know who won. But that’s okay, I consider all four dancers winners. I loved them all. But win or lose, there was one dancer I really connected with and was rooting for this year, and I’m tickled that he was the under dog who almost didn’t make it on the show. *fist pump*
Aaron Turner IS my favorite dancer from Season 10!!!!!
I could watch him tap all day. I adore his personality and his ability to morph into any character, no matter what direction the choreographer has taken things. He’s like a live wire out there, but it was this quiet moment that became my favorite of the season…
http://youtu.be/rEriefMg9ac
The cool part was, I was just as moved by the emotion of Aaron and Kathryn AFTER the performance, as I was by what they did on stage. They often say that writing is like opening up a vein and letting it all pour out onto the page. Dance is like that too. And the lines of this piece were so blurred and raw it was surreal. And I can’t be remiss and not mention the brilliant choreography of Stacey Tookey. Fabulous.
Part of the attraction to this piece involves my writing. I’ve created a scene in THE OPPOSITE OF GRAVITY that should feel just like this. In my head this is what I imagined occurring between two of my characters. Ultimately, I can only hope my words are able to create the same power and emotion that Aaron and Kathryn did. And on a side note, after seeing their chemistry, I want them to fall in love, get married and make dancing babies. <3
But gahhhh!!! Now I can’t believe I have to wait a whole year for Season 11. To make the time go faster, lets keep talking about Season 10. What was your favorite dancer this season? Favorite performance? My second favorite was the Top Ten Boys–SAND. LOVED that one, but I have a gazillion more of course. And what about a favorite guest judge? I’m a huge fan of Jesse Tyler, Jenna Elfman and Anna Kendrick. Want to see more of them next season. Minnie Driver was pretty good, too. And of course Paula and Debbie are icons. Favorite choreographers?? That’s hard. I can’t pick. Can you??????
Lots going on this week on SYTYCD. First off, I LOVE that the producers of the show responded to the fans who did not like the contestants kicked off at the beginning of the show. Often people stick to their guns and do things just because they can. SYTYCD showed a lot of class by listening. I think listening and responding is a great skill and it takes a really good show and moves it up into the excellent category for me. I was also happy to see Paula Abdul on the show after ten years. I’d love to see more of her in the future.
I do have a favorite performance of the week. Aaron and Jasmine captured my attention again. No surprise that I’m partial to dead girls. PS My favorite part is when it looks like Jasmine puts her hand right through Aaron’s chest. Brilliant!
http://youtu.be/M3LmU31f97I
There was something else I noticed about this show. I’m consistently seeing strong performances from some of the same dancers over and over again. But that hasn’t guaranteed success. During voting, some are in the bottom three and some appear untouchable. This can not attributed to just their dance ability alone. There are some fabulous technical dancers that don’t have the same fan base as some of the other, less experienced or well rounded dancers. The difference appears to be in how they connect with the audience. They bring a magic ingredient–some secret mixture of presence, emotion, connection and possibly luck. I think.
I’ve witnessed a similar phenomena in writing. I’ve read many books in my life that were amazing, but they never go viral. It isn’t because they aren’t something special. It’s because they are missing that magic ingredient. And before you ask–no–I don’t know what it is. I wish I did. Here is what I do know…I’ve listened to authors speak that I’ve never hear of before and because of the experience, I became a life-long fan of them and their work. Making a personal connection seems to be important. It’s also easier said than done. I also ponder what comes first…the chicken or the egg? Do certain dancers and authors get more air time, face time, marketing time because they have that special, magical quality? Or do contestants and authors that are well marketed have an advantage? Then there’s timing, luck and plain old hard work thrown into the mix. I do not know what the secret recipe is.
I suspect that you don’t have the answers either, but I sure would like to hear what your suspicions are. What do you think that magical element is for any artist to go viral? What’s your favorite book that didn’t get the attention you think it deserves? Which dancer on SYTYCD is going to be the worst casualty because they are a great dancer, but just don’t seem to have the magic ingredient?
This weekend I participated in another wonderful dance recital at the studio where I grew up. I watched four seniors have a magic moment–full of smiles and tears. And I saw the former seniors sitting in the audience–grappling with the mixed emotions that come with change. And I remember how, after I left for college, I didn’t come back for a long time. Mostly because I was far away–too far to get home–but a small piece of it was because I couldn’t. When I left, I didn’t have dance in my life the same way I always had. And I missed it. I couldn’t imagine what it would feel like to want it so much and then have to sit in the audience and watch what was no longer mine.
But now I’m “home” again and I understand myself better. Back then, the dance recital was just one more thing that reminded me that I was a coward–someone afraid to stretch her wings to get to the place where she wanted to be. For a long time I felt bad for missing my opportunity to be a dancer, but I’ve come to realized that the feeling that I longed for was never really just about dance for me. The painful truth is that I don’t love it that much. *wince* It has never been something I would have forsaken everything else for. I don’t want to eat, sleep and breath it–I never have. What dance really was, was a way I was able to creatively express myself. And I didn’t have many of those left by that point in my life–I’d shut them all down. So losing my biggest creative outlet left me wrapped up inside myself with no place to go emotionally. And that was painful because I’ve come to realize that I crave connection. I get off on making other people feel something. I love to gather people up in my emotion and I come alive when energy bounces back and forth between us. It happens when I dance. It happens when I share my writing. It happens when I have the right conversation with the right person. And I can’t get enough of it.
Some days I’m still suspicious–wondering if deep down it’s all about wanting something that’s crazy superficial–fame. I chastise myself for wanting something so big and bold. And then I remember that I’ve spent too long selling myself short–thinking negatively. Fame isn’t a four letter word (not the bad kind anyway) it’s a lot like the word abnormal. The connotation is that someone who is abnormal is less than normal, but the truth is that abnormal is simply the act of deviating from what is typical. Just because something is normally seen as negative doesn’t make it so. It is the same with fame. All kinds of people are famous, from serial killers to Gandhi. With a whole range of people in between. Fame doesn’t decide who you are, it isn’t a destination. It’s a vehicle. And I believe it can be used to make bigger and better connections. It can be a way to make more people feel something. Fame is an opportunity to be abnormal in the very best of ways. It lets you dance with the world–and I love to dance–so baby remember my name.
What motivates you to put yourself out there in the limelight? Are you abnormal? What’s your creative outlet? Does fear of fame–having it or not having it scare you?
It’s Wordless Wednesday and I thought this was appropriate because I was speechless yesterday when I found out that my local B&N had a Preemie. TOUCHING THE SURFACE hit the bookshelves early and people were buying my book!!!! I have photographic proof. Then, to top off that amazing news, Team Tipping the Surface (all the folks working extra hard to tip TOUCHING THE SURFACE into going viral, was in action at dance class last night. Everyone has their T-shirts ready to go!!!! I’ll shut up now. I’m totally wordless–for now. *grin*
Subscribe via Email
