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Writing With Fear #2: Read Big Magic

 


I know there are TONS of books out there on writing, creativity, craft, and so on. I’ve read several, but at the end of the day reading and research can become one of the biggest forms of procrastination and self sabotage. So just watch and make sure you are still getting your writing done like you planned before falling down the research hole.

 I say to tread carefully because I’ve done it myself. I still do it. I am a master of procrastination who is currently in recovery, but will always be an “addict.”  

We are the only reason we are successful or not. We decide how our life is going to go at the end of the day.

 Remember: Success is a decision. 

BUT if there is one book I can tell you to read on your author journey, it’s Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. I highly recommend the audiobook as well. 

This is the one book that I read in a weekend on a road trip, and when I got home, I turned right around and read it again. That’s how important and helpful the message is in that book. I believe all authors should read it. 

It really will help you get over your fears, and just live your life. None of that tortured artist BS. 

And if you choose not to read it, I encourage you to flip to the very last page and read the final statement. It’s the most important part. In fact, I’ll attach a graphic of the final words for you to read, it will probably help you sit down to write today. And that is the ultimate goal. 💖


I’m attaching some quotes from the book here that I love and may help inspire you. ✨

“I say this with all confidence, because I happen to believe we are all walking repositories of buried treasure. I believe this is one of the oldest and most generous tricks the universe plays on us human beings, both for its own amusement and for ours: The universe buries strange jewels deep within us all, and then stands back to see if we can find them. The hunt to uncover those jewels—that’s creative living. The courage to go on that hunt in the first place—that’s what separates a mundane existence from a more enchanted one. The often surprising results of that hunt—that’s what I call Big Magic.”

“I made a decision a long time ago that if I want creativity in my life—and I do—then I will have to make space for fear, too.”


“Be the weirdo who dares to enjoy.” 


“Create whatever causes a revolution in your heart. The rest will take care of itself.” 


“You must learn how to become a deeply disciplined half-ass.” 


“A good-enough novel violently written now is better than a perfect novel meticulously written never.” 


“Gratitude, always. Always, gratitude.”

-Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic


 

 

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