Naomi
asked
Elizabeth Gilbert:
What do you do if you have several ideas on creative projects to get into - but you don't know which one to commit to first?
Elizabeth Gilbert
This is going to sound freaky, Naomi, but I lay down a demand to the rival ideas — that they must sort out for themselves which one is going first, and then tell me. I refuse to listen to them arguing inside my head. I refuse to get into a war about it, or get carried away by confusion. For instance, I had two rival ideas fighting in my mind for over two years, and every day I said to both of them, "I'm not going to work on either one of you, until the two of you get together and make a plan about who is going first. So you two sort this out on your own, and come to me when one of you is serious about wanting to be made." Finally, one of the ideas came forward more strongly and said, "It's me," and the other backed off. I don't let my ideas push me around. I let them know that if they want to be taken seriously, they have to behave. Eventually, they get the message.
More Answered Questions
Tammey Violeta
asked
Elizabeth Gilbert:
Hi Elizabeth, I'm so happy to get to talk to you. Ok my question has to do with creativity for those who aren't in a creative profession nor have special creative talents like painting or singing, etc. I am trying to live creatvely, which is a new concept for me. How do I incorporate it in my daily life?
Patti
asked
Elizabeth Gilbert:
I am reading Alice Hoffman's The Museum of Extraordinary Things and am so impressed with how beautifully you both articulate nature and art. There is such an imagery when she is describing photography, and in your character Alma when describing something so seemingly mundane (to many) as mosses. Where did your inspiration for Alma come from? One of my favorite characters in years!
Elizabeth Gilbert
34,537 followers
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