My sister-in-law, perhaps sensing my inertia with regards to my thesis, and really any creative writing these days, sent me this link to a talk by Elizabeth Gilbert, the author of Eat, Pray, Love. I've never read the book, and I don't intend too (I've heard only the Eat part is worth it, really), but I'm very glad I spent twenty minutes of time I was supposed to be working watching it.
Gilbert suggests that maybe all us artistes -- musicians, actors, painters, writers, etc. -- would all be much happier, more well-adjusted people if we weren't blaming the inconsistent quality of our work, or our lack of quality work all-together (minus a few brief glimpses of genius) on ourselves. What if we treated creative inspiration as another entity, separate from ourselves? Something that comes from without, rather than within -- something that passes through us, rather than something we generate.
I've spoken before about the feeling of being channeled by my subconscious when the writing is going well. Gilbert takes this idea one step further, suggesting that all we as artists can do is prepare ourselves as best we can for creative inspiration -- a genius or muse, if you will -- to strike or pass through us. And then we have to take advantage of it when it comes. Outside of that, abdicate responsibility. If nothing's coming, just work away as best you can until it does, and don't feel badly about it.
I need to hear this just now, because writing is like pulling teeth these days for me, and it wasn't like this six months ago. I have a feeling this vessel isn't very well-prepared for a muse to channel it. So I'll work a bit at cleaning out the space in my brain where inspiration sometimes chooses to visit, in the hope that it shows up, knowing the place is in good condition.
How do I do this? By finding a bit more quiet in my life. By making sure I'm sleeping and eating well, getting exercise, and taking the steps to alleviate whatever stress I might be under on any particular day. And those stresses I can't relieve? I'm going to try not to worry about them so much.
Comments