Elizabeth Gilbert On Writing

Despite not being particularly well-read, I am deeply curious about how different writers work. There is a magic in how a writer is able to take concepts from their mind and flesh them out into entire worlds on the printed page. I think that I would enjoy nothing more than to write good fiction. But for the most part, like music, I leave the work of writing to those better suited to it. For now I am content to sit on the periphery enjoying what those more talented than myself produce.

I happened to stumble onto the homepage of author Elizabeth Gilbert and felt that she made some statements that are helpful to all artists, not just writers. I should note that I've never read anything by Ms. Gilbert, her work could be complete crap and I'd never be the wiser, but what she says has to some heft to it.

I believe that – if you are serious about a life of writing, or indeed about any creative form of expression – that you should take on this work like a holy calling. I became a writer the way other people become monks or nuns. I made a vow to writing, very young. I became Bride-of-Writing. I was writing’s most devotional handmaiden. I built my entire life around writing.

I didn’t love being rejected, but my expectations were low and my patience was high. (Again – the goal was to get published before death. And I was young and healthy.) It has never been easy for me to understand why people work so hard to create something beautiful, but then refuse to share it with anyone, for fear of criticism. Wasn’t that the point of the creation – to communicate something to the world? So PUT IT OUT THERE.

Don’t pre-reject yourself. That’s their job, not yours. Your job is only to write your heart out, and let destiny take care of the rest.

As for discipline – it’s important, but sort of over-rated. The more important virtue for a writer, I believe, is self-forgiveness. Because your writing will always disappoint you. Your laziness will always disappoint you.

Werner Herzog in response to a letter from one of Gilbert's friends complaining about the difficulty of being an independent filmmaker...

Quit your complaining. It’s not the world’s fault that you wanted to be an artist. It’s not the world’s job to enjoy the films you make, and it’s certainly not the world’s obligation to pay for your dreams. Nobody wants to hear it. Steal a camera if you have to, but stop whining and get back to work.