The pub date for my novel Lilac Girls, April 4th, seems eons away and it’s been hard to be patient. They say that working on another novel is the antidote to such jumpiness, so I started the infamous second novel. It’s coming together nicely, but I’ve had periods of dry spells I rarely had with the first book. I tried to remind myself that the last one was over ten years in the making and I needn’t be so hard on myself, but it’s stressful.
Enter Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic. I’ve been listening to an audio version of it as I walk the beach here on Martha’s Vineyard and it feels like medicine. At first I was skeptical. Magic is a factor in writing? Please. Ideas have minds of their own? Isn’t it all about just sitting down and writing?
I don’t know if it’s Gilbert’s soothing voice or the intimate stories of her own issues with creativity she shares (the Ann Patchett story is incredible), but it feels like I’m walking the beach with a smart, funny fellow writer who’s seen it all and is willing to help others.
Best of all, I came home yesterday and found myself back on the moving walkway she talks about in the book, once again able to get in the zone and write so effortlessly.
Ideas are magical? Walking the beach with Elizabeth made a believer out of me.
Nicely written and I will read the book. I’m sure it helps artists as well!
Think you’d love it, Sarah!