Why is it that we assume that true genius is always accompanied by torment and anguish? Through Gilbert's talk I realized that I've always thought that creativity and suffering are inherently linked. That is why I believe Amy Winehouse, Billy Holiday and Mary J. Blige are such a great singers; their suffering can be heard through their voices.
Well, in this speech Elizabeth Gilbert pleas for us to believe that creative people are just used by 'genius' since they can give a shape to creativity - in the form of a story, a poem or a song. She explains how the Greeks and Romans believed in the existence of deamons or geniuses that lived around the artists and fed them with inspiration. Naturally, Gilbert tries to ease her own mind, which is now haunted by fear of her failing to write another book as successful as 'Eat, Pray, Love'. It's an interesting topic though.
And, just for the record, I really enjoyed reading that book - but I do wonder: Would it have been as good if Elizabeth Gilbert had not been miserable and tormented?
