Writers are an arrogant sort. There are many times I
finished a book only to think I have more talent and could have written it
better. I do not have sour grapes when I read author’s whose amateur drafts are
printed. In fact these inspire me and make me continue to write. I tell myself, if some of
these weaker works get published, certainly, I too can break through.
However, when I read a masterpiece, I’m in awe and stalled.
There is no way I could have masterfully crafted anything so
fine as Elizabeth Gilbert’s novel A Signature of All Things. http://www.elizabethgilbert.com/ I
can’t even write a review that does the work justice. Her ease with language,
her discipline to research, her patience to tell a story revealing its intricacies
slowly without bogging down pace is admirable.
I was a fan of Gilbert’s memoir Eat, Pray, Love. (In my opinion, the movie fell apart,
because Gilbert’s use of language was lost on screen and Julia Roberts was
poorly cast.) I remember seeing a Ted Talk of Gilbert’s in 2012, where she spoke
of the creative process and the freakish nature of success. See her talk on the
creative genius here: http://www.npr.org/2012/06/01/153700920/do-all-of-us-possess-genius.
She was concerned that her biggest success was behind her. I am grateful it was in fact yet to come.
Today I shall leave you with a recommendation to watch the
video and read the novel. Meanwhile, I will sign off and attempt to create
genius.
