Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear

Big Magic outlines six elements of creativity. How are these elements similar or different from the steps of creativity in Mihály Csíkszentmihályi’s Creativity: Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention?

Find an example of a trickster in folklore, mythology, or religion and write an essay on how the trickster’s qualities align with or differ from Gilbert’s idea of the trickster. How might this trickster connect with Gilbert’s qualities of creativity? How does it diverge?

Gilbert refers to the concept of multiple discovery in science in Part 2, noting that no rational reason exists for this to happen. Discuss several examples of multiple discoveries. How might psychologists and scientists explain these occurrences?

How do the six elements outlined in Big Magic relate to other life practices or experiences outside of creativity?

Find an example of personification in the book and discuss how it serves to support Gilbert’s ideas. Which human qualities does she use to bring abstract ideas to life?

Gilbert treats the concept of “Big Magic” elusively and in different ways throughout the book. Why does she do this? Compare and contrast the different ways she describes “Big Magic” and her varying examples of it. 

Pick another contemporary self-help book that explores creativity. How is it similar to Gilbert’s? How is it different?

Gilbert uses the words “ideas,” “inspiration,” and “creativity” somewhat interchangeably. What are the differences between these terms? Why does she blend them together instead of making a distinction between them?