Understanding Creativity and Success

The speaker, a writer, discusses the fear and anxiety associated with creative work, especially after achieving significant success. She explores historical perspectives on creativity, contrasting ancient beliefs of external genius with modern views of internalized creativity. The speaker shares personal strategies to manage creative pressure, drawing on examples from other artists. She concludes by encouraging a mindset that separates personal identity from creative output, promoting resilience and continued effort.

What unexpected event in the speaker's career led to fears about future achievements?

• The success of 'Eat, Pray, Love'

• Publishing a controversial article

• A change in writing style

• Winning a literary award

How does the speaker describe the reaction of people when she first wanted to become a writer?

• Excited and enthusiastic

• Fearful and doubtful

• Indifferent and uninterested

• Supportive and encouraging

What profession does the speaker compare to writing to highlight differences in perceived anxiety?

• Teaching

• Chemical engineering

• Law

• Medicine

What did ancient Greeks and Romans believe about creativity?

• It was a skill learned over time

• It was a divine spirit assisting humans

• It was a result of hard work

• It was a random occurrence

What shift in thinking about creativity occurred during the Renaissance?

• Creativity was attributed to divine spirits

• Creativity was seen as a group effort

• Creativity was considered unimportant

• Creativity was believed to come from the individual

How does the speaker describe her own creative process?

• Disciplined and laborious

• Spontaneous and easy

• Effortless and smooth

• Chaotic and unpredictable

What did Tom Waits do when he felt overwhelmed by a creative idea while driving?

• He recorded it on his phone

• He asked it to come back later

• He pulled over to write it down

• He ignored it completely

What lesson does the speaker take from Tom Waits' approach to creativity?

• To work harder to capture ideas

• To avoid creative work while busy

• To always be prepared for inspiration

• To let go of anxiety and collaborate with creativity

What is the speaker's advice for dealing with the pressure of creative work?

• Focus on the outcome

• Avoid taking risks

• Show up and do your part

• Seek constant validation

What does the speaker suggest about the source of extraordinary creative moments?

• They are entirely self-generated

• They are on loan from a mysterious source

• They are purely coincidental

• They are a result of intense practice