But Gilbert's successes didn't come without challenges. The award-winning writer has always talked openly about her struggles, from finding the courage to leave a dead marriage to all the other obstacles on the road to her level of success. Her new book, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear, is all about uncovering inspiration, discovering ideas, and how to overcome the paralyzing fear that can arise when people attempt the unknown.
Thanks to Books & Books and the Adrienne Arsht Center, Gilbert is coming to Miami as part of her book tour. The author will be speaking at the Knight Concert Hall, and considering the venue's size, she will take the stage and face plenty of ardent admirers.
"We’re really excited about hosting Elizabeth here in Miami [and] we’re very excited about our co-sponsorship with the Arsht. This is the first author we’re presenting with them," says Books & Books founder Mitchell Kaplan.
Gilbert is no stranger to the magic city: she's passed through multiple times before on other tours, often in conjunction with Books & Books. Last year, she appeared as part of Oprah's Life You Want Weekend and proclaimed via Twitter: "I love you, Miami."
“She’s gone through a number of different events with us... and this book seems to be a kind of a breakthrough because she’s trying to start a worldwide conversation about inspiration and finding your own inspiration and your own process of creativity," Kaplan adds. “I think it’ll speak to a lot of different people.”
In a city where a lot of people are struggling, Gilbert's creative insight could go a long way.
“She will be talking about her own experience, about using her own pragmatism (she’s very pragmatic). She will be talking about something that’s a little more soulful and spiritual," says Kaplan. "She’s basically encouraging others to uncover
Elizabeth Gilbert
Monday, October 19, at 8 p.m. at the John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. Tickets $30. 305-949-6722; arshtcenter.org.
