Danielle Krysa - Your Inner Critic Is a Big Jerk: And Other Truths About Being Creative

TO EVERYONE WHO IS DETERMINED TO LIVE A CREATIVE LIFE, NO MATTER WHAT THE JERKS SAY.

Text copyright 2016 by Danielle Krysa.
Illustrations copyright 2016 by Martha Rich.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher.

ISBN 9781452148496 (epub, mobi)

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:
Names: Krysa, Danielle, author.
Title: Your inner critic is a big jerk : and other truths about being creative /
By Danielle Krysa ; With illustrations by Martha Rich.
Description: San Francisco : Chronicle Books, 2016.
Identifiers: LCCN 2015037482 |
ISBN 9781452148441 (pb)
Subjects: LCSH: Creative ability.
Classification: LCC BF408 .K79 2016 | DDC 153.3/5dc23 LC record available at http://lccn.loc.gov/2015037482

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This is an incredibly white, empty page. And youre the one whos supposed to fill it? You cant write a whole book. Um, hello, youre not even a writer!

Seriously. Such a jerk.

When I was given the green light to write this book, I was beyond thrilled. I had so many ideas that I could not wait to share. I thought Id jump right into this exciting new adventure with no fear, but I have to admit that I procrastinated in as many ways as I possibly could. Kickoff meeting with one of my most favorite artists in the world, Martha Rich: Check. Rereading my initial pitch fifty times: Check. Purchase of hot-pink notebook to capture all of my brilliant ideas: Check. Yet, days rolled into weeks. Deadlines loomed. And the thrillingterrifyingtask remained undone.

I thought Id have no self-doubt while writing this book. I was excited. I was ready! Things changed when I came face-to-face with the blank white rectangle and blinking cursor of Microsoft Word. There was a smallall right, fairly largepanic attack, and a very long lecture from my inner critic.

Ive had issues with my inner critic for decades. Im pretty sure it stems from a terrible critique that I had in my last year of art school (more on that later) twenty-plus years ago. Thankfully, that experience is probably what led to the launching of my art blog, The Jealous Curator, in 2009. I love my site, and it has changed my life in many ways. I went from feeling completely alone in my creative jealousy to being surrounded by thousands of supportive, like-minded readers. By sharing the work of contemporary artists that initially had made me jealous, I slowly began to realize that there is absolutely no need to be jealous. There is a place for anyone who wants to be creative. Somewhere along the way, that toxic, soul-crushing jealousy turned into inspirational, get-your-ass-back-into-the-studio motivation. What a relief.

I was slowly starting to figure it all out; then, what brought things into focus for me was Creative Block, the first book I wrote.

Well, you didnt really write it. You interviewed a bunch of artists from around the world. They wrote it, you just asked the questions. How hard can that be?

Sorry, that was my inner critic again. Anyway, as I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted, in Creative Block I asked full-time, successful artists about blocks, self-doubt, and the dreaded inner critic. I had no idea how they would answer my questions. I assumed that most of them would respond with, Inner critic? Ah, no, I dont have that. Inner critics are for amateurs. But their collective answers stunned me. People who Id assumed had this whole creative thing figured out actually felt just like meand like you, and every other creative person in the world.

We all get blocked. We are all plagued by an inner critic. And no one is immune to the creativity-halting effects of negative criticism.

Its true. And as I traveled around promoting Creative Block, hearing the stories of hundreds of people, I found myself knee-deep in a pile of truths about what it means to be a creative person. Ten truths, in factone for each chapter of this book.

These truths run the gamutfrom dealing with soul- crushing negative criticism, to quieting bitter inner critics. Well face the fact that a blank page can be absolutely terrifying and learn how to navigate around it. Well talk about turning green-eyed jealousy into a green light for your creativity, about failing until were geniuses, and about the importance of finding a group of trusted people with whom to share our work, and our journey.

I wrote this book because I want every creative person to know that we are all part of a huge, amazing, talented group of people. We know that being a creative person can feel quite isolating, but none of us is actually alone. Everyone has experienced some, if not all of these truths along the way, even the professionals, but people rarely talk about ithence, feeling alone. Read this book from start to finish, or jump around from chapter to chapter. Find the stories that strike a chord with you and your creative pursuits. I made sure to leave a little extra room in the margins of this book for jotting down thoughts or realizations that may pop into your head as you read. Im a big fan of taking notes, says the girl with the hot-pink notebook.

I hope that these ten truths bring you the clarifying, freeing aha moments that Ive experienced, thanks to the openness and honesty of so many of you.

See you on the other side.

Art Facts: First, art is fun. Then, art is creative. Finally, art is beautiful. ART!!!! Esm, age six

Very wise words from a very smart little girl. Whether you paint, or sing, or write, or dance, Im sure you remember feeling that kind of joy, even if it is a bit foggy now. Thats why we need clever kids like Esm to remind us that everyoneand I mean everyoneis creative.

Thats a fact. Every single one of us is born with an imagination, and a primal urge to make thingsthings like fire, and cities, and cakes, and books, and shoes, and vegetable gardens, and breakfast. There are a ridiculous number of ways to be creative. Look at you, for example. Whether youre currently living a creative life or not, you want to. Theres no way youd pick up a book about inner critics and other truths about being creative if you werent creative.

I wish I had a dollar for every time someone said, Me? No, Im not creative. I would be a gazillionaire. The thing is, thats not really them talking, its their jerkface inner critic. Okay, so maybe you havent made anything in a