Acoustic roots singer Bella White got a boost of creativity after reading Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
This episode originally aired on March 27, 2021.
Singer-songwriter and instrumentalist Bella White grew up in Calgary and learned to play bluegrass and acoustic roots music from her father.
Her 2020 debut album, Just Like Leaving, is a modern take on the bluegrass genre and features songs like Hand Of Your Raising and Gutted.
White stopped by The Next Chapter to talk about the book she's currently reading.
"Right now, I'm reading Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. The book is about harnessing your creativity — creating without fear and without shame — and tapping into your most creative self.
"I decided to read Big Magic because my mom and my sister always hyped it up for me. And as a creative person, I am making it my life's goal to just create as much as I can.
"I felt like I needed a little boost. I was feeling like I was losing some steam and burning out. I felt like reading this book would maybe give me a little kick that I needed.
I felt like reading this book would maybe give me a little kick that I needed.
What Elizabeth Gilbert talks about is that ideas and creativity are independent from you — and they are floating around you, all the time.
"You sign this verbal contract with your creative ideas when you commit to leaning into them. For me, it's about saying yes to ideas when they come to me — and not thinking too much about them."
Bella White's comments have been edited for length and clarity.
