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To create anything — whether a short story or a magazine…

“To create anything — whether a short story or a magazine profile or a film or a sitcom — is to believe, if only momentarily, you are capable of magic. These essays are about that magic — which is sometimes perilous, sometimes infectious, sometimes fragile, sometimes failed, sometimes infuriating…” quote by Tom Bissell
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“To create anything — whether a short story or a magazine profile or a film or a sitcom — is to believe, if only momentarily, you are capable of magic. These essays are about that magic — which is sometimes perilous, sometimes infectious, sometimes fragile, sometimes failed, sometimes infuriating, sometimes triumphant, and sometimes tragic. I went up there. I wrote. I tried to see.”

Tom Bissell

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Creating art is an act of believing in one's own capacity for wonder, despite its risks and rewards.

In simple terms: Artistic creation as belief in personal magic.

Key Takeaway

Creativity is a risky, magical belief.

Themes

creativity risk wonder fragility triumph

Mood

hopeful reflective

Type

inspirational reflective

When to use this quote

  • writing a story
  • producing a film
  • developing a sitcom
  • crafting a magazine profile

Key Concepts

imagination self-efficacy

Practical Applications

  • inspire creators
  • guide creative workshops

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does believing in magic enable you to attempt?
  • How do you handle creative failure?
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