10/06/2026
writes in Big Magic, “In contemporary Western civilization, the most common creative contract still seems to be one of suffering.
This is the contract that says, I shall destroy myself and everyone around me in an effort to bring forth my inspiration, and my martyrdom shall be the badge of my creative legitimacy.
If you choose to enter into a contract of creative suffering, you should try to identify yourself as much as possible with the stereotype of the Tormented Artist. You will find no shortage of role models.
To honor their example, follow these fundamental rules:
Drink as much as you possibly can; sabotage all your relationships; wrestle so vehemently against yourself that you come up bloodied every time; express constant dissatisfaction with your work; jealously compete against your peers; begrudge anybody else’s victories; proclaim yourself cursed (not blessed by your talents; attach your sense of self-worth to external rewards; be arrogant when you are successful and self pitying when you fail; honor darkness above light; die young; blame creativity for having killed you.
Does it work, this method?
Yeah, sure. It works great.
Till it kills you.”
Everyday at Fierce, we say NO to this way of living and instead, say YES to JOY!
