Dancer Martha Graham commented:
“No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others.”
Another quote on that idea is from Zadie Smith:
“Tell the truth through whichever veil comes to hand — but tell it. Resign yourself to the lifelong sadness that comes from never being satisfied.”
The acclaimed novelist, essayist and short story writer offers more advice on creating in the post Zadie Smith’s 10 Rules of Writing, by Maria Popova.
Smith is among the finalists for the Women’s Prize, known formerly as the Orange Prize, for “NW: A Novel.”
The urge to create, to keep on creating, always seeking the next project, can help fuel achievement – but also dissatisfaction. Perfectionism can also be part of it.
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Douglas Eby (M.A./Psychology) is author of the The Creative Mind series of sites which provide “Information and inspiration to help creative people thrive.”
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