Novelist Junot Díaz is a Professor of Writing at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is “a writer whose finely crafted works of fiction offer powerful insight into the realities of the Caribbean diaspora, American assimilation, and lives lived between cultures.” New York Times writer Sam Anderson recently interviewed him, and Diaz provides a number of helpful perspectives on creative expression, for any kind of artist.
Self-esteem
Creativity and Ego
“My personal creative process has always been very torturous, because I try to be a perfectionist. That’s the way the ego works.” Director Alejandro González Iñarritu, who goes on to say about ego: “It’s extraordinarily demanding; it’s a dictator; and it can push you to bring out the best in yourself. “But at the same […]
Impostor Feelings Can Dampen Your Creativity
Even very talented people may experience fraud or impostor feelings, which can lead to insecurity about their abilities, despite their accomplishments.
“I always feel like something of an impostor. I don’t know what I’m doing.”
Jodie Foster mad…
Melora Hardin on social reactions and confidence
Melora Hardin, in addition to acting, is also a musician and director. In our interview several years ago, she talked about how actors and artists – especially women – are responded to and labeled. “I have never ever felt when I walked into a room as a brunette that anybody was testing my intelligence. “But […]
Amber Riley on rejection: “How can I better myself?”
Amber Riley is one of the dynamic actor-singers on the musical/comedy series Glee. She recalls her rejection from American Idol: “My life was crushed when they told me ‘No.’ “But I was 17, it was a long time ago and rejection like that only makes you stronger, gets you asking — how can I better […]