Author Greg Gerke and the Art of Not Rushing the Creative Process
ACM Dean of Student Advising and Academic Services, Dr. Leigh Smith, facilitating the conversation with Greg Gerke.
On Wednesday, November 5th, the American College of the Mediterranean welcomed NYC based author and film critic Greg Gerke through an interview-style evening at the CEF main hall in Aix-en-Provence. Gerke spoke to students, faculty, and guests about his writing career, getting published, as well as advice for upcoming writers, artists, and makers. As a passionate writer myself, I enjoyed hearing about Gerke’s writing process and the valuable advice he shared about what it means to be a maker.
Starting out by writing screenplays as a teenager, Gerke found a love for the power of creativity, storytelling, and reflection through the written word. Gerke is a vivacious reader and expressed that reading has strengthened and expanded his writing throughout his career. He finds inspiration from authors of all genres and generations- Marcel Proust, James Joyce, Lydia Davis, and Virginia Woolf, among others. Additionally, he encouraged his audience to “Compete with Shakespeare”, emphasizing that we all have the power to produce great writing when we set a high bar and continually work to better our craft. Gerke talked about the value of reading philosophy and how exposing yourself to different genres will expand your mind and give additional depth to your writing. I learned that through continuously learning and analyzing the world, a writer’s voice and an artist’s style are deeply developed- leading to individualistic, unique styles and highly creative outcomes.
Me and my friends, ACM students Jaysa Nichols and Linnea Ciofrone, enjoying the talk!
Gerke spoke about the power of inspiration and seeking it out whenever possible. He encourages visiting art museums, going to plays and performances, watching dances, and attending concerts. Like many writers and artists, Gerke finds inspiration through everyday observation and the often-unspoken magic of daily life. He shared an anecdote of his time in Paris recently, explaining his practice of writing about paintings as they inspire him, rather than simply taking a picture. He practices presence with the works of art that resonate or connect with him, and through this, he explained he can “See the paintings better”. Additionally, Gerke urged us to “Write things down, wherever you are” and shared the quote, “I write to know what I think”. His story and the quotes deeply resonated with me, and I was inspired by how much his craft is weaved into the way he navigates life. His words have inspired me to be more intentional when finding ways to create and write, no matter the time, circumstances, or location.
When asked about his creative process, Gerke emphasized the importance of not forcing yourself. He expressed the importance of taking a break when it gets too hard or when you start disliking your work. He highlighted the importance of avoiding “exhausting your creativity”, saying that it could make your work feel less enjoyable and fulfilling. This advice was so helpful to me, and I’m sure many other writers and artists, because when our passions start feeling like chores, it can strip the inspiration and drive to continue. This reassurance that it is ok to take a break, and start back up when truly inspired, was a very valuable and important message. Inspiration often takes time, and many of the best pieces are born out of consistency, patience, and a deep love for what you do.
Greg Gerke is the author of four books, including See What I See (2021) and The Suavity of the Rock (2024). Gerke is also the editor and publisher of online literary journal “Socrates on the Beach”