Replay: Amber Tamblyn shares Five Things She's Learned about Creativity – and Harnessing Emotion in the Service of Powerful Art
Check out the first five minutes of her recent class.
“Your anguish—whether over the injustice in the world, personal loss, or grief—has a useful place to go. I hope to talk with you about how to harness ALL that we are feeling (and yes, that capitalization is on purpose because there is SO MUCH) and how put it to good use by honing in on an idea for a striking piece of writing or learning how to convey an emotion as a storyteller in a potent and original way. As poet Jeffrey McDaniel once said about being a writer and artist, “You have to imagine your ass off,” and I’m here to help you get there.”
– Amber Tamblyn, Five Things I’ve Learned about Creativity – and Harnessing Emotion in the Service of Powerful Art
On March 18th, Amber Tamblyn joined Five Things I’ve Learned to share all she’s learned about how to harness our emotions into the full force of our creative work — and how to put all that we’re feeling about the state of the world to good use.
Amber is a writer, actress, and director known for her roles in House M.D., General Hospital, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, and Joan of Arcadia, for which she received Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. She has authored seven books, including the memoir Era of Ignition, the novel Any Man, and several poetry collections, with her latest work, Listening in the Dark, becoming a bestseller. In 2016, she co-wrote, directed, and produced the feature film Paint It Black, and in 2024, her long-form poem This Living was published in The New Yorker. A frequent contributor to The New York Times, The Cut, and The New Yorker, she writes on gender inequality, women's rage, and social justice.
Amber’s session, Five Things I’ve Learned about Creativity – and Harnessing Emotion in the Service of Powerful Art, explores how deep emotions—whether anger, grief, or joy—can fuel artistic expression. Through personal stories and reflections on her journey as a poet, actress, director, and activist, she shares how creative work can transform raw feeling into something meaningful and impactful. She also offers insights on storytelling across different mediums, the discipline of channeling emotion into art, and the urgent need for bold, original voices in today’s world.
Amber’s class was the second installment in a six-part series exploring the delicate balance between an artist’s creative work and personal life, hosted by poet and teacher Matthew Zapruder. Click the button below to watch Matthew’s introduction to the series, then follow the links at the bottom of the page to explore more and view personal invitations from each guest. Tickets are available for individual conversations, or take advantage of special series pricing for all six sessions.
Thanks for being part of Five Things I’ve Learned on Substack. Visit myfivethings.com to view personal video invitations from more than 120 more writers, thinkers, and artists we admire – and to get special discounted pricing with our Five Things I’ve Learned Multi Pass.