Harper Lee wrote one of the bestselling and most acclaimed American novels of all time, “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Yet, her first book was the only book she ever wrote. Contrast this with Toni Morrison. Her first book, “The Bluest Eye”—the story of a young Black girl longing to have blue eyes as a way to assume a new racial identity—received only minimal critical attention when first published. Yet, she went on to write two more books, both of which brought her national attention and won her the National Book Critics Award and the Pulitzer Prize, respectively. She was awarded the Noble Prize in Literature in 1993.
Why do so many novelists, film directors, and first-time inventors often have a hard time replicating their early success? In this talk, Markus Baer will present some new findings that shed light on the conditions that give rise to the phenomenon that has become known as the “one-hit wonder” and the psychology behind it. Finally, he will offer some insights into what each of us can do to ensure that we sustain our creativity — both in our personal and professional lives.
Florian Bauer (ERSTE Foundation) will open the event with a welcome statement and Professor Michael Meyer (Vienna University of Economics and Business) will guide us through the evening.