In Others’ Words: Creativity Takes Courage

Every time I write a book, I have to get my brave on.

Some of you are probably chuckling, wanting to ask: Oh, come on, Beth! What’s so scary about writing a novel?

All of it.

Figuring out what the book is about.
Developing the characters.
The first page.
The messy middle.
The end — oh, my word! The end! Do you know that it often takes me three or four tries to land the end of a novel?  

I love being a creative — and then there are times I hate being a creative because I have to walk in the valley of the shadow of “can I do this again?” “This” being am I willing to immerse myself in the start-to-finish process of writing a novel — all of it. The days when I know what I’m doing — and the days when I don’t. The days when my characters stick to the pre-plotted storyline — and the days that they don’t. The days when I remember I love what I do — and the anguish-filled days when I don’t. 

On the “I don’t” days, I have to be brave and carry on. Keep writing. Keep living the life of a creative even if the muse has left the building. I don’t quit — although there have been times when quitting sounded appealing. Quitting is for, well, quitters. And brave people don’t throw in the, um, laptop.

In Your Words: Thanks for joining me for that little pep talk. Tell me, what helps you get your brave on when you’re not feeling courageous?

In Others' Words: Creativity Takes Courage https://wp.me/p63waO-2Ac #quotes #creativity
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'Creativity takes courage.' quote by French artist Henri Matisse https://wp.me/p63waO-2Ac #creativity #courage
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