This is a pretty good book. I would suggest using it over time rather than in one sitting so it will be more useful to you. Kind of reminds me of the SARK books.

It took me quite a while to get into this book, and while I grew to rather like it almost despite itself, overall that shaky start and general tone still left me just a little ‘hmm’.

What I liked: the holistic, all-life-is-creative approach; the lists of ‘what if’ questions to shake you out of your mindset (e.g. “What if you delighted in the uncertainty?”, “Could you still better yourself without any pressure?”); the honesty and friendliness of the author; the gentle, musing tone (as a memoir).

Not quite so keen on the personal therapy session that a lot of the narrative felt like, especially to begin with, as the author detailed deaths and marriage break ups and failure to have children. Now, this is entirely personal: for some, this raw honesty is going to be a huge selling point. But I felt that it crossed the line just a little – it was a fascinating read as a memoir, but didn’t add to my experience with the book as a self-help, rediscovering my creativity aid, which is more what I was looking for. In fact, picking out the advice from the life stories isn’t always easy, and I was a good chunk of the way through the book before I hit a bit and thought “Finally! A chapter actually on creativity!”

Part-way through I finally realised that this reads a great deal like a Julia Cameron book, e.g. The Artists Way. It’s very readable, flowing very well. I did enjoy it, but almost despite itself as it wasn’t what I was expecting, really. There is a message: creativity is life, and hard times don’t have to stop you, or perhaps even that life is short and full of difficult things so take joy in creating.

I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. I always want to be creative, but there are times that I struggles with that and need a little help in hard times. That is what this book does. IT has pages with idea for a lot of the hard times. I had to use the book for a couple of months to see if it did anything for me. IT help me focus when I did not want to even think creativity and that is a terrible things for a writer and poet to say at any time.

I am so so excited to have found this book! And I will be recommending it to all the creatives I know as well as those I know who are creative we don’t think they are creative. The other approaches this topic with so much compassion and joy. I especially loved her many many “what if....” questions sprinkled throughout each chapter. There is a wealth of material here that will keep my creativity flowing for many many months and years.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book exceeded my expectations. I thought the content was relatable, thoughtful and practical, and that the questions and practical exercises throughout promoted compassion and holding ourselves and others gently. I was provided a review copy on NetGalley but will be purchasing my own paperback copy.
Thanks to NetGalley for the review copy. The opinions expressed are my own.