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Courageous Creativity: Advice and Encouragement for the Creative Life
Being creative takes courage. It can be scary to create something. Before you can even work on your craft, you have to face down the fear of messing up or looking silly, the perfectionism that keeps you from even starting, and the negative voices inside your head that say you don't have anything valuable to offer. Well, you do have something to offer! Being creative is a right, and in this book, National Book Award finalist Sara Zarr will help you get started. Her advice and encouragement are paired with exercises to help you face down your fears, let go of expectations, stop comparing yourself to others, and make your art with courage. A perfect gift for anyone who wants to be creative but doesn't know where to start, or for people who've been doing creativity for a while but want more inspiration, Courageous Creativity will empower readers to express themselves with self-confidence, bravery, and joy.
- GenresNonfictionWriting
208 pages, Hardcover
Published September 29, 2020
7 people are currently reading
142 people want to read
About the author
Sara Zarr
19books1,288followersSara Zarr is the acclaimed author of ten books, most recently Goodbye from Nowhere, and Courageous Creativity: Advice and Encouragement for the Creative Life--a book on creativity for the young and young-at-heart. She’s a National Book Award finalist and two-time Utah Book Award winner, and is the host and producer of the This Creative Life podcast. Her first book, Story of a Girl, was made into a 2017 television movie directed by Kyra Sedgwick. She lives with her husband and cat, Mr. Donut, in CA and UT.
How I use goodreads: To log books I read in a year, books I want to read, and books by authors who were on my podcast, This Creative Life. (Those also turn up on my read shelf though I haven't necessarily read them!) I don't use the rating system but I will jot some notes about the books if I remember!
How I use goodreads: To log books I read in a year, books I want to read, and books by authors who were on my podcast, This Creative Life. (Those also turn up on my read shelf though I haven't necessarily read them!) I don't use the rating system but I will jot some notes about the books if I remember!
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 9, 2021
A great and digestible read for aspiring YA creatives. If there’s a young creative in your life- put this book in their hands. ❤️
June 12, 2023
I used to read a lot of how-to-write, how-to-create, how-to-be-productive-creatively books in my teenage years. This brought me right back, and I feel like the waves of lessons from Stephen King, Madeleine L'engle, Andrew Peterson, and everyone else washed right back into memory. I can't really tell how much of it was actually said in this book, versus what is dredged up from the depths of my mind, but I enjoyed it, and needed it, in this presentation, so 4.5/5!
January 1, 2021
A bit like BIG MAGIC by Elizabeth Gilbert, but "lite."
This is a very nicely made book that's part how-to, part pep-talk -- perfect for young creatives. ("Young" meaning in age, or "young" meaning less experienced.) More seasoned creatives can definitely still enjoy this, but it will serve more as a reminder of things you already know, versus teaching anything new. Still valuable, but hits different.
I "highlighted" a lot of passages that resonated with me, and I'm gifting a copy to a writer-friend who I think will appreciate it in the same way I did.
This is a very nicely made book that's part how-to, part pep-talk -- perfect for young creatives. ("Young" meaning in age, or "young" meaning less experienced.) More seasoned creatives can definitely still enjoy this, but it will serve more as a reminder of things you already know, versus teaching anything new. Still valuable, but hits different.
I "highlighted" a lot of passages that resonated with me, and I'm gifting a copy to a writer-friend who I think will appreciate it in the same way I did.
February 8, 2021
Fantastic advice for teen writers or teen artists of any kind. But also for adult artists and writers. The creative process is messy and hard and Sara Zarr helps you understand that this doesn't mean you can't do it or that you're not good at it. It's all part of the process.
Love this book and want to give it to all of the creative teens and young adults I know.
Love this book and want to give it to all of the creative teens and young adults I know.
May 17, 2023
A good, quick little read that can help jump-start your motivation to get creative and fight against the negative self-talk and procrastination.
July 10, 2022
This is an excellent collection of tools (not rules!) written in an accessible way for not only young people (though it's clearly aimed at them) but creative people of all ages. Zarr addresses many of the challenges people may face getting started and then finishing a creative project and offers suggestions for getting unstuck. One of my favorite things about this book is that Zarr acknowledges at every turn that not every person is middle class nor has a room of their own to work in. She suggests walking in your neighborhood--if it's safe to do so. She gives suggestions for how to create a work space--even if you share a room with siblings or other family members. She also includes many free resources that kids or other people with limited incomes can use.
I also deeply appreciate that Zarr approaches resistance through a compassionate lens by offering both empathy and personal anecdotes for how she herself overcomes it. I highly recommend this for any creative, but especially those starting out or who engage in a lot of negative self talk.
I also deeply appreciate that Zarr approaches resistance through a compassionate lens by offering both empathy and personal anecdotes for how she herself overcomes it. I highly recommend this for any creative, but especially those starting out or who engage in a lot of negative self talk.
July 30, 2021
Courageous Creativity... although meant for writers, the essence of this book can translate into any hobby or occupation you feel stuck in. Basically, brainstorm, doodle, explore, make a plan, accept that you aren't perfect and that's okay, and create/ do what you want. Solid advice presented in a confident, silly, uplifting and modern way, meant to encourage creative thinking and fresh ideas!
August 20, 2022
While intended for teens and young adults, this is well worth a read by anyone with a creative practice. While so many books about the creative process can feel overly prescriptive, this lives up to the “tools, not rules� mantra Sara Zarr recommends. There is a sense of humor, heart, and honesty that makes the author’s experiences relatable while still being helpful.
February 6, 2021
Great book for kids and young adults who are interested in writing or any other creative activity. Sara Zarr offers advice and encouragement for those who want to accomplish a creative goal, whether it be writing or any other creative outlet.
December 25, 2022
I know this book is for teens but oh my goodness it was like a bowl of chicken soup on a cold day :-) I really appreciate these words of encouragement and now I need to track down a paper copy of the book instead of just a digital copy from the library so I can turn to it in times of need!
October 21, 2020
I loved this book.
Practical and Real.
Practical and Real.
February 2, 2021
Great advice and ideas to kickstart your creativity.
September 26, 2023
It's a somewhat helpful guide addressing the inevitable ups and downs of the creative process. Would have loved even more tactical tips as a content creator reading the book.
February 3, 2024
Great insight into the creative process!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
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