Writing Creativity and Soul

by Sue Monk Kidd

Writing is more than language and story.
It also involves the creation of self.
Writing is about who we are and who we are becoming.

After taking up writing at the age of thirty, Sue Monk Kidd hascreated some of the world’s most treasured stories. In Writing Creativity and Soul she shares exactly how she did it - from plunging her innermost depths, to voyaging to sacred spaces, to studying the precise methods of the greats and refining her own. Laying her creative journey bare, Sue explores the moments in which she lost her voice and when she found it again, as well as the profound insights she gained along the way.

Part memoir, part philosophical investigation, part advice to aspiring writers, this is a guide to awakening the soul. Everything that readers loved about The Secret Life of Bees is to be found in Writing Creativity and Soul - the warmth, the fierce intelligence, the wit, the spiritual hunger, the search for beauty and meaning and, perhaps above all, the rebel heart.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Memoir, Self Help, Essays, Books About Books, Feminism

Audible Audio

First published October 21, 2025

About the author

Sue Monk Kidd was raised in the small town of Sylvester, Georgia, a place that deeply influenced the writing of her first novel The Secret Life of Bees. She graduated from Texas Christian University in 1970 and later took creative writing courses at Emory University and Anderson College, as well as studying at Sewanee, Bread Loaf, and other writers’ conferences. In 2016, TCU conferred on her an honorary doctor of letters degree. She was inducted into the South Carolina Academy of Authors in 2011 and into the Georgia Writers Hall of Fame in 2022.

Her book When the Heart Waits, published by Harper San Francisco in 1990 has become a touchstone on contemplative spirituality. The Dance of the Dissident Daughter, also published by Harper in 1996, describes Kidd’s journey into feminist theology, a memoir that had a groundbreaking effect within religious circles.

When her first novel, The Secret Life of Bees, was published by Viking in 2002, it became a genuine literary phenomenon, spending more than 2½ years on the New York Times bestseller list. It has been translated into over 36 languages and sold more than 8 million copies worldwide. Bees was named the Book Sense Paperback Book of the Year in 2004, long-listed for the 2002 Orange Prize in England, and won numerous other awards. For over a decade, the novel was produced on stage by The American Place Theater, and in 2008 it was adapted into a movie by Fox Searchlight, which won the People’s Choice award for best movie and the NAACP Image award for best picture. An Off Broadway musical of Bees ran at The Atlantic Theater in 2019, winning the AUDELCO VIV award for best musical, and debuted in London at the Almeida Theater in 2023. The novel is taught widely in middle school, high school, and college classrooms.

Kidd’s second novel, The Mermaid Chair, has sold well over a million copies since its publication by Viking in 2005, reaching #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and remaining on the hardcover and paperback lists for nine months. Winner of the 2005 Quill Award for General Fiction, the novel was longlisted for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, translated into 28 languages, and made into a television movie by Lifetime.

The spiritual essays, meditations, and inspirational stories Kidd wrote in her thirties were collected into a single volume, Firstlight: The Early Inspiration Writings and published by Guideposts Books in 2006 and Penguin in 2007.

After traveling with her daughter, Ann Kidd Taylor, to sacred sites in Greece, Turkey, and France, Kidd and Taylor co-authored a memoir, Traveling with Pomegranates: A Mother-Daughter Story. Published by Viking in 2009, it appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including the New York Times list and has been published in several languages.

The Invention of Wings, Kidd’s third novel was published in 2014 by Viking. It debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list where it spent a total of 9 months. It has sold nearly 2 million copies and been translated into over 20 languages. The novel has won several literary awards, including the Florida Book of Year Award and the SIBA Book Award. It was a Goodreads Readers Choice Award runner up, nominated for the International Dublin Literary Award, and chosen for Oprah’s Book Club 2.0.

Kidd’s much anticipated fourth novel, The Book of Longings, was published on April 21, 2020 to widespread critical and reader acclaim. It immediately landed at the top of the bestseller lists, reaching #5 on The New York Times Hardcover Fiction list, #1 on the IndieBound bestseller list, and #2 on the Associated Press bestseller List. The novel was a finalist for Book-of-the-Month Club’s Book of the Year Award, a Goodreads Readers Choice Award runner up, a Heather’s Pick (Indigo Books) in Canada, and a Australian Women’s Day Great Read Pick. It has been translated into 17 languages thus far.

She lives in North Carolina with her husband, Sandy, and dog, Barney.

Reviews

[Brionka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. I picked it up while visiting a new bookstore in the area and it caught my eye immediately. As an aspiring writer I plan to keep this book and all the advice given, stowed away in my heart for always. I feel like.. at least for me, there is a forest I tend to banish myself to when writing, it’s darker and scarier than I’d like it to be — full of doubt and insecurity. But this book has felt like a compass or a guiding light. Like you’re in the presence of someone who has navigated this forest before and they’ve taken you by the hand and have vowed to keep you safe. I am forever grateful for it and the decision to walk into the bookstore that day. I am safe now and if I should ever find myself wandering back into that forest (which I’m sure will happen again), I will call on this book. My great guiding light. ❤️ Also, this book has given me reason to buckle down and plow through the rest of Sue’s work!! Can’t wait!

[Melanie Briscoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars! Wow oh wow! What a shamelessly inadequate word to describe this book! If you love Sue Monk Kidd, or you love how transportive literature is, or if you just plain love to write - you absolutely must read this book! This book is this near magical weaving of memory, meditation and method in Sue Monk Kidd’s writing! I read the entire thing in one short sitting! I find myself running back to my bookshelf to grab the novels whose narratives captured, changed & challenged me and begin rereading them again to see what newness there is for me! 5 glorious stars!

[Rachel B · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was sorely disappointing.

It was 200+ pages of nothingness. From what I could gather, the author grew up in a "Christian" household, but rejected Christianity and Christ. She has, instead, embraced a feministic "all I need is within myself" airy-fairy spiritual philosophy. From this perspective, she shared a tiny bit about how she got started writing and dissected her own books.

Multiple times throughout, she quoted her characters as if they were real people; so, really, she was just quoting herself, and it was weird.

None of this was in any way memorable or helpful - not even the parts more directly about writing. Normally, I love reading about other people's experiences with writing. This account, though, fell really flat.

[Edie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sue Monk Kidd shares her thoughts on books and writing and life. Part memoir, part writing guide, another warm and wise entry in my year of wonderful books. This is another one which feels like catching up with a dear friend about her beloved obsession - this time the focus is writing. But writing encompasses so many other things, doesn't it? Loved every moment with this one.

[Valérie Montour · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolute must for any writer/future writer. This book is the perfect balance of anecdotes, advices, methods and the answer to THE question ; Why write? Why produce literature?
It inspired me and motivated me a lot. Monk Kidd also pays tribute to Toni Morrison, Virginia Woolf, the Bronte Sisters, Louisa May Alcott, etc. She describes the visits she made of their houses and workplaces in such a vivid way, I felt like I was there.
It really felt like a mentor holding your hands and telling you to breathe and that one bad day of writing does not make you a bad writer.
I'd really really recommend it !

[Angel wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this in a Goodreads giveaway and I entered without even reading what the book was about because I was just excited to see the authors name. I read this as more of a memoir and loved that aspect of the book. I especially loved when she mentions SC because that’s my home state. The whole book is well written and I did learn a lot. If you are interested in writing of any kind, I recommend this one. And if you just love the author as I do, I also recommend! I enjoyed reading how her stories and books come together and the thought process she takes as an author.

[Janalee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the cover. I really liked learning about Sue's writing process and all of her insights on how writing and reading heals and develops. I earmarked a ton.

Kicks off with a poem by David Whyte:

Give up all the other worlds except the one to which you belong..
anything or anyone
that does not bring you alive
is too small for you.

* rather than say, I'm not creative, say " I seem to possess a lot of unrealized creative potential"

"Every person is fundamentally creative. Natural creative acts are taking place inside you around the clock without you even trying. Every night an unknown storyteller comes up with wildly creative dramas in your dreams. Your psyche is constantly metabolizing your experiences, turning them into awakenings, wisdom, revelations, and intentions that invent and reinvent who you are. Even your physical body is busy all day long making new cells and organs, and sometimes new little people.
Humans are also wired to express their creativity by bringing forth something new or new combinations of the old. It doesn't have to be a painting, a book, a symphony, a cure for cancer, or the plans for a Taj Mahal. It could be a flower garden, a decorated cake, a sandcastle, a fishing fly, or a way to teach a child the alphabet.
Creativity is an instinct as powerful as the instinct to eat, and it seeks conscious expression in the world. Expressing it, though, is where things often go awry."

"Merton's "wisdom literature" and Jung's "visionary literary creations" allude to writing that comes from the rich interior life where the soul presides. This inner realm is largely unconscious to us, making it difficult to define. I think of it as the hidden place where images are bred, dreams are choreographed, and experiences are metabolized. A place teeming with feelings, fascinations, memories, myths, symbols, and intuitive flashes"

*on dreams, helping us solve problems,"if we respect our dreams, and possess a healthy expectation, we can take the questions from our waking life into our dream life and our unconscious will try to answer them. That is one of the functions of dreams – helping us become aware of what we are missing in our daily conscious life."

The bones of a good or classic story: "Here's the best definition I can come up with. A story is made up of: (1) a character with a significant want, motive, or problem, (2) who sets out to achieve her or his goal and resolve the problem, (3) and along the way is met by mounting obstacles and antagonistic forces from within and without as she or he chooses, acts, and is acted upon, (4) ultimately leading to a resolution, (5) and to the character substantially changed in the process."

* "Aristotle advises the reader to start in the middle of things, dropping the reader into the heart of the story. The aim is to begin as close to the action as possible."

This is how I have always felt about sentences :"I love a beautiful sentence the way I love a beautiful painting. I'm continuously awed by the sweeping things language can do, all the ways words can be arranged into pieces of art that nourish the soul."

Love this: Isak Dinesen framed it like this: "All sorrows can be borne if you put them into a story or tell a story about them." I sometimes wonder how many of our sufferings are stories aching to be told."

At the end, she tells a story about a 49 year old executive who grew up in a privileged family, who unwillingly read the secret life of bees. He said he could not relate to the characters coming of age, poor southern, black girl. But in the end it changed him. Leading to the ultimate reason all should read: "with these words he revealed to me one of the most significant reasons I derive meaning from writing. It creates empathy."

She also mentioned many books that I really want to right now, including some of her own, like the pomegranate one and the mermaid chair. As well as others that I need to go back and log.

[Brandice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven’t read any of Sue Monk Kidd’s fiction books (yet!) but that didn’t stop me from enjoying her memoir, Writing Creativity and Soul. As an aspiring writer, I found her story interesting and her perspective on writing, with references to both highs and lows, helpful.

I listened to most of this via audio, but bought a physical copy on Independent Bookstore Day last year, and know it’ll be a great book to revisit.

[Sher · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Writing is more than creating language and story. It also involves the creation of the self.”

A generous guide 💫

[Karol · Rating 5 out of 5]

A genuine deep reflection, exploration and journey of intertwined self, craft and claiming one’s authentic voice.

[Karina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sue Monk Kidd might be the most influential writer in my life. I’ve read nearly everything she’s written and I’ve always read her work right when my life was going through big changes. She was like my therapist. Her books are mostly fiction but I learned so much from them.

This is her “how to write “book and I love the insights into her process. She was very inspirational and motivational. I’d love to create a book like she has.

[kellymross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend this book for fans of Sue Monk Kidd, aspiring writers or anyone interested in the creative process. This is a vulnerable read but also practical. I enjoyed it very much! Thanks to NetGalley for an early copy!

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice introduction to writing that includes many stories about Kidd's struggles with writing.

[Luna Bruno · Rating 4 out of 5]

If your heart’s desire is to write a book, but you need a few words of encouragement and a pinch of confidence, this book is for you.

When I started reading it, I was woefully ignorant: I didn’t know either the author or the book’s content. However, there was something that brought me to it, and I am happy to say it really surprised me (in a good way).

Sue Monk Kidd alternates between talks about her journey through writing with some gems about other authors or books that deeply inspired her. I think it was the latter that gave the reading a bit of sparkle in and out of the pages.
In this regard, I loved the chapters dedicated to the literature’s pilgrimages because the author’s feelings during the experience could not help but hit home. I resonated very much with the author while reading the book.

Another aspect I enjoyed is that I found similar concepts and advice to those in Story Genius by Lisa Cron (which I’m currently reading).

In the end, Writing Creativity and Soul felt like a warm hug; some comforting words just telling you to “write that damn book”.

P.S. Thank you, Sue Monk Kidd, for giving me hope 🤍

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book about writing, creativity and process as bestselling author Kidd shares how she gets inspiration and walks readers through the ideas and different styles of her book all with the intention of helping writers learn from her craft. Excellent on audio and highly worth a read or listen for anyone thinking about writing a book themselves! It's definitely one I'll be re-reading.

[Sheila Garry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m an avid reader. This book tells the behind the scenes discipline involved in writing, whether it be a short story, epic novel, or a nonfiction piece. I was fascinated to learn how much prep there is to the process. It tells about how the author picks the subject, the how and why of how you set a scene, whether you use a first person or third narrative and how that affects your storytelling, the importance of the first sentence…..and on and on.
The author wrote the Secret Life of Bees and uses it throughout to explain her process. Fascinating read.

[Abby Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

PG 37: “ Writing is more than creative language and story. It also involves the creation of the self. Writing is about who we were and who we are becoming. It’s a succession of leaps and small brave acts. It’s about what we carry and what we lay down.”
PG 109:
“…imperfection is the price of existing in the real world “.

[Diane Dachota · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a quick read and a delightful insight into one writer's processes and ideas. Kidd, who is best known for "The Secret Life of Bees", talks about growing up in the 50's and 60's where women were expected to become teachers or nurses, certainly not writers. She did actually become a nurse, but never stopped wanting to write and eventually she began to believe in herself. I liked the various things she does to bring her ideas to fruition, including making a container full of ideas for her books (things like feathers, found objects etc), her collages with ideas and her many journals full of ideas and dreams.

The author also talks about other books and authors who have inspired her and the pilgrimages she attended with her daughter (also a writer) to the homes of the Bronte sisters, Louisa May Alcott and Virginia Woolf. She talks a little about her home life and the support she receives from her husband, her late parents and her children. I did find the novel a bit repetitive at times which took it from a five star to a four star for me. I highly recommend this for anyone who wants to find a creative part of themselves whether it is writing, painting, gardening or any other pursuit. I am inspired to reread some of her books to match up her ideas with the finished product.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was exactly what I needed. It was so good, I’m half tempted to start over and read it again.

[genie ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hii loveliess♡
Writing Creativity and Soul is a wonderful novel, don't get me wrong! I loved the title and the cover, which both intrigued me and deeply pulled me in from the first page and it definitely didn't disappoint in the first chunk of it ( Moorings ). But, let's dive into why I didn't finish in the "parents' guide" below...

*DISCLAIMER:* When I say other religions I don't mean a mention of someone wearing a head covering whose Muslim or a Christian wearing a cross necklace... I mean tarot cards, ouija boards, speaking to the dead, seances, potions and cauldrons, witches, magic in the fantasy sense, making God or Christianity out to be something that He/it is not, etc.

Sexual Content: Honestly, there's nothing wrong with this novel when it comes to explicit sexual content. But there are some words or mentions that did cross under my radar. Obstetrics (a field in her nursing career) is mentioned. "Conception, gestation, quickening, labor and birth" are mentioned on page 60 (which I thought was quite creative when you are reminded of her nursing background in delivering babies).

Profanity: There is no profanity in this novel that I came across ( up to page 81 ).

Violence/Gore: There is no violence or gore that was so explicit or monumental that it comes to my memory right now.

Frightening/Intense Scenes: There are a lot of mentions of Kidd visiting the houses of great writers and poets (such as the house and grave of Virginia Woolf, the establishment of Louisa May Alcott, etc. if I'm remembering correctly). Even though this doesn't trigger me, this may be sensitive to some readers: it is recounted that Virginia Woolf committed suicide by filling her pockets down with stones and drowning in the ocean. Kidd elaborates on this by laying one of her stones at Woolf's grave, noting that it was intended for a different purpose than killing oneself but a stone nonetheless.

Magic/Witchcraft/Religion: This is where things started getting a little bit dicey. As Kidd explains her writing process, she mentions the story behind her novel, The Book of Longings , which is about a girl who aspires to become a writer and then gets roped into a magical adventure with a witch (?)... I couldn't tell you because I like to skip such paragraphs. Another thing was Kidd referring to how she sees the painting, The Black Madonna , as the woman emanating an aura that speaks "I am who * am" ( page 60 ) which I personally thought was blasphemous even though I don't believe Kidd intended it to be harmful. There is mention of Kidd reading the National Geographic magazine featuring a topic on "The Gospel of Jesus' W*fe," which I don't believe to be referring to the church as Jesus' bride but I wouldn't know either because I skipped that paragraph (on page 68 ). There is mention of "the ancient G*ddess" ( page 71 ) as Kidd recollects the items in her special "boxes" from items collected on her mother-daughter trip to Greece with Ann (if I'm not mistaken on the location of their travels).

Overall, I loved learning about Sue Monk Kidd, an author whose books I have no recollection of ever having read before but a name that rang so familiar to me for some reason I still can't pinpoint. I honestly thought the author name was a man's ( super embarrassing and emphasizes just how much I've been missing out on in the writing world 😐) but it's incredible seeing how Kidd broke through the barriers placed on her by society's misogyny during her adolescence! I loved reading about how she began to take her writing, creativity and soul seriously and the little tips she sprinkled across the pages on writing that creativity and soul.
I was very encouraged by how this wasn't a field manual to writing, but a reflective and introspective window into how Sue writes not her telling me how I should write because every writer is different (as she explained in one of her chapters that made me smile).
I'm sad to have to put this book down but it just went against my conscience with the multiple misuses of God's character and the Christian religion, to my perspective.
My favorite part of the entire novel was the beginning which was a very whimsical intro and definitely pulled me in. And, I instantly felt a lovely connection with Ann Kidd who sounds absolutely delightful and someone I want to meet now! Kidd's relationship with her daughter was so beautiful and was the moment that my heart felt the most reading this book throughout all 80 or so pages I skimmed through.
Praise God, I finished a literary project I'd been working on for a while and had taken up this book to help inspire me to dig deeper into my characters and the story... unfortunately, the beauty of this novel didn't vanish but slowly faded after I typed "the end." Not saying that this won't hit writers who've finished their novels as much as if they hadn't, but I definitely opened it with a special respect for Kidd who I felt like was teaching me how to write during the steps of my story. It definitely opened my mind to what goes behind writing but, honestly, didn't impact the actual writing I was doing when I wasn't reading that much. I would recommend it to people who are in a writer's block or aspiring to finish their novel, because that's when this book resonated with me the most.

I hope you all enjoy a wonderful summer and another lovely flip of your page!
To God be all the glory♡

[Renee Cassese · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you ever were a writer, are a writer, or dream of being a writer, you need this book. Beautifully woven memoir and writing advice, Sue Monk Kidd, as always , writes with heart and intuitive brilliance. A must read! As are all her books.

[Stacy Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admit that I am predisposed to love a book about writing written by a writer I admire. Writing Creativity and Soul was both a window to Kidd’s writing life and a bursting fountain of ideas, such as the inspiration of writing rituals, the value of creative loitering, and learning to have constructive conversations with self-doubt. The book left me with much to ponder, as I seek in 2026 to live a more creative and soulful life, focused on writing and art and telling stories.

“When we are lost, when our world is full of brokenness,” Kidd writes, “it is stories that will re-create us.” Kidd offers insight on the crafting of stories and evidence from her life of the power of stories to heal, to inspire, to lessen our burdens, and to tap into the collective heart.

In the beginning of the book, Kidd defines “soul” as heart plus imagination. She offers a vivid description of the magic of that equation, which reminded me of the way I felt when I wrote my book Loving Lincoln. I felt the magic of writing with my soul, my unique blend of heart and imagination. This book—a memoir of writing—is written primarily for writers, but I suspect readers who love great writing might gain insight about the craft as well as the magic.

[Richelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sue Monk Kidd’s latest book is a lovely mix of memoir, writing instruction, inspiration and a wee bit of spirituality that can inform creative pursuits beyond writing. The first third of the book details how she became a writer in the first place and the internal and external struggles she faced to grow in her craft. The second third of the book focused more on writing instruction, with ample examples from her own writing, as well as other acclaimed authors. The final third of the book felt the least focused of the three sections and mainly dealt with the concepts of creativity and soul. These concepts can be applied to all forms of art creation, not just writing. I found that what she described could be applied to my jewelry work.

Overall, I liked this book. I appreciated learning more about Sue Monk Kidd’s life and writing process. Her wisdom will inspire future generations of writers and artists.

[Debra Medina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear Writing Creativity and Soul,
I cannot believe the passion you ignited in me again. You have made me want to continue my passion to be a writer. I loved the way that sue Monk Kidd expresses her own journey to writing and how she keeps her creativity flowing, even if it flows slowly. Your whole point is to help writers and you have done some of that for me, removing some of my own creative blocks and opening the door for me to sit down at my own keyboard.

[Nathaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this. It’s inspiring to read the life of an accomplished author and to see the ups and downs that lead to success. The dedication to craft and growth is especially important. Above all, Sue has always remained very human. Her approach to her work resonates in that way because she’s searching through her characters. I have a similar habit.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sue Monk Kidd schrijft over je innerlijke drang om te creëren te volgen, zonder je tegen te laten houden door je eigen criticus. Ook schrijft ze hoe je omgaat met de ups en downs van creatief leven. Ik vind dit een bijzonder boek.

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful meditation and just what I needed right now. The reflections are spiritual in nature but also practical and so useful. I love the heart in her writing and how generously she shares her wisdom.

[Susannah Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very easy to read book on why she writes with a few chapters on craft towards the end. So many resonant moments but I loved this a lot: “I think there must be a place inside of us where dreams go and wait their turn.”

[Lizzie Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sue Monk Kidd books are the best - intriguing, well paced, and deeply emotional! Reading her memoir on writing felt the exact same way. I loved my first glance at the art behind writing literary fiction.

[David Mcnaughton · Rating 5 out of 5]

“When we read fiction and memoir, we participate in the lives of others, in their sufferings, ecstasies, yearnings, and struggles, in all the ways their lives are shattered and put back together. We are able to see the world through their eyes and feel with their hearts.”

“Empathy is the most mysterious transaction that the human soul can have, and it's accessible to all of us, but we have to give ourselves the opportunity to identify, to plunge ourselves in a story where we see the world from the bottom up or through another's eyes or heart.”