The Courage to Be Creative: How to Believe in Yourself, Your Dreams and Ideas, and Your Creative Career Path

by Doreen Virtue

Have you ever felt a calling to engage in a creative activity or to make creativity a larger part of your life? Have you always wanted to share a message with the world, inspire others or make positive changes in society? Do you often get ideas about exciting projects, but rarely follow through? It takes courage to be creative, and, usually, the bigger your life purpose, the louder your fears. In this book, bestselling author Doreen Virtue shares insights from her 20 years of creative prolific output, including the
wisdom and tools that enabled her to become the successful author of over 50 life-changing books, creator of over 30 stunning card decks and a worldrenowned speaker and workshop leader. In this encouraging and inspiring book, you will learn
starting before you're ready!
Divine following creative nudges and repetitive messages.
Intrinsic creating to express, not to impress.
making a project an honest reflection of your inner truth.
creative people are often healers and your creative projects can
help others.
how to deal with common fears, delay strategies and the
doubts and criticism of others.
Going practical information about sharing your work with the
world and earning an income from your projects. Doreen believes that creativity is a calling that can't be ignored. Being creative isn't just a hobby - it's a way of life. When we ignore the pull to be creative, we feel depleted, frustrated and lost, but by embracing our creativity, we finally start to find satisfying and lasting paths to happiness. Take your first steps towards creativity today without delay - you'll be glad you did!

Genres: Nonfiction, Spirituality, Writing, Self Help, Personal Development, Art

240 pages, Paperback

First published June 14, 2016

About the author

Please do not buy my old books or cards, as I have repented and denounced them after Jesus saved me and opened my eyes to new age deception.

Here is my testimony of why I left the new age to follow Jesus: https://youtu.be/zZSH8mvIbdk

Reviews

[Rianna]

DNF at about 40%.

Yeah, this just isn't for me. Far too much Christian imagery that I haven't grown up with, nor am interested in at the moment. The tips outside of that are good, but I just do not feel the drive to read on.

[Charlotte Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most inspiring books on creativity I have ever read. Doreen discusses the issues most of us encounter with our creativity. And offers practical advice for dealing with these issues. It also shows us how our creativity is connected to our spirituality. It is part of who we are. Creativity is an expression of our Soul. An expression of who we are. And it is one of the most positive, inspiring, and uplifting books I have ever read. If you are feeling stuck in your creativity, this book will give you the boost you need and the encouragement to continue with your creativity no matter how stuck you feel.

[Tariel Yong · Rating 5 out of 5]

An indirect love letter to fellow creative souls who are still work in progress with their works and confidence while looking forward to a long-term career that is fulfilling, fruitful and rewarding.

I may not be able to apply or practice all of the given advices and guides but i love that i will always have great references if i ever need to reread.

Thank you, sincerely.

[Sanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very happy to know that if I want to be creative all I have to do is listen to my angels.

[Christine Ku · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely what I need if my doubts ever kick in about being a writer, highly inspirational despite the fact that I don't have any spiritual beliefs and have a need to translate all the author's references to divineness into something else but that doesn't harm the value I took out from this book.

[Natalie Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. It was like it was speaking directly to me. If you are creative, but worried what people think of it, you NEED this book.
It's been a while since I read it and I still think about it now. Never before has a non-fiction book changed my mindset completely.

[Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very sweet little butterfly book, full of ideas on how to be more creative.
Anytime you pick it up and read a few lines, it makes you wanna put
it down and start to paint/compose/design/write ... CREATE. :-)

[Laurence Theriault · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bons conseils , mais très spirituelle...

[D.G. Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a long time follower of Doreen Virtue, and a reader of many of her books, I couldn't help but want to read this one too. One may think there is only so much one can write about angels, but if you've read Virtue's books you will know there are many angels among us and each serves a particular realm they govern over.

This book resonated with me because the author shares more of herself in this book with her journey to becoming a writer and obstacles she's overcome in her own life in pursuing her dream to be a prolific writer and a messenger of the angels with her words. She also shares what it's like to have a low self-esteem and how she learned to build herself up and pursue her dreams despite the rejection along the way.

As a writer myself, who writes about overcoming low self-esteem and growing through adversity, it was interesting to read from a most popular fellow author that many of our paths are not easy. Virtue offers a wealth of positivity in this book by recognizing that we all have creativity within us. She shows us the way to find our own creativity and use it with the useful tips offered in this book and includes an extensive list of references we can use to build our creative selves and places we can let our work be seen.

Another winning and insightful book by Doreen Virtue.

[Krystal Karakash · Rating 3 out of 5]

Regardless of your relationship with god this book has great direction for people who have a creative project they want to release to the world. The person reading it before me stopped at page 40 and understandably so, the author gets really deep on her relationship with god and listening to angels guiding her on her journey which may not be your creative journey but towards the middle of the book she really does give great insight on what you can do with your creations. I was a little put off when I visited the authors “about me” and she basically said she found god and to burn all the things she has created including this book here which is odd to me because she speaks so much about god and angels but then claims she didn’t read the Bible till a year after this book was published but regardless this book is great to have in hand when starting out releasing your creativity to the world, worth the read if you have something in mind.

[Therese · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was teetering between four and five stars when I rated this book, but decided on five. I spend a lot of my time trying to be creative, so I’ve read a lot of books about creativity. The author does cover “ground already traveled,” but I gave the book five stars because she included points I’d never run into before in other books. To me, it seemed like she felt it was really important to be helpful and thorough. I appreciated that, since I got some great resources out of it - for example, she had a chapter about ways to put creative work into the world on your own, rather than through the traditional options, like a publishing company. There are a lot of little extras like that making the book worth a reader’s time. Plus, her encouragement was really confidence-boosting. If you’re doubting yourself or the value of your work, I hope you’ll read it. In my experience, you’ll feel better afterward.

[Syrena · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading this book, I now realize Doreen Virtue’s creative art is writing, as she has been penning books for over three decades! I appreciate the simplicity and artistic flow of the creative process outlined in this book. Beautifully written.

The afterward referenced her book, Divine Magic lovingly describes the need for balance in creative energy being like yin and yang, “the feminine energy is intuitive, receptive and right-brained. The masculine energy is logical, assertive and left-brained.”

I will carry Doreen’s words of wisdom with me into my own artistic endeavors, held gently like butterfly wishes and nurtured with loving kindness.

[Karmelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Echoing what many of the other reviews are saying: Doreen's artist tips that are *aren't* otherworldly are very useful. I started with what is suggested in the beginning of this book, feeling your feelings. That was a good way to start. However, certain sections of the book can be entirely skipped if they are not relevant. I had to skip the angels chapter, and jump ahead when things would get too Christian or unrelatable for me. I skipped a bit of the stuff at the end too where I didn't find it relevant to my current situation.
A good book... but if only looking at the front cover, you will be surprised by how much God/angels/Jesus and other magical concepts are included.

[B.J. Bentley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book for anyone considering a creative career or wanting to rejuvenate their current career. Creativity, though, is not just for artists. Leaders can creatively problem solve. Scientists can think outside of the box. It's all about being open and receptive to the inspiration that comes to us, in whatever manner it comes, as well as learning to dig deep within ourselves to mind the inspiration that's already there. Virtue lays it all out in black and white, in a very easy to read format.

[JAnn Bowers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books is all about how to release your creative side and be able to reach your dreams, I found this book to be helpful on different levels but then some sounded like all the others. But Doreen added an extra touch to her book, something I don't see very often is her creative way of breaking through roadblocks one may encounter.

I received this book through NetGalley for an honest review.

[Lorna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book to get your creativity blocks burned. Doreen has advanced degrees in psychology and has written and published many books herself. She is a believer in God and spirituality so the book is filled with these references as they pertain to creativity. Take what you like and leave the rest it is a great book from a psychological standpoint.

[Mesca Elin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doreen Virtue speaks to your soul and makes you pursue your dreams in the creative world. All the advice and steps you have to follow to see you creative projects come to fruition are valid and important. Most of all, you have to believe in your projects and create for the love of creating.
A book I truly recommend!

[Millie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up.
This book has some nice honest insights and reflection. It felt quite chatty and intimate, like having a talk with a friend. I like Doreen Virtue's principles and relate to her spirituality. I wouldn't say this book is exceptional or that deep, but it was a good pep talk and it definitely motivated me.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good read, and Doreen had a lot of helpful information about getting your creativity out there into the world. The importance of making the time to do it and not listening to those that try to hold you back.

I enjoyed it. Doreen always has such a gentle way of delivering her message.

[Brijahn Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written, thought provoking and inspiring book. If you feel unmotivated with your creative endeavours. This is an uplifting and motivational book that may give you that extra kick you{ve been looking for to get started or keep going. It reminds you to never give up you’re dreams.

[Bina · Rating 4 out of 5]

encouraging book

[Joanne Roach-Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book! Totally inspired to get back to work : )
Excellent advice and encouragement!

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book helped me so much and it was so refreshing reading a book like this.
And even if I don't believe in the beliefs on this book I respected it and It was great reading something different.

[Courtney Simons · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good ideas

[K.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is basic but good enough. Some of the chapters talk about things I already know about the author from her other works, I found myself skipping over parts.

[Cécile · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goede tips die heel motiverend worden gebracht. Ze je aan tot actie. Fijne diepgang.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite a good read in regards to getting the courage to do what you need to do to be creative. However it was a bit too religious for me.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doreen Virtue, in her latest book published by Hay House this time focused on one of the most important words existing in this world: creativity. A world without creative people, creative souls would be a world less rich of art, movies, books, music, ideas and every other kind of art.
Her new book: The courage to be creative - How to believe in yourself, Your Dreams and Ideas and Your Creative Career Path - wants to encourage everyone to be creative.
But first of all: who is a creative person? Each of us is creative?
In general creative people suffer a lot because society at first won't never recognize them the proper role in the world. Being creative sometimes means be neurotic or sometimes weird, or having positions and thoughts other people can consider pretty "eccentric" for using an euphemism. Sometimes creative people are addicted. Drugs, alcohol, if they can't develop their creativity and sometimes they suffer of bipolar disorder.
So creativity can be synonym of sufferance?
Sometimes yes because the real creative lives isolated and misunderstand from the world.
Doreen explains she suffered condition of isolation, bullied at school because her friends didn't understand her but, after all, she writes ironically she is now a best-selling author. After all being creative and passing little hell has been great! and the best revenge.
Doreen analyzes in her book the various aspects of the creative process and how you should be more creative.
Acceptance of being a creative soul the first condition for healing and then of course, putting creativity at service of humanity.
Not that everyone will become a genius like most people of cinemas or literature are, says Doreen Virtue, but it will be indispensable to put creativity in motion so that everyone will notice your process of healing through creativity.
Taken in considerations also the various sad aspects, powerful factors, able to interrupt the creativity process. Let's say that procrastinate: "I will do later", or "I will write a book because I want to make money," can be dangerous voices in our head and Doreen says that in the second case God can take back all your talent.
Creativity doesn't mean manipulation. Creativity means to stay clean and to put out who you are.
But is it indispensable to write a book, a script, for being classified as a creative person?
No, because creativity means also developing original ideas able to change the perspective of our world: sorting out a problem seeing it under a complete different way.
Doreen in the book will give a lot of suggestions to the reader for developing with success creativity and for avoid the classic blocks and problems and enemies that can interfere with the creative process.
A space for yourself. Being surrounded by things you love, music, sounds and where possible to use all the possible materials for re-discover your inner child.
The main advice: create and not procrastinate. Don't wait for time that maybe tomorrow you won't have because differently busy. Do it now. Write down and don't think but feel and continue to write. Don't work with a rational soul but with a passionate soul.
Some chapters dedicated to the creatures I love the most: angels with a special chapter to the Unicorns.
The writer remembers like the power of God and Jesus can be helpful and inspiring.
A suggestion: not to lose time checking e-mails social media too often during the day. It's best to give time to yourself and your creativity.
The book is this and much more and in these chapters you will find new strategies for developing a good creative path starting to live a wonderful and much more colored life.
I loved very much the cover of this book. Inspiring and inviting like a creative life is!

Many thanks to netgalley.com

[Tim Larison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you consider yourself to be a creative yet sensitive person? I do, so that’s why I was drawn to Doreen Virtue’s new book – The Courage to be Creative: How to Believe in Yourself, Your Dreams and Ideas, and Your Creative Career Path. “Some of the most creative people I’ve met are also the most sensitive,” Virtue writes. “Their sensitivity makes them receptive to divinely inspired ideas. Yet, that same sensitivity makes them shy to reveal their ideas to others.” Yep, that’s me.

I have read and reviewed some of the author’s other books, like The Miracles of Archangel Gabriel. Virtue has written extensively in the past about angels – making the topic of communing with angels understandable to the reading public. While Virtue touches on angels in Courage to be Creative, her new work has loads of practical advice for us creative types, whether we believe in angels or not. “As much as I love my guardian angels,” she writes, “they don’t magically write my books while I sleep. I’m the one who has to sit at the keyboard and type.”

Getting in touch with all your feelings, the good and the bad, is the key to producing creative works that can touch the hearts of others, Virtue feels. “The more courage you have to fully notice and express your feelings,” she says, “the higher the vibration of your creation will be. Any watering down of your truth, because you’re embarrassed to admit how you feel, will lower it.” Reading the book encouraged me to be honest with my feelings in my own writing.

Another part of the book I liked were suggestions on dealing with criticism. “Most people aren’t comfortable with change or anything that’s unusual or different,” Virtue says. “Yet, as a creative person, you must present fresh, new ideas in order to be noticed. Along with being noticed comes the risk that you may also be criticized, feared, or misunderstood.” I also liked the guidance she gives in funding your creative works. “It’s not a good idea to quit your job without first having some savings or other income stream available,” she says. “You don’t want to put pressure on your creative output to be an income producer.”

Courage to be Creative is the best book I’ve read on the creative process since Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic. If you have doubts about bringing your own creations into public view, I recommend reading both books. “True creativity is a gift that you give to yourself,” Virtue writes, “with full faith that there’s an audience out there who feels the same way you do.”

[Rosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE COURAGE TO BE CREATIVE breaks down what it means to pursue a creative career and being self-employed full-time; moreover, Doreen Virtue experience going through this process herself and her students enrich it.

Doreen Virtue deconstructs pretty well the journey from the creativity concept to marketing the final product. For instance, the role of feelings in the creative process, addictions, visualization, affirmations, meditation, self-publishing or traditional, attorneys, managers and contracts, marketing, etc. Also, dealing with rejections.

THE COURAGE TO BE CREATIVE is a mix of spiritual and mundane approach, from giving inspiration to time schedule, as long as we keep in mind that’s important to focus on creativity before money even though both are part of the equation. Finally, this is a Doreen Virtue book so you’ll find content about angels, prayers, and unicorns.