Creativity Takes Courage. Full Stop.

I recently came across an Instagram post by SC Perot, one of my new favorite writers of the summer. She wrote a book that explores joy through the lens of following Harry Styles on tour. I mean, how fun is that?

Anyway, her IG story was a screenshot of a bad review. The caption? Simply: “win some, lose some.”

First, I laughed. Then I thought, Well dang, if that ain’t the truth.

There’s a certain level of criticism that comes with sharing your writing. Some people love it, others hate it. It inspires. It disappoints. The reactions run the gamut.

I’ve received glowing messages from strangers and kind words from loved ones, and I’ve also been on the receiving end of not-so-kind commentary from people I’ve known for decades. Honestly, that part stings.

But still, I keep going. I keep writing. I keep sharing because creativity takes courage. Full stop. 

Courage to be seen.
Courage to share.
Courage to be vulnerable in a way that’s almost unbearably raw.
Courage to be human.

And as I prepare to open myself up to another wave of response with the Calling It Off audiobook launch at the end of this month, I wanted to offer you the same reminder I’m offering myself:

Be brave with your creativity.

Write the thing. Share the photo. Take the pottery class. Post the poem. Whatever lights up your creative soul, just do it, and then share it with the world. There’s just too much dang darkness out there not to let your light shine.

Your truth doesn’t need to be perfect to be powerful.

I’m trying to remember that too.

With much love, 

Katherine Rose Woller

P.S. If you’ve read Calling It Off and suddenly feel compelled to leave a five-star review, I’d still love it. 😉