34 Comments

Finally pre ordered. Thanks for the nudge. I picture Presley reading this when she is a mom. When she is doubting herself. And thinking...”wow, my mom was so brave.”

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Oh my gosh, the side by side "About the Author" pictures make me teary, friend! I love every word here, every word you've ever written. I can't wait to see what God keeps doing here.

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I’m not a writer or a creative (although I appreciate and prefer be a creative consumer), this post resonated with me. The part of severe perfectionism being something to heal and the discipline vs devotion sections hit close to home. Than you for sharing.

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I've just discovered your book and am looking forward to reading it, and found this via your website.

Oh my, that's rough, to feel this way about your writing and still slog through it every day! It doesn't have to be this hard, though. I felt this way about my writing (or probably more about my everything) before I read and did the work in Julia Cameron's "The Artist's Way" about seven or eight years ago. This spring, doing it again changed my life for the better again. Creativity

I can wholeheartedly recommend the book and finding a group of like-minded (aspiring or practicing) artists to go through the tasks together. I'll be doing it again this fall, with https://artistsforjoy.org/theartistsway

Would love to see you there.

All the best, Rebecca :)

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Ash, this was so beautiful. I feel like we are the same person. Thanks for offering your gifts to the world continually. I pray that I can use a little bit of the courage your words provide to bring my own life-giving words to this world 🫶 I can’t wait to read your book!

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Ashlee, Create Anyway is an absolutely beautiful work of art. I am halfway through and I am savoring every story, every minute because I can’t bare the thought of it ending. It is gorgeously written and truly gets me in “all the feels” on every page. As an admirer from afar of all your work, I can say with certainty that it is truly exquisite 💖

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ashlee!! just opened the spring MOPS magazine to find YOU in it!! 👏🏼👏🏼😍 go gal.

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Thanks for this beautiful reminder! I dug up some of my old writings after I read this and laughed out loud a few times, underlined some wise words, and noticed growth as a writer and a human. I ordered your book as a birthday gift to myself and within hours of its arrival, my two year old finger painted with ketchup on the first blank page. Honestly, I can’t think of a more fitting christening for this book. It’s a delightful testament to the joys of being a mom who creates! Thanks for sharing your writing with the world, then, and now. Your bravery has made a positive impact in my life as a mom/writer.

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Ashlee, I love hearing about how perfectionism has affected your creative work. I often find myself paralyzed with perfectionism and often not starting a project because I have already deemed it to be 'not good enough' in my eyes. I related to the references to childhood and how being praised for a good job can perpetuate the pursuit of perfection and putting out something great. I often find myself focusing too much on the outcome and not enough on the creative process. Thank you for your continued inspiration, your beautiful writing, your ability to share hard things in a beautiful way and for being courageous and allowing yourself moments of self compassion.

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first, you are so loved. :) second, i enjoyed every word (and illustration) of this! :) what a treasure! God, have Your pleasure in carrying this book to every heart that needs the message it carries. In Jesus name. Amen!

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Loved this! Have you heard of the book The Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control? I'm almost done with it and feel very seen. Highly recommend! The author does a great job at refusing to pathologize perfectionism and helping to see it as something that can be an adaptive strength instead. AND, congrats on the launch of your new book! It's incredibly gorgeous.

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Just beautiful...this made me tear up. I've been so deeply touched by your words over the last few years and I always wondered about your relationship with your mother. Thank you for sharing real stories about yourself with us in the most profound way! Cannot wait to read your new book! You've also given me a push to open up my old elementary school writings in me basement haha.

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I LOvE this. And so resonate. I adore stories where we see how a passion and calling in childhood for someone grows to an actual “tea life grown up thing.” 🥹 Thank you for boldly writing!

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Congratulations on Book Launch Day! What a joy to write along side you. Thank you for being brave and sharing first.

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Your story was incredible! I can’t wait to read your newest book !(but being in the UK it’s not released until May so it’s been preordered and I can absolutely wait a couple more months for it!) 🙌🏻

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Loved this so much. It was beautiful and you were already a superb writer at age 9! ✨

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