“Start now. Start where you are. Start with fear. Start with pain. Start with doubt. Start with hands shaking. Start with voice trembling but start. Start and don’t stop. Start where you are and with what you have. Just…start.”
― Ljeoma Umebinyuo
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I’ve had several emails from people who are just starting to write their book and asking advice, any advice, on how to go about getting their book written and out there. And to me, there is no better advice than that of Umebinyuo:
“Start where you are and don’t stop. Just start”
I love that quote: Start with fear. Start with pain. Start with doubt. Start with hands shaking. Start with voice trembling but start.
And it doesn’t just apply to creativity either, although it is certainly apt. I am thinking about this quote in terms of recovery. That quote fits so well for so many of us who made the decision to stop an addictive practice – whatever that practice is. Start stopping! Stop drinking or using or gambling or shopping or whatever that practice is . . . Start stopping now!
“Start now. Start where you are. Start with fear. Start with pain. Start with doubt. Start with hands shaking. Start with voice trembling but start. Start and don’t stop. Start where you are and with what you have. Just…start.”
Just Start Stopping . . . and Don’t Stop Stopping! When I started writing my book, my main audience was not necessarily women in recovery, but it certainly fits! I was honored this week when Sally M., an addictions counselor who read my book recently and wrote this review:

“This Way Up is the perfect accompaniment for any recovery work being done. It will add depth and enrich your recovery.”

So although I never started either of these projects with that outcome in mind, it is a gift beyond measure – to be of service in someone’s recovery!
This quote also fits well with the following wonderful TED Talk. In this talk, Julie Burstein describes 4 Lessons in Creativity. She talks about 4 aspects to embrace in order for our own creativity to flourish.
The First Aspect: Embrace Experience! Pay Attention to the world around us. Be open to that thing that might change you.
The Second Aspect: Embrace the Challenges! Our most powerful work comes out of life that is most difficult.
The Third Aspect: Embrace the Limitations!
And finally: Embrace Loss! Burstein describes this as the oldest and most constant of human experiences. “In order to create, we have to stand in that space between what we see in the world and what we hope for. Looking squarely at rejections and heartbreak, at war, at death.”
“We all wrestle with experience and challenge, limits and loss. Creativity is essential to all of us, whether we’re scientists or teachers, parents or entrepreneurs.”
Your blog is so cool! ❤❤
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Thank you so much!
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Nice newsletter, Patti! Love how you link to other people’s articles. Great idea!
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Yeah it works well. Creates collaboration which is always a good idea.Thanks for letting me know Michelle. And congrats on Book 2. Looks like it’s already flying! Well Done!
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Thank you for being you. You have a new reader
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Thanks. You too. Win/Win for sure!
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Lovely blog you have Patti…..honoured to be connected……:)…..
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And yours is lovely too. Win/win. Wonderful to be connected.
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The power of sisterhood! Women supporting women! I am heading to Amazon to order your book! Creativity brings so much joy! When I am focusing on my intuitive art, I remind myself to unlock and unleash! Hey, I think that’s the perfect title for my next blog entry. ☺️ Thanks for the inspiration! 💚Roda
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Thank you so much Roda! Absolutely – Women supporting women and changing the world!
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I just ordered your book! And I love, thanks to Amazon prime, that it will arrive in 2 days! I hope your day is amazing!
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Thank you Roda! Yay! Please do stay in touch and let me know your thoughts as you are going through the book. I appreciate it! And I hope your day is amazing too!
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Really good advice Patti. I have been pondering over the idea, but one way or another it gets lost in the day to day jostle. I guess to finish any journey one has to start it. Thanks for encouragement.
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Hope it helps! And thanks so much for taking the time to comment, I appreciate it.
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Start now.. start where you are
And don’t stop.
Really Amezing inspiration to go ahead..
Thanks for good post.
Sarver☺
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Thank you Sarver! I know that advice has helped me many times – Just Start!
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Reblogged this on CELEBRATE CREATIVE and commented:
Thank you for this great post, Patti Clark! Great weave with the Creativity talk from Julie Burstein on TED. Great reminders when we’re feeling a little weary, especially when emerging from a long winter and journeys beset with more than a few dragons. Cheers, to Spring and the return of the sun.
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Thank you Alethea! I appreciate you taking the time to comment and to reblog.
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An amazing true quote I can now describe several moments in my life summed up into a quote. Thank you
“Start now. Start where you are. Start with fear. Start with pain. Start with doubt. Start with hands shaking. Start with voice trembling but start. Start and don’t stop. Start where you are and with what you have. Just…start.”
― Ljeoma Umebinyuo
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I know Karoline! I absolutely love this quote!
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