I’ve followed Ashlee for nearly as long as I’ve been a mom, and this book is one I’ve been looking forward to for a while. With a baby and a toddler to take care of, it feels like all my creative passions have been pushed to the back burner time and time again. This book is an encouragement to create, an inspiration to create, and a reminder of why I love to create.

Lately I’ve been feeling a tug to start creating things again, and the words in this book could not have come at a better time for me. Create Anyway has been just the message I needed to hear to inspire me to write down the words on my own heart, to pick up my crochet hook again, to put seeds in the ground and see what blooms. If you’re a mama and a maker of anything, be it songs or cakes or paintings, this book is for you. Let this book bless you and encourage you to bless the world with the creative gifts God has given you!

“This means where God calls, we go. When God calls us to write, we write. When God asks us to sing, we sing. As artists made in the image of the ultimate Artist, we paint and draw and sew and sculpt, not bitterly or lazily, but with enthusiasm, devotion, and a sense of joyful eagerness to participate. Because when we link arms with our Creator to do what He uniquely designed us to do, we usher a bit of the Kingdom into this world—and God gets the glory for it.”

if you are a mom + a creative, this book is a must-read. ashlee's voice is clear + concise throughout the entire book. she showed me that not only are we co-heirs with Christ, but we are also co-creators with our God. whatever creative gift + talent He has given you is for a purpose + His glory. this book is a beautiful example of creating in the margins of motherhood.

this book changed my creative life, and i am so, so grateful ashlee wrote it.

Reading “Create Anyway,” felt like getting a personal pep talk reminding me that I was made in the image of a Creator who made me to create. More than that, it felt like being handed a permission slip: one reminding me that even as a mother of little kids, I can—should—make the time to pursue creativity. Ashlee’s words reminded me that even when creativity looks like scribbling down a few words in the carpool line, it’s worth doing.

This beautifully written book (accompanied by gorgeous photographs, with inspiring creative exercises and thoughtful journal prompts at the end of each chapter) is one I will be returning to over and over. Each page spoke directly to the challenges of navigating the constant pull between creating and mothering. Every chapter, every story left me feeling seen, encouraged, and inspired. This book is a true gift to any mother who has felt the pull to create in the margins of motherhood.

4.5 stars overall. I have been an avid follower of Coffee + Crumbs and a podcast listener for many years, and even a Patron for a little while, so I was excited for Ashlee's new book.

Although I've never really considered myself a creative person, I am currently a mother of two young children, work a 9-5 job, and am writing a book. Since writing is a craft to cultivate and not just a skill you either have or don't, I am growing to see myself as a creative person.

Create Anyway is written for women who meet 3 characteristics: mothers, artists or creatives of some kind, and Christian. There are Scripture and Bible stories throughout the book. There are chapters on giving yourself permission, making space, imposter syndrome and comparison, rest and play, scarcity, obedience, asking for help, and celebrating others. Ashlee reassures us we have everything we need to begin, we are ready, and nothing is wasted. I especially loved the reminder to value the “mission over metrics” because numbers go up and down but being faithful to use my God-given voice is always worth it.

I love Ashlee’s writing. She begins each chapter with a story from motherhood and then relates it to the creative process. Who knew there were so many parallels? Her metaphors are beautiful and inspire me to be a better writer. Each chapter ends with a creative exercise and a journaling prompt. There are a few brief interviews with mom artists, writers, and creators throughout the book as well.

While I loved the first few chapters, some of the advice in the middle of the book began to feel common sense and even frustrating. In particular, one thing I have noticed about C+C that appeared again in this book is that it caters to white, married, Christian mothers who tend to stay at home, or at least freelance work from home. As I read a few of the middle chapters in Create Anyway, the advice began to feel a little privileged. Not everyone has the luxury of a husband whose income allows them to focus on just their creative pursuits without having to worry about providing for their family. Not everyone has their own home office, in-laws to babysit, and a LEGION of friends that understand their creative work, cheer them on, and bring them food in a crisis. It's hard to hear that the burden is on us to just create these kind of friendships or wake up earlier. I understand this is Ashlee’s experience but a caveat or more consideration to women with other life circumstances would have been nice.

The book started out strong for me, then toward the middle of the book, I was less enchanted, as evidenced by my sparse highlights and notes. At that point, I began to mentally rate the book 3 stars. Then the later chapters and especially the one on the legacy of our creative work, which left me in tears, kicked the rating to a 5 (I rounded down to 4.5 overall). I applaud Ashlee for the gift she has given us to Create Anyway despite the challenges of motherhood. I wish I could send this book to every one of my writer friends who is also a mother.

<i> “Creativity cannot survive without an active imagination, but this is where so many of us mothers get stuck, in the humdrum of our days.” </i>

I’ve followed Ashlee and her work at <i>Coffee + Crumbs</i> since my early days of motherhood. The essays were always so comforting and reminded me over and over that I was not alone. Ashlee put words to my feelings about motherhood and this book is no different. Ashlee shared her own vulnerable stories about imposter syndrome, comparison, and anxiety to help you overcome your own. She did not hold back on the things that were/are hard for her or the encouragement you need to push through the same things.

If you are looking for a book that helps you move towards your creative gifts while you are a mother, this is for you. If you hope for faith to intersect the writing, this book does that too. If you want someone who has been there and will talk to you like a friend, this book is the one to read.

<i> “Both motherhood and creativity have taught me to be brave, to relentlessly seek beauty and joy among the mundane, to notice the remarkable grace flooding my unremarkable life.” </i>