Many times, I don’t feel like I’m very creative.

That may seem like an oxymoron for someone who is building a career as a novelist. But it’s true, especially the closer I get to meeting my book deadlines. I believe the reason for feeling that lack of creativity is because I’m more focused on the end product than where I am in the process.

The process is the root of creativity.

Signing those book contracts may seem like the end goal, but the art of creativity comes through exploring the creative process by learning and refining our writing.

I can spend hours in my head imagining people and places and combining them together to tell a story. And yes, that’s a part of the creative process. But there are times when I’m edging closer to the deadline that I struggle with getting the right words on the page.

Being creative happens in many forms, so what does it mean to be creative?

Basically, being creative means using your imagination and original thoughts or ideas for artistic purposes.

Creativity includes artistic pursuits such as writing, drawing, painting, graphic design, photography, home design, etc. However, creativity also applies to the thought process—seeing a problem and finding a way to solve it with a new idea or new perspective.

A Creative is able to think through the problem, then produce a solution, whether it’s plotting a story, taking a photograph, solving an intricate math problem, or finding a cure for a disease.

Each one of us has distinct personalities, yet we have found the areas where we can explore our creative pursuits.

As a novelist, I spend a lot of time living in an imaginative world with characters who are not real, despite how real they feel to me. I can’t call any of them up for a cup of coffee or to take a walk.

To me, imagination is focusing on things we may think about or see in our heads. And creativity is taking what we see in our imaginations and producing something of tangible value. So, basically, we go from envisioning to doing…or creating.

I love this quote by playwright George Bernard Shaw, “Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine, and at least, you create what you will.”

So, if you’re in a slump and not feeling very creative, take a step back and define creativity for yourself. Are you more focused on the end product before you even begin? If so, perhaps you’re confusing creativity with artistry or craftsmanship. As you hone your craft, your skills will grow and improve.

Maybe you’re waiting to be discovered. Maybe you’re building your brand. Maybe you’re needing encouragement to keep going. The best way to silence that inner can’t is to push through to prove you, indeed, can.

Embrace the gifts God has given you. Take time to learn the craft. Challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone with your writing. Be willing to risk failure. Your confidence will grow with the more time you spend putting words on the page. By finding peace in the process, you will find your true creativity.