First Person: How I Reignited My Creative Side

Hint: It changed my life.

By Felicia Pride

The following is an excerpt from The Creative Comeback Workbook.

Once upon a time, I was actually a full-time writer. I had book deals. I wrote several books which were published by major publishers. Life was great.

Then, sh*t started to dry up both within the industry and within myself.

So, I stopped writing. For seven years. This was hands down the biggest mistake I’ve ever made in my life.

I started doing a lot of other things, including running a consultancy where I helped everyone else with their projects.

Looking back, I realized that I got scared. I got scared that I would not be able to continue to support myself writing. I had a mortgage and was under immense financial pressure. I was broke.

I think a small part of me also resented writing because while it fulfilled me creatively, it had let me down financially.

I turned my back on writing, and then I blamed writing.

SIDEBAR: It would take me years to realize that it is not writing’s job to sustain me financially. That is my job. Writing first and foremost, for me, is my way of making sense of the world. It’s my creative outlet. It is pure expression. It is my art.

At first, all seemed okay when I was running my consultancy because I was making a little money. I must stress little. Eventually though, I started to burn out from chasing checks and doing ALL the work—work that didn’t light me up. I fully realize that doing work that lights you up is a privilege. But, I also know that God gave me a talent for a reason.

And one day I looked up, and what started as a short term solution to become “stable,” turned into eight years.

Eight years of my life!

I could not believe how creatively bored I was. I was starving actually. I could not believe how unfulfilled I was. I could not believe that I was no longer writing. I resigned to the lie that I was no longer a writer.

I had gotten so far from my writer self.

I had neglected my voice. I lost my confidence. I lost that passion that I used to have for the page. And because of that, I was lost. I was all over the place. I was unfocused. I was unhappy. And I was broke. WTF?

Let me tell you, it is really, really difficult to get back to one’s artist self when one has gone so far away from it. It would take me years to regain it all back. It was so f*cking hard. It was like a war within myself. But, I did it.

Fast forward to now and I am in the best creative position I've ever been in my life. I have a committed, creative practice. I have a healthy relationship with the page. Ideas are flowing.

I am excited about all the stories I’ve told and will tell.

I have a thriving creative career.

I am surrounded by a community of wonderful creatives.

I’m in a f*cking creative zone. I’m focused, clear, and hella fulfilled.

Being back in this place, with this creative fire, feels so good. I’m so grateful. And I started to think about what I did, the actions I took to get here. I wanted to understand what I did and didn’t, so I wouldn’t become stuck again. Or if I did, I’d know how to free myself.

The Creative Comeback was born… a collection of the steps that I took to make my own creative comeback.

In many ways, The Creative Comeback is an extension of The Create Daily (which has now evolved into The Sweet Build), that I started in 2012 as a resource to help storytellers, especially those of us who are marginalized, thrive creatively. It’s become part of my life’s work. We’re in this together.

So, whatever you’re going through, my hope is that my journey will spark something within you.

Because the world needs and deserves your work.

And I’m here to help.

Let’s get to it…

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21-Day Creative Comeback Challenge by Felicia Pride

21-Day Creative Comeback Challenge

…And I mean let’s get to it… SOON. And sometimes we need a structured timeline to get us going, Chile. So, starting June 2, we are offering our signature 21-Day Creative Comeback Challenge!

It’s only something we do twice a year—so, now’s the time.

By signing up, you commit to writing daily for 30 mins a day.

When: June 2-23, 2025

What’s Included: 21 mini lessons/prompts, plus resources and inspiration to help you along the way

Cost: $79

BTW, 250+ storytellers have successfully completed this challenge—this ain’t a fluke, Honeys. Here’s what some folks had to say about previous challenges:

“For years, I was stuck in a creative vortex—going nowhere. This year is a milestone: I'll be turning 50 and I'm basically just tired of spinning in creative circles. So I revisited your course and everything you pointed out is so true: Writing first, everything else second.” - Kia B.

“I am so grateful for the creative challenge. I was able to witness the birth of consistent writing practice and receive my first writing-based income.” - Kilo

“This challenge freed me from the ‘shoulds,’ ‘buts,’ and ‘can'ts.’ I am finally open, ready, and full of the courage I need to bring my ideal life to fruition. Thank you for this challenge.” - Sharee S.

Are you ready to live the sweetest creative life? Join us in this 21-day challenge, Honey!

Here’s where I tell y’all why becoming a paid subscriber is beneficial: YES, HONEY+ subscribers receive a 10% discount off of the 21-Day Creative Comeback Challenge!! Scroll all the way to the bottom to redeem.