So, before you get your knickers in a knot and spit out your coffee all over your screen…I want to share with you this great article by Austin Kleon I stumbled on this afternoon. Titled, How to Steal Like An Artist, and subtitled “10 things nobody told you about being creative”, it contains great tips for when we’re feeling a little less inspired.
I would normally skim over a lengthy post like this, but I found myself agreeing with so many points. There were certainly some “aha” moments for me. Do your creative self a favour and take a read. Now, I don’t want to be pushy or anything, but even if you only have time to read a couple of his points, pop back here and tell me what your favourite was. For me it was:
Step one, “do good work,” is incredibly hard. There are no shortcuts. Make stuff every day. Fail. Get better.
Step two, “put it where people can see it,” was really hard up until about 10 years ago. Now, it’s very simple: “put your stuff on the internet.”
If you really enjoy the artist’s philosophy, then you’ll be pleased to know that his book of the same title comes out at the end of February 2012.
Mel Brackstone...
Don’t wait until you know who you are to start making things…..definitely!!!
Adriana Glackin:
Oh yes, I was nodding in agreeance with this point. I’m glad I came across this read; very informative :)
Jacqueline Ison
Hi Adriana…I am soon out the door and will have to wait until later to read this article. However glancing at the list your provided, I must say that #8 "Be NIce (The world is a small town) really caught my eye…..for a rule in general. A lot of truth there…. As far as creativity goes, I must agree with Mel on her favorite. I once had someone tell me they had a secret desire to be a writer. I told them, then write..write and write some more…everyday write….whether it is a letter to the editor or an entry in a journal….one must write and write and write to be a writer. One need not evaluate whether or not it is good….good will come over time. Can’t wait to read the article.
Adriana Glackin:
Yes, Jacqueline, I was certainly seeing a lot of sense in #8. I hope you’ve had a chance to read the whole article. When I awoke this morning, I was certainly thinking about that article and how to apply it to the things I do. One of the reasons why I wanted to share it here was so that when inspiration feels far away, the steps to being creative aren’t an impossibility or unattainable. And you are spot on with the write, write and write some more :)
Nancy Polanski
I’m so glad you brought this book, and this person, to my attention. I have joined his mailing list and am impatiently awaiting the release of the book. I want two copies…one for me and one for a dear friend who lives several States away from me.
Thank you!
Adriana Glackin:
It’s a pleasure Nancy! Some very simple points and beautifully explained that make so much creative sense. Enjoy the book when it comes out! :)
Donna19
Incredible,
Adriana Glackin:
Glad you liked it :)
Cordelia
Write the book you want to read and be boring. I would love to do the first and will – one day. The second one I excel at!
Adriana Glackin:
Did you read what Jacqueline ^ wrote above?? Write, write and write some more ;) You are not boring – but you do get a lot of work done :D
Cathryn Swanson
That was a great read. Thanks Adriana.
Write the book you want to read. ‘The best advice is not to write what you know, it’s write what you like’.
Love that.