I’ve been reviewing my list of books I read over the years and found a few I wanted to share with you.
I recently shared about The Artist’s Way, and today, I want to share another one that has inspired my writing creativity.
Austin Kleon’s ground-breaking book Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative upends the conventional understanding of creativity.
If you want to be more creative, this book is a must-read because of its clear, approachable writing and eye-catching structure. The following is a summary of Kleon’s ten ground-breaking suggestions for becoming creative:
Steal like an Artist
Take it like a master. Despite what the general public believes, all creative effort builds upon its predecessors.
Instead of avoiding influence, Kleon advises us to welcome it. “Every new idea is just a mashup or a remix of one or more previous ideas,” he says.
There is no perfect timing.
Don’t start until you have a firm sense of who you are. Many of us put off starting our creative endeavors until the ideal moment or until we fully grasp who we are. According to Kleon, identity creation is a process that involves activity. “You’re prepared. Get to work creating things.”
Write the book that you would like to read.
Making the art you wish to see in the world — whether a painting, a song, or a book — is a tremendous inspiration and a roadmap for originality. “If you want to write, read more books.”
Make use of your hands.
There’s something vital about creating with your hands in this digital world. According to Kleon, physical activity can inspire creativity in unexpected ways.
Hobbies and side projects are vital.
The things you put off doing may be what you should do for the rest of your life. No matter how unconnected these passions seem to your “main” career, Kleon advises pursuing them.
The key is to produce quality jobs and tell others about them.
More than creating alone is required; you must also publish your work. “Make stuff you love and talk about stuff you love, and you’ll attract people who love that kind of stuff.”
Our master’s are no longer focused on geography.
You can communicate with anyone, anywhere, using the internet. Don’t allow where you live to restrict your creative options.
Be Nice. (The world is a tiny village.)
Kleon reminds us that in the creative world, showing kindness and generosity can open doors and create connections that would otherwise be impossible.
Be uninteresting. (It’s the sole method for finishing tasks.)
Instead of a chaotic life, creativity arises from a life planned around one’s profession. “You need a routine that regularly brings you to your creative space.”
Creativity is subtraction.
Equally crucial is selecting what to include and exclude. Unexpectedly, limitations can foster innovation in a world where options are limitless.
Final Thoughts on Steal Like an Artist
Look, I just gave you the ten points from the book, but here’s the thing:
The book itself is a creative inspiration.
Kleon’s method of putting the entire book together and creating it as a work of art is as essential as the points you see above.
More than merely a book, Kleon’s Steal Like an Artist is a manifesto for today’s creatives.
It questions the trite ideas of uniqueness and encourages readers to take inspiration from the things around them.
We can all live more truthfully, creatively, and productively if we adopt these ten principles.
J.R. Heimbigner is a #1 Bestselling Author on Amazon who writes about faith and writing books. He has self-published 10 books and has some great resources. Check his book on using Substack to write books:
P.S. There may be sales or affiliate links in this post. So, I might get a little kick back if you purchase anything. Thank you in advance!
Inspired today. There’s “nothing new under the sun.”
Thank you. I’m finally going to launch my newsletter.