Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative (Austin Kleon)

It’s often what an artist chooses to leave out that makes the art interesting. What isn’t shown versus what is.

André Gide put it, “Everything that needs to be said has already been said. But, since no one was listening, everything must be said again.”

You can’t go looking for validation from external sources. Once you put your work into the world, you have no control over the way people will react to it.

chew on one thinker—writer, artist, activist, role model—you really love.

When you get sick of one project, move over to another, and when you’re sick of that one, move back to the project you left. Practice productive procrastination.

might be scared to start. That’s natural. There’s this very real thing that runs rampant in educated people. It’s called “impostor syndrome.” The clinical definition is a “psychological phenomenon in which people are unable to internalize their accomplishments.” It means that you feel like a phony, like you’re just winging it, that you really don’t

The best advice is not to write what you know, it’s to write what you like. Write the kind of story you like best—write the story you want to read. The same principle applies to your life and your career: Whenever you’re at a loss for what move to make next, just ask yourself, “What would make a better story?”

Carry a notebook and a pen with you wherever you go. Get used to pulling it out and jotting down your thoughts and observations. Copy your favorite passages out of books. Record overheard conversations. Doodle when you’re on the phone.

It’s regenerative.

Make stuff every day. Know you’re going to suck for a while.