Maybe even something you’ve stolen from one of the greats. It might make you want to go out and create something. You might remember the idea you had while reading an article last week, or the inspiration that came while sitting in traffic, or the feelings that a certain novel created as you read past your bedtime. But you might feel that way after you read it. Kleon’s is so light and accessible, you could almost forget that writing is actually hard, that it requires effort, and that the ideas don’t just flow out of your fingers. There are a plethora of books on writing out there. I’ve read a lot of books on writing, from Stephen King’s “ On Writing” (indispensable) to “ The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield (I love this book), Jeff Vandermeer’s “ Wonderbook” (weird and inspirational) to a “ Reading Like a Writer” by Francis Prose, and a whole host of practical books on mechanics (think “The Scribner Handbook for Writers,” for example). Just create that thing, stealing from the greats along the way, and make your mark on the world. Don’t let criticism, finances, or fear get in the way. This is the type of book that frees you up to be the artist you want to be, even if–or especially if–that means you are imitating (what Kleon calls “stealing”) your heroes. So forget about decades, forget about years, and forget about months. Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative Building a substantial body of work takes a long timea lifetime, reallybut thankfully, you don’t need that time all in one big chunk.
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