Short Review | Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative by Austin Kleon

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

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. Don’t let criticism, finances, or fear get in the way. Just create that thing, stealing from the greats along the way, and make your mark on the world.

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). There are a plethora of books on writing out there. So why do we need one more?

Trust me, we need one more. Or at least, it doesn’t hurt. 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. But you might feel that way after you read it. 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.

Yeah, it’s got that effect. It might make you want to go out and create something.

Maybe even something you’ve stolen from one of the greats.

Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative Book Cover

Title: Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative
Author: Austin Kleon
Genre: Self-Help
Publisher: Workman Publishing
Release Date: February 28, 2012
Format: Paperback
Pages: 160

An inspiring guide to creativity in the digital age, Steal Like an Artist presents ten transformative principles that will help readers discover their artistic side and build a more creative life.

Nothing is original, so embrace influence, school yourself through the work of others, remix and reimagine to discover your own path. Follow interests wherever they take you—what feels like a hobby may turn into you life’s work. Forget the old cliché about writing what you know: Instead, write the book you want to read, make the movie you want to watch.

And finally, stay Smart, stay out of debt, and risk being boring in the everyday world so that you have the space to be wild and daring in your imagination and your work.