How to Steal Like an Artist

The things I agreed with the most in this article were a few of the subsidiary statements.

2. Don't wait until you know who you are to make things

I don't think this can be stressed enough. I have a writer's group where the main requirement for entry is that you create as much work as possible. The critiques can be absurdly brutal at times, but the 'pick-yourself-up' skills you learn are immensely valuable. And a big part of that is to just keep churning as you grow.

3. Write the book you want to read

Far too often when it comes to creation, people get hung up on what others want or expect your work to be. Does that mean that you shouldn't care about audience? Of course not. If you want your audience to like your work (and they often won't), it is vitally important that you like it first. Otherwise, you have almost no chance.


I'm not a fan of the embrace of lack of originality. While it may be true that most ideas/themes have been explored ad nauseum, a fresh perspective is not only possible but often a requirement. I've created things that had already been done a thousand times before, but in my act of creation I was certainly blazing new personal territory. Maybe it's a question of perspective. But I'll always want to look at it my way. ;)