Digging Deeper

I first discovered Austin Kleon a few years ago, through Steal Like An Artist, his book of nuggets which provide strategies and tips to build a more creative life. I found it really helpful, and it helped me to focus my energies on my creative goals, releasing a bit of the grip I have on the baggage I carry around with me.

In reading his follow-book Show Your Work, which focuses on getting your message out to an audience, I stumbled upon a passage I thought I'd share. As someone who just finished putting together a show, and is worrying that maybe that's as good as it's going to get and I've mined my best material, I found it really encouraging. Hopefully you will too.

"The Comedian Louis C.K. worked on the same hour of material for 15 years, until he found out that his hero, George Carlin, threw out his material every year and started from scratch. C.K. was scared to try it, but once he did, it set him free. 'When you're done telling jokes about airplanes and dogs, and you throw those away, what do you have left? You can only dig deeper. You start talking about your feelings and who you are. And then you do those jokes and they're gone. You gotta dig deeper.' When you get rid of old material, you push yourself further and come up with something better. When you throw out old work, what you're really doing is making room for new work."

Small Books, Big Ideas

If you fancy yourself an artist, or creator of any kind, these two books need to be on your shelf, and Austin Kleon is someone you should be paying close attention to.

The first, Steal Like An Artist is all about the idea that the art you love can and should fuel the art you make. It clears away the obstacles in your mind that say "this has already been" said, done, written about, etc. Of course it has, but it will never be done in the same way that you will. 

The second, Show Your Work, discusses the importance of sharing your creative process with others.  It's about building and marketing your brand, in a non-mercenary or schmoozy way.  It's also completely current and loaded with techniques about using todays internet savvy world.

In other words, This shit is crucial, and will keep you inspired as you blaze your creative trail.