There's this common misconception that creativity and art are only for the "chosen few" – the people who are born with a natural talent or have some sort of supernatural gift. This couldn't be further from the truth. Creativity is a skill. Writing is a skill. Any form of art involves a core skill. And just like any other skill, it can be learned, practiced, and perfected. So, here are some tips from Austin Kleon's book Steal Like an Artist to help you create: ⚡️ IMITATE THOSE WHO INSPIRE YOU Copying is about practice. Practice writing like your favorite author (or bloggers). By imitating their work, you'll understand their choices and what makes their writing stick. ⚡️THINK PROCESS, NOT PRODUCT Creativity doesn't happen in a vacuum. It's the result of a process, of trying and failing and trying again. It's the sum of all your experiences, good and bad. So focus on the journey, not the destination. ⚡️ INSPIRATION + YOU = SOMETHING NEW Study HOW your heroes create, but then make it your own. "Good artists copy, great artists steal." – Pablo Picasso ⚡️BOTTLE INSPIRATION Keep a "swipe file" of ideas, people, places, and things that inspire you. Then, when you're feeling creatively stuck, go to your file for a dose of inspiration. ⚡️ GIVE CREDIT WHERE IT'S DUE When you're influenced by someone, be open about it. Not only is it the right thing to do, but it might just inspire someone else. By stealing like an artist, you can figure out why and how something works and replicate it. (replicate, not duplicate) So go out there, find your muses, and start creating! P.S. You're my muse.

1. STEAL
LIKEAN
ARTIST
THE WRITE SPACE 2023
@robynleesamuels
AND GET MORE CONTENT
IDEAS

2. 2023
THE WRITE SPACE
What a good artist understands
is that nothing comes from
nowhere. All creative work builds
on what came before. Nothing is
completely original.
Austin Kleon
@robynleesamuels

3. 2023
To steal like an artist, you
need to let go of the idea of
originality and embrace
influence.
Here are four tips from Austin
Kleon on how to do just
that...
THE WRITE SPACE
@robynleesamuels

4. COPY OTHERS
Copy how they work, not just
what they do.
"Copying is about reverse-
engineering. It’s like a mechanic
taking apart a car to see how it
works." - Austin Kleon
@ROBYNLEESAMUELS
2023

5. ADD PERSPECTIVE
Take what you've copied and make
it your own. Put your own spin on
it.
"Good artists copy, great artists
steal." - Pablo Picasso
@ROBYNLEESAMUELS
2023

6. BOTTLE INSPIRATION
@ROBYNLEESAMUELS
The Write Space
2023
Austin Kleon talks about "saving your
thefts for later."
I call it "bottling creativity."
The point is, capture your ideas
when they come, so you can use
them later.

7. Voice notes and journals are
effective for bottling moments
of inspiration.
2023
@ROBYNLEESAMUELS
The Write Space

8. GIVE CREDIT
@ROBYNLEESAMUELS
The Write Space
2023
Be open about your influences.
Honour your heroes and sources of
inspiration by crediting them when
you can.

9. Copy others.
Add your perspective.
Bottle ideas/inspiration.
Give credit.
To steal like an artist, you need to:
LET'S RECAP
@robynleesamuels
2023
THE WRITE SPACE

10. The Write Space
WHO INFLUENCES YOU?
ROBYNLEE SAMUELS // @ROBYNLEESAMUELS