Chapter 2 - Steal Like an Artist [Book Summary]
The second chapter of Steal Like an Artist was Don’t wait until you know who you are to get started.
Well, Austin said that it’s in the act of making things and doing your work that you figure out who you are.
Most people don’t know where the good stuff comes from. They just show up to do their thing. Every day. And it’s true for many people I know.
They do their work, and in the process, get more creative ideas to keep continuing
So, start doing the work you want to be doing.
Another thing Austin clarified: stealing is not plagiarising; stealing is copying.
Plagiarising is trying to pass someone else’s work off as your own. Copying is about reverse-engineering.
So, don’t just steal the style, steal the thinking behind the style.
Imitate and emulate.
Imitation is about copying. Emulation is when imitation goes one step further, breaking through into your own thing. Copy your heroes and examine where you fall short. Transform that into something of your own.
Add something to the world that only you can add.
I have been doing the same.
I started writing. Then, I imitated the writing styles of the authors, content writers and storytellers I liked, and slowly developed my own.
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