The Chronicles of a Novice Writer: On Steal Like An Artist [Part 2] A collector of ideas

Welcome back to the second part of our journey through Austin Kleon's insightful book, "Steal Like An Artist." In our last post, we looked at the fundamental ideas outlined in Kleon's first three chapters of work. Now we'll go further into the book to discover more of his important thoughts on developing and cultivating creativity. 

Collector of Ideas.  

Education of Ideas.  

Journaling of Ideas.  

Closing Thought.

Creativity is sometimes viewed as a mysterious force possessed only by a chosen few. But what if I told you that creativity isn't a mystical talent bestowed upon the selected few? This realization is precisely what Austin Kleon reveals in his thought-provoking book, "Steal Like an Artist." Kleon's remarks have a strong resonance with me as an artist exploring the complicated avenues of literature. His practical wisdom not only provides advice, but also inspires me to realize my creative potential as a novice writer, on the verge of publishing my first book. 

Collector of Ideas 

Kleon introduces us to the concept of the artist as a collector of ideas—specifically, of ideas. But not just any ideas—artists gather only the things they enjoy. It's like constructing a personal museum of inspiration, with each item adding to the breadth and depth of our creative wellspring. 

Imagine yourself as a curator traveling through a museum's broad hallways, each chamber packed with treasures awaiting discovery. This is the artist's function as an idea collector—a discriminating connoisseur who painstakingly picks and curates only the most exciting and thought-provoking notions for their creative armory. 

However, what distinguishes the artist's collection from a random array of artifacts is the discriminating eye with which they acquire their treasures. Artists don't merely gather any ideas that come their way; instead, they look for the gems—the ones that speak to their spirit, pique their imagination, and kindle their passion. 

In this way, the artist's collection reflects our own likes, interests, and sensibilities. Just like a museum curator meticulously picks artifacts that fit a specific topic or style, an artist chooses ideas that reflect their distinctive vision and creative voice. As we collect and absorb these "good things," our creative perspectives broaden and new opportunities arise. Each new concept we add to our collection is like a brushstroke on our imagination's canvas, expanding the fabric of our creative vision and opening doors to uncharted territories of possibilities. 

Kleon highlights the need of borrowing wonderful ideas—not maliciously, but honorably and remixing them into something uniquely our own. Like a competent alchemist, the artist converts stolen ideas into gold by infusing them with their own distinct viewpoint, experiences, and insights. 

By doing so, each of our creations becomes a masterpiece in its own right, demonstrating the power of selective collection. It is not merely copying what has come before, but rather expanding on the foundation created by those who came before us, establishing new routes and pushing the limits of creativity. 

The artist's collection of ideas is more than simply a source of inspiration; it demonstrates love, curiosity, and commitment to the trade. It serves as a reminder that creation is not a solo pursuit, but rather a collective effort driven by the interchange of ideas and the sharing of inspiration. And it demonstrates the limitless possibilities that arise when we allow ourselves to be inspired by the abundance of creativity that surrounds us. 

As we collect and absorb these "good things," our creative perspectives broaden and new opportunities arise. Kleon highlights the need of borrowing wonderful ideas—not maliciously, but honorably and remixing them into something uniquely our own. By doing so, each of our creations becomes a masterpiece in its own right, demonstrating the power of selective collection. 

Education of Ideas 

Education is the key to maximizing the potential of our collective thoughts. It is not enough to simply receive knowledge; we must actively engage with it in order to grasp, evaluate, and assimilate the insights it provides. The act of educating oneself about the concepts we meet is critical to sharpening our creative instincts and craft. 

Imagine yourself going on a journey for knowledge, armed only with an insatiable curiosity and a need for inspiration. The trip starts not in dusty libraries or ivy-covered lecture halls, but in the vast expanse of the internet—a true treasure mine of ideas just waiting to be discovered. 

As you browse this digital environment, you'll come across a multitude of information, including articles, essays, books, podcasts, and more. Each mouse click opens up new vistas of information, and each page leads to previously unknown areas of thinking and understanding. However, you recognize that genuine comprehension demands active participation rather than passive consumption. You immerse yourself in the material, examining its assumptions and criticizing its conclusions. You want to know not just what is being said, but why it is important and how it fits into the larger tapestry of human knowledge. 

In your quest for understanding, you become a discriminating connoisseur of ideas, developing your capacity to tell the deep from the mundane, the enlightening from the ordinary. With each interaction, you sharpen your perception, fine-tune your taste, and improve your creative senses. 

The internet is more than simply a passive collection of information; it is a dynamic ecosystem in which ideas clash, overlap, and change in real time. You may engage in heated conversations, exchange views, and cooperate with like-minded people from all over the world via online forums, social media platforms, and virtual communities. In this virtual marketplace of ideas, you are both a student and a teacher, a learner and a mentor, each adding your own unique viewpoint to the continuing conversation about human creativity. And as you go further into the pool of ideas, you emerge with wisdom—a better understanding of the world and your role in it. 

The Internet has become more than simply an educational tool; it also serves as a catalyst for personal growth and transformation. It enables you to realize the full potential of your gathered ideas, sharpening your creative instincts and artistry in ways you never imagined possible. And as you go on your path of discovery, you understand that the quest of knowledge is a lifelong adventure full of limitless possibilities. 

In our quest for knowledge, the internet has become our most precious resource. There are several options for exploration, ranging from reading articles and essays to listening to books and podcasts. As we go further into the pool of ideas, we learn to distinguish between the good and the mediocre, honing our taste and sharpening our creative instincts. 

Journaling of Ideas 

Knowledge alone is insufficient; we must also record and preserve our thoughts for future generations. Writing, sketching, and scribbling are the instruments we employ to shape our ideas and save them for further study. Not every idea should be explored immediately, but by documenting them, we guarantee that they are not forgotten over time. 

Imagine yourself seated at a rustic wooden desk, a blank paper spread out in front of you like a canvas ready to be painted. In one hand, you grasp a sleek pen, ready to record the brief ideas that flit around your mind. On the other hand, you hold an aged journal, its pages worn and crumpled from years of usage. 

As you begin to write, the words flow easily from your pen, creating a trail of ink that brings your ideas to life. You jot down fragments of conversation overheard on the street, ephemeral glimpses of beauty in nature, and significant insights gained from personal reflection. 

Journaling is more than simply documenting the present; it is also about preserving the past and establishing a direction for the future. You browse back over the pages of your diary, revisiting old thoughts and forgotten musings, each one a snapshot of a moment in time preserved on the page. And when you think on your previous posts, patterns emerge—themes that reoccur, thoughts that develop and grow with each passing year. You understand that your diary is more than simply a collection of odd ideas; it is a mirror that reflects the progression of your creative journey. 

Most significantly, your diary acts as a source of inspiration, providing ideas and insights that will fuel your creative activities for years to come. Whether you're battling with writer's block or need inspiration for your next project, you know you can always turn to your diary for help. 

Whether it's a real notebook stashed away in a drawer or a digital document saved in the cloud, your diary is a dependable companion on your creative path, bearing mute witness to the highs and lows, victories and disappointments that come with the pursuit of artistic expression. And as you continue to fill its pages with your thoughts and aspirations, you realize that you are not only documenting your ideas for yourself, but also for future generations of creators who will be inspired by your words long after you are gone. As a result, your diary becomes more than simply a record of your creative journey; it also serves as a tribute to the eternal power of human creativity. 

Journaling becomes a dependable companion on our creative path, a storehouse for our thoughts, inspirations, and epiphanies. Whether in a real notebook or a digital document, writing down our ideas not only helps us clarify our thoughts, but it also acts as a source of inspiration for future initiatives. 

Close Thought  

As we continue to explore the concepts of "Steal Like An Artist," remember the value of gathering, educating, and recording our thoughts. By adopting these techniques, we empower ourselves to reach our full creative potential and begin on an everlasting voyage of research and discovery.  

Until next time, enjoy creating!