Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative Summary & Key Insights

Austin Kleon's "Steal Like an Artist" isn't a narrative with a plot and characters in the traditional sense. Instead, it's a collection of ten short, insightful essays offering practical advice for aspiring creative individuals, particularly those feeling stifled by self-doubt or the pressure to be original. The "characters" are the reader, implicitly a creative person struggling with their craft, and various artists and thinkers whose work Kleon uses as examples.

The book's overarching theme is the paradoxical nature of originality: true originality comes not from creating something entirely new from scratch, but from creatively remixing and reinterpreting existing ideas and influences. Kleon argues that artists have always borrowed and built upon the work of others, and that this process of "stealing" is essential to the creative process.

The ten chapters each focus on a key principle:

1. Steal Like an Artist: The core message is explicitly stated here – don't be afraid to borrow, copy, and adapt from those who came before you. The key is to acknowledge your influences and transform them into something new.

2. Don't Wait Until You Know Who You Are to Get Going: Overcoming the paralysis of self-doubt is crucial. Start creating, even if you don't feel fully prepared or know your "style." Your style will emerge through practice.

3. Write the Book You Want to Read: Create the work you wish existed. This is a call to action to fill a gap you see in your field, rather than waiting for inspiration to strike.

4. Use Your Hands: Emphasizes the importance of tactile creation and the unique value of physical processes in the creative journey.

5. Side Projects and Hobbies: Develop these as a space for experimentation and exploration outside of your main creative pursuits. This encourages playful experimentation, often leading to unexpected discoveries and inspiration.

6. The Secret: Do Good Work and Share It With People: Focus on creating quality work and actively share it with the world. This involves self-promotion and building a community around your work.

7. Be an Interesting Person: Your life experiences inform your work. Engage with the world, be curious, and gather inspiration from diverse sources.

8. Creativity is Subtraction: Focus on reducing clutter and finding simplicity in your work. Knowing what to leave out is as important as what to include.

9. Geography is No Match for Technology: Connectivity allows creative individuals to collaborate and engage with a wider audience regardless of location.

10. Be Cool: A reminder to embrace your passions and develop a unique voice that resonates with your values and personality. This final chapter emphasizes authenticity as the ultimate goal.

In essence, "Steal Like an Artist" is a practical, encouraging guide for anyone embarking on a creative journey. It emphasizes the importance of learning from others, embracing imperfection, and consistently producing and sharing work. The book’s strength lies in its accessibility and empowering message: creativity is not about being unique in isolation, but about engaging with the world and contributing to the ongoing conversation of ideas.