Creators: this is awesome!

You should “steal like an artist” according to Vicky Fang, a talented author who ran a virtual lesson for SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) entitled “Writing Different Categories from Board Books to Chapter Books.” Her talk was filled with helpful tidbits to make me a better author.

One piece of advice was to get a book entitled STEAL LIKE AN ARTIST by Austin Kleon. Creators,I think you should read it. There are so many great takeaways, not to mention the style and format makes it easy and enjoyable to peruse.

Here are just a few of my favorite parts.

“Do Boring Things.” When you do the mundane it gives your brain the time to relax, to chill, to wander , and to CREATE. For me this happens walking my dogs.

“Surround Yourself with Analog and Digital.” I find using pen and paper (usually many colors of ink) satisfying. Of course I end up on the computer. You can’t beat it for speed and revising, BUT my initial ideas are ALWAYS on paper. Creators need tangible mediums. At least I do.

“Write you passion. Write what you want to read. Don’t write what you know. BORING.” Most of my children’s books center on my dogs. I am Gaga for Goldens as I use them to entertain and to teach.

“Be Nice,” Champion others. All that good stuff will circle back to you.

Thank you , Austin. I finished STEAL LIKE AN ARTIST and immediately went out to purchase another of his books, SHOW YOUR WORK. I plan to do just that with the help of talented creators like Vicky Fang and Austin Kleon.