How Bestselling Author Austin Kleon Writes: Part One

New York Times bestselling author Austin Kleon has been called one of the most interesting people on the Internet by The Atlantic Magazine, and he stopped by The Writer Files to chat with me about creativity and the writing life. Austin is the author of three illustrated books — Steal Like An Artist, Newspaper Blackout, and Show Your Work! — guides I recommend to all writers seeking insights for tapping into your endless reserves of creativity and innovation. In addition to being featured on NPR s Morning Edition, PBS Newshour, and The Wall Street Journal, Mr. Kleon speaks about creativity in the digital age for organizations as varied as Pixar, Google, SXSW, TEDx, and The Economist. In the first part of this two-part file, Austin Kleon and I discuss:

Why You Should Read More Than You Write

How a Paper Dictionary Can Improve Your Writing

The Difference Between Little Writing and Big Writing

Why You Should Research Out in the Open

How Your Daily Ritual Can Save You from Failure

3 Symptoms of Writer’s Block and How to Cure Them

Why You Should Print Your Work and Read It Aloud

How to Harness the Power of Productive Procrastination

The Show Notes

How Bestselling Author Austin Kleon Writes: Part Two

Here s How Austin Kleon Writes

AustinKleon.com

Clive Thompson, The Pencil and the Keyboard: How The Way You Write Changes the Way You Think

Elizabeth Gilbert: “Your elusive creative genius”

Daily Rituals: How Artists Work by Mason Currey

Austin Kleon on Instagram

Austin Kleon on Twitter

Kelton Reid on Twitter

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices