Your unique perspective is what makes your work original from "summary" of Steal Like an Artist 10th Anniversary Gift Edition with a New Afterword by the Author by Austin Kleon
Your work doesn’t have to be completely original to be meaningful. In fact, it’s impossible for it to be completely original, because all creative work is built on what came before. What makes your work original is your unique perspective. No one else has your point of view, your voice, your experiences. That’s what makes your work valuable. When you’re just starting out, it can be hard to see your own voice or perspective. You might feel like you’re just copying others, or that your work isn’t good enough. But the truth is, your perspective is what sets you apart. It’s what makes your work worth paying attention to. Instead of trying to be completely original, focus on honing your perspective. Pay attention to what excites you, what makes you angry, what makes you happy. Those are the things that will make your work unique. Your perspective is like a fingerprint - no one else has one quite like yours. So embrace it, and let it shine through in everything you create. It’s easy to feel like you have to be a genius to create something truly original. But the reality is, all creative work is built on what came before. Every great artist, writer, musician, and thinker has been influenced by the work of others. The key is to take those influences and make them your own. Don’t be afraid to borrow from the things you love. In fact, stealing from others is a crucial part of the creative process. The trick is to steal from many different sources, so that your work becomes a unique blend of influences. As the poet T. S. Eliot famously said, “Immature poets imitate; mature poets steal.” So don’t be afraid to borrow from the artists and thinkers who inspire you. Just make sure you put your own spin on things. Your perspective is what will make your work original. So don’t be afraid to let it shine through in everything you create. Your unique point of view is what sets your work apart from the rest. Embrace it, and let it guide you as you create.
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