I started my blog because of Austin Kleon's book Show Your Work and most of my weekly newsletter is patterned on his which you should go read right now.

The thing I like about Kleon and his work is that he is so inclusive and inviting. I'm not much for the excluding people from creative work. Exclusion has kept non-white, non-male people from having their creativity noticed. Screw that noise. There's plenty of room for everyone and Austin Kleon invites people into that community and shows how to get going.

If I make it as a writer I'll help people starting out. I won't be able to solve everyone's problems, but I like paying back and promoting others. Kleon seems to be all about that.

The question I have is what he is creating now. It's as if he has completely moved into helping others be creative, but what else is he creating? It's great that he helps people like me, but it's like the English teacher who doesn't read or write; the coach who can't play the game; the preacher who doesn't read or know the Bible. The work comes first and teaches by example, then comes advice and direct instruction.

Twice last year I was asked why I haven't put together a book about writing. I've written on this blog about writing and even given advice but I feel I need to publish and create a larger body of work before anyone should much listen to my thoughts on the matter.

Or maybe I'm just being chickenshit.

Whatever the case, you should read Austin Kleon almost as much as you read the guy writing bgfay.com. He's a genius!