Make It: 50 Myths and Truths About Creating

by Brendan Leonard

Nobody gets tapped with a magic wand and suddenly has the ability to make great music, photos, films, writing, or any other kind of creative expression—they just try. And you probably should too.

“OK,” you say. “But what about ________ ?”

That’s exactly what’s in Make It : answers to all the reasons we give ourselves to not sit down and start working on our Real Art Thing. If you could use a polite but firm kick in the ass to get going, or just some reassurance that you’re not the only would-be creative with a slight to moderate crisis of confidence, this book is for 50 illustrated micro-essays to get you through roadblocks at the beginning, middle, or end of your project, and onto the next one.

139 pages, Paperback

Published April 28, 2023

About the author

Brendan Leonard is the creator of Semi-Rad.com and a freelance writer whose work has appeared in Outside, CNN.com, Adventure Journal, Alpinist, Climbing, High Country News, Adventure Cyclist, and dozens of other publications. He lives in Missoula, Montana.

Reviews

[Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy all of Brendan’s work. This is a good reminder that to make stuff you actually have to… make stuff! Like take the time and do the work and show up. It’s not ground breaking, but the advice here is good for focusing the mind of creative work, but I also find it valuable for my not what you would necessarily call traditional creative work, but still work that requires effort and showing up and courage to release into the world.