Make It Till You Make It: 40 Myths & Truths About Creating

by Brendan Leonard

A concise kick in the ass to start doing the creative thing you dream about but don't feel like you have the time/skills/know-how to pull off. Nobody gets tapped with a magic wand and suddenly has the ability to produce art, music, photos, films, or writing—they just do it. And you probably should too. Make It Till You Make It breaks down 40 myths and truths about the pursuit of creative expression, whether you want to make $0 a year doing your thing or $100,000 a year.

Genres: Nonfiction, Business, Writing

57 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 16, 2016

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

[Amanda Alvis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love this book. Short and sweet, and it inspired me to sit down and start the blog I had been wanting to start!

[Jamie Van Nuys · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish there was more!

I loved the straightforward style of this book. It motivated me to cut the crap and just create what I want to create. My only complaint is that the book was so short and I want more creative wisdom. But maybe that just leaves me more time to go and write my book.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fuck busy and start doing your creative thing. You will thank yourself later. Can’t believe my brother bought me this book Christmas 2016 and it’s taken me until now to read it! Talk about creative procrastination 😂

[Jessica Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book! This is the second time I've read it. Inspiring, pithy, and a good kick in the butt to get moving on some my creative goals.

[Kerney Perlik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok this is more a long pamphlet than a book, but it packs a lot of punch in a small package. If you want to make time for any kind of creative pursuit, for work or just for fun, take the 2 hours it takes to read this! Writing, painting, making music, making furniture…there’s some good inspiration in here for anyone (like me) prone to making excuses for not-creating when you want to.

[Joseph Mirabelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Took this as a recommendation from an inspired friend who read it on a plane and got off and started a blog. I read it on a 1.5 hr car ride, and just about fully completed my to-do list the moment I got home. This short "kick in the ass" is respectful to the reader, witty, quick, and motivational. Definitely worth a read or recommendation for anyone hoping to start some sorta creative project on their own time soon.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

So my dad apparently donates $5/month to Brendan Leonard's website, and this book was sent as a gift to those who do that. It was sitting on the kitchen counter, because my sister had taken it from my parent's bookshelf, and when I picked it up, she informed me that it was most definitely "hers" (yeah, right :D).

Anyways, it's a quick read, but an enjoyable one. It grates on me when people say they are too busy, because like, 80+% of people aren't, and this book isn't giving those people an excuse. No one "makes time" to brush their teeth - you just do it, which is probably the best advice for those who are trying to be creative.

[Richard Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brendan Leonard writes in short, tight chapters, each one a gem. This book should be mandatory reading for anyone starting a career in one of the "creative" fields, but it also should be mandatory for anyone creating anything: software (Leonard quotes a sign at Facebook), widgets, or whatever.
It's hard to summarize the book in a sentence (it would need 40 sentences) but the title is works, and could be changed a bit to Make What You Love Doing Until You Make It.

The book is readable in a day, but useful to keep on hand too.

[Tim Cheneval · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short little book of fairly obvious shallow wisdom, however this book's wisdom is the sort that gets overlooked far to often by folks that aren't willing to face life's harsh realities. If you're a creative or entrepreneurial sort, this might be worth picking up for a short 1.5 hour swift kick in the trousers, something to jump start you in-between projects or get you're gears turning on projects you've left unfinished. It worked for me.

[Courtney Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know this is a book I’ll always keep close. Short enough to read in less than an hour, it’s the perfect book a reminders. To stop staring at my phone, to stop bullshitting myself, to keep writing, to pick up my paint brush, to keep consuming art, and keep making stuff.

Brendan Leonard is one of my favorite humans and I’m glad to be able to enjoy his words and art.

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pithy and effective at motivating you to create something - whatever that thing might be. Almost gave it 3-stars because it’s a bit thin but didn’t want to be one of the internet haters (truth #12 from the book)...

[L.C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read off and on for years. Short, but a collection of inspiration, multiple quick chapters.

[Vernon Whillock · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like 40 inspirational paragraphs. It did spark some motivation in me, however.

[ruth a myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Semi -rad forever!

Great quick read with tons of nuggets. I am not a very creative type, but this inspires me to find my voice, no matter how small it may be.

[Yitka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listen, I love everything Brendan Leonard writes.

[Ryne Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a big fan of everything Brendan Leonard writes and illustrates. This book is a nice motivator for all people, not just creative types.

[Yanal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick motivational book

Cuts right to the point with advice on how to create art. Get your work to be great then share it to the world.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super fast read, but it will give you a kick in the pants to get off Netflix and pursue your true creative passion - whatever that may be. Inhale creativity, exhale creativity. No excuses, just you and your work.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Make It Till You Make It" by Brendan Leonard is similar to the pep talk you receive from a coach before a big game. It's really the kick in the pants you need to stop procrastinating and actually START whatever creative project you've been thinking about doing. It's a quick read and a great reminder that you've got to put in what you want to get out. While there was nothing ground breaking it's an enjoyable read and one that will motivate you to start "making."

[Dale Klein · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Quick Motivational Read to Go For It!

This was a quick read with the message to stop making excuses & pursue your artistic adventure. I really enjoyed the format as it was broken out into 40 quick & easy to read bullet points. This is a book to keep on hand & refer to over & over again. Thanks Brendan!!!

[Tomas Rofkahr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Time to exhale

A nice, short, focused kick in the ass for anyone that wants to be a creator - and not just a consumer.

[Tony Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you need motivation to create anything, this is the book for you! I was inspired and I laughed.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this quick, easy and inspiring read. As someone who loves motivation quotes and has a new years resolution to “consume less and create more” this book was perfect.

[connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic - candid, diverse, quotable. Sufficiently serves as a creative kick in the ass.

[Emilio · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title says it all. Good reminder to stay focus on what you like

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exhale. Create. Now it's the best time.

[Jim Sestito · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun.

[Don · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice little book with inspiring aphorisms. It won't change your life, but it might just give you the kick in the pants you need to start making stuff!