The hottest Creativity Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Art & Illustration Topics

An Errand Boy Who Wrote Tales To Astonish

From The Future • 176 implied HN points • 09 Jul 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity
  1. Stan Lee's early struggles and experiences shaped his storytelling journey
  2. Stan Lee's approach to writing stories that he would enjoy reading himself led to the creation of iconic characters like the Fantastic Four and Spiderman
  3. Stan Lee's perseverance and belief in doing things his own way were key to his success as a storyteller

Notes On 660 Months

Things I Didn't Learn in School • 176 implied HN points • 06 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. Open systems are better for generating wealth because they are flexible and resilient.
  2. Money is unpredictable, and it is important to understand its dimensions and laws.
  3. Cultural shifts over time impact society significantly, leading to changes in areas like civil rights and acceptance of certain behaviors.

How to "not try too hard" | #48

The Pole • 79 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. Making videos that people pay big money for requires good taste and understanding how to evoke feelings through art.
  2. Good taste involves accurately modeling reality, understanding feelings, and mapping them effectively.
  3. Trying too hard in creative pursuits can lead to inauthentic outcomes; building good taste by observing and understanding is key.

Creativity: Just get started

Cosmos • 79 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity
  1. The most important step in creativity is to simply get started.
  2. Creativity should not be limited to a select few - it's about being inspired and taking action.
  3. To enhance creativity, prioritize learning, commit to doing, and create for yourself without overthinking.
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15 years moving

Objet • 98 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity
  1. The author reflects on 15 years of moving and how it changed their relationship with objects, leading to intentional decision-making.
  2. They embrace the practice of regularly parting ways with objects that no longer serve them, avoiding impulse buying and trends.
  3. Learning to be intentional with objects involves improving judgment, saying no to unnecessary burdens, and being prepared for change.

local man sends 2nd email after 1st only gets 3 responses

Both Are True • 102 implied HN points • 17 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. Sometimes, when reaching out, we can feel anxious if we don't get the responses we expect. It's normal to worry about how others perceive us.
  2. Sending a follow-up message can be scary, but it can also be an opportunity to express yourself honestly. You might be surprised by how good it feels.
  3. Being open about our imperfections can help reduce feelings of shame. It's better to be genuine than to strive for a perfect image.

What Is My Identity?

polymathematics • 39 implied HN points • 02 May 24
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. A strong identity is colorful and rich, making life more enjoyable. It's important to explore different interests and keep a record of experiences, but identity shouldn't be fragile or too dependent on others' opinions.
  2. Sometimes we feel possessive over our ideas or hobbies, but we shouldn't let that dictate our feelings of self-worth. Remember, our identity is not defined by how others see us or what they think about our work.
  3. Focusing on what truly matters to us in the long term helps keep our identity grounded. We should prioritize doing what we love and building connections with creative, curious people, regardless of outside recognition.

Waterbirth at Sea: Pregnancy, a Power Drill, and Transcendence in the Middle of "Nowhere"

Humanities in Revolt • 139 implied HN points • 18 Nov 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity
  1. Movies and TV often portray childbirth in a narrow and disempowering way, overlooking the humanizing and empowering aspects of the experience.
  2. The film 'Nowhere' challenges typical narratives by showcasing a pregnant woman's survival and birth in a dystopian setting, emphasizing her strength and resilience.
  3. 'Nowhere' highlights the importance of creative transcendence over destructive tendencies in storytelling, particularly through the unique representations of women's birthing and caregiving roles.

Why Learning to Code Is Life Changing

Brain Bytes • 79 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Creativity
  1. Learning to code fosters creativity and innovation by enabling you to bring ideas to life and design solutions that make a real difference in the world.
  2. Coding encourages lifelong learning by constantly challenging you to adapt to new technologies and expand your skill set, which enhances creativity and personal growth.
  3. Learning to code opens up various career opportunities by providing a valuable skill set that can improve business value and impact millions of individuals worldwide.

On Advertising.

The Common Reader • 637 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
💼 Business Creativity
  1. Advertising is about proclaiming and transmitting information.
  2. The main principles of advertising are speaking well of oneself and making large promises.
  3. Modern advertisements should combine boasting about the company with making promises.

How Not to Write

Polymathic Being • 63 implied HN points • 24 Aug 25
📚 Literature Creativity
  1. Don't worry about finding a specific niche when you start writing. It's better to explore different topics you're curious about and let your unique voice develop naturally.
  2. Outlining isn't necessary for everyone. Sometimes, just diving in and writing can lead to unexpected and exciting discoveries in your story.
  3. You don't have to write every day to be a good writer. Find a rhythm that works for you, like writing in short bursts when inspiration strikes instead of forcing a strict schedule.

The creative seasons

Austin Kleon • 959 implied HN points • 11 Jan 22
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. Creativity goes through seasons, just like nature, and it's important to recognize this cycle. Sometimes, we feel dormant or stagnant, but that doesn't mean we're not growing.
  2. Winter can feel long and challenging, especially in January, but it's also a time for reflection and rest. This downtime can prepare us for new ideas and growth in the future.
  3. Spring always arrives, and with it comes new energy and opportunities. Patience is key, as the hard times often lead to beautiful new beginnings.

The Backdoors.

box. • 319 implied HN points • 21 Apr 23
🚌 Education Creativity
  1. Instead of waiting for permission to lead or create, take initiative and show what you can do. Just start doing what excites you without waiting to be chosen.
  2. Chasing validation from others can hold you back. Focus on what you want to achieve instead of playing by someone else's rules.
  3. Hearing 'no' can spark creativity and innovation. Embrace challenges and think of ways to reach your goals without needing approval.

F. Scott Fitzgerald and the Poison of Potential

Litverse • 259 implied HN points • 12 Dec 22
📚 Literature Creativity
  1. F. Scott Fitzgerald's life was marked by a decade of confidence and a decade of loss, showcasing the journey from potential to downfall.
  2. The concept of potential, when pursued obsessively, can become a poison that leads to despair and unfulfillment.
  3. Even after death, one's potential can come to fruition, as seen with the posthumous success of 'The Great Gatsby'.

Decoding Developer Productivity

Wisdom over Waves • 79 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Creativity
  1. Estimating software development work and productivity is tricky due to the unknowns and constant changes in the software development process.
  2. The desire to measure developer productivity stems from the human need for clarity in transactions, like buying software products, despite the complexities and uncertainties involved in software development.
  3. It's time to change the perception of software developers as mere code generators and start recognizing them as creative problem-solvers who bring unique value to the development process.

Minds Aren't Programs. Neither Are AIs.

Outlandish Claims • 19 implied HN points • 20 Jun 24
🕹 Technology Creativity
  1. Most artificial intelligences were computer programs executed by code, fundamentally different from human minds.
  2. Artificial intelligence 'trainees', like GPT, aren't classified as programs or minds but act as learners mimicking human expertise.
  3. The process of creating AI 'trainees' involves converting inputs/outputs into numbers, forming formulas through trial and error, and testing for accuracy.

#128 Feeling blue 💙

Design Lobster • 259 implied HN points • 20 Feb 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity
  1. The cyanometer is a historical scientific device used to measure the blueness of the sky, providing insights about the atmosphere and light behavior.
  2. Spode "Blue Italian" porcelain is a classic design that mixes Chinese Imari elements with a pastoral scene, showcasing a blend of themes to create something unique and commercially successful.
  3. Creativity in design involves seeing things through one's own perspective, as artist Paul Gauguin emphasized in the quote about making a tree blue if one sees it that way, highlighting the importance of authenticity and personal interpretation in design.

Read the world

Substack • 551 implied HN points • 20 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. Substack is helping writers globally connect and create a supportive community. It's important for creators to find others who understand their journey.
  2. A new world map on Substack makes it easier for people to discover popular writings from different countries. This tool helps writers reach a wider audience.
  3. Substack is introducing various payment methods and masterclasses to support writers in new regions, allowing them to earn in local currencies and learn how to succeed on the platform.

Weekly Wednesday Wisdom #10

Weekly Wisdom • 159 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
🚌 Education Creativity
  1. Reflect on your intentions, actions, and results regularly to make necessary adjustments.
  2. Quantify energy in terms of time, attention, thoughts, emotions, actions, habits, and money.
  3. Maintaining a consistent routine, setting clear goals like writing a book, and balancing creative energies are essential for personal growth.

What are your questions?

Austin Kleon • 919 implied HN points • 04 Jan 22
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. Asking questions can help you work through problems and spark new ideas. It’s a great way to get started on any project.
  2. Sometimes the right question can lead you directly to the answer you need. A simple question can clarify your thoughts.
  3. Using questions to reflect on your experiences can push you to think deeper about your art and life. It helps you discover what really matters to you.

The Cult of Productivity

The Intersection • 158 implied HN points • 11 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. Productivity is gaining more importance than creativity, with a focus on producing more content rather than emphasizing quality.
  2. Productivity tools may not necessarily make us smarter, as genuine thinking and insights happen internally and resist automation.
  3. Authenticity will ultimately prevail over chasing algorithms and shortcuts in creativity and content creation.

is clear writing clear thinking?

practiceprocesscraft • 157 implied HN points • 03 Apr 23
🚌 Education Creativity
  1. Writing is different from thinking, it's a process of observing, clarifying, and developing thoughts.
  2. You can have clear thoughts but struggle to express them clearly in writing, it's a skill of translation.
  3. Clarity in writing is relative, it depends on the audience and purpose of the writing.

Confluences

lifeboat • 157 implied HN points • 30 Aug 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity
  1. Autumn is a time of gathering and harvesting.
  2. Small individual efforts can come together to create something powerful.
  3. Water is a pervasive element that can be disrupted by the environmental crisis.

To beat the empty page

The Leftovers • 59 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
📚 Literature Creativity
  1. Writer's block may not really exist and could just be about trying to write the wrong thing at the wrong time.
  2. Sometimes difficulties in writing can be attributed to starting from a wrong place rather than a complete inability to write.
  3. To overcome 'writer's block,' it may require changing approach or perspective rather than waiting for inspiration.

Why do I Write?

Theory Matters • 3 implied HN points • 12 Feb 26
📚 Literature Creativity
  1. Writing is driven by mixed motives: a private need to understand yourself and enjoy the craft, plus a desire for external validation and sometimes income.
  2. Rejection and the fear of banality make writing emotionally risky, so readers, subscribers, and feedback feel like personal validation.
  3. Market pressures and AI push people toward formulaic, pitch-driven work that can hollow out a unique voice, but genuine writing still requires struggle and can’t be fully shortcut.

Thinking outside "outside the box"

escape the algorithm • 159 implied HN points • 30 May 23
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. Moving past traditional definitions of creativity allows everyone to grow and flourish in unique ways.
  2. Creativity can extend to maintaining and preserving things, not just inventing or designing them.
  3. Redefining creativity as a collective effort, nurturing life, and embracing destruction can lead to diverse and impactful creative outcomes.

Writing As Performance

Castalia • 179 implied HN points • 12 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. Writing should be a heartfelt expression, not just about craft or style. It’s important to connect with your audience sincerely.
  2. Courage and honesty are key in both acting and writing. Pushing through discomfort makes the performance more engaging.
  3. The physical presence in performance is different from writing, but both should strive to create a genuine and relatable experience for the audience.

How Jimmy Carr reinvented himself

A Bit Gamey • 13 implied HN points • 21 Dec 25
😂 Humor Creativity
  1. You can reinvent yourself at any age; be willing to become a beginner again and try new paths.
  2. Treat failures as feedback, not final answers. Test ideas quickly, learn from flops, and keep iterating until something works.
  3. Happiness is something you design by choosing how to spend your time and who to spend it with, and humour can help you carry pain and shrink problems.

The Magic Of Showing Up Every Single Day

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 259 implied HN points • 18 Mar 23
📚 Literature Creativity
  1. Being consistent in your creative work helps you connect with your audience. When you show up regularly, it shows that your voice matters.
  2. Writing and publishing often helps you improve your skills and gain confidence. Each story you share is a step towards becoming a better writer.
  3. Your words can inspire and impact others in ways you may not realize. Publishing consistently can create a ripple effect that reaches many people.

Forté #19

SJF • 78 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity
  1. The beauty and significance of orange blossoms in Tunisia
  2. Alternative ways to share work and life outside of social media
  3. Exploration of ethereal ambient music like the self-titled record from Christina Vantzou, Michael Harrison, and John Also Bennett

Leisure

Soaring Twenties • 162 implied HN points • 02 Mar 25
🎭️ Culture Creativity
  1. Leisure is important for a happy life. It's not just about doing nothing; it's a skill that can be learned and appreciated.
  2. Working for a living isn't the only way to find fulfillment. Many people would prefer to spend their time on hobbies and creative projects.
  3. Understanding and mastering leisure can help us slow down and enjoy life more intentionally, just like people in ancient times did.

Patterns and Predictions for 2024

The Intersection • 98 implied HN points • 20 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Creativity
  1. Creativity is now decentralized, allowing anyone with the will and tenacity to create, thanks to technology advancement.
  2. Platforms still hold power over creators, and AI will continue to deindustrialize various types of work, transforming the landscape.
  3. The future holds doing more with less, the 10-80-10 rule of AI in content creation, and an interface shift in areas like search, commerce, and automotive.