The hottest Creativity Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Art & Illustration Topics

Entering into the spirit

Austin Kleon • 1998 implied HN points • 31 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Art Music Literature Philosophy Creativity
  1. To really enjoy something, it's important to let go and surrender to it. When we enter into the spirit of an activity, we can connect deeply and get more out of it.
  2. Creative blocks often come from trying too hard to control the process. Instead of forcing things, letting go and being open can help overcome these blocks.
  3. Finding joy in creative work is about embracing the experience. When we engage fully, we unlock a world of inspiration that can be missed when we stay distant.

Maps of scenius

Austin Kleon • 2178 implied HN points • 12 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Creativity Art Social Networks Collaboration Community
  1. Scenius is about creativity that comes from a group, not just individual genius. Joining or creating a supportive community can help boost your creative efforts.
  2. Successful sceniuses have elements like friendly competition and easy sharing of ideas and tools. This sense of connection can lead to more innovation and creativity.
  3. Balancing connection with others and taking time alone is crucial for creativity. Both interacting with a community and having time to reflect can enhance your creative output.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Goodbye Cairo Dispatch, Hello Caravanserai

Caravanserai with Samantha Childress • 1139 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Travel Personal Stories Experiences Creativity
  1. The newsletter has a new name and focus: Caravanserai, centered on personal stories and world cultures
  2. Caravanserai is inspired by the historical roadside inns along the Silk Road where travelers exchanged stories and experiences
  3. Readers can continue to enjoy personal tales and insights in this transformed publication

Culture Study Classifieds! (Winter Edition)

Culture Study • 2308 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Community Creativity Networking
  1. Share your services or store to reach a wider audience by posting in a classifieds section like this.
  2. Offer your skills for free or a low fee to help others, whether it's proofreading, grant writing tips, or providing other specific services.
  3. Showcase your creative work like photography, writing, music, or design in platforms that allow you to share with interested audiences.

The weekly review

Austin Kleon • 3437 implied HN points • 25 Apr 23
🚌 Education Productivity Self-reflection Time management Personal Growth Creativity
  1. Scheduling a regular time for a weekly review helps you reflect on what you've done and plan what you want to do next. It’s about taking a moment to think and organize your thoughts.
  2. Using a method that works for you, like making mind maps or lists, can make your review more effective. Visualizing your tasks can help you see connections and prioritize better.
  3. A private weekly review can lead to clearer mind and focus for the upcoming week. It allows you to 'clear your psychic decks' so you can enjoy your time off without distractions.

30-day challenge

Austin Kleon • 5875 implied HN points • 01 Nov 22
🎭️ Culture Art Creativity Personal Development Writing Motivation
  1. Doing something small every day can lead to big changes over time. Just like writing a page a day can add up to a whole chapter or even a novel.
  2. Focusing on daily progress is easier than thinking about long-term goals. Trying to do a little each day keeps you grounded and motivated.
  3. Don't be afraid to start small and accept that being bad at something is part of getting better. The key is to practice regularly and enjoy the process.

Yours Robotically

Letters of Note • 1906 implied HN points • 28 Mar 23
🎨 Art & Illustration AI Letters Design Chatbot Creativity
  1. The AI-generated sign-offs provide unique and creative ways to end letters or emails.
  2. There are categories of sign-offs for different types of correspondence, like positive, angry, apologetic, congratulatory, romantic, hot, reconciliatory, job-seeking, and holidaying.
  3. The sign-offs range from traditional and professional to humorous and personal, offering a diverse range of options to choose from.

Time is not a butler

Austin Kleon • 3517 implied HN points • 07 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Art Music Film Writing Creativity
  1. Don't stress about finding your own style; focus on creating instead. It's okay if your style evolves over time.
  2. Learning from others doesn't mean copying them; it’s about using reference images to grow as an artist.
  3. Meeting new experiences, like seeing a screech owl or watching unique movies, can inspire your creativity and add joy to your life.

#150 Just enough design (and no more)

Design Lobster • 259 implied HN points • 10 Jun 24
🪑 Design Philosophy Art Creativity Style Craftsmanship
  1. Hodo-hodo is a Japanese concept of moderation and balance applied to design, meaning 'just enough design.' It emphasizes the idea of deliberately holding back in design to achieve an ideal level of completion.
  2. Just enough design can create space for imagination and personal interpretation, as seen in the example of Kinoishi wooden stones that were designed as toys without instructions.
  3. Designing with 'hodo-hodo' philosophy can lead to subtle yet impactful details that might not be consciously noticed but can evoke emotional connections and enhance user experience.

i interviewed a bunch of cool ppl and now it's a...print publication??!

Both Are True • 217 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Art Media Conversations Creativity Humanity
  1. The author created a print and digital publication after interviewing inspiring people. It's called 'Whoa, Vol. 1' and includes deep conversations that aim to connect readers emotionally.
  2. Each interview tackles big questions about hope, authenticity, and making a living from art. These conversations helped the author find peace and understanding during tough times.
  3. Buying the publication comes with extra perks, like access to uncut interview content. The goal is to inspire readers and help them feel more human through shared stories.

Castles in the Sky's Seven Most Underrated Essays

Castles in the Sky • 10 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
📚 Literature Essays Parenting Writing Review Creativity
  1. Reflecting on past essays can be a valuable exercise for writers and bloggers. It helps them see how their style has changed and what topics resonate with their audience.
  2. Understanding fatherhood often teaches important lessons about self-care and responsibility. Writers can convey deep emotions through relatable experiences with family.
  3. Exploring complex ideas in a simple way can lead to misunderstandings, so it's essential to keep an open mind. Just because something is hard to explain doesn't mean it's wrong or unworthy.

The Problem of AI Photography is Not the Medium, It's the Message.

In the Flash • 3756 implied HN points • 25 Apr 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Photography AI Ethics Creativity Aesthetic
  1. The problem with AI photography is not the technology itself but the lack of creativity in the message
  2. The photography industry is facing challenges with AI technology affecting artistic integrity and empathy
  3. Artificial intelligence in photography raises concerns about originality, ethics, and the future of creative expression

Hi NYC, hang out with me Monday/Tuesday

Sasha's 'Newsletter' • 86 implied HN points • 14 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Workshops Creativity Community Events
  1. There's a free gifting workshop happening in NYC on Monday and Tuesday. You can join either one or both days.
  2. The workshop is designed for you to create a gift or come up with a cool gift idea. You'll leave with something special or a plan to make something.
  3. You'll have access to tools like a 3D printer and help with ideas and words to make your gift unique.

Taylor Sheridan's Extreme Productivity

SatPost by Trung Phan • 122 implied HN points • 07 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Film Television Hollywood Storytelling Creativity
  1. Taylor Sheridan didn't become a successful writer until he was 40, showing that it's never too late to start a new career. His need to support his family pushed him to work hard and produce a lot of content quickly.
  2. He handles creative control differently than others in Hollywood, often working alone instead of in a writer's room. This unique approach allows him to stay true to his vision and produce shows and movies that resonate with people.
  3. Buying a massive ranch for $350 million increased his pressure to succeed even more. This financial burden motivated him to create new shows and push out his work at an extreme rate.

Wiggly Consistency

Seven Senses • 879 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Creativity Habits Art Routine Personal Growth
  1. Building consistency in your daily habits can lead to positive changes in your life. Small, regular actions can help you feel more secure and grounded.
  2. Starting small with new habits is often better than going all in right away. Even two minutes of a new practice can help you develop a routine without feeling overwhelmed.
  3. Flexibility in your routines is important. Consistency shouldn't feel like a strict schedule; it should allow for moments when you can stray away without feeling like you've failed.

Starting from scratch: advice on building a career and finding an audience on Substack

Substack • 1537 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
💼 Business Career Audience Building Writing Creativity Community
  1. Starting a newsletter on Substack from scratch can lead to significant growth and opportunities.
  2. Substack empowers creators to find success without waiting for traditional publishing gatekeepers.
  3. Building a community through Substack can be key to achieving success, even when starting anonymously.

So Here's a "thing"

So Here’s a Thing • 1592 implied HN points • 26 Feb 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity Etymology Language Literature Writing
  1. Engagement in posts should be a pleasure and not a chore, focusing on quality over quantity to prevent overwhelming the audience.
  2. Consider offering a paid subscription for those who want to support content and provide exclusive features for those subscribers.
  3. Etymology reveals the evolution of words like 'thing' over time, showcasing how meanings shift and adapt in language.