Here are a few creative lessons I’ve learned during the twelve months of this challenge.

1: Set an achievable entry— for me, it was defining daily success as completing one complete sentence.

2: Build on habits you already have. If you use your phone a lot— why not write using the notes app or something similar? Carry a notebook around if you’ve already got a backpack or purse. Anything to make getting words written down an easier task.

3: if you feel like you’re lacking motivation— write what you’re thinking about or actively trying not to think about it.

You can describe how you’re bored or anxious. Or— you can dive into the things you don’t even want to admit to yourself. Those are stories that have weight to them.

4: it’s your project— which means your opinion matters the most. Define your own success.

5: steal. I take ideas and lines from comics, songs, movies, podcasts, etc and make them my own. As artists we are creating our personal synthesis of our own experiences.

6: it’s okay to take a break. Make sure you’re getting enough sunshine, sleep, & exercise. A tortured artist only produces their own misery. Better to be a content, productive one. If a little less exciting by the mundane (but more sustainable) lifestyle.

7: share your shit. There are going to be people out there that dig what you do. Allow them the access to enjoy it.

8: Inspiration falls far short of persistence. Keep chugging along— even when (especially when) you don’t feel that razzle dazzle of inspiration. You’ll return to work man pieces later and realize there’s appreciable stuff within it. All without that intoxicating rush of “brilliance.” “Action breeds motivation.” So keep at it.

9: choose your own topics. If you want to write about claymore wielding, goat riding, foul-mouthed banshees, than good gravy! You better get to it. Only you are going to write that piece. But you might not be the only one to appreciate it (which is the bonus!)

10: Ignore all the shit that doesn’t work for you. There’s no end all be all guide for being creatively productive. I’ve crafted some of my favorite stories while riding an exercise bike. That’s not going float for the person who likes to write while snuggled in blankets. There is no wrong way to go about it (outside of serious crime and being a dick to others).