There seems a universal law – the more you risk, the greater the reward. It governs everything we do from the obvious – gambling – to the less obvious – love. Putting ‘yourself’ out there takes courage because it means we’re making ourselves vulnerable. Vulnerable to attack. Vulnerable to critique. Vulnerable to making mistakes that people… Continue reading The trade of vulnerability
Author: Matt Shanks
Efficient and Industrial
Is there a place for a little bit of industrialisation when it comes to art? And does it sacrifice the soul of the work?
The second perspective
Sometimes, trying harder isn’t the answer. Sometimes, we just have to walk away.
The person up-ahead
Maybe, instead of trying to compare choices to make big decisions we need to focus on the tiny decisions we make, everyday.
The evolution of reaching readers
Is getting published all that great? If your goal is to reach readers, then it’s possible you don’t need a publisher.
Faith in connection
Not everything needs evidence. Sometimes, faith is enough to change the world.
The art of breaking things down
There’s more to writing a novel than just doing ‘a chapter a day’; it’s about optimizing for learning by understanding your destination.
Surprise is something worth paying for
The best magicians don’t reveal their practise and people still pay. Why do artist give away so much for free on social media?
Too many threads
How do you prioritise creative work when you’ve got no deadline and, to be honest, nobody but you cares?
Taking imagination for granted
Sometimes, I forget that there are people in the world who struggle to visualise things in abstract ways. I know, it’s a stupid thing for an illustrator to say, but I need constant reminding. I’ve been in many meetings & pitches where I’ve presented someone some sketches, maybe a storyboard. It’s as rough as guts… Continue reading Taking imagination for granted