• Real Artists Don't Starve

  • Timeless Strategies for Thriving in the New Creative Age
  • By: Jeff Goins
  • Narrated by: Stu Gray
  • Length: 5 hrs and 45 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (784 ratings)

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Real Artists Don't Starve  By  cover art

Real Artists Don't Starve

By: Jeff Goins
Narrated by: Stu Gray
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Publisher's summary

Best-selling author and creativity expert Jeff Goins dismantles the myth that being creative is a hindrance to success by revealing how an artistic temperament is in fact a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

For centuries the myth of the starving artist has dominated our culture, seeping into the minds of creative people and stifling their pursuits. But the truth is that the world's most successful artists did not starve. In fact they capitalized on the power of their creative strength. In Real Artists Don't Starve, Jeff Goins debunks the myth of the starving artist by unveiling the ideas that created it and replacing them with 14 rules for artists to thrive, including:

  • Steal from your influences (don't wait for inspiration)
  • Collaborate with others (working alone is a surefire way to starve)
  • Take strategic risks (instead of reckless ones)
  • Make money in order to make more art (it's not selling out)
  • Apprentice under a master (a "lone genius" can never reach full potential)

Through inspiring anecdotes of successful creatives both past and present, Goins shows that living by these rules is not only doable but it's also a fulfilling way to thrive.

From graphic designers and writers to artists and business professionals, creatives already know that no one is born an artist. Goins' revolutionary rules celebrate the process of becoming an artist, a person who utilizes the imagination in fundamental ways. He reminds creatives that business and art are not mutually exclusive pursuits. In fact success in business and in life flow from a healthy exercise of creativity.

Expanding upon the groundbreaking work in his previous best-seller, The Art of Work, Goins explores the tension every creative person and organization faces in an effort to blend the inspired life with a practical path to success. Being creative isn't a disadvantage for success; rather, it is a powerful tool to be harnessed.

©2017 Jeff Goins (P)2017 Thomas Nelson

What listeners say about Real Artists Don't Starve

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing Must-Have for Every Creative!

I've been a fan of Jeff Goins for many years. I wept through Wrecked, found my voice through You Are a Writer, and was motivated after reading The Art of Work. So of course I was going to buy his latest, Real Artists Don't Starve!
I bought it on audible because I couldn't wait to consume it! With my day job and writing in the evenings I knew my best option was buying it so I could listen to it on my drive to and from work and while I walked.
This book is just what I needed at the right time in my life! I've been struggling with the whole marketing world for my writing. And feeling guilty. And overwhelmed.

After reading Real Artists Don't Starve I feel a weight has been lifted off me and like Jeff knew exactly what direction I needed to go, and gave me the real life examples to empower me with.

The research and the ideas and advice in this book is not only amazing but truly reflects Jeff's heart for other creatives.

I suggest everyone go out and buy this book!!

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18 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Very disappointing

This was a wasted credit. The premise and content lack substance and the tone was juvenile.

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Changes your mindset!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Real Artists Don't Starve?

I have to say that the title of the book itself, and the idea it represents, is THE most memorable part of this book. It flips the way we've been raised to approach art on its head.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, definitely. It was when Jeff discusses whether or not you should quit your day job while pursuing your art. Upon hearing the fact that those who keep their jobs find success at a higher rate, it really hit me hard. I had become bitter at my day job and hated it, but this part made me realize that I should be grateful.

Jeff states that John Grisham wrote a page a day every morning for 3 years before he finished his first book, A Time To Kill! That was while he was still doing the law thing during the day. Amazing.

Any additional comments?

If you couldn't tell, I loved the stories! Jeff Goins delves deep inside the lives of famous artists from Michelangelo to Jim Henson to John Grisham to Dr. Dre. There's something magical about reliving the lives and experiences of some of the greatest artists that have ever lived.

You will walk away from this book feeling inspired.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great information, narrator became grating

What did you like best about Real Artists Don't Starve? What did you like least?

Although the info isn't particularly "new," it was nice to have it gathered in one book to remind you the things you can do to help your art thrive.

How could the performance have been better?

The narrator was extra "peppy" throughout the whole book, with every sentence being narrated like it was a sales pitch, which after awhile just got really annoying, personally. I switched to the kindle book halfway through.

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9 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Instant Classic!

I fully recommend this book for any artist who is serious about taking their art to a professional level. Now is the time and this is the book that will give you the ideas and strategies to get there.
This book is food for thought for any starving artist.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Good book, but too repetitive

It had some interesting points, but could have easily been half the length and still given all the same info. If you can make it past the 11th " Artist don't need to starve! Artist should thrive!" in chapter 2 without rage quitting, then the rest of the book is pretty enjoyable.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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Peculiar narration for a good book

This is a book that changes many preset thoughts regarding arts. It shines a different light on many well-known artists and provides the necessary inspiration to keep creating art. But the narration, choppy at times, lacks fluency and takes away some of the quality.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent business book

The main idea is evolving around artists but every things written in the book is a guideline for starting and maintaining a successful business.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A Myth Buster

If you could sum up Real Artists Don't Starve in three words, what would they be?

Jeff's title is a punch to the face for all artists. If you're not making money you're forced to ask the question, "Well then, am I REALLY an artist?"

What was one of the most memorable moments of Real Artists Don't Starve?

Much more than a book on self-reflection, Jeff takes us on a journey throughout history where we actually see his point, through real life stories. Equally important, he then provides a road-map for how to turn the game in your favor. Here's his outline.

Mindsets: Discover the beliefs that self-sabotage you from experiencing long-term success.
Marketing: Discover how to get a platform and develop synergistic relationships that make an artistic career a reality.
Money: Discover how to build a portfolio so you can experience freedom, finances, and fulfillment and sustain the life of a creative.

If you're ready to make the shift from starving artist to real artist, then this is the one book you can't AFFORD to live without—literally.

Have you listened to any of Stu Gray’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Awesome Narrator

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Too deep to listen in one sitting

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Awesome!

I love It! It has given me a whole new perspective! Amazing author speaks with authority on the subject.

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5 people found this helpful