My Rules for Creation

This is a post inspired by Liz Worth's post on 'A Creative Manifesta'.

In 2009 when I visited my uncle in South Africa, he told me that you gain a clearer understanding of who you are when you write down the things you believe in. It was advice that stuck, and on the 22 hour return flight, I recorded the things I value most in life. The list has definitely formed a guideline on how I act ever since.

So I'm hoping that the things I list here will do the same from a creative point-of-view.


1. Let your intuition guide you, but depend on logic to set you on the right path.

2. Discover and explore the overarching psychological themes in your own life.

3. Keep an open mind to everything from silly YouTube videos to overheard conversations.

4. Value your dreams, they will help you solve creative problems if you ask them.

5. Give up on projects that bore you, and focus on those that give you energy.

6. Work hard!

7. Never let your mind idle too long, inertia will catch you.

8. Forget everything society tells you about genius being linked to crazy.

9. Make associations between unlikely things.

10. Believe in your projects, regardless of what others say.

11. Find a method that works for you and perfect it.

12. Go for walks when you feel stuck.

"Dear Lucky Agent" Contest

I like the idea of a contest like this. Writers of Sci-Fi or YA can submit to a contest judged by a Literary Agent.

See Details here: "Dear Lucky Agent" Contest

The genre changes from time to time, so keep checking back.

The Big Red Button

Here is another Paper Trails comic I drew a  long time ago. This one features a Big Red Button. I love the idea of a button that has unexpected consequences.

In 2011, Pulpit Magazine published a story I wrote that includes a magic machine, operated, of course, by a Big Red Button.

It's called 'The Transcendence Machine'. The website is like time-travelling to the 1990s, so you'll have to scroll down a bit to get it.

Paper Trails #1

When I was in university, I illustrated a series of absurdist cartoons. The paper kept most of the originals, but I found a folder with some scans. I figure I will fix one up a week (maybe more frequently) and post them here.

It was called 'Paper Trails'. Enjoy the first one.