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10 Lessons from Derek Sivers on Writing, Creativity, and Personal Growth
His entire book catalog is free until October 18. Here’s what I learned from it
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If you’re the first person in your family working as an entrepreneur, artist, or author, you are doing something really difficult. You are like a first generation immigrant of sorts. It is the complete opposite of the parent-child duo who can perform on stage together, or do an art show together. Your parents will practice different crafts. They can help you with many things; however, they will have trouble believing that working as an artist as a profession is possible.
If you look further, you will find the mentorship you need from someone else. This might come from a role model early on in your life who makes things vivid for you. You don’t need to meet them in-person to learn from them though. Through their words, an author can reach across time and space to offer you their guidance.
I didn’t grow up with any writers or editors in my family, which makes me a first generation author. In order to learn, I’ve read a lot of books. I’ve ever professionally reviewed them when I worked full-time at Lifehacker. has written some of the best I’ve ever read and…

