"Novice Enthusiasm": The Key Ingredient to Creative Success

You’d think that after more than a decade in the creative industry I’d shy away from calling myself a novice. But here I am, proudly waving the “Novice Enthusiasm” banner like it’s my first day on the job.

Let me explain how this came about. Years ago, when I was a scrappy, wide-eyed comic creator, I poured all my free time and energy into self-publishing my very first comic book. Upon release, one reviewer politely described my work as exhibiting “novice enthusiasm.” Translation: “Bless your heart, kid, but this kinda sucks.” Instead of sulking, I thought it was cool that they noticed anything about my love for art at all. Plus, “novice enthusiasm” sounds way better than “amateur kitsch,” right? I counted it as a win.

Over time, I realized that the “novice” mindset had actually become a secret superpower, even as I racked up professional gigs and earned some nice bullet points for my résumé. Why? Because when you’re new at something, you haven’t yet accumulated the baggage of failure. Your inner voice hasn’t been trained to talk you out of something that might be too ambitious. You’re too busy dreaming big, acquiring all the “right” tools, tackling challenges head-on, and sometimes stumbling into great ideas.

This approach has rescued me from plenty of creative slumps, especially when the pressure to “know it all” starts creeping in. Even with years of experience, I’ve found it’s crucial to let my curiosity outrun my expertise. If your passion outweighs your ability, you’ll keep chasing growth. The moment you catch up to your ambition, it’s off running in the distance again, like a flirty muse that won’t let you get too comfortable.

Now, my goal is to help you capture that same “novice enthusiasm” and use it to fuel your artistic journey, regardless of your level of experience. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or someone just dipping their toes into the waters of self-expression, this mindset will keep your ideas fresh, your risk-taking bold, and your motivation high.

I’ll be sharing insights, tips, and some mild self-deprecation, to prove that creativity thrives on imperfection and enthusiasm. No matter how many wins you’ve got under your belt, embracing your inner novice is (in my opinion) the best way to stay excited about what’s ahead and to truly love yourself as a creative, even during lean times.

So, here’s to passion that’s always ten steps ahead of our skill, and to refusing to let experience (good or bad) smother our sense of enthusiasm for our craft.