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Begin with What You Know – Stan Allen
Being original and developing your own unique magic and routines is essential for success as a magician. But many people feel stuck and think they’re not creative. This belief is not true—we all come into the world with a box of crayons, and as we grow up, we just need to find those crayons again and start playing with them.
Instead of using the word “create,” try using the word “innovate.” You don’t need a blank canvas to start. Begin with what you already know.
Start small. Pick a trick you already know and come up with ten different concepts, ten ways to do it, and ten possible routines. Write down whatever comes to mind, and don’t judge your ideas. Don’t stop until you’ve got all ten. Once you have them, evaluate the list. Toss out some ideas, add a few new ones, and narrow it down to three options.
Then, develop those three further, but don’t finish them just yet. On the fourth night, choose which one to pursue and begin working on completing it.
Remember, don’t rush ahead. You don’t need to know exactly where this is going—it’s often more fun that way.
Also, don’t just look to the magic community for inspiration. Draw from other parts of your life and bring them into your magic.
My best advice for any up-and-coming magician? You don’t need my advice. You already have everything you need to get started, and you’ll discover the rest along the way. So, if you’re just starting out, stop thinking about it—just do it!