The “Antifragile” mindset.

The path to scribbling success is fraught with rejection, criticism, and unpredictability. For those of us who ignore the warnings and venture into the wasteland, it’s critical to remember our uniquely human trait: antifragility.

Coined by Nassim Nicholas Taleb in his groundbreaking book, "Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder," antifragility goes beyond resilience and robustness. It's not just about surviving shocks but thriving in chaos, growing stronger with every setback and challenge.

In the words of Taleb himself, "Some things benefit from shocks; they thrive and grow when exposed to volatility, randomness, disorder, and stressors."

Our Scribbler's journey is filled with stressors. The rejection of pitches and drafts, the harsh and often capricious critiques, writer's block, budget constraints, collaborative pain points, and the constant evolution of industry and audience.

You can choose to see these as obstacles or opportunities. Embrace the antifragile mindset and turn them into the latter.

Make every rejection a chance to refine your craft and steel your resolve. The antifragile scribbler rejoices in criticism, refusing to take it personally, and seizes the opportunity for reflection and rewriting.

The scribbling world is ever-changing. Being antifragile means adapting and growing with the changes, be they new streaming models or shifts in audience attention.

So, instead of kvetching, why not embrace the new models and platforms, even making AI your ally?

There are many famous examples of antifragility at work in Hollywood:

"Star Wars" was initially a hard sell. Many studios rejected the project, deeming it too risky and outlandish. George Lucas persisted and found a home for the project with 20th Century Fox. The film's unprecedented success spurred an entire franchise and changed the landscape of filmmaking and culture.

Sylvester Stallone’s script for "Rocky" received rejection from multiple studios, and when offered a deal, he insisted on starring as the lead. His determination paid off, "Rocky" became a box-office sensation and Stallone became a megastar.

"The Blair Witch Project" (Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez) used a minimal budget and an innovative found-footage style. Despite initial skepticism, its success spawned an entirely new subgenre of horror.

When Neill Blomkamp’s “Halo" movie was shut down, he went back to basics and made "District 9." The film's critical and cult success demonstrates how setbacks can be transformed into unique and successful creations.

Some of your favorite authors and poets are antifragile:

J.K. Rowling, the author of "Harry Potter" faced numerous rejections before finding success. Her antifragile nature transformed those setbacks into stepping stones.

Early in his career, Stephen King faced numerous rejections, even throwing away the manuscript for "Carrie." His wife's encouragement to continue led to the book's eventual success and King becoming one of the most successful authors in the world.

Maya Angelou's life was filled with hardship and trauma, but she used those experiences to fuel her writing. She turned her struggles into powerful narratives, becoming a celebrated poet and writer.

Remember, embracing antifragility doesn't mean seeking out chaos but rather cultivating a mindset that transforms disorder and reversal into opportunity.

Let antifragility turn the chaos of the scribbling trade into your garden of growth and creative opportunity.

To go deeper into the concept of antifragility, check out Nassim Nicholas Taleb's brilliant book, “Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder”