Before I started writing this, I think I made over thirty excuses as to why I couldn?t start when I had initially sat down to do so. Trivial things that normally wouldn?t matter suddenly became life or death. I literally stood up at one point to figure out where a new book would be going on my shelf. Then the inevitable ?Ah, I can do it tomorrow? burrowed its way into my brain, leaving the blank page adrift once more without those starting sentences, bereft of a creative anchor. This is creative anxiety. Because of the way we rationalize our anxiety, most individuals are unaware that it?s something they?re even experiencing. Of course it?s more important to do laundry than paint. Of course you need to run out to grab food before writing. Of course it?s impossible to design a masterpiece in an untidy room. It makes one wonder how many creative milestones continue to go untapped. This did not seem to be an issue for Eric Barone, the sole creator and designer of Stardew Valley. I believe his work method and determination should be an inspiration to those to drowning in their own lack of self assurance. Four and a half years of Eric Barone?s life were dedicated to creating Stardew Valley alone, a feat that could not have happened any other way. “I think it makes sense that I worked entirely alone. I wanted to do all the music, the art,” he said in an interview with GQ.
This is an incredible understatement from Barone, given an initial reluctance to pursue his pass...