Fearless Writing with Bill Kenower

As soon as we hear the applause or see our posts getting likes or receive an award, we can start becoming confused about WHY we write. Lose track of the real reason, and you’ll find yourself wondering why you do it. 

Readers often use authors to give themselves permission to feel good, to have hope, to believe in themselves. Take that authority seriously and you’ll be amazed how many people you’ll inspire. 

Whether it’s food, friendship, or writing, it’s always good to ask yourself what truly satisfies you? Sometimes the answer will surprise you.

You’re not avoiding what you love to do, you’re avoiding what you think you fear. You can change how you think about writing and you’ll write more often. 

Here’s a crash course in how to apply the concepts of fearless writing to marketing your work. Remember, you only do something well that you enjoy doing. If you hate to market, or are bored by it, or intimidated by it, it won’t go well. 

An all-day artist learns to trust their curiosity to handle problems and challenges as they arise. Curiosity has no fear of the unknown; it’s where it thrives.

You may have heard that all you need is inside you. If writing doesn’t teach you this every single day you sit down, then nothing else will.

Even though authors can generally take as much time as they need to pen their novels or memoirs, there is still an element of improvisation when we write. 

It’s easy, once we seek publication, to lose track of why write. The fact is, the more forget why we write, the harder it is to find success.

Writing has taught me like nothing else that there’s no point comparing myself to anyone – not to their work or their life. The hardest thing is to do is try to write someone else book or lead someone else’s life. 

Sometimes it’s hard to follow your own unique aesthetic. Though it serves as a North Star, unlike the one in the sky, only you can see it.

Don’t invite your readers and critics into your creative house; don’t decide they can determine the value of your work, and all the things that you care most about.

It’s fine to be inspired by other people’s success, but remember you don’t actually want write their book any more than you want to live their life.

Every writer must practice waiting patiently for a new thought to arrive. We do it when we write, and we can do it when we don’t. 

There are no real mistakes in writing, no good and bad, just what belongs in your story and what doesn’t.

Everyone has an inner manager who helps them organize their life. They’re super useful, but can’t help you write your story. 

Whether you’re ghost writing or working entirely from your own inspiration, we’re all on assignment in one way or another. 

You don’t have to write for two or three hours a day to be a successful writer. Even 30 minutes a day can be enough to stay connected to your work and write a book of any length.

Writing teaches us that how we feel is more important than anything. Don’t wait until you publish the book or win the award to feel successful. Seek it now in any way you can.

The imagination is so powerful, its connection to others is often as intimate as touch. 

You don’t have to have been homeless or abused or addicted to have a life full enough to tell any story. 

Sometimes it may seem like our opportunities have dried up, but that’s almost always because we have begun to doubt. 

There are times when feedback from an editor or friend or writing group is helpful. But not if you’re looking for validation. That has to come from you.

Though most of us work alone, there are times when focused collaboration can free up our stuck thinking. 

Anything we think about other writers, we inevitably think about ourselves. Be kind to everyone, including yourself.