The Art of Paying Attention

Vikrant Shaurya is the Founder/CEO of bestsellingbook.com . Over the years, Vikrant and his team have helped hundreds of authors write popular and bestselling books. In this episode, Ryan and Vikrant talk about how to write a winning outline, the elements of a bestselling book, why perfection is killing your writing, and much more.  Mentioned in the Show: Free checklist for writing a bestselling b...

A native Missourian and US Air Force Veteran, Jason stays busy in both his professional and personal life. He's a devoted family man, has a day job he still enjoys, hosts a weekly podcast, and makes time to write anywhere, and everywhere that he can. He completed one of his books on his phone, sitting in the theater while waiting for a movie to start! Ryan and Jason chat about the journey of writi...

In this episode, Ryan explores the need for play in our work. Somewhere along the line we'll succumb to short term thinking, and forget about the long term reasons we create things. What does it mean to incorporate play, awe, and wonder into our work? Mentioned in the Show: Join the newsletter for latest updates ( ryanjpelton.com ).  Check out Ryan's new side project (ETSY Shop). Leave a rating/re...

Christiana N. Peterson is the author of Mystics and Misfits: Meeting God through St. Francis and Other Unlikely Saints and Awakened by Death: Life-giving Lessons from the Mystics. Her writing on the mystics, community, the spiritual disciplines of motherhood, and death has been featured in such places as Christianity Today, Art House America, Geez Magazine, The Christian Century, and Bearings Onli...

In this episode, Ryan explores the myth of writer's or creator's block. Is it a thing, or is there something else lurking beneath the surface in our stuckness? Ryan will explore this topic and give steps for getting unstuck in whatever you are making.  Mentioned in the Show: Say hello, and tell us what you're working on. Where are you stuck? hello@ryanjpelton.com Join the Motivation Monday's newsl...

In this episode, Ryan talks with poet and teacher Christian Shockley. Christian believes art and poetry help us live more meaningful lives. Ryan and Christian explore the power of poetry, art, learning, and much more. You can find Christian and his work at: https://www.crs.work/ Mentioned on the Show: Christian's Poetry Course: https://www.crs.work/poetry-theology Book recommendations: My Bright A...

J. Mark Bertrand writes novels. “A major crime fiction talent” ( The Weekly Standard ) in the vein of Michael Connelly, Ian Rankin, and Jo Nesbø, Mark has written three books about about Houston homicide detective Roland March, including Back on Murder  (2010),  Pattern of Wounds  (2011), and Nothing to Hide (2012). Mark has an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Houston. In this episod...

Jay Wilburn lives with his wife and two sons in beautiful Conway, South Carolina. He is a full-time writer of horror and speculative fiction. Jay left his job as a teacher to become a full time writer and has never looked back. Jay received a life-saving living donor kidney transplant in February 2017 and is working through all the medical particulars of this new life. He credits his donor, family...

In this episode, Ryan explores a reality for us all... we're going to die. But woven into the fabric of death is great wisdom. A wisdom that often motivates us to do your best work, make our best art, and to become the best versions of ourselves.  Mentioned in the Show: Val Kilmer documentary  Ryan's newsletter and free tools Leave a rating or review on iTunes.  Sign up for The Prolific Creator+ a...

In this episode, Ryan shares an ancient practice for creating a rule of life. What would it look like to craft a rule of life for our creativity? Ryan explores this idea, and much more, for getting your creativity into high gear.  Mentioned in the Show: 10 Rules for the Prolific Creator (PDF) ( ryanjpeton.com/tools ) Stay updated and get cool insider goodies by signing up to the newsletter.     Si...

I screwed up, I gave up too soon... The Prolific Writer was dead, was lost, and now is found, and resurrected as The Prolific Creator. In this first episode of the new show, I explain why "I'm back baby!" Mentioned in the Show: Check out the website, and sign up for the newsletter, for latest updates and cool insider goodies: ryanjpelton.com.  Sign up for The Prolific Creator+ and get full access...

Ryan interviews Sashka Hanna-Rappl and Peter Seth for his final show. Thank you for joining the ride for these last three plus years. Over a hundred thousand downloads and so blessed and honored to be part of the indie writing and publishing community. You can still listen to the 144+ episodes, and buy courses at: https://theprolificwriter.net/ Check out Ryan J. Pelton for a new podcast on spiritu...

Phillip McCollum hails from the normally sunny expanses of Southern California where he writes “fantastic fiction”: speculative fiction in many different genres, usually with a twist. He wrote “52 Stories in 52 Weeks” which includes his inspiration and writing process along with each story. In this conversation, Ryan and Phillip discuss the inspiration for writing 52 stories in 52 weeks and what h...

Jorjeana Marie is a television writer, author and produced playwright. After attending NYU’s Dramatic Writing Program at TISCH, Jorjeana had several plays produced at the 78th St Rep, The Neighborhod Playhouse, The Douglas Fairbanks Studio Theater and PS 122 (as part of the 24 Hour Plays). She has written three solos shows, one short film, hours of stand-up material and on three animated televisio...

Harvey Stanbrough is an award-winning writer who by the middle of December 2019, Harvey had written and published 50 novels, 7 novellas, over 200 short stories, and hundreds of poems. He also compiled and published 30 collections of short fiction and 5 critically acclaimed poetry collections. Ryan and Harvey chat about the blessings of longevity in writing, traditional versus indie publishing, why...

Edgar Swamp lived the rock and roll life before realizing his real passion: writing. Ryan and Edgar discuss his new book Amber Hallow, and why Edgar used multiple genres, to reach a broader audience. They discuss why day jobs aren't always bad, writing for the long haul, and much more. You can find Edgar Swamp at: http://www.edgarswamp.com/ Mentioned on the Show: More writing resources on The Prol...

Adam Lane Smith is a prolific writer of non-fiction and fiction titles. But his passion is writing kick-butt and action-packed pulpy fiction stories. In this episode, Ryan and Adam discuss why Christian fiction can be cheesy (and what Adam is doing about that), why faith is compatible with telling honest stories, how to succeed as an author, and much more. You can find Adam and his work on his web...

David Waddell teaches Recreation Administration at the University of Mississippi. This position followed a twenty-year career in ministry leadership with local churches. He has witnessed God’s grace in his life and the life of others. He enjoys writing about the topic of grace, forgiveness, and second chances. In this interview Ryan and David explore his new book, Worship Wars, and why grace is th...

Rob Eagar is a marketing consultant and one of the most accomplished book marketing experts in America. He has coached over 600 authors and helped both fiction and nonfiction books hit the  New York Times  bestsellers list. In this conversation, Ryan and Rob do a deep dive into all things marketing. How to market based on your personality and goals? What is working in author marketing and what isn...

Ryan is back from an extended hiatus with another installment of Motivation Monday's. In this episode, Ryan explains his reasoning for taking a break from writing and podcasting, what he learned while away, and much more. More writing resources:  https://theprolificwriter.net/ Mentioned on the Show: Leave a rating/review on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-prolific-writer/id118538...

In this installment of Motivation Monday's, Ryan discusses an essential element for writing great books. It's a common feature of all helpful, valuable, and compelling books. He also gives a summer update and what's in store for the podcast going forward. More writerly resources:  https://theprolificwriter.net/ Sign up for The Prolific Creator+ and get full access to the archives and weekly bonus...

In the latest installment of Motivation Monday's, Ryan discusses the benefits of online learning and online courses. Many writer's miss out on the value of online courses for taking their craft to the next level. More writerly resources at:  https://theprolificwriter.net/ Mentioned in the Show: 45 Day Novel Course now open:  https://theprolificwriter.net/45daynovelcourse National University MFA pr...

In this installment of Motivation Monday's, Ryan draws on the wisdom of fantasy writer J.R.R. Tolkien. Is writing fiction a waste of time? Or, does it tap into something deeper and important for the world? Find more writing resources:  https://theprolificwriter.net/ Mentioned in the Show: Free 5-Day Outline Your Novel Challenge:  https://theprolificwriter.lpages.co/45-day-novel-challenge/ 45 Day N...

What elements are essential for a great story? How can we evaluate our stories ensuring they're not just scenes going nowhere? In this episode, Ryan explores the 7 Step Story Structure for writing page turning, kick-butt, and compelling stories... every time. More writing resources:  https://theprolificwriter.net/ Mentioned in the Show: Free 5-Day Outline Your Novel Challenge:  https://theprolific...

In the latest installment of Motivation Monday's, Ryan shares a new resource called the Outline Your Novel Challenge. He explains why challenges are good for writing (or anything in life), and how to get involved with the free training launching soon. More writer resources:  https://theprolificwriter.net/ Mentioned in the Show: Free 5 Day Outline Your Novel Challenge (sign up here):  https://thepr...