The Daily Writer

What do powerful words look like? When you think of powerful words, you probably imagine Abraham Lincoln delivering the Gettysburg Address, or JFK giving a speech about America’s mission to go to the moon. Or maybe you imagine an author like Maya Angelou talking about how she overcame a difficult childhood. But powerful words aren’t just reserved for classic speeches or world-renowned books. In fa...

Have you ever stopped to wonder why we sometimes don’t do the things we really want to do? For many years, statistics have shown that at least 8 out of every 10 people want to write a book. Why, then, do so many not follow through on their writing dreams? On today’s episode, you’ll be emboldened to push past your fear and chase your dreams. *** Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, gene...

One of the most important lessons we can ever learn as writers is that good writing happens in stages. Whenever you read a great book chapter, blog post, screenplay, or speech, it did not begin that way. It was most likely outlined, drafted, revised, and edited, probably several times, before it took its final shape. This is the way almost all good writing, as well as all good art, is created. On...

We never quite escape this impulse of wanting to be done with our education. We move on to middle school, high school, most likely college, and perhaps grad school. At every level, there is a sense in which we just want to be done so we can move on with life. If you want to grow as a writer or artist, you have to change your mindset about learning. Learning is the match that lights the fire of pas...

There is something quite magical about a book. Of course, you already know that since you’re a writer. You’re already committed to the art and craft of writing books. But it’s interesting that so many writers don’t make a lot of time to read. We love books and are committed to creating them… but we struggle with fitting reading into our schedules. On today’s episode, Kent shares a simple, yet effe...

Terry is an award-winning author who has written four novels. The most recent one completed a trilogy, which was a pretty amazing accomplishment in itself. Terry is also an editor, and, in fact, edited a book I ghostwrote for a client last year, and he did an amazing job. Terry has a background in the US Navy, and also with NASA as a project manager. Based on his experience in project management,...

Dixie is a coach, consultant, and firestarter who is transforming leadership, culture, and creative productivity. She is the author of the fantastic book, Just Blow It Up: Firepower for Creating an Unlimited Life . Dixie is also a contributor at Forbes and Entrepreneur magazines. I first got to know Dixie when I was writing and editing for The Good Men Project. She is an amazing encourager and coa...

In the faith community, there is a lot of talk about the concept of calling. Most Christian leaders have experienced some type of calling toward their work. Most writers feel this way about their work, too. You probably feel some type of nudge or pull toward your creative work. When we do the work to fulfill our calling, we have a deep sense of joy and we also serve others with our gifts. On this...

As writers, there is a constant pressure to conform to what we think others want from us. In the midst of trying to find your own voice, it is easy to get so enamored with other people we admire that we forget what made them successful in the first place: they found their unique voice and the topics they cared most about, and then they kept working at it until they carved out their own niche. You...

There is a part of each one of us that wants to be admired. We want to be respected. One way we do this as writers is by trying to appear smart. We use big words and sometimes throw in obscure references in the hopes that others will think we are accomplished and intelligent. Sometimes big words are necessary, of course, depending on the context. However, for the most part, the best writing is sim...

We all have regrets. We all do stupid things and waste vast amounts of time we wish we had back. It’s important to be aware of this, and yet we also need to forgive ourselves so we can move on. Regret is a powerful obstacle that can prevent us from doing our best work. You can’t go back and change the past. But you can live with more intentionality and purpose from this day forward. On this episod...

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a reset button to go back and re-do past mistakes?  Unfortunately, you only have one life. We each have a limited number of days. This ay you’re living won’t come around again. What will you do with this day you have been given, which will slip through your hands so quickly, and which you can never get back again? On this episode, you’ll be emboldened to seize each day,...

On this episode, I share some updates about current ghostwriting projects, what’s happening in the Daily Writer Community, a new group coaching program I’m considering, and what’s going on in my personal life. ***     Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers to help you build better habits and grow your writing business? Check out our  Daily Writer Community .      Check o...

Kristin is the founder of Pen & Peacock Writing , which specializes in writing websites and digital marketing that inspire readers to take action while creating better brand recognition and top-of-mind product awareness. She writes, produces, and edits website content, blogs, landing pages, eNewsletters, eBooks, and much more. Kristin is also a published poet and ghostwriter. I've asked K...

It’s not unusual for writers to remain hidden. There is something about writing that attracts people who don’t want to be on camera, on stage, or behind a microphone. Even though you might feel more comfortable staying hidden, what would it feel like to challenge yourself and put your voice and face out into the world a little more? Is there perhaps something you’re missing by indulging your shyne...

One of the most famous lines from Shakespeare’s Hamlet is “To be or not to be, that is the question.” More than a line in a famous play, it’s also the central idea of the writer’s life. Being is an entirely different state than wanting. Almost everyone wants to be a writer . . . but far fewer people do the work of being a writer. On this episode, you’ll discover that your identity as a writer is n...

Edward Gibbon was one of the most famous historians of all time. As the author of the six-volume set, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire , he showed the world that history could be informative and entertaining, all while making the ancient world accessible to the contemporary reader. When he started work on the books, he did not necessarily have this end goal in mind. In fact,...

Writing, for all the beauty and goodness it brings into the world, can also be a force of destruction. It requires such a huge amount of emotional energy that we are prone to fill the subsequent void with things that make us feel good in the moment but leave us empty. When a creative person pursues their craft to the exclusion of everything else, the art destroys the artist. Why is this? On this e...

There is a constant push and pull to the writer’s life. On the one hand, we want to have control over every aspect of our writing and creativity. We want to avoid being under the thumb of any entity or force that would limit our options. On the other hand, there is something to be said for giving up control, isn’t there? On today’s episode, you’ll discover why it’s important to stop trying to cont...

We are taking a brief hiatus for 2 weeks, but will return on Monday, August. 2. I like to take a short break during the summer and around Christmas. Feel free to catch up on the hundreds of episodes in the archives! In the meantime, I encourage you to check out a fantastic book for writers: The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers by Christopher Vogler. I’ve been working my way through t...

If you've been listening to my podcast for a while, then Jennifer Harshman is no stranger to you. She has been a guest a few times before, and each time she's shared lots of wisdom about productivity and writing. Jennifer is the owner of Harshman Services, an agency that provides editing and other services to authors and publishers. She is also the author of the wonderful book, Find a Re...

I am thrilled to bring you this conversation with my good friend Alex Barker. He is the founder of The Happy PharmD, a company that helps pharmacists find work that is fulfilling and inspiring. He's also the author of the book Indispensable: The Prescription for a Fulfilling Pharmacy Career . Because we have been involved in several of the same groups and online entrepreneur communities, I&ap...

Why do we make writing so difficult? When you get down to it, writing is a very simple thing. We take a pen and write on paper or in a notebook. We sit in front of a computer screen and type on a keyboard. Or we dictate into a device that transcribes our language into words. On today’s episode, you’ll be reminded why the most important thing to do as a writer is simple: just write. ***     Are you...

When it comes to the creative arts, there have always been two roles in society: those who are creators and those who are critics. The creators are the ones who make things, while critics offer intelligent reflection and commentary on culture. But make no mistake, the real action lies in creating something. The French novelist Gustave Flaubert said, “A man is a critic when he cannot be an artist,...

On July 4th, 1776, the Second Continental Congress pronounced that it was officially independent of British rule. Known as the Declaration of Independence, this document made it clear that the thirteen colonies had their own sovereign identity. July 4th is a uniquely American holiday, but there is another kind of declaration that every writer should make, no matter what their nationality is. On to...