The Daily Writer

As writers, we have a lot of different ways to measure success and failure.  Were we as successful as that other writer? Did the client hire us for that gig? Did our book launch go as planned? But what if you still did the work and none of those things happened? Does that mean you failed? On today's episode, you’ll learn why your success or failure as a writer doesn’t depend on external facto...

If you’ve been listening to this podcast for a while, you have heard me talk about the Daily Writer Community. This is a membership community I’ve put together to help writers improve their habits and mindset.    In addition to all the other benefits of the DW Community, we have a group call each week. On this episode, I’m sharing a recording of a call we had a couple of months ago.    This call f...

Everyone knows we live in a world that is increasingly fragmented and fractured. As a communicator, you must learn to interact with the world through empathy, understanding, and compassion.    In other words, it's hard to be relevant or successful if you're not a good listener! That's why I'm thrilled to have my good friend Elaine Grant as a guest on this episode.    Elaine App...

Writers tend to be a pretty friendly bunch, but we do have our moments.    There are times when we get jealous of other writers. There are times when we think some other writer doesn’t deserve the success they have. There are times when we secretly enjoy it when another writer’s book bombs, because then we don’t feel so bad about ourselves.   On today’s episode, Kent shares a timeless truth from B...

On this podcast, we talk a lot about topics that are focused on the writer. We spend a lot of time thinking about mindset, habits, and success.   Writing is a great tool for overcoming fear, building a business, making an income, and all sorts of other benefits. But all those things ultimately exist for the purpose of adding value to the world.   On today's episode, Kent reminds us that your...

Have you ever said to yourself, “I really wish there was a book on so-and-so topic?”    Maybe it’s a nonfiction book about a topic you are interested in. Maybe it’s a story you would love to read. Maybe it’s a book of certain recipes you would love to see in print.    The topic doesn’t matter. What matters is that you would love to see that book… but nobody has created it.   On today's episod...

English teachers in high school and college often get a bad rap. Students who did not do well in those classes sometimes blame teachers for killing their writing dreams.    Some students look at their bad grades and wonder, “Am I cut out to be a writer?”   I want to challenge this question because it assumes that you are either born a writer, or you aren’t. In reality, if you want to be a writer,...

We writers live in a world of “yesses.” We love to say yes to that podcast interview, that new idea, that speaking opportunity, or that client work. There’s a good reason we do this. We don’t want to waste opportunities to build relationships and reach new readers. But the problem is that every yes we speak is also a no to something else. We only have so much time on this earth and we have to defe...

Success is all about building great relationships and serving other people well. But what if you’re an introverted writer? How can you succeed in a world that is so relationship-driven?    Although extensive social interaction can be draining, introverts have unique tactics at their disposal when it comes to fostering deep relationships with others. From handwritten cards to personalized videos to...

The main topic of this podcast focuses on the mindset and habits related to writing. However, a crucial element of our success is generosity. You can have the greatest writing skills in the world, but without good relationships and a giving spirit, it doesn't mean much.  That's why I'm excited to have April Shprintz as my guest today. She has spent over two decades driving growth fo...

Mark Twain wrote, “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear—not absence of fear.” You can still be afraid and take action.    In fact, your fear can be the very thing that propels you to action.  On today's episode, you’ll be emboldened to take action, regardless of your fears.    ***    Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers to help you build better habits an...

One of the most famous episodes of  Seinfeld  is “The Contest.” In this episode, Jerry, Elaine, George, and Kramer compete to see who can demonstrate self-control the longest. The one who wins will be known as “master of their domain.”    The concept of self-mastery is an important one for writers. If we don’t master ourselves, nothing else matters.   On today's episode, Kent highlights  why...

There is a lot of talk in the writing community about finding your voice. But hardly anyone ever talks about what it means or how to do it.    In the simplest terms, your voice is how you talk. It is how you express yourself. It is your style. However, the most important thing is not what your voice is, but that you use it.    On today's episode, you'll learn that the trick to finding yo...

Author and teacher Parker Palmer wrote a profound little book called  Let Your Life Speak . In the book, he writes, “Before I can tell my life what I want to do with it, I must listen to my life telling me who I am.”    What does it mean to listen to your life? It means paying attention to the signposts telling you where you should go.    On today's episode, you'll discover how to recogn...

Have you ever wondered if you were doing this whole writing thing the right way?    It’s easy to feel this way when you are constantly exposed to other successful writers and “experts.” Some say you should write more  books,  some say you should focus more on marketing, and some say you should focus on things like videos and podcasts.    Here’s the truth: there is no right or wrong way. There’s on...

I'm excited today to feature a guest who is a gifted storyteller, as well as a music teacher. She has found a way to blend those talents into a compelling platform that we can all learn from.   Her name is Ashley Rescot, and she is a professional violinist, educator, writer, and Fulbright scholar. She has operated her own violin studio for nearly a decade. She's not only an extraordinari...

Today is a special episode because I have not one, but two guests who are here to help us understand some different ways to serve people with our words. Specifically, we're going to talk about building your audience through different types of content.   Keiya Rayne is an international and TEDx speaker, transformational healer, success coach, and the creator of the Success From   The  Soul coa...

Van Halen was one of the greatest rock bands of the 1970s and ’80s. Although they had a number of popular songs and albums, they are probably best remembered for their song “Jump,” which was featured on what was arguably their best album, 1984 .    The word “jump” is not just a great title for a popular rock song. It’s also great advice as you consider your next step to success in your writing lif...

The greatest artist of all time, Leonard da Vinci, said, “The greatest geniuses sometimes accomplish more when they work less.”    But what did he mean by that?    He meant that the people who are the most successful are not necessarily the smartest or the most creative. What really makes the difference is that they find ways to be more effective.    On today's episode, you’ll discover how to...

A common problem among writers is that we often do not prepare. We tend to look at writing as a mainly creative endeavor, instead of as a project that should be managed.   Success in writing is not complicated. We just need to take a few steps to help ensure that we will be successful.   On today's episode, Kent shares three strategies so you can plan for success. *** Are you looking for a co...

Are you having trouble writing? Do you feel like you can’t regain your focus? Do you feel short-tempered and irritable?   When we feel this way, the first conclusion we jump to is that we have writer’s block or that we’re just not creative. But the problem could be much simpler than that.   Maybe you need the same thing that preschoolers need whenever they get cranky. It’s probably time for a nap....

Have you ever put together a 1,000-piece puzzle? If so, you know there is a big difference between the image on the box and the reality of dumping out a thousand pieces onto the table.   We tend to look at life as one unbroken string of events that consists of people, memories, and emotions. But the reality of everyday life is much different. In fact, the way we experience life is mainly within th...

On today’s episode, I share a special announcement about my transition away from my teaching role to focus on ghostwriting and the Daily Writer full-time. I will be back with new episodes on Monday, May 3!

We writers love to create stories. And why not? There is something fun about creating a fantasy world, living in it for a while, and inviting others to join us there.   Sometimes these fantasies bleed over into the real world, where we don’t quite live in reality. One of the fantasies we love is the idea of sitting down to write and feeling inspired with all sorts of motivation and great ideas.  ...

As writers, we face a lot of enemies: procrastination, fear of failure, creative fatigue, jealousy, and so many other hurdles.   But here’s an enemy I bet you haven’t thought of: indecision.   On today's episode, you'll learn the importance of making a decision, then moving on.   ***   Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers to help you build better habits and g...