The Daily Writer

For most people, running a marathon is a pretty big deal. The distance of 26.2 miles is a long way for one person to run in a single shot. So how do people actually pull it off? On today’s episode, Kent offers encouragement as he breaks down the process of writing a book. ***     Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers to help you build better habits and grow your writing...

If there’s one thing that is true about writing, it’s that it requires a lot of emotional energy. Even professional writers confess to only being able to write for a few hours a day. That’s why we must stay emotionally healthy. Corrie ten Boom said, “Worrying is carrying tomorrow's load with today's strength—carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying do...

This is the second part of a two-part series on how to use the Overlap Principle to build your writing business. I cover ten tips for getting started with your writing business: Go in the direction of your gifts, not your passion. Choose a niche that has good income potential. Take ownership of your career trajectory. Take the next logical step. Be consistent in your efforts. Remember, it's g...

On this episode, I'm honored to be joined by two young writers: Annabelle Healy and Mason Hagner. I thought it would be a blast to feature a couple of young writers who have gotten a great start as authors. I believe strongly that people of all ages should be writing, including kids and teens. My first guest is Annabelle Healy, who recently published her novel Far Below Human Eyes with Morgan...

There are a lot of questions you have probably asked about the results of your writing. Here are a few of them: Will it make my life better? Will it make me money? Will it grow the size of my audience?   Here is another important one to consider: Will it make me happy?   On today’s episode, Kent shares insight about how to find true happiness in your writing. ***     Are you looking for a communit...

Here is one of the most interesting paradoxes of successful writers: the more books someone writes, the more obvious their one true message is. What is the one true message? It is the singular theme that dominates most of a writer’s content. On today’s episode, you’ll discover the central messages of many famous authors and how to find your own. ***     Are you looking for a community of enthusias...

When you walk into a library or a bookstore, even if it’s online, you’ll notice that books are categorized into genres. Popular genres include biography, children’s books, adult fiction, self-help, spirituality, and history, among many others. No matter what type of books you write, your work always belongs in the history category. On today’s episode, you’ll be reminded that your words are not sel...

One of the essential themes of the superhero genre is that of the double life. However, superheroes aren’t the only ones who live double lives. We writers can develop an alter-ego if we’re not careful. It’s easy to appear bold and brave on the page… but how do we handle the challenges of real life? On today’s episode, you’ll learn why it’s vital to face real-life problems head-on. ***     Are you...

If you had to pin down one universal emotion that all humans experience, it’s pain. We are often afraid to share our pain because we’re afraid we will look weak. So, we lock up our feelings in a box, set it on a shelf in the back of a dark closet, and try to forget about it. This is not a healthy way to deal with grief or loss. One of the best ways to work through your pain is to write about it. O...

A few weeks ago, I stepped away from my full-time teaching job in order to focus on ghostwriting and the Daily Writer.    As I have spent some time reflecting on this major change in my life, it occurred to me that I've followed a very simple principle as I have transitioned into several different roles in my work life over the last 25 years. I want to share that principle with you today, alo...

On today's episode, I'm thrilled to be joined by Jeremiah Timmons. He's a writer and TV producer who has done work for Tyler Perry Studios, as well as HBO. Jeremiah also coaches writers on how to increase productivity by including wellness tools into their routines.   Jeremiah got in touch with me a little while back, and I am so glad he did, because we had a fantastic conversation...

A powerful movie, if you haven’t seen it, is Dead Poets Society from 1989. The late Robin Williams plays, an English teacher who challenges his students with this line, from Walt Whitman’s poem “O Me! O Life!”: “… the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.” This leads to the question: what will your verse be? On today’s episode, you’ll be encouraged to take the stage and share your...

There are lots of skills that are important for writers, but there is one skill that trumps them all. It also happens to be the oldest communication skill in the world: storytelling. But, when it comes to fiction, what is the purpose of storytelling? What is the use of engaging in stories that aren’t even real? On today’s episode, you’ll be reminded that storytelling allows you to connect directly...

When people see a writer who is successful, they attribute it to chance. They assume that if you bloom, it means you happened to get planted in a good garden, and someone chose to water you. Here’s a different perspective: You can choose to bloom wherever you are planted. On today’s episode, Kent shares that our ability to thrive is something that we choose. ***    Are you looking for a community...

There is a good chance that you know someone who has a tattoo, or you have one yourself. What is the purpose of a tattoo? It’s a way to mark your identity. But there is another kind of marking that can define you… scars. On today’s episode, you’ll discover that your scars do not detract from your power as a writer—they are an essential part of your story. ***    Are you looking for a community of...

When you think of power, what kinds of people come to mind? You probably imagine athletes, bodybuilders, superheroes, and CEOs. However, writers have power of a different kind. On today’s episode, you’ll learn that as a writer, you have the ability to change people’s hearts, minds, and reality. ***    Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers to help you build better habits...

On this episode, we're going old-school and talking about analog tools for writing. It may seem out of touch to be talking about pens, pencils, and notebooks when we have so many great digital tools... but that's the point. Perhaps those digital tools are sometimes more of a distraction than a help.    I've asked Dr. Don Sanders to share his passion and knowledge for analog writing...

One of the things that is a nearly universal feeling for writers is that marketing is a necessary evil. I'm thrilled to have a guest today who is here to give us a whole different view of marketing. Her name is Anna McKenzie.   As a professional copywriter and the owner of  CreativeDemand , LLC, Anna has over a decade of experience in building content production systems, developing strategic...

The comedian Steve Martin famously said, “Be so good they can’t ignore you.” The simplicity of this statement is stunning. Those seven words contain the secret of getting noticed, building an audience, and all the other things writers and creatives want.   On today’s episode, you'll learn that people will take notice of you if you’re willing to put in the work and continue getting better.   *...

Nobody intends to kill their big dream. After all, our dreams are what keep us going. We think about them day and night, we plan our future around them, we nurture them with books, movies, and other content that keep the dream alive.   But inevitably, sometimes we kill the dream. How does this happen?   On today’s episode, you’ll discover what kills your dream and how you can keep it alive.   *** ...

The problem with being human is that we are stuck in our own bodies. We secretly imagine that everybody else is confident and secure, and we’re the only ones who are feeling a little shaky.   The real question is not whether you’re alone in feeling self-doubt. Everyone struggles with self-doubt. Instead, the real question is whether you will follow through with your writing.    On today’s episode,...

Every writer talks about wanting success, but what does success actually mean? How do you measure it? Is it even a worthy goal in the first place?   Those are valid questions, but they aren’t what we should be asking first. Instead, we should be asking how we can add value to others’ lives.   On today’s episode, Kent shares three simple ways you can encourage and make connections with the people a...

When a book is popular, it gives the impression that it was written for the masses. After all, if thousands or even millions of people love a book, it must have been written for them, correct?   Well, no. A book is a conversation between an author and an individual reader. It’s not a conversation between an author and a large group of people.   On today’s episode, you’ll learn that writing to be t...

Starting with today's episode, I'm beginning a new monthly business update. I want to fill you in on what's happening with my ghostwriting, the Daily Writer, and my personal life. I'll also talk about my biggest challenge. Although this podcast isn't really about ghostwriting, a lot of the lessons I talk about are transferable to your own writing and business.    I know ma...

My guest today is Mitch Gray, who has combined over two decades of experience as a former pastor, life coach, entrepreneur, community developer, and creator to develop a brand of leadership that is at its deepest level... human. He is the creator and host of The Mitch Gray Show podcast , author of multiple inspirational books, and a highly regarded speaker.    Mitch has a new book coming out very...