The Daily Writer

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...

We have talked before on this podcast about how writing is a gift.    It is a gift you can give to other people. Through your writing, you are sharing your ideas and stories with others to inspire, educate, and entertain them.   Writing is also a gift to yourself. It is a way to unleash your creative powers. In addition to helping you make money or build a business, writing has creative value even...

As a writer, you know that creativity is an essential part of what you do. Without new input and new ideas, you will resort to the same way of doing things and the same old ideas.   The question is, how do we make creativity a part of our everyday life?    The author Edward de Bono wrote, “Creativity involves breaking out of expected patterns in order to look at things in a different way.”    On t...

One of the saddest plays ever performed in American theater is  Death of a Salesman . It was written by Arthur Miller  and  first performed on Broadway in 1949.   Death of a Salesman  tells the story of the last 24 hours in the life of Willy Loman, a salesman who never quite achieves the success he always dreamed of. He has a faithful yet disappointed wife, and two sons who are equally as lost as...

As a writer, you know creativity is a vital part of your work and business.    One of the best tools for breaking through these blocks is writing prompts.  Writing prompts are a simple yet powerful tool to get the words flowing again. When you’re stuck in a creative rut, you need a little spark to interrupt your thinking pattern.    On this episode, I share ten specific ways you can use writing pr...

If you do any research on the amount of people who start a book but never finish it, it can get a little depressing. I've seen stats range from 80% to 97%. Any way you slice it, the vast majority of people who start writing a book don't actually finish it, much less publish it.   I have found myself in this place, as well, so don't feel bad if you'd started writing a book but h...

In the days before GPS, people used a little tool called a compass to help locate themselves on a map and find their way.   We writers use a similar tool. You might call this a creative compass. But instead of four points on the compass, there are only three.   On today's episode, you'll learn these three points and why you need to always be moving forward.   ***   Are you looking for a...

In the Pixar movie  Finding Nemo , we meet Marlin, a clownfish who has lost his son Nemo. On his wa y  to find him, he meets Dory, a black and blue tang fish who has short-term memory loss.   Despite her limited mental capacity, she gives Marlin a great piece of advice that eventually helps him locate his son. She says, “Just keep swimming.”   On this episode, you'll learn how to use this gre...

Do you have people in your life who are trying to help … but they’re not really helping?   Who are these people? They are the ones who try to talk good sense into you. They say things like “That book is a waste of time,” “You can never make money as a writer,” or “You should do something more practical with your talent.”   The problem is that this advice is not practical at all. Every single great...

One of the most difficult forms of magic is sleight of hand.   Every form of magic is difficult, of course, but sleight of hand presents a unique challenge. Why? The reason is because you must be flawless in presenting the illusion to the audience.   On this episode, Kent reminds you that writers are magicians, too. *** Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers to help you...

Western culture is permeated with the idea that we must always be winning. Social media only makes things worse. We only post our wins, our successes, and our joyful moments. Everywhere we look, we see people winning. Even though we know this isn’t reality, it is still discouraging to look at our own lives sometimes and see a string of disappointments.  On today's episode, Kent shares why you...

One of my most prized possessions is an old notebook from the 1970's. My grandmother Louise wrote poetry in that notebook. When I read her poetry, it’s obvious there is a kinship in the way we thought, and how we looked at the world. She died when I was three years old. Other than the stories other people tell me, along with a few minutes of home movies my grandfather made, the notebook is th...

I am a big believer in spending your time on activities that bring value in many different areas. For example, writing is an activity that can bring a whole bunch of different benefits to your life. That's why it's a great investment. Another one of those areas is running. I confess I don't know a lot about running, but as I've gotten into it the last couple of years, it has br...

For years, statistics have shown that eight out of every ten people want to write a book. Statistics also show that 97% of people who begin writing a book never finish it. That’s a massive difference between those who want something and those who actually achieve it. What accounts for this gap?  The answer is simple: wanting something and then actually doing it are two completely different things....

So you failed. You messed up. You didn’t do what you said you were going to do. You didn’t get the writing done or live up to your own expectations, or worse yet, someone else’s. We’ve all been there. It’s nothing new in the creative world. The good news is that tomorrow’s a new day. You have a chance to start over again and re-commit to the work. On today's episode, Kent reminds us to make a...