Kent Sanders As a writer, you long to make a difference in the world. You want to use your creative gifts. You might even want to build a part-time or full-time business with your writing. Those are all exciting goals! We all have big dreams and goals when it comes to our writing. And that’s a good … Read more
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 … Read more
So, you’re feeling tired. You’re feeling discouraged. You’re partway through your first draft, and it’s not coming together as you’d like. Or perhaps you’ve already launched your book, but it’s not getting the attention it deserves. You’ve spent what feels like every ounce of energy writing it… and now you’re supposed to market it also? … Read more
If you have ever been hiking on a trail in the woods, you have seen the markers that show your distance and keep you headed in the right direction. The purpose of those signs is to keep you from getting lost and guide you along the way. There are similar signs in the writer’s life. … Read more
One of the most inspiring stories from the world of music comes from the rock band, the Foo Fighters. Dave Grohl was the drummer for the mega-successful band Nirvana. He was already an established musician in his own right. But when the lead singer of Nirvana, Kurt Cobain, committed suicide in 1994, nobody expected Dave … Read more
I’ve said it many times before, and I’m sure I’ll continue to say it: one of the huge benefits of hosting a podcast is the opportunity to have conversations with amazing people. Today’s episode is no exception because I was able to interview a singer-songwriter whose music I’ve admired for many years. Her name is … Read more
Do you remember what it feels like to be criticized for your writing? Different memories come flooding back for different people. Maybe it was in junior high when a teacher pointed out all of your mistakes. Maybe it was in college when you submitted an essay to a contest, and you didn’t even place. Maybe … Read more
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the military historian Robert Cowley coordinated a fascinating series of books called What If? The series featured essays by prominent historians, each looking at a particular “what if” question in history. For example: What if the Mayflower had never set sail? What if JFK had not been assassinated? … Read more
Water can be a metaphor for life or death. Ask anyone who has gotten sick from contaminated water or tried to avoid falling out of a canoe while going down the piranha-infested Amazon River. They will tell you that water can be deadly. But what about a person dying of thirst in the desert or … Read more
Looking for a creative boost in your writing? Join us for the Daily Writer Retreat on May 2-4 in historic St. Charles, Missouri! Space is limited so act fast! * * * The poet John Donne once wrote, “No man is an island.” In today’s hyper-connected world, this seems truer than ever. Since you are … Read more