Here is one of the biggest ironies of the modern world. We have more facts and data than ever before, literally right at our fingertips. However, the truth seems more elusive than ever. Jesus said, “The truth will set you free.” That’s not only true in a spiritual sense, but in a creative sense as … Read more
One of the hardest things for any of us writers to swallow is being ignored. We work for months, or in some cases years, on a book. Then, when we put it out into the world, only a few people seem to notice or even care. This is not unique to writers. Anyone in a … Read more
So far we have talked about getting specific on your core message and audience, and building the platforms where you will share your content. Now let’s look at Milestone #3: Write consistent content that helps your readers. Why it’s important: When you write consistent material, specifically blog posts, it helps your SEO (search engine optimization) … Read more
There’s an old saying that goes something like this: “People who are too busy rowing the boat don’t have time to rock it.” The meaning is pretty straightforward: when you are occupied with doing the work, you don’t have much time to criticize others. William Faulkner said something similar: “The artist doesn’t have time to … Read more
In this episode, I begin a series on the making of my Father’s memoir of his experiences in Vietnam. I’ll be writing it with him over the next year or so. I talk about why I’m doing it, some of my fears as I start the project, the process I’m using to figure out the … Read more
There is a lot of pressure in the writing and publishing worlds to create the “right” words—words that are moving, effective, emotional, and whatever other superlatives we want to put on them. Is it important to impact the reader and make a big difference? Sure. But you don’t get the gold unless you dig for … Read more
Most people, including myself, create a task list each day. We also call this a “to do” list. These are things we must do. And in a world that increasingly demands our attention every second—in a world filled with ever-increasing opportunities and connections—this list seems to get longer all the time. The antidote to all … Read more
Although this podcast is called The Daily Writer, the reality is that many people don’t write every day. They may set aside time every couple of days or once a week to work on their writing. I want you to know that this is totally legitimate. You shouldn’t take the concept of the “daily writer” … Read more
We live in a world where miraculous things happen every day. Of course, most of these things don’t seem miraculous to us. They seem ordinary. But it all depends on your perspective. Seeing with your eyes seems ordinary to you, but to a blind person, it’s astonishing. Taking a breath seems ordinary to you, but … Read more
There are many characteristics we associate with the image of a writer, such as laid-back, creative, introverted, or imaginative. But one word we don’t usually use to describe writers is “powerful.” When you think of power, what kinds of people come to mind? You probably imagine athletes, bodybuilders, superheroes, and CEOs. Those people have a … Read more