We’ve all heard it before (and probably said it): “I’m just not feeling inspired today.” There might be a hundred reasons why we don’t feel inspired, but there is one way to correct that works almost every time. Madeleine L’Engle gave us the secret when she said: “Inspiration usually comes during work, rather than before … Read more
Whatever you think about the origins of the universe, one thing seems certain: the universe started as a kind of blank slate that is now filled with stars, planets, comets, gas, dark matter, and all manner of other debris and material. Think about the effort and creativity that must have gone into the creation of … Read more
What is the core value of your life? What is the “center”? For some writers, it’s their writing. Meaning, everything else is a sort of support system for their writing. Family, health, social life, rest and other important elements of their life always come second because they see their main task as answering their creative … Read more
Sometimes we make a false distinction between writing for money and writing for pleasure. Both goals can be valid and important. What ties them together is that you are adding value to the world through your writing. When you write for clients, you are adding value to them and their business. When you write nonfiction, … Read more
On this episode, I’m thrilled to be joined by one of my best friends in the world, Jared Odle. He’s a missionary, copywriter, and an all-around fantastic guy. This will be the first of probably lots of conversations we feature here on the podcast on different topics related to writing. Today we discuss the topic: … Read more
As writers, we spend loads of time worrying about the details of writing: getting the words done, editing, publishing, and so many other things. Sometimes it’s good to step back, take a look at the big picture, and ask, “What do I really want from this book project?” My guest today is here to help … Read more
In the previous weekday episodes, we have talked about activities that will help you maintain a growth mindset as writer. We began with preparing the soil of your mind, which in practical terms means getting around other people who will encourage and motivate you. Then we moved to planting, which is keeping track of your … Read more
We can all agree that being a writer is more complicated than it used to be. Back in the days before the internet was a thing, being a working writer essentially meant that you submitted your articles to magazines and wrote books for publishers. There were other outlets, of course, but this was the bread … Read more
Here is a question to consider: what activities actually produce writing? This is not a trick question, but a serious one. Why? Because it’s easy for us to fall under the spell of doing writing-related activities while secretly avoiding the hard work of writing. There’s that course to take, that writing group to be involved … Read more
For new writers, one of the most surprising elements of the craft is how much editing and revision it takes to produce good work. Until you get into writing as a serious hobby or a career, it may seem like writing should just come out clean and ready to publish. But experienced writers know this … Read more