Born To Create

Writing, for all the beauty and goodness it brings into the world, can also be a force of destruction. It requires such a huge amount of emotional energy that we are prone to fill the subsequent void with things that make us feel good in the moment but leave us empty. When a creative person pursues their craft to the exclusion of everything else, the art destroys the artist. Why is this? On this episode, you’ll be reminded why it’s vital for us to maintain balanced, healthy lives, so our art allows us—and others—to flourish. ***     Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers to help you build better habits and grow your writing business? Check out our Daily Writer Community.      Check out our Daily Writing Prompts, which will help you break through creative blocks, brainstorm new ideas, and get back into a state of flow. Writing prompts are a fantastic creative tool for creative writing, journaling, teaching, social media posts, podcasting, and more!     Connect with Kent:     https://

There is a constant push and pull to the writer’s life. On the one hand, we want to have control over every aspect of our writing and creativity. We want to avoid being under the thumb of any entity or force that would limit our options. On the other hand, there is something to be said for giving up control, isn’t there? On today’s episode, you’ll discover why it’s important to stop trying to control everything, so you can maximize your creativity. ***     Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers to help you build better habits and grow your writing business? Check out our Daily Writer Community.      Check out our Daily Writing Prompts, which will help you break through creative blocks, brainstorm new ideas, and get back into a state of flow. Writing prompts are a fantastic creative tool for creative writing, journaling, teaching, social media posts, podcasting, and more!     Connect with Kent:     https://DailyWriterLife.com     Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders     Instag

We are taking a brief hiatus for 2 weeks, but will return on Monday, August. 2. I like to take a short break during the summer and around Christmas. Feel free to catch up on the hundreds of episodes in the archives! In the meantime, I encourage you to check out a fantastic book for writers: The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers by Christopher Vogler. I’ve been working my way through this and am loving it! ***     Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers to help you build better habits and grow your writing business? Check out our Daily Writer Community.      Check out our Daily Writing Prompts, which will help you break through creative blocks, brainstorm new ideas, and get back into a state of flow. Writing prompts are a fantastic creative tool for creative writing, journaling, teaching, social media posts, podcasting, and more!     Connect with Kent:     https://DailyWriterLife.com     Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders     Instagram: https://instagram.com/ken

If you've been listening to my podcast for a while, then Jennifer Harshman is no stranger to you. She has been a guest a few times before, and each time she's shared lots of wisdom about productivity and writing. Jennifer is the owner of Harshman Services, an agency that provides editing and other services to authors and publishers. She is also the author of the wonderful book, Find a Real Editor: Avoiding the Posers and Scammers, which you can grab for free on Amazon. Today, I'm excited to have her back on the show talking about morning and evening rituals for writers. This is a critical topic because how we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives. And the quality of our days is determined in large part by the rituals that bookend our days. If you study highly successful people, you'll usually find that they begin and end their days with specific rituals such as meditation, journaling, reading, and more. Jennifer shares some of her rituals, and we reflect on some related practices for success t

I am thrilled to bring you this conversation with my good friend Alex Barker. He is the founder of The Happy PharmD, a company that helps pharmacists find work that is fulfilling and inspiring. He's also the author of the book Indispensable: The Prescription for a Fulfilling Pharmacy Career. Because we have been involved in several of the same groups and online entrepreneur communities, I've known Alex for a number of years. I've asked him to come on the show to talk about the importance of thinking like a business owner. He's not only a great thinker, but a humble and generous leader, as well as a fantastic coach. Today, Alex shares about his experience as a business owner, the benefits of owning your own business, why it's hard for creative types to think like entrepreneurs, and much more. You can find Alex on his website, Facebook, or LinkedIn, and you can buy his book on Amazon. ***     Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers to help you build better habits and grow your writin

Why do we make writing so difficult? When you get down to it, writing is a very simple thing. We take a pen and write on paper or in a notebook. We sit in front of a computer screen and type on a keyboard. Or we dictate into a device that transcribes our language into words. On today’s episode, you’ll be reminded why the most important thing to do as a writer is simple: just write. ***     Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers to help you build better habits and grow your writing business? Check out our Daily Writer Community.      Check out our Daily Writing Prompts, which will help you break through creative blocks, brainstorm new ideas, and get back into a state of flow. Writing prompts are a fantastic creative tool for creative writing, journaling, teaching, social media posts, podcasting, and more!     Connect with Kent:     https://DailyWriterLife.com     Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders     Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders     LinkedIn: https://linkedi

When it comes to the creative arts, there have always been two roles in society: those who are creators and those who are critics. The creators are the ones who make things, while critics offer intelligent reflection and commentary on culture. But make no mistake, the real action lies in creating something. The French novelist Gustave Flaubert said, “A man is a critic when he cannot be an artist, in the same way that a man becomes an informer when he cannot be a soldier.” On today’s episode, you’ll be inspired to be a creator, instead of a critic. ***     Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers to help you build better habits and grow your writing business? Check out our Daily Writer Community.      Check out our Daily Writing Prompts, which will help you break through creative blocks, brainstorm new ideas, and get back into a state of flow. Writing prompts are a fantastic creative tool for creative writing, journaling, teaching, social media posts, podcasting, and more!     Connect

On July 4th, 1776, the Second Continental Congress pronounced that it was officially independent of British rule. Known as the Declaration of Independence, this document made it clear that the thirteen colonies had their own sovereign identity. July 4th is a uniquely American holiday, but there is another kind of declaration that every writer should make, no matter what their nationality is. On today’s episode, Kent shares why it’s vital to be unashamed and declare your identity as a writer. ***     Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers to help you build better habits and grow your writing business? Check out our Daily Writer Community.      Check out our Daily Writing Prompts, which will help you break through creative blocks, brainstorm new ideas, and get back into a state of flow. Writing prompts are a fantastic creative tool for creative writing, journaling, teaching, social media posts, podcasting, and more!     Connect with Kent:     https://DailyWriterLife.com     Facebook: 

It’s natural for us to talk about our successes and triumphs. It’s not quite so natural to talk about our mistakes and failures. We’re afraid people will think less of us. Truthfully, though, none of us is perfect. And whenever we see another writer be vulnerable enough to talk about their failures, we relate to it. On today’s episode, you’ll discover how being vulnerable strengthens your relationships and encourages others. ***     Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers to help you build better habits and grow your writing business? Check out our Daily Writer Community.      Check out our Daily Writing Prompts, which will help you break through creative blocks, brainstorm new ideas, and get back into a state of flow. Writing prompts are a fantastic creative tool for creative writing, journaling, teaching, social media posts, podcasting, and more!     Connect with Kent:     https://DailyWriterLife.com     Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders     Instagram: https://instagram.c

When you look back over your life, you can see a pattern. We spend lots of time and energy going from person to person trying to find an answer to the central question that drives our lives: What is my purpose? On today’s episode, you’ll gain knowledge about how to discover your purpose, so you can live the life you are meant to live. ***     Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers to help you build better habits and grow your writing business? Check out our Daily Writer Community.      Check out our Daily Writing Prompts, which will help you break through creative blocks, brainstorm new ideas, and get back into a state of flow. Writing prompts are a fantastic creative tool for creative writing, journaling, teaching, social media posts, podcasting, and more!     Connect with Kent:     https://DailyWriterLife.com     Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders     Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders     LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kent-sanders     Twitter: https://twitt

As I talk to writers, one of the most frustrating parts of the book creation process seems to be creating an outline. Many people have great ideas for books. They seem equally motivated to tackle the writing and publishing aspects. But the outline gives writers a lot of trouble because it seems like a mysterious, vague process. On this episode, I’ll walk you through a simple 5-step roadmap for outlining a standard non-fiction book. This is the exact process I walk through with my clients when we are creating their books. Determine who your ideal reader is and the problem you are trying to solve for them. Figure out why your reader hasn’t already achieved these results. Use the reader’s pain points/questions and organize them into 3-4 major sections of 3-4 chapters each. Look at similar books in your genre to ensure you haven’t left anything out. Get feedback from a few people who represent your ideal reader. ***     Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers to help you build better h

I had the opportunity to speak with Marie-Elizabeth Mali. I have only recently gotten to know Marie-Elizabeth through an introduction by our mutual friend, Tricia Brouk. I wanted to have Marie on the show because it's so easy to get lost in the processes and details of writing and publishing, and so easy to lose the heart of what we do and why we are doing it. Drawing on her Master’s in Chinese Medicine and over 20 years of client work, she teaches people how to be authentic instead of shrinking themselves to fit in. She has an MFA in poetry from Sarah Lawrence College and is the author of one book of poetry, Steady, My Gaze (Tebot Bach, 2011) and the co-editor with Annie Finch of the anthology, Villanelles (Everyman's Library Pocket Poets, 2012). Her relationship work has been featured in Thrive Global and Forbes. On today’s episode, Marie-Elizabeth shares her poetry and writing routines, and also reminds us that it's important to remain vulnerable in our writing. Vulnerability is a quality that isn't talk

No matter what you’re writing, your mission as a writer is to help the reader get a clearer vision of life. But how is your vision? Do you see clearly? No one can believe your writing, believe the truth in it, unless you first believe it yourself. On today’s episode, you’ll discover why your vision and your belief in what you’re doing are essential in accomplishing your mission. ***     Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers to help you build better habits and grow your writing business? Check out our Daily Writer Community.      Check out our Daily Writing Prompts, which will help you break through creative blocks, brainstorm new ideas, and get back into a state of flow. Writing prompts are a fantastic creative tool for creative writing, journaling, teaching, social media posts, podcasting, and more!     Connect with Kent:     https://DailyWriterLife.com     Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders     Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders     LinkedIn: https://linkedin.c

Nothing else defines you quite like your family. It’s where you got your name, your personality, your sense of a place in this world, and so much more. Some writers came from a supportive environment, while others were not so lucky. On today’s episode, you’ll be encouraged that regardless of what family you come from, you have the ability to dream big, set huge goals, and define yourself. ***     Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers to help you build better habits and grow your writing business? Check out our Daily Writer Community.      Check out our Daily Writing Prompts, which will help you break through creative blocks, brainstorm new ideas, and get back into a state of flow. Writing prompts are a fantastic creative tool for creative writing, journaling, teaching, social media posts, podcasting, and more!     Connect with Kent:     https://DailyWriterLife.com     Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders     Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders     LinkedIn: https://

It’s scary to start a writing project. But you know what’s even scarier? Finishing it. Sometimes we think that being a writer means to be constantly gaining new ideas and exploring creative possibilities—which is true. But those ideas and possibilities must live somewhere. They need to be published. On today’s episode, Kent challenges you to be confident and finish what you started. ***     Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers to help you build better habits and grow your writing business? Check out our Daily Writer Community.      Check out our Daily Writing Prompts, which will help you break through creative blocks, brainstorm new ideas, and get back into a state of flow. Writing prompts are a fantastic creative tool for creative writing, journaling, teaching, social media posts, podcasting, and more!     Connect with Kent:     https://DailyWriterLife.com     Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders     Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders     LinkedIn: https://linked

Much has been written about the voice that lives in every writer’s head. We normally think and talk about this voice as a bad thing. So, it’s not a surprise that we think of that voice as untrustworthy. But if you listen as closely as you can, there is another voice. On today’s episode, Kent reminds us why we can trust our intuition when we make creative decisions. ***     Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers to help you build better habits and grow your writing business? Check out our Daily Writer Community.      Check out our Daily Writing Prompts, which will help you break through creative blocks, brainstorm new ideas, and get back into a state of flow. Writing prompts are a fantastic creative tool for creative writing, journaling, teaching, social media posts, podcasting, and more!     Connect with Kent:     https://DailyWriterLife.com     Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders     Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders     LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kent-san

This one is for all the kids who were always picked last in middle school gym class. You remember what it was like: You’d stand there awkwardly with the group, each kid getting their name called by one of the team captains. Each time, you hoped you wouldn’t be the last one. But once again, it got down to four, then three, then two, and you were the only one left. On today’s episode, you’ll be reminded why it’s more important to choose yourself, instead of waiting to be validated by someone else. ***     Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers to help you build better habits and grow your writing business? Check out our Daily Writer Community.      Check out our Daily Writing Prompts, which will help you break through creative blocks, brainstorm new ideas, and get back into a state of flow. Writing prompts are a fantastic creative tool for creative writing, journaling, teaching, social media posts, podcasting, and more!     Connect with Kent:     https://DailyWriterLife.com     Facebo

On today’s episode, I share a business update about my ghostwriting business, what’s been happening with the Daily Writer, and a few updates from my personal life, as well. ***     Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers to help you build better habits and grow your writing business? Check out our Daily Writer Community.      Check out our Daily Writing Prompts, which will help you break through creative blocks, brainstorm new ideas, and get back into a state of flow. Writing prompts are a fantastic creative tool for creative writing, journaling, teaching, social media posts, podcasting, and more!     Connect with Kent:     https://DailyWriterLife.com     Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders     Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders     LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kent-sanders     Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders    

I'm excited to feature a conversation with my friend Matt McWilliams. Matt helps online business owners and brands, both large and small, to leverage the power of partners to grow their businesses. He teaches you how to make money as an affiliate and how to work better with affiliates. He has worked with the best of the best in the online, entrepreneur, and leadership space, including Ray Edwards, Brian Tracy, Lewis Howes, Shutterfly, Jeff Goins, and many more. Matt is not only a cool guy with a killer business sense—he's also working on a new book about turning your passion into a business. I've asked Matt to come and share his insights about creating a business and what he has learned from some of the amazing people he has worked with. You can connect with Matt through his website, podcast, programs, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Clubhouse, Instagram, or email. If you want to contact him personally, you can text him at (260) 217-4619. ***     Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers

Have you ever done a little bit of research on the percentage of people who start writing books but don’t finish them? Statistics vary, but no matter what numbers you look at, one thing is clear: most people who start writing a book never finish it. A casual conversation with writers will reveal the same thing, at least if they are being honest. On today’s episode, you’ll learn why writers do not finish writing their books and what you can do to complete yours. ***     Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers to help you build better habits and grow your writing business? Check out our Daily Writer Community.      Check out our Daily Writing Prompts, which will help you break through creative blocks, brainstorm new ideas, and get back into a state of flow. Writing prompts are a fantastic creative tool for creative writing, journaling, teaching, social media posts, podcasting, and more!     Connect with Kent:     https://DailyWriterLife.com     Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sande