Born To Create

If you ever run a race, you’ll notice there are two kinds of runners: those who are competing against everyone else, and those who are competing against themselves. The ones who are competing against everyone else take running very seriously. They like to set records and get the glory of being known as a winner. The runners who are competing against themselves aren’t worried about anyone else’s time. They just want to run their own race and hopefully beat their previous record. On today’s episode, you’ll be reminded that the only person you need to compete against is 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, podc

From the time we are kids, our parents and teachers told us to be ourselves. It is especially important in your writing, where it is critical to develop your own unique voice. It can be confusing when you are trying to build your writing career, because you must fit into a category. Readers expect that a book will fit certain conventions as far as page count, length, and divisions into chapters. On today’s episode, you’ll learn how to balance staying true to your voice and satisfying your readers’ expectations. ***     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://DailyWriterLif

For most people, running a marathon is a pretty big deal. The distance of 26.2 miles is a long way for one person to run in a single shot. So how do people actually pull it off? On today’s episode, Kent offers encouragement as he breaks down the process of writing a book. ***     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    

If there’s one thing that is true about writing, it’s that it requires a lot of emotional energy. Even professional writers confess to only being able to write for a few hours a day. That’s why we must stay emotionally healthy. Corrie ten Boom said, “Worrying is carrying tomorrow's load with today's strength—carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying doesn't empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.” On today’s episode, you’ll discover that the best thing you can do for your emotional health is focusing on the things you can control. ***     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 medi

This is the second part of a two-part series on how to use the Overlap Principle to build your writing business. I cover ten tips for getting started with your writing business: Go in the direction of your gifts, not your passion. Choose a niche that has good income potential. Take ownership of your career trajectory. Take the next logical step. Be consistent in your efforts. Remember, it's going to take a while. Accept the fact that most people won't understand what you're doing. Don't let any one person control your future. Use your current job to help you develop writing and business skills. ***     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, soci

On this episode, I'm honored to be joined by two young writers: Annabelle Healy and Mason Hagner. I thought it would be a blast to feature a couple of young writers who have gotten a great start as authors. I believe strongly that people of all ages should be writing, including kids and teens. My first guest is Annabelle Healy, who recently published her novel Far Below Human Eyes with Morgan James Publishing. Her novels have received multiple awards, including a gold medal from the national Scholastic Art and Writing competitions, which places her beside award alumni such as Stephen King and Truman Capote. She lives in Colorado with her parents and five little siblings. My second guest is Mason Hagner. At ten years old, he was a youth athlete who was working hard, but not getting the results he wanted. His dad had taught him to never give up and keep working at it. He decided to write a children's book about his experience of seeing things through, even when they are difficult. His children's book is titled

There are a lot of questions you have probably asked about the results of your writing. Here are a few of them: Will it make my life better? Will it make me money? Will it grow the size of my audience?   Here is another important one to consider: Will it make me happy?   On today’s episode, Kent shares insight about how to find true happiness in your writing. ***     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  

Here is one of the most interesting paradoxes of successful writers: the more books someone writes, the more obvious their one true message is. What is the one true message? It is the singular theme that dominates most of a writer’s content. On today’s episode, you’ll discover the central messages of many famous authors and how to find your own. ***     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: ht

When you walk into a library or a bookstore, even if it’s online, you’ll notice that books are categorized into genres. Popular genres include biography, children’s books, adult fiction, self-help, spirituality, and history, among many others. No matter what type of books you write, your work always belongs in the history category. On today’s episode, you’ll be reminded that your words are not self-contained—your words change people's lives and make history. ***     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 

One of the essential themes of the superhero genre is that of the double life. However, superheroes aren’t the only ones who live double lives. We writers can develop an alter-ego if we’re not careful. It’s easy to appear bold and brave on the page… but how do we handle the challenges of real life? On today’s episode, you’ll learn why it’s vital to face real-life problems head-on. ***     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

If you had to pin down one universal emotion that all humans experience, it’s pain. We are often afraid to share our pain because we’re afraid we will look weak. So, we lock up our feelings in a box, set it on a shelf in the back of a dark closet, and try to forget about it. This is not a healthy way to deal with grief or loss. One of the best ways to work through your pain is to write about it. On today’s episode, Kent shares three writing methods you can use to work through painful emotions. ***     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

A few weeks ago, I stepped away from my full-time teaching job in order to focus on ghostwriting and the Daily Writer.   As I have spent some time reflecting on this major change in my life, it occurred to me that I've followed a very simple principle as I have transitioned into several different roles in my work life over the last 25 years. I want to share that principle with you today, along with how you can put it into practice to build your writing business, or whatever other ventures you might eventually want to pursue.  It's simply called the Overlap Principle. On this episode, I want to explain what that is and also share my story of overlapping careers a few times to arrive at my current business. Then, on next week's Sunday episode, I'll share some specific tips for overlapping in your own writing business.   ***     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.      Ch

On today's episode, I'm thrilled to be joined by Jeremiah Timmons. He's a writer and TV producer who has done work for Tyler Perry Studios, as well as HBO. Jeremiah also coaches writers on how to increase productivity by including wellness tools into their routines.  Jeremiah got in touch with me a little while back, and I am so glad he did, because we had a fantastic conversation about overcoming resistance as writers. He's had his share of roadblocks in his creative career, as we all have. He's here to share what he has learned and how we can be more successful with our writing.   It was an absolute pleasure to talk to Jeremiah. I encourage you to check out his website at TheThrivingScribe.com, where you can find out more and also apply for his VIP Writer's Day. This is an experience where Jeremiah helps you become more productive and create your signature product.  You can send Jeremiah a message, connect with him on Facebook, or follow him on Instagram.  ***     Are you looking for a community

A powerful movie, if you haven’t seen it, is Dead Poets Society from 1989. The late Robin Williams plays, an English teacher who challenges his students with this line, from Walt Whitman’s poem “O Me! O Life!”: “… the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.” This leads to the question: what will your verse be? On today’s episode, you’ll be encouraged to take the stage and share your verse with the world.   ***    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/kentsan

There are lots of skills that are important for writers, but there is one skill that trumps them all. It also happens to be the oldest communication skill in the world: storytelling. But, when it comes to fiction, what is the purpose of storytelling? What is the use of engaging in stories that aren’t even real? On today’s episode, you’ll be reminded that storytelling allows you to connect directly with people’s hearts and tell the truth in thoughtful ways. ***    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    Inst

When people see a writer who is successful, they attribute it to chance. They assume that if you bloom, it means you happened to get planted in a good garden, and someone chose to water you. Here’s a different perspective: You can choose to bloom wherever you are planted. On today’s episode, Kent shares that our ability to thrive is something that we choose. ***    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    Twitte

There is a good chance that you know someone who has a tattoo, or you have one yourself. What is the purpose of a tattoo? It’s a way to mark your identity. But there is another kind of marking that can define you… scars. On today’s episode, you’ll discover that your scars do not detract from your power as a writer—they are an essential part of your story. ***    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: 

When you think of power, what kinds of people come to mind? You probably imagine athletes, bodybuilders, superheroes, and CEOs. However, writers have power of a different kind. On today’s episode, you’ll learn that as a writer, you have the ability to change people’s hearts, minds, and reality. ***    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   

On this episode, we're going old-school and talking about analog tools for writing. It may seem out of touch to be talking about pens, pencils, and notebooks when we have so many great digital tools... but that's the point. Perhaps those digital tools are sometimes more of a distraction than a help.   I've asked Dr. Don Sanders to share his passion and knowledge for analog writing tools. He is the Director of the Merold Institute of Ministry at Harvester Christian Church in St. Charles, Missouri. He is also a college adjunct professor, an avid U2 fan, and happens to be my older brother.   You can connect with Don at The Merold Institute of Ministry, on Facebook, or on LinkedIn.   ***     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

One of the things that is a nearly universal feeling for writers is that marketing is a necessary evil. I'm thrilled to have a guest today who is here to give us a whole different view of marketing. Her name is Anna McKenzie.  As a professional copywriter and the owner of CreativeDemand, LLC, Anna has over a decade of experience in building content production systems, developing strategic marketing plans, and executing sales campaigns. She has written sales copy for the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and bestselling authors; worked with national and global brands; and helped business owners sell millions of dollars’ worth of products online. She has also written a fantastic new book called Mission, Market, Message: The Actionable Guide to Marketing for Small Business Owners.  In this conversation, Anna helps us understand the basics of marketing, why we need it as writers, and how we can think like business owners.   You can learn more about Anna’s marketing approach at her website, through her B