Born To Create

On today’s episode, I share a special announcement about my transition away from my teaching role to focus on ghostwriting and the Daily Writer full-time. I will be back with new episodes on Monday, May 3!

We writers love to create stories. And why not? There is something fun about creating a fantasy world, living in it for a while, and inviting others to join us there.  Sometimes these fantasies bleed over into the real world, where we don’t quite live in reality. One of the fantasies we love is the idea of sitting down to write and feeling inspired with all sorts of motivation and great ideas.  But it doesn’t always work that way. Many times—or perhaps even most of the time—we aren’t feeling the creative juices flowing and we assume this has something to do with our talent or perhaps even our calling as writers.  On today's episode, Kent shares a powerful quote from Stephen King and what it means for us.  ***  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 bac

As writers, we face a lot of enemies: procrastination, fear of failure, creative fatigue, jealousy, and so many other hurdles.  But here’s an enemy I bet you haven’t thought of: indecision.  On today's episode, you'll learn the importance of making a decision, then moving 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 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  

We have talked before on this podcast about how writing is a gift.   It is a gift you can give to other people. Through your writing, you are sharing your ideas and stories with others to inspire, educate, and entertain them.  Writing is also a gift to yourself. It is a way to unleash your creative powers. In addition to helping you make money or build a business, writing has creative value even if you never share it with anyone else.  On today's episode, Kent reminds us to honor God with our 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 Writing prompts are a fantastic creative tool for creative writing, journaling, teaching, social media posts, podcasting, and more!  Connect with Kent:  https://Da

As a writer, you know that creativity is an essential part of what you do. Without new input and new ideas, you will resort to the same way of doing things and the same old ideas.  The question is, how do we make creativity a part of our everyday life?   The author Edward de Bono wrote, “Creativity involves breaking out of expected patterns in order to look at things in a different way.”   On today's episode, Kent gives you a simple tip to put this quote into practice.  ***  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 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: ht

One of the saddest plays ever performed in American theater is Death of a Salesman. It was written by Arthur Miller and first performed on Broadway in 1949.  Death of a Salesman tells the story of the last 24 hours in the life of Willy Loman, a salesman who never quite achieves the success he always dreamed of. He has a faithful yet disappointed wife, and two sons who are equally as lost as he is.  By the end of the play, you come to understand that Willy’s main downfall is that he is unable to truly be himself.   On today's episode, you'll learn why it's important to focus on being yourself, not 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 Writing prompts are a fantastic creative tool for creati

As a writer, you know creativity is a vital part of your work and business.   One of the best tools for breaking through these blocks is writing prompts. Writing prompts are a simple yet powerful tool to get the words flowing again. When you’re stuck in a creative rut, you need a little spark to interrupt your thinking pattern.   On this episode, I share ten specific ways you can use writing prompts for personal development, business, and leadership.   Be sure to check out our Daily Writing Prompts, which sends a prompt directly to your inbox for a whole year. When you subscribe, here is what you get:  An original writing prompt every day via email (including weekends) for the next 365 days.  A bonus email every 30 days with a printable list of the previous month of prompts.  A Quick Start Guide to help you get the maximum value out of the prompts.  You can check this out at https://dailywriterlife.com/writingprompts   ***  Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writer

If you do any research on the amount of people who start a book but never finish it, it can get a little depressing. I've seen stats range from 80% to 97%. Any way you slice it, the vast majority of people who start writing a book don't actually finish it, much less publish it.  I have found myself in this place, as well, so don't feel bad if you'd started writing a book but haven't finished it!  My guest today is here to help us fix this problem. Jyotsna Ramachandran is a bestselling author, book publisher, TEDx speaker, and an international author success coach who helps coaches, trainers, speakers, and experts build a profitable author funnel with the help of their book.   She is the founder of Happy Self Publishing, which helps overwhelmed, yet purpose-driven authors experience a transformative journey of self-discovery through the process of publishing their book and amplifying their message. While Jyotsna isn’t working, this mom of two kids also loves to dance, run, plan her next solo trip, and i

In the days before GPS, people used a little tool called a compass to help locate themselves on a map and find their way.  We writers use a similar tool. You might call this a creative compass. But instead of four points on the compass, there are only three.  On today's episode, you'll learn these three points and why you need to always be moving forward.  ***  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 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/k

In the Pixar movie Finding Nemo, we meet Marlin, a clownfish who has lost his son Nemo. On his way to find him, he meets Dory, a black and blue tang fish who has short-term memory loss.  Despite her limited mental capacity, she gives Marlin a great piece of advice that eventually helps him locate his son. She says, “Just keep swimming.”  On this episode, you'll learn how to use this great advice to break through writer's block.  ***  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 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

Do you have people in your life who are trying to help … but they’re not really helping?  Who are these people? They are the ones who try to talk good sense into you. They say things like “That book is a waste of time,” “You can never make money as a writer,” or “You should do something more practical with your talent.”  The problem is that this advice is not practical at all. Every single great work of art, every great invention, and every new idea that moved society forward came as a result of one thing.  On today's episode, you'll learn why it's OK to be impractical sometimes.  ***  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 Writing prompts are a fantastic creative tool for creative writing, journaling, teachin

One of the most difficult forms of magic is sleight of hand.  Every form of magic is difficult, of course, but sleight of hand presents a unique challenge. Why? The reason is because you must be flawless in presenting the illusion to the audience.  On this episode, Kent reminds you that writers are magicians, too. *** 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 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 

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 and see a string of disappointments.  On today's episode, Kent shares why you can always win ... even when you feel you are losing. *** 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 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:

One of my most prized possessions is an old notebook from the 1970's. My grandmother Louise wrote poetry in that notebook. When I read her poetry, it’s obvious there is a kinship in the way we thought, and how we looked at the world. She died when I was three years old. Other than the stories other people tell me, along with a few minutes of home movies my grandfather made, the notebook is the only connection I have with her. However, tut the only reason I have those pages is because she took the time to write them. That’s what I want to share with you in this episode: the power of writing and why I hope that you will consider making writing a big priority in your life. On this episode, you'll learn three powerful reasons why you MUST get started 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 block

I am a big believer in spending your time on activities that bring value in many different areas. For example, writing is an activity that can bring a whole bunch of different benefits to your life. That's why it's a great investment. Another one of those areas is running. I confess I don't know a lot about running, but as I've gotten into it the last couple of years, it has brought amazing benefits to my life. It gives me energy, helps me be more creative, extends my life, and so much more. I'm thrilled to feature a guest today who is an expert on this subject. His name is Matthew Huff, and he is a writer, runner, and the author of Marathoner: What to Expect When You're Training for and Running a Marathon. His writing has appeared in Runner's World and BuzzFeed, among other places.  Matthew also hosts a weekly pop culture podcast called P.S. You're Wrong and regularly performs improv comedy. Previously he was a literary agent, writing tutor, and McDonald's employee. His first race was the Dairy Dash 5K in El

For years, statistics have shown that eight out of every ten people want to write a book. Statistics also show that 97% of people who begin writing a book never finish it. That’s a massive difference between those who want something and those who actually achieve it. What accounts for this gap?  The answer is simple: wanting something and then actually doing it are two completely different things. On this episode, you'll learn to choose the latter. *** 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 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: htt

So you failed. You messed up. You didn’t do what you said you were going to do. You didn’t get the writing done or live up to your own expectations, or worse yet, someone else’s. We’ve all been there. It’s nothing new in the creative world. The good news is that tomorrow’s a new day. You have a chance to start over again and re-commit to the work. On today's episode, Kent reminds us to make a fresh start tomorrow. *** 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 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 Link

We spend so much of our lives consumed by moment other than the one we’re living right now. You can spend all your time worrying about yesterday and all the things you did wrong that you’d like to correct. But the problem is that you can’t go back and change yesterday. It’s done and in the books. You can spend all your time planning for an amazing today, yet completely miss the actions you need to take today in order to bring out that better tomorrow. On today's episode, Kent reminds us to make today count. *** 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 Writing prompts are a fantastic creative tool for creative writing, journaling, teaching, social media posts, podcasting, and more! Connect with Kent: https://DailyWriterLife.co

It’s a simple but important question: Why do you write? There are a lot of reasons people write. Some people want to build a brand. Some people want money. Some people want a creative outlet. Some people want to leave a legacy. Some people just want to prove the naysayers wrong. On today's episode, Kent reminds us why we must look at our writing as a gift. *** 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 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:/

If you have ever studied story structure or screenwriting, you’re probably familiar with the Hero’s Journey. The Hero’s Journey is a framework used to tell all kinds of stories. It shows the progression of the hero, or protagonist, through obstacles and struggles all the way to their final victory. Think about any story you love, whether it’s from history or fiction, novels, movies, or television. The hero had to overcome any number of obstacles on their way to victory. On today's episode, you'll learn why you must look at your writing as a heroic journey. *** 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 Writing prompts are a fantastic creative tool for creative writing, journaling, teaching, social media posts, podcasting, and m