Born To Create

One of the recurring themes you hear on this podcast is the importance of productivity. The reason is simple: it’s easy to have great ideas for writing, but it’s harder to bring those ideas to life.  Hence the importance of talking about the systems and processes for producing the work while managing the everyday pressures of ordinary life. On this episode, you'll learn a great trip from author A.J. Jacobs to help you stay ultra-productive. *** 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.  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 

Creativity has its benefits, but it also has its drawbacks. The same impulse that leads you to explore new ideas is also the one that keeps you from following through on them. It’s been said that the best book ever written is still sitting in a drawer somewhere. The reason is because the author never finished it, or at the very least, never published it. On this episode, you'll learn a simple trick from 1932 that will help you stay focused. *** 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.  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 you heard yesterday's episode, my interview with John Lee Dumas from Entrepreneurs on Fire, then you're familiar with his upcoming book The Common Path to Uncommon Success. John talked about entrepreneurship and gave some details about the book launch. Today I'm thrilled to bring you the flip side of that conversation, which is an interview with John's life and business partner, and now fiancée, Kate Erickson. Kate is a powerhouse force of podcasting, and she hosts two of her own shows, Kate's Take and Ditch Busy.  The launch for John's new book is nothing like I have ever seen before, so I wanted to dig into this a little more with Kate. This is an amazing interview where you get a rare behind-the-scenes peek at a world-class book launch. Some of the topics Kate talks about in this conversation include: how they are measuring success with this book launch, why they decided to offer such incredible bonuses, why they used a traditional publisher, and some details about Kate's incredible podcast, Ditch Busy.

I'm excited to share this interview with John Lee Dumas, who is the founder and host of the award-winning podcast, Entrepreneurs On Fire. The show has over 2500 episodes, over one million listens a month, and seven-figures of annual revenue. I have been listening to Entrepreneurs on Fire for years, and I've had a number of friends who have been guests on the show. It was a real treat to be able to talk to John for a few minutes about his new book that's being released this month.  It's called The Common Path to Uncommon Success, and it's a traditionally-published book with HarperCollins Leadership. John and his partner Kate Erickson have done an extraordinary job building the EO Fire brand, and there is a lot we can from their approach to podcasting, business, and writing. A few of the topics we discuss are: why many entrepreneurs fail in their business, John's favorite step in the 17-step roadmap he shares in the book, why he uses a traditional publisher, and details of the book launch. Resources: UncommonSu

We all know time travel isn’t really possible. Or is it? As appealing as it might seem to hop in a DeLorean and travel thirty years into the future, that’s probably not going to happy anytime soon. However, you can travel into the future in your mind. On this episode, Kent reminds us of the importance of being intentional. *** 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.  Follow Kent Sanders: Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders 

Writers are like poker players. When we get together, there is an awful lot of bluffing going on. We love to talk about our next book project and how important writing is to us. And we certainly don’t want to be known as the writer who talks a big game but doesn’t produce. On this episode, Kent points you to the one measurement that matters most. *** 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.  Follow Kent Sanders: Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders 

In you want to make a change in your life, positive motivation generally works well.  We love for someone to cheer us on with encouraging words, and we are inspired by a vision of the future where things are better than they are now. But negative motivation can be helpful also.  On this episode, you'll learn why fear can be a great way to motivate 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.  Follow Kent Sanders: Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders 

The greatest superhero movie ever made is 2008’s The Dark Knight. The movie is admired for many reasons, the biggest of which is Heath Ledger’s amazing performance as Batman’s arch-nemesis, the Joker. But one of the most underrated aspects of the film is Aaron Eckhart’s portrayal of Harvey Dent, the Gotham City District Attorney. Before he becomes the villain known as Two-Face, he is known for his positive attitude, so much so that he carries a two-headed coin and says, “I make my own luck.” On this episode, you'll learn to develop the same skill. *** 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.  Follow Kent Sanders: Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders 

As writers, we thrive on creativity. Without the ability to be creative, we are forever stuck with the same thoughts, the same stories, and the same ideas. There are many ways fill your creative well. One of the simplest and most effective things you can do is to stop trying too hard to be consciously creative and let your subconscious work on your behalf. On this episode, you'll learn how to harness a source of creativity you have probably been ignoring. *** 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.  Follow Kent Sanders: Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders 

The central idea of the Daily Writer podcast is the importance of habits and routines to our writing success. There may be some authors who have great success by producing books in sudden bursts of energy every once in a while. However, the vast majority of working writers have schedules, habits, routines, and rituals for a consistent production schedule. On this episode, you'll learn about the writing routines of five famous authors: E. B. White, Stephen King, Ernest Hemingway, Jodi Picoult, and Toni Morrison. You'll also learn how to apply these lessons to your own writing. Learn more about the routines & rituals of famous authors: https://www.brainpickings.org/2012/11/20/daily-routines-writers/ https://jamesclear.com/daily-routines-writers Daily Rituals by Mason Curry *** 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.  Sign up for the Daily Writer email: DailyWriterLife.com/email 

As a writer, one of the most valuable skills you can learn is storytelling. Stories are the way we process information and make sense of the world around us.  I’m thrilled to be talking with Doug Phillips, who is the Professor of New Testament and Greek Studies, and the Chair of the Biblical Education Division at St. Louis Christian College, where I am also a Professor. Doug has multiple advanced degrees and is also working on a PhD in New Testament from Asbury Theological Seminary. On this episode, we’re going to do a deep dive into the topic of storytelling in the Bible. Doug shares his journey to becoming a professor and helps us understand why Jesus’ parables were so powerful.  You’ll learn what makes an effective story, the key components of Jesus’ parables, and how to start applying those lessons to your own communication. Resources: Email Doug How to Read the Bible as Literature by Leland Ryken The Revolutionary Communicator: 7 Principles Jesus Lived to Impact, Connect and Lead by Jedd Medefind &

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 hard work of writing.   There’s that course to take. That writing group to be involved in. That new writing craft book to read. That movie to watch so you can analyze the story structure. That fellow writer to have coffee with.   On this episode, Kent asks you to consider whether those writing-related activities are helping you get the work done.   *** 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.    Follow Kent Sanders:   Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders 

First drafts are hard. Let’s just get that out of the way right here and now.   The deeper question is, why? Why does it take so much effort to produce a first draft, even if we know we will have many opportunities to make improvements before the final version is done?   On this episode, you'll learn why perfectionism is so dangerous, and how to avoid 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.    Follow Kent Sanders:   Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders 

In the world of writers, there are two kinds of people: the mere mortals, and the towering giants.   We stand in awe of their creative output and their success. And we wonder, how do they get it done? How do they write so many books and stay consistent for years or even decades on end?   On this episode, Kent shares advice from Stephen King on writing routines.   *** 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.    Follow Kent Sanders:   Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders 

One of the most common themes of successful writers is that they are consistent. They establish a habit or routine for getting the work done and they stick with it.   Let’s get even more granular, down to the level of words. After all, the fundamental building block of any book is words. Those words are put into sentences, then paragraphs, then chapters, then a complete book.    On this episode, Kent shares advice from novelist Neil Gaiman on how to get your writing done.   *** 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.    Follow Kent Sanders:   Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders 

If you have spent much time around other writers, you have probably observed that as a whole, writers are a pretty congenial bunch.   We don’t normally see fist fights or shouting matches at writing conventions. (Although I admit that would be fun to see.) Writers are the kind of people you want to go hang out with at a coffee shop.   But if we’re not careful, this congeniality, this nice guy or nice gal approach, can work against us. We can easily slip into a passivity that lets other people roll right over us and our writing goals.   On this episode, Kent encourages you to protect your writing time.   *** 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.    Follow Kent Sanders:   Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders 

One of the most successful writers of all time also happens to have written one of the most helpful writing craft books of all time. His name is Stephen King, and the book I'm talking about is of course On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft. We recently discussed this book in our Daily Writer Community. Each month, we focus on a book that helps us with marketing, writing, or creativity. We had a great time discussing and applying this book. On this episode, I review seven lessons about writing we can learn from this amazing book. Use your writing to support your life. Have a dedicated writing space. Create a production schedule. Believe that you can be a good writer. Encourage someone to write. Write with an ideal reader in mind. Excavate stories instead of creating them. *** 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. Connect with Kent: https://DailyWriterLife.com Facebook: https://facebo

I'm excited to bring you this encore presentation of my interview with Jeni Voss, who is the lead singer of That 80’s Band, a fantastic group based here in St. Louis. Jeni has quite a story to share, and I have to say this was one of my favorite podcast interviews. As you hear her story, you’ll be inspired by her pursuit of an authentic life through a variety of creative and community experiences. Authenticity is a key part of your journey as a writer. I know you'll enjoy Jeni's story and insights about the creative life. Resources: That 80’s Band Connect with Jeni on Facebook Connect with That 80’s Band on Facebook Jeni’s single “Shattered” on iTunes Celebrate Recovery *** 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. Connect with Kent: https://DailyWriterLife.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/k

If you’re a Star Wars fan, you’ll recall Admiral Ackbar from Return of the Jedi. At the Battle of Endor, he is fighting alongside the rebels against the evil Empire.  As they are making a run toward the second Death Star, Lando Calrissian suddenly realizes that the force field around it is still active. They’ve been set up. He tells his comrades to pull up, and then Admiral Ackbar says those three famous words, “It’s a trap!” On this episode, Kent gives a warning about the trap of perfectionism. *** 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. Follow Kent Sanders: Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders 

How many people in your life in your everyday life are serious writers? Probably just a few, unless you spend all your time around writers. In other words, most of the people that you interact with on a regular basis probably don’t understand your need for quiet, silence, or space to write On this episode, Kent shares an example from the life of E. B. White on how to get your writing done despite crazy circumstances. *** 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. Follow Kent Sanders: Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders