Born To Create

If you've been listening to this podcast for any length of time, you know that I place a big emphasis on habits, mindset, creativity, and related topics. Those are all inputs into our writing. I emphasize those things because those are essential for any type of writing success. Today I want to shift gears a bit and talk about a very practical topic related to writing, and that is making money. I fundamentally believe that if you are a writer, you should be getting compensated for your work in some way. If you can learn to persuade, tell stories, and transmit ideas through the power of your words, that is a very powerful skill. If you can also add other potential services, even better! On this episode, we walk through 15 ways to earn money from your writing, and skills you will develop as part of your writing platform. (Just to keep things transparent, I have earned money from each of these.) CONTENT CREATION Book sales Ghostwriting Writing articles for publications Copywriting Speaking Courses Editing Podcas

As I talk to writers, one of the most common themes I hear is, "I've always wanted to write a novel." It seems like almost everybody has a story they would love to tell. But how do you get it done? What is the process for writing a novel? And how do you work through all the inevitable struggle of the messy middle -- the part where the excitement wears off and you're still a long way from finishing? I'm thankful that I have an amazing guest today who is here to give us some answers. Her name is Bethany Lee, and she has published her first novel, which is an amazing young adult book titled Called Upon. Bethany describes herself as an “outside girl” who loves biking, hiking, and basically any activity that can be done in yoga pants. She is a communications graduate who has a soft spot for young adults and all of the cringy moments they experience every day. Bethany has been a creative writer since early childhood, and she uses humor, honesty, and whimsy to pull the reader in and invite them to laugh, relate, and

Has this ever happened to you? You block out time on your calendar, you get your pen or pencil—or computer—ready, and you sit down at your desk, ready to write. You’ve been looking forward to this time and can’t wait to get your creative juices flowing. So you sit there, patiently waiting for the Muse to arrive and deliver the creativity straight to your brain. You’re ready for action. And . . . nothing. If you’ve had this experience, you’re not alone. Writers all over the world, from the beginning of time, have felt the creative well run dry. There are few things in life more frustrating than being a writer who is waiting for the words that just won’t come. On today's episode, Kent shares a story of one of the world's most prolific writers, Louis L'Amour, and a simple strategy he used to keep the words flowing. *** If you enjoyed this episode, we would be grateful if you leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people discover the show, and the more people listen, the more we can invest into it and im

What does it mean to be great? It’s such a simple question on the surface. But when you dig a little deeper, it gets to the heart of an inner conflict we feel as writers. On the one hand, we want to help people. We care about others and their welfare. We know that our writing, our creative work, is a way to do that. On the other hand, we also feel a powerful impulse to be admired by other people. We see this impulse on reality TV shows every day. Those programs are filled with people who just want their 15 minutes of fame. They are in love with the camera, the lights, and the knowledge that maybe just for a moment, they can feel like a celebrity.  But are we so different? Is there anything that separates us from those reality TV stars who crave a moment in the spotlight? The answer is no. We are all prone to this addiction we call fame.  On this episode, Kent shares how to turn away from our pursuit of fame and focus on the only path to true greatness. *** If you enjoyed this episode, we would be grateful if

One of the most popular TV sitcoms in recent years was The Big Bang Theory. Chances are pretty high that you have either seen it or know about it. But just in case you haven’t, The Big Bang Theory focuses on a group of friends, several of whom are physicists and engineers.  Many of the show’s storylines, and much of its humor, came from Sheldon Cooper, who spent a lot of time and energy trying to prove how smart he was. But it’s not just sitcom characters who want to appear smart. Each one of us wants to be respected and admired for our skills and knowledge. If we’re not careful in our writing and communication, we can wind up like Sheldon, constantly trying to prove that we are just a little bit superior to everyone else. We would do well to follow the timeless wisdom of Mr. Rogers, who said, “Deep and simple is far more essential than shallow and complex.” On this episode, Kent challenges us to follow Mr. Rogers' advice with three practical suggestions. *** If you enjoyed this episode, we would be grateful

As creatives, we seem hardwired to remember every single time we failed in our younger days. Remember the time you forgot your lines in the school play? Or the time you drew a picture for the teacher and she hated it? Or that time you hit the wrong note in your music solo and everyone laughed? We carry this same hyper-sensitivity to failure into adulthood, especially with our writing. If we don’t have a certain number of blog subscribers, if we don’t exceed our expectations for book sales, or if we don’t live up to someone’s expectations, we view ourselves as a failure. But what if our ideas about failure all wrong? What if there was only one single way to fail, and it was entirely preventable? What if success was 100% within your control? On this episode, Kent shares a quote from legendary book coach Honoree Corder, who will give you a new view of success and failure. *** If you enjoyed this episode, we would be grateful if you leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people discover the show, and the

What is a professional? It seems like such a simple question. A professional baseball player is one who plays on a pro sports team. A professional attorney is one who has a legal practice. A professional plumber is one who has been licensed by the proper authorities. Judging by those examples, a professional writer is one who gets paid to write, correct? It would seem pretty cut and dried, but we writers have a bad habit of complicating things, especially when it concerns our creative identity. The aviation and fantasy writer Richard Bach helped shed some light on this issue when he said, “A professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit.” On this episode, Kent draws three key lessons from Bach's quote and helps us see the pathway to becoming a professional. *** If you enjoyed this episode, we would be grateful if you leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people discover the show, and the more people listen, the more we can invest into it and improve the show. Follow Kent Sanders: Facebook: https

On this month's Listener Q&A, we tackle a number of great questions (time stamp and the name of the person asking the question are included): 1:57 - How do you stay productive during the pandemic, and when you have a lot of different ideas? (By Shawn Washburn & Mike Singleton) 6:20 - How do you deal with being a perfectionist? (By Ted Biermann) 11:50 - How do you get past emotions to write a memoir? (By Becca White) 17:25 - What are some tips for dealing with writer's block? (By M.J. James & Sree Sripathy) 20:15 - What do you think about Dorothy Parker's quote, "I hate writing, I love having written"? (By Derek Brink) 25:35 - How do you include the right amount of background information in a novel? (By Brittany Musgrave) 27:04 - How can I overcome feeling shy around others? (By Brittany Musgrave) 31:58 - Should I work from an outline or just start writing? (By Tad Dickel) 34:10 - How can a new writer gain confidence? (By Josey Sewell) 38:28 - I can't afford to self-publish . . . what should I do?

I'm thrilled to bring you this conversation with my good friend Terry Stafford. Terry is an award-winning author who has written four novels, the most recent of which completed a trilogy. Terry is also an editor, and in fact, he recently edited a book I ghostwrote for a client. He did an amazing job. Terry has a background in the US Navy, and also with NASA as a project manager. Based on his experience in project management, Terry saw how his experience in that field could bring order out of creative chaos in his own writing life. He strongly believes that leadership principles can be taught through story, which is what we're here to talk about today. Terry shares how he explores leadership through his novels, as well as his process for crafting a story. He also talks about writing habits, the writing tools he uses, and much more. You can connect with Terry on LinkedIn or his website. *** If you enjoyed this episode, we would be grateful if you leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people discover t

One of humanity’s most enduring myths is the Fountain of Youth. For well over two thousand years, people have fantasized, and at times even searched for, a magical spring that would restore the youth of anyone who drank or bathed in it. The earliest appearance of this legend is from the Greek historian Herodotus, writing in the 5th century B.C. Numerous other writers mentioned it over the centuries, but the Fountain of Youth gained true legendary status in the 16th century when it was attached to the Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon. Since then, it’s appeared in books, movies, and other media, including the 1985 film Cocoon. And why wouldn’t we be obsessed with a magical Fountain of Youth? The idea of getting back all the energy and vibrancy of your long-lost youth is pretty appealing.  But while the legend of the Fountain of Youth may not be literally true, there is a way you can light up that creative spark that may have dimmed a little bit over the years. This is the power of curiosity. On this episode, Kent

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit down with one of the world’s most successful authors and ask them the secret to great writing? Fortunately, you don’t have to. Many of the world’s great authors have shared their wisdom in books, articles, and interviews. One such piece of advice comes from Stephen King, who said, “If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.” We get the writing advice, but what’s going on with the “reading” part? What Stephen King is saying is that the input is just as important as the output. As a writer, the best nutrition for your mind, heart, and soul is reading great books. On today's episode, Kent offers a challenge to become a better writer by always taking a book with you and making time to read each day. *** If you enjoyed this episode, we would be grateful if you leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people discover the show, and the more people listen, the more we can invest into it and improve the sho

Picture yourself as a third grader. It’s May and you have two weeks of school left. It’s warm outside and all you can think about is a fun-filled summer full of sprinklers, fireworks, and ice cream. Yet here you sit at this uncomfortable desk, listening to the teacher droning on and on about some lesson in math or history or science. You’d rather be anywhere but here. We never quite escape this impulse of wanting to be done with our education. We move on to middle school, high school, most likely college, and perhaps grad school. With every level, there is a sense in which we just want to be done so we can move on with life.  That is the kind of attitude most people expect from formal education, where we follow a prescribed path someone has laid out for us. There are lots of benefits to formal education, but nothing compares to the curriculum you create for yourself. As Ernest Hemingway said, “We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master.” On today's podcast, Kent challenges us to be a

The scariest monster in ancient Greek mythology was not a cyclops, sea monster, or dragon. It was a woman named Medusa. Legend has it that she was assaulted by Poseidon in Athena's temple. In her anger, Athena transformed Medusa's hair into venomous snakes and disfigured her face so badly that anyone who gazed at her would be turned to stone. Medusa was finally defeated by the hero Perseus. He crept into her cave one day while she was sleeping. Using his polished shield as a mirror, he cut off her head. Medusa is a good representation of the fear we feel sometimes. It's 2020. There are problems and distractions on every side. Politics, the economy, a global virus, social unrest, and a million other hissing vipers threaten to stop us dead in our tracks. We imagine our creatives lives to be nice and calm, like walking through a field of dandelions on a spring day. But it's more like a battle. Every day you must take up your sword and shield. On today's podcast, Kent challenges us to summon our "inner Perseus" a

1994’s The Lion King is one of the most beloved animated movies of all time. In case you haven’t seen it in a while, the story focused on Simba, a young cub in the pride lands of Africa. He is first in line to inherit the throne from his father Mufasa, a good and generous ruler. But there is one thing that stands in the way: Mufasa’s evil brother, Scar, who crafts a plan to have both Mufasa and Simba killed in a giant wildabeest stampede. Young Simba manages to survive, but Scar orders the traumatized cub to leave and never return. Years go by as Simba grows up in the jungle and loses sight of his true identity. At a critical point in the story, the spirit of his father Mufasa appears in the sky and delivers an important reminder: “Remember who you are.” On today's podcast, Kent reminds us why it's important to remember who we are as writers. *** If you enjoyed this episode, we would be grateful if you leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people discover the show, and the more people listen, the mo

I'm thrilled to bring you the first episode of my new podcast, The Daily Writer! If you consider yourself a creative entrepreneur who wants to build a business with your writing, or writing is a key part of your business, this show is for you. If you write books, articles, blog posts, newsletters, curriculum, sermons, novels, short stories, screenplays, video scripts, or anything else . . . this show will help you be more successful. The title "Daily Writer" has a double meaning. First, this is a daily show. On weekdays, we'll bring you short lessons to help you be more creative and productive. On weekends, we'll bring you listener Q&A, conversations with notable writers and thinkers, and expanded teaching content. Second, the show is designed to help you write every day. A big factor in your writing success is establishing a great writing habit. Writing is not just an activity or obligation, it's a lifestyle. I go into lots more detail about what to expect from the show, including the four key practices

It's hard to let go of what's familiar and comfortable. But that's what is probably holding you back. Is it time to let go and move on? *** Need a ghostwriter for your next project? Learn more here: https://inkwellghostwriting.com.  Subscribe and grab your free gift: https://kentsanders.net/subscribe  If you enjoyed this episode, we would be grateful if you leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people discover the show, and the more people listen, the more we can invest into it and improve the show. Follow Kent: Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders 

We all choose what "glasses" we use to see the world. What do you see? *** Need a ghostwriter for your next project? Learn more here: https://inkwellghostwriting.com.  Subscribe and grab your free gift: https://kentsanders.net/subscribe  If you enjoyed this episode, we would be grateful if you leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people discover the show, and the more people listen, the more we can invest into it and improve the show. Follow Kent: Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders 

Johnny Carson was the greatest late-night host of all time. Here's why I miss him. *** Need a ghostwriter for your next project? Learn more here: https://inkwellghostwriting.com.  Subscribe and grab your free gift: https://kentsanders.net/subscribe  If you enjoyed this episode, we would be grateful if you leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people discover the show, and the more people listen, the more we can invest into it and improve the show. Follow Kent: Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders 

I just finished the first draft of a client book. I was able to work from an outline and write 45,000 words in less than a month. Here's how it was done. *** Need a ghostwriter for your next project? Learn more here: https://inkwellghostwriting.com.  Subscribe and grab your free gift: https://kentsanders.net/subscribe  If you enjoyed this episode, we would be grateful if you leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people discover the show, and the more people listen, the more we can invest into it and improve the show. Follow Kent: Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders 

I stumbled across this short interview I did with my son Ben in 2013. He was 9 years old at the time. It was so much fun hearing his comments about life and creativity. He is wise beyond his years. Enjoy! *** Need a ghostwriter for your next project? Learn more here: https://inkwellghostwriting.com.  Subscribe and grab your free gift: https://kentsanders.net/subscribe  If you enjoyed this episode, we would be grateful if you leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people discover the show, and the more people listen, the more we can invest into it and improve the show. Follow Kent: Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders