Wordslinger Podcast, Episode 285Discover more at WordslingerPodcast.com

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In this episode, Kevin Tumlinson dives deep into one of the hardest parts of the creative journey: keeping yourself motivated when it feels like your work isn’t having an impact. He shares hard-earned lessons from his own career, talks about reframing discouragement, and explores the difference between being “productive” and being “fruitful.” Plus, Kevin Tumlinson reflects on building real connections, benefiting from the unseen ripple effects of creative effort, and finding meaning in your work even when the rewards seem slow in coming.

If you’re a writer, creator, or anyone struggling to push through the silence between feedback, this episode is for you.

Show links::

* Author Anchor (https://authoranchor.com) – VA service matching authors with reliable virtual assistants

* Joanna Penn’s Creative Penn Podcast (https://www.thecreativepenn.com/podcasts/) – Inspiration and advice for writers

* Kevin’s Substack (https://kevintumlinson.substack.com) – Articles, updates, and personal insights

Watch on YouTube (and subscribe!)

Key Topics & Timestamps:

[00:00:06] - “Keep Going”—Why impact matters, and why it’s hard

[00:01:33] - Shifting podcast landscape and long-term value

[00:02:07] - How connection and community pay off

[00:03:31] - Battling discouragement and the reality of creative work

[00:05:09] - Why feedback and financial returns can be slow

[00:08:12] - Changing your attitude: purpose beyond quick success

[00:09:59] - The power of consistency and fighting for long-term success

[00:12:10] - “Fruitful vs. Productive”: A better way to frame your efforts

[00:16:18] - Avoiding burnout and rebuilding with better foundations

[00:18:38] - Growth, regret, and seeing how your work evolves

[00:20:03] - Outlining vs. pantsing—finding what works for you

[00:22:04] - Christmas message and gratitude

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