The Daily Writer

Writers often talk about the need to feel inspired before they write. But what exactly does it mean to feel inspired? And more importantly, how do we get it on a daily basis?

Inspiration comes when we have that creative spark which allows us to get moving. It helps us overcome interia and conquer the fear of the blank page.

But how do we capture it? Is it even possible?

On today's episode, Kent reminds us about a basic principle of productivity.

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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:

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Have you ever stopped to wonder why we sometimes don’t do the things we really want to do?

For many years, statistics have shown that at least 8 out of every 10 people want to write a book. Why, then, do so many not follow through on their writing dreams?

But the problem is not just out there. It’s in here, too. We can think of times when we shrunk back and didn’t follow through on our goals. Is it laziness? Lack of discipline? A lack of talent?

On this episode, Kent reminds us to be courageous and not get sidetracked by negative emotions.

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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:

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Writing is mainly a solitary activity. Most books, articles, blog posts, and other content is created by people working alone. Yes, there are editors and others along the way who help, but writing is primarily done by people sitting at a desk doing their craft by themselves. It’s easy to feel a bit isolated.

Stephen King identified this problem and also proposed a solution when he said, “Writing is a lonely job. Having someone who believes in you makes a lot of difference.”

Writing is hard enough as it is. It’s downright impossible if you don’t have a support system. Who are the people in your life that truly believe in you?

On this episode, Kent challenges you to surround yourself with people who support you.

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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:

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Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders 

It’s the sinking feeling every writer knows. You had a brilliant idea but didn’t write it down. Now you could kick yourself because you can’t remember it.

Inspiration can strike at the most inconvenient times. Sometimes it wakes you up in the middle of the night. Sometimes it comes while you’re in aisle 10 of the grocery store. Sometimes it decides to visit when you’re on a phone call or in a meeting.

There is a simple solution to this persistent creative problem. Henry David Thoreau said, “Write while the heat is in you. … The writer who postpones the recording of his thoughts uses an iron which has cooled to burn a hole with.”

On this episode, Kent gives a simple tip so you'll never again lose a great idea.

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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:

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Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders 

It has been quite an eventful week at the Daily Writer. This past week, I did an official public launch of the Daily Writer Community. I know that I have mentioned it several times already here on the podcast, and I even did a full episode a couple of weeks ago sharing about it.

But this past week was the first time I really put it out there on social media and shared it more widely than I ever have.  On this episode, I wanted to dive into the behind the scenes of creating this group and what I have learned from it. 

We take a look at these five lessons:

1) Do your market research before you launch something.

2) When you launch, you will be surprised by the people who will ignore you and support you.

3) You must put in the work to build something meaningful.

4) You will never feel ready to launch, but do it anyway.

5) Don't take anything personally.

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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 

I'm thrilled to bring you this bonus interview with Joe Ricci. We dive into all my geeky questions about story structure and the specifics of writing for the Hallmark channel.

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I'm excited to bring you this conversation with one of the coolest and most interesting people I have met in a while. His name is Joe Ricci, and he is an actor, playwright, screenwriter, and director.

Joe has been an actor in stage productions such as the off-Broadway hit “I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change,” the national tour of “Carousel,” the first national tour of “Saturday Night Fever,” and the Broadway revival of “A View from the Bridge” with Scarlett Johansson and Liev Schreiber. 

As a director, Joe’s two current projects are the rock musical Whiskeyland!, as well as a play called Squirrel Screams and Other Dating Sounds (major points for a great title). He just recently adapted Whiskeyland! into a screenplay and they are in the very early stages of developing Squirrel Screams into a TV pilot.

Joe has also written for the Hallmark channel, most notably the movie In the Key of Love, which we will talk about more in the bonus episode airing tomorrow. His other current writing projects include a rom-com musical called Third Party Ruling, as well as some new pitches for the Hallmark channel.

If you have been listening to this podcast a while, you may remember that I interviewed Tricia Brouk last year on the show. Joe is Tricia’s husband, and it has been an absolute pleasure getting to know them both and featuring them here on the show.

In this conversation, Joe shares quite a bit about his theater background and how that turned into writing and directing. He also shares talks about the process of turning a play into a screenplay, as well as some other projects he's working on. I also had the chance to ask him about his rituals and habits for staying focused and productive.

No matter what kind of writing you do, I know you will be inspired by Joe's creativity and his approach to writing. I know I was!

You can connect with Joe at his website, JoeRicci.net. And if you have the Hallmark Channel, make sure and catch In the Key of Love the next time it airs. Even if you don't regularly watch the Hallmark channel or consider yourself a rom-com kind of person, I think you'll really enjoy it.

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Follow Kent Sanders:

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If you’re not mechanically inclined, maybe you can relate to this scenario. You’re driving down the road one day, and all of a sudden you realize that your car has been running kind of rough lately. The engine is a little bit noisier than it used to be and wonder what might be wrong.

Then it dawns on that you can’t remember the last time to had the oil changed. You wonder if maybe you’ve done some damage to the engine, and you’re also thankful you haven’t let it go on for much longer because you might damage the engine.

A lot of writers and creative types operate this way. They keep working, keep driving, keep pushing and never do the basic maintenance required to keep their emotional, physical, and mental engine running smoothly.

On this episode, Kent challenges the notion that in order to make great art, you must destroy yourself in the process.

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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 

Michelangelo was one of the greatest artists who ever lived. As a sculptor, painter, designer, architect, and so much more, he transformed history and was a major force of the Italian Renaissance.    But have you ever considered exactly what it was that made Michelangelo so great? Was it his creative genius? His relationship with powerful and influential people such as the Pope? His ability to organize massive projects such as the painting of the Sistine Chapel?    All those factors surely played a part in his greatness. But above all, Michelangelo was a guy who got things done. He finished projects and saw them through to completion.   On this episode, Kent explains how this artist's great example can help us finish 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.   Follow Kent Sanders:   Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders

There is something quite magical about a book. Of course, you already know that since you’re a writer. You’re already committed to the art and craft of writing books.

But it’s interesting that so many writers don’t make a lot of time to read. We love books and are committed to creating them … but we struggle with fitting reading into our schedules.

Reading is a critical part of the creative process. Of course we need to have other inputs as well, such as listening to great talks, watching videos and movies, seeing plays, and other ways to experience great art. But above all, we must read.

On this episode, Kent shares a very simple tactic for getting more reading done.

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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