In this episode, I go through the second set of steps any creative entrepreneur should take to vet any new business idea. This applies to brand-new businesses and new ideas you're considering implementing in your existing business.

In episode 53, we discussed how to define your big idea, how to uncover your true motivation, the steps to take in researching the market, how to define opportunities and potential barriers, and do some sample calculations.

This week, I explain how you can walk a mile in the shoes of the person who already has your business, why a "marination period" is important, how to discover what's holding you back, and how to test your idea.

Show Notes:

• Get your copy of Creative Morning Magic.
• Follow me @writewithtarah on Twitter and Instagram.
• Visit my website for writers and creatives at writewithtarah.com.

In this episode, I go through the first series of steps any creative entrepreneur should take to vet their new business idea. This applies to brand-new businesses and new ideas you're considering implementing in your existing business.

I've been running my author business for 7 years, and I wish I'd had this list from the get-go. I've finally defined the steps I need to take to ensure any business idea is a sound one, and now you can use them to test your idea for any creative venture.

We'll start by defining our big idea in detail, digging deep to uncover our own motivation, researching the market, defining opportunities and barriers, and then we do the math!

Show Notes:

• Listen to "How to Stay Creative in Difficult Times" on The Creative Penn from this week's Discovery segment.
• Check out Author Business Bootcamp here. 
• Follow me @writewithtarah on Twitter and Instagram.
• Visit my website for writers and creatives at writewithtarah.com.

In this episode, I talk all about CRYSTALS! I highlight five of my favorite stones for promoting creativity, inspiration, confidence, and enthusiasm. I delve into the history and benefits of each stone and share how to collect and care for your crystals.

Show Notes:

• Explore “The Science Behind Healing Crystals Explained.”
• Read the article, “You Can Heal Yourself With Your Mind for Real.”
• Read about amethyst here and here.
• Read about citrine here and here.
• Read about ametrine here.
• Read about carnelian here, here, here.
• Read about labradorite here and here.
• Read about activating your crystals here.
• Get your copy of Creative Morning Magic.
• Follow me @writewithtarah on Twitter and Instagram.
• Visit my website for writers and creatives at writewithtarah.com.

Things to Distract You From the Constant Coverage of COVID-19:

• Read: The Witches of Manitou Springs: History, hysteria and wand-waving Wiccans behind a stubborn urban myth
• Read: Is There a Crystal Bubble? Inside the Billion-Dollar Healing Gemstone Industry
• Read: Titanic Mysteries That May Never Be Solved
• Watch: Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem, and Madness
• Watch: Outlander
• Watch: Merlin

In this episode, I share some of my favorite ways to unlock fresh creative ideas. This week we go beyond the more common tips we've discussed in previous episodes to some of my off-the-wall, wacky — and perhaps downright weird — tips for getting your ideas flowing.

I discuss how I changed from a poetry-hating teenager to a poetry lover, how I've been delving into symbolism and archetypes through the study of tarot, and how sometimes it's good to bring a little magic and ritual to your creative practice.

Show Notes

• Listen to “Fabulous Folklore with Icy Sedgwick” from this week’s Discovery segment.
• Get your copy of Creative Morning Magic.
• Order your first tarot deck and Rachel Pollack's book, Tarot Wisdom.

In this episode, I share some advice on how creative entrepreneurs can thrive — not just survive — the COVID-19 pandemic. I talk about using the resources at your disposal, increasing revenue, and capitalizing on changing consumer behavior rather than just reacting. (I also share what I'm doing differently with my author business!)

Also in this episode: Finally, some GOOD news related to COVID-19...We reach episode 50 and downloads in 50 different countries. I share the four pandemic personality types and tips for managing social distancing blues from isolation experts!

Show Notes:

• Read the Guardian article with advice from isolation experts.
• Check out my course for authors, Author Business Bootcamp.
• Read about the Colorado animal shelter that emptied its cages amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Read about the reduction in air pollution here and here. 
• Learn about how Minneapolis entrepreneur Houston White is turning the lockdown into an opportunity for growth.
• Follow me @writewithtarah on Twitter and Instagram.
• Visit my website for writers and creatives at writewithtarah.com.

In this episode, we dance on the darker side! As the world battles the COVID-19 pandemic, we as creatives have an imperative to keep making art!

This week, I talk about the "shadow side" of creativity and how you can harness your own inner darkness to create your best work. I discuss how I've worked with my creativity in periods of darkness and death, the emergence of the antihero, my current struggle with distraction, and how we can all use our art as medicine.

Show Notes:

• Donate masks to Sew You Care.
• Check out the show Chilling Adventures of Sabrina on Netflix.
• Enroll in Author Business Bootcamp.
• Follow me @writewithtarah on Twitter and Instagram.
• Visit my website for writers and creatives at writewithtarah.com.

As a full-time author, I've been successfully working out of my home for years. In this episode, I share my best tips for structuring your day for positivity, productivity, and creativity while working from home and while staying in during the COVID-19 outbreak.

I offer my perspective on how we can use the daily disruptions of COVID-19 for good. I give you a complete plan for hacking your day to feel more energetic and uplifted when you might be experiencing some cabin fever.

I also talk about creating spaces in your home for work, creative pursuits, and leisure; setting boundaries with family members; feeling connected despite social distancing; and breaking up your day to be more productive and stay sane.

We're all going to get through this together. And, hopefully, we'll be more creative for it.

Show Notes:

• Check out episode 30 of the "Six-Figure Authors" podcast from this week's Discovery segment.
• Get my book, Creative Morning Magic: The Life-Changing Daily Practice for Writers, Artists, and Makers.
• Try Slack to stay connected with co-workers while working remotely.
• Check out this article about getting outside to exercise during the pandemic.
• Read "Dude Making a Difference" by Rob Greenfield.
• Follow me @writewithtarah on Twitter and Instagram.
• Visit my website for writers and creatives at writewithtarah.com.

In this episode, I discuss the benefits of optimism for creative entrepreneurs and how you can actually alter your world outlook through learned optimism. I delve into all the latest research on optimism — including frameworks for developing it — and explain how we can hone our personal optimism to be happier and more successful.

Also in this episode: a brief history of the Optimist's Creed, the habits of ride-or-die optimists, and my very best tips for taking on the Optimism Challenge.

Show Notes:

• Listen to the "10 Percent Happier" podcast from this week's Discovery segment.
• Enroll in Author Business Bootcamp.
• Read about learned optimism here.
• Learn about the health benefits of optimism here and here.
• Check out Optimist International.
• Print out your own copy of the Optimist's Creed.
• Follow me @writewithtarah on Twitter and Instagram.
• Visit my website for writers and creatives at writewithtarah.com.

This episode is all about better brainstorming! I share my own creative process and give tips for encouraging inspiration so you can come up with those big ideas. I offer several methods for coaxing your muse out of hiding: travel, movement, getting out into nature, and "following your obsessions." I also give my best tips on developing that big idea into a finished product through free writing and my go-to "question and answer" method.

Show Notes:

• Watch When The Dragon Swallowed the Sun or Still Tibet from this week's Discovery segment.
• Get more info on the plight of Tibet at FreeTibet.org or SaveTibet.org. 
• Get Wired for Story: The Writer’s Guide to Using Brain Science to Hook the Reader From the Very First Sentence by Lisa Cron.
• Use Nameberry to help brainstorm character names.
• Check out Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey materials here. 
• Follow me @writewithtarah on Twitter and Instagram.
• Visit my website for writers and creatives at writewithtarah.com.

In this episode, I explain why mantras and affirmations are the ultimate mental tool to help you achieve your goals and create a more positive outlook.

I share the science behind mantras (as well as the spiritual and esoteric beliefs behind them) and why they're the ultimate mental hack for positivity. I discuss why I've become such a believer in mantras and how you can incorporate them into your daily routine.

Show Notes

• Check out the Daily Mantra podcast from this week's Discovery segment.
• Get my book, Creative Morning Magic: The Life-Changing Daily Practice for Writers, Artists, and Makers.
• Grab a copy of Healing Mantras by Thomas Ashley-Farrand.
• Check out "9 Fascinating Facts About the Vagus Nerve."
• Read the study on mantras' effect on plants.
• Follow me @writewithtarah on Twitter and Instagram.
• Visit my website for writers and creatives at writewithtarah.com.