“We first make our habits—and then our habits make us.” — John Dryden

In this episode of The Green Writer Show, S. D. Smith and Brett Harris continue last week’s theme by zooming in on the non-writing habits that power your writing life—especially caring for your body. From “The Jane Austen Method” (long country walks, anyone?) to strength and balance work, they show how simple, sustainable movement sharpens your mind and steadies your craft.

They also unpack the quiet superpower of sleep—why rest isn’t laziness but fuel for focus, mood, and even story problem-solving. With humor, practical ideas, and a gentle invitation (not condemnation), this episode helps you pick one habit and stick with it.

In this episode you’ll learn:

- How our physical habits translate into clearer thinking and better prose

- Why gentle, consistent movement often beats extreme workouts for long-term creativity

- How sleep acts like “free performance enhancement” for memory, mood, and story breakthroughs

- The difference between challenging your body and overstressing it—and how to find your sweet spot

- Simple ideas to make movement enjoyable so you actually keep doing it

- A faith-rooted perspective on being embodied creators

So, check out the episode and pick one small step—like the 30-for-30 challenge—and watch what it does to your focus and joy at the desk.

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“You are what you continually do. Excellence, therefore, is a habit.” — Aristotle

In this episode of The Green Writer Show, S. D. Smith and Brett Harris unpack why habits—especially the non-writing ones—are the quiet engine behind a fruitful writing life. Instead of chasing big bursts of motivation, they make the case for small, sustainable rituals.

From decision fatigue to digital distractions, we explore the unseen drains on mental, emotional, and spiritual bandwidth—and how simple, intentional choices (tidying your space, pre-planning mornings, blocking time-waster sites) can transform your consistency at the desk.

In this episode you’ll learn:

- Why steady habits are more effective than massive efforts
- How decision fatigue undermines creativity—and how to minimize it
- Practical ways to protect your mental energy before you write
- The surprising power of a clean, intentional workspace (physical and digital)
- Tools and settings to block distractions and reclaim focus
- A simple mindset shift: don’t let life happen to you—happen to it

If you’re ready to fight for the habits that make excellence possible, this episode will give you concrete steps to start today.

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The best writing makes the author disappear.

In this episode Brett and Sam dive into FIVE writing craft tips, showing you how to hook readers and let your story do the shining. But along the way tensions boil over and there’s a Dope Quotation
Usurpation and a TOD Takeover! Don’t miss the drama!

In this episode you’ll learn:
- Why you should raise the stakes and lower the hopes (and how to do so)
- The “because of that” engine that turns scenes into a page-turning chain reaction
- How to show more than you tell — and when a clean tell actually serves the story
- Why cutting adverbs/adjectives sharpens voice and momentum
- How to “disappear as the author” so readers get lost in the story

Whether you’re just starting out or already seasoned, these five golden craft tips will sharpen your storytelling and help you hold readers from first page to last.

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“If a man is a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted…” — Martin Luther King Jr.

In this episode Brett and Sam unpack a robust, Christian vision of calling: God delights in all good work. From bridges that don’t collapse to stories that ring true, Christians shine the light of Christ not only by what we say but by how faithfully and excellently we do our work. 

For young writers, that means you can tell compelling, soul-shaping stories without forcing a conversion scene — and still honor Jesus.

You’ll hear:

- Why every honest job is holy work (and how that frees writers)

- The NASA janitor story and the dignity of “small” tasks

- What Martin Luther and Gene Edward Veith say about vocation

- Why you don’t have to “Christianize” your art to honor Christ

- Esther as a biblical example of a faithful story without explicit “God language”

This conversation is full of practical encouragement to write excellent, truth-telling stories. Plus, Sam finally gets it off his chest how much he wants to hit Bestselling Brett.

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“Life is long if you know how to use it.” — Seneca the Younger

In this episode, S. D. Smith and Brett Harris wrestle with how young writers (and really anyone) should think about time, calling, and pursuing multiple passions. 

The pressure is real: “Pick one thing for life” vs. “Do it all at once.” But both approaches miss the truth. You don’t have to do everything right now—but you have far more time than you think.

You’ll hear:

- Seneca’s wisdom on time—and how wasting it is our greatest danger

- Why you can’t do everything at once, but you can do more than you think in a lifetime

- How investing time (instead of wasting it) creates whole new opportunities

- Encouragement for young writers torn between writing and other callings

- Real-life examples of artists and storytellers who pursued multiple passions—just not all at once

This conversation is full of hope, perspective, and practical encouragement for every writer who feels the clock ticking.

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“The work of creation is slow, laborious, and dull.” – Roger Scruton

Why does the creative life feel like such a struggle sometimes? And how can you keep going when the work feels slow and discouraging?

In this episode, S. D. Smith and Brett Harris talk about why all meaningful accomplishments require effort — and why that’s actually good news for writers.

You’ll hear:

- Why God designed the creative act to be challenging

- What the word passion really means (and why it matters)

- How resistance is part of every great story — including yours

- Why determination beats inspiration every time

If you’ve ever felt like giving up on your writing, this episode will remind you that the hard road is the one worth walking — and that you really can do hard things.

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“Good artists borrow, great artists steal.” — Pablo Picasso

Is copying bad? What about fanfiction? 

In this episode, S. D. Smith and Brett Harris explore why young writers should absolutely imitate their favorite authors — and how doing so leads to originality in the long run.

You’ll hear:

• Why copying is actually a powerful learning tool
• How fanfiction can build real writing skills
• What C. S. Lewis and Shakespeare teach us about originality
• And why you don’t need to stress about having a “completely unique” idea

If you love writing, this episode will set you free to grow, create, and enjoy the journey.

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What if talent is overrated?

In this episode of The Green Writer Show, bestselling authors S. D. Smith (The Green Ember) and Brett Harris (Do Hard Things, The Young Writer’s Workshop) explore why consistent habits beat raw talent every time.

With wisdom from ancient generals, Aristotle, and even the tortoise and the hare, they make the case that discipline is destiny — especially for young writers.

You’ll discover:

- Why relying on inspiration is a trap

- How to build sustainable writing routines

- What the “100 for 100 Challenge” can do for your writing life

- The surprising power of rest as part of your discipline

- And why excellence isn’t magic — it’s a habit

This is your permission to stop waiting for the perfect moment—and start building the habits that will carry you farther than talent ever could.

Subscribe now and share this episode with a young writer who needs it.

What if talent is overrated?

In this episode of The Green Writer Show, bestselling authors S. D. Smith (The Green Ember) and Brett Harris (Do Hard Things, The Young Writer’s Workshop) explore why consistent habits beat raw talent every time.

With wisdom from ancient generals, Aristotle, and even the tortoise and the hare, they make the case that discipline is destiny — especially for young writers.

You’ll discover:

- Why relying on inspiration is a trap

- How to build sustainable writing routines

- What the “100 for 100 Challenge” can do for your writing life

- The surprising power of rest as part of your discipline

- And why excellence isn’t magic — it’s a habit

This is your permission to stop waiting for the perfect moment—and start building the habits that will carry you farther than talent ever could.

Subscribe now and share this episode with a young writer who needs it.

“Great hearts can only be made by great troubles.” — Charles Spurgeon

In this emotional episode of The Green Writer, bestselling authors S. D. Smith (The Green Ember) and Brett Harris (The Young Writer’s Workshop) go deep.

They open up about:

- The pain behind their most powerful writing 💔

- Why your hardest seasons might shape your best work

- How comparison kills creativity — and what to do instead

- Why your heartbreak might be preparing you to write something that matters

This episode isn’t just for writers — it’s for anyone walking through hardship, wondering if it disqualifies them from making meaningful art.

Spoiler: it doesn’t.

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Season 1: Episode 3