Best Books for Writers on Craft, Creativity, Marketing, and More!
Reading the right books can help you become a better, more successful writer, but where to start!? I’ve been an avid reader of books for writers a long time now, and it’s a topic I’ve written about in the past. But as I keep reading more books in this genre, I expand and refine my […]
One Ridiculously Easy Thing You Can Do to Enhance Your Creativity
The other day I was getting ready to go for a run when it occurred to me: I’d be more comfortable in my other pair of shorts. I also knew I would enjoy the run more if I downloaded an episode of one of my favorite podcasts. That way I could listen to it on […]
The One Crippling Fear Every Writer Faces
What’s your deepest fear?” That’s the question I asked in a recent survey of writers and other creatives, and following were some of the responses: “That people will see the real me and discover it’s not all that great.” “That my voice (in writing) will not be valued or desired. “ “The fear of rejection […]
Why Every Artist Needs a Confession Booth
You’ve just stepped into a confession booth, but don’t worry: I’m not a priest, and you don’t have to share your sins with me. This is a different kind of confession. I want to know your deepest fears and greatest hopes as a writer, artist, musician, leader, designer, or other creative role. What’s your deep […]
3 Questions to Help You Bust Through Creative Blocks
Last summer a friend and I went to an outdoor concert at Frederick Meijer Gardens here in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They have an amphitheater there, a large stage up front with a leaf-shaped canopy and terraced grass-covered seating for a thousand or more. A lovely venue. The local band was pretty good, but I don’t […]
How Writers Can Get Back to Their First Love
He had done his art for over 35 years. Every morning he woke up and went to his studio. These days he was older so he limped more than walked there. He looked at his subject—some peaches on a table or apples or grapes. These simple beauties still dazzled him. Then he breathed, picked up […]
See How Easily You Can Get Unstuck with This Trick
If you’re involved in creative work, whether it’s writing or leading or designing or coaching, you know what it feels like to get stuck. A question I receive regularly goes, “This project is important to me, but I’m stuck. How do I get started, and how do I finish?” We’ve all been there. Getting stuck […]
A Story about the Right Motivation for Creative Work
We can do it for the money or the prestige or freedom. We can do it because we have a message we want to send into the world. Why do we, why do you, do this creative work? In this video I tell a story about (who else?) my mom that illustrates one of the best motivations […]
What Happens When We Write Down Our Dreams
About a year ago I read a book that had a massive impact on the way I do life. It’s called The Accidental Creative (AL) by Todd Henry, and if you’re a friend who sees me regularly, you’re sick of hearing me talk about it. Among the practices Todd commends in the book is that of weekly, […]
5 Ways to Do What Matters Most to You
Steven Pressfield, author of the powerful kick-in-your-pants The War of Art, believes in two powerful voices in the world: A negative, dark voice that will stop at nothing to keep you from doing the things you believe are most worth doing. Pressfield calls this the Resistance. This voice is absolutely real. It is deadly. And […]