Become a Writer Today
By Bryan Collins
Need help writing? Visit becomeawritertoday.com/join and I'll send you a free course.
Become a Writer Today Jul 26, 2018
How to Start A Creative Business In Two Hours a Day With Dane Maxwell
Could you start a creative business in two hours a day? That's how I launched Become a Writer Today. I got up early in the mornings to write, create courses and figure out what readers wanted.
I'm hardly unique.
Dane Maxwell believes one can do it.
He is the author of Start From Zero: Build Your Own Business and Experience True Freedom and the founder of several software-as-a-service businesses.
In this interview, Dane explains:
- How to build your creative business in two hours a day
- What to outsource if you want to increase profits fast
- How to balance your ideas with what readers, students or clients will pay for
- Why he likes James Patterson's writing routine
And lots more.
I start by asking Dane how to build a business in two hours a day.
Attention writers
Grammarly is one of my favourite proofreading tools. Now, claim a 20% discount with this Grammarly coupon.
How To Write an Allegory With Jordan Gross
Would you like to write an allegory?
An allegory is basically a story that reveals a hidden meaning or moral. One great example is *The Alchemist* by Paulo Coelho. An allegory is necessarily as long as a novel, but it should leave the reader with an understanding of a key concept or idea.
An allegory is a little like self-help, except in the vein of a story.
Jordan Gross is author of the allegory The Journey to Cloud Nine and a TEDx speaker. He's also a prolific non-fiction Medium writer.
In this interview, Gross explains:
- The problems with traditional self-help books today
- Why he veered away from this genre
- How to write an allegory
- What it took to land a TEDx speaking gig
- How he's selling copies of his new book through public speaking
And lots more.
I started by asking Jordan why he decided to write the allegory The Journey to Cloud Nine in the first place
Resources
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Attention writers
Grammarly is one of my favourite proofreading tools. Now, claim a 20% discount with this Grammarly coupon
Collaborative Writing And Creative Projects With Jared Geller of HitRECORD
What is HitRecord?
HitRecord is a creative platform where writers can collaborate with illustrators, graphic designers other creatives across disciplines on short films, animations, scripts and more.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Jared Geller founded the company in 2004. It claims over 900,000 users and employs 40 people in Los Angeles.
I recently interviewed Jared and in this interview, he explains:
- How writers can use a platform like HitRecord
- Why every creative project needs a leader
- What it takes to start a creative project on HitRecord
- Why successful creatives collaborate
And lots more.
I started by asking him how creatives can use HitRECORD.
Attention writers
Grammarly is one of my favourite proofreading tools. Now, claim a 20% discount with this Grammarly coupon
Writing Memoir, Making Big Decisions and Bonus Time With Author Brian Pennie
Will it make our boat go faster? That's a question Great Britain's 2000 Olympic rowing team asked itself every day prior to winning gold in Australia.
For a writer, your boat might represent writing a memoir and publishing it, landing a new client or launching a course. So when faced with a decision about to do more or less of, frame it around the boat question.
This is an idea Irishman Brian Pennie speaks about regularly. The author of Bonus Time, Pennie is also a PhD student of neuroscience, lecturer and a recovering heroin addict.
In this interview he explains:
- How he overcame his heroin addiction
- Why he decided to write a memoir about his painful personal story
- How to make decisions faster
- What his writing process looks like
- And lots more.
I started by asking Brian how he overcame heroin and started writing a memoir.
Resources:
**Attention writers**
Grammarly is one of my favourite proofreading tools. Now, claim a 20% discount with this Grammarly coupon
How to Go From Blog to Book With Nina Amir
Do you want to go from blog to book?
Nina Amir is the author of titles like *How to Blog a Book* and *The Author Training Manual*. Amir coaches clients and students through this iterative creative process.
Formerly a journalist like me, Amir has been blogging since 2006 and runs not one but four different sites including Write Nonfiction Now!, How to Blog a Book.
In this interview, Nina explains:
- How to go from blog to book
- Why bloggers have all they need to become nonfiction authors
- What to do before you write a single blog post
- How to conquer problems like overwhelm and not having time to write
And lots more.
I started by asking Nina why she left her journalism career behind and if she'd ever go back.
Resources:
Poor Brother, Rich Brother
The Art of Writing a Non-Fiction Book
The Power of Creativity
This Is Working
Quote for podcast intro
The idea is that you're writing the book, at the same time you're blogging and the blog is building your platform, your author platform, right? It's getting you that promotional engine going, the pre-promotion of your book so that you have a fan base that's ready to buy the book when it comes out. Do it all at once.
Attention writers
Grammarly is one of my favourite proofreading tools. Now, claim a 20% discount with this Grammarly coupon
How to Build a Niche Website That Earns Six Figures A Year with Jon Dykstra
During the early 2000s, Canadian-lawyer Jon Dykstra faced a unique challenge. His employer wanted him to attract more clients through blogging and content marketing. So, Dykstra began writing about legal topics that interested clients, based on their search queries.
Today, he regularly earns over $40,000 a month from online publishing.
In this interview, Jon explains:
- What is a niche website and why they're so profitable
- Why niche sites are ideal business opportunities for writers
- Where to get niche website ideas
- What Jon would do if he had just one hour a week to work
And lots more
I started by asking Jon how he transitioned from a career as a lawyer to becoming an online publisher, running nine profitable niche sites.
Resources:
Fat Stacks Blog
Attention writers
Grammarly is one of my favourite proofreading tools. Now, claim a 20% discount with this Grammarly coupon
Writing From Home During the COVID-19 Crisis
COVID-19 is an unprecedented and worrying event. The closet comparison is the 1918 Spanish flu.
I'm handling this crisis in a several different ways.
Apart from following advice to wash my hands my frequently and practice social distancing, I've started meditating for twenty minutes twice a day.
It helps me decompress after reading or listening to bleak news updates. It can also help with finding more creative ideas and mastering the art of focus.
If you want to get started, check out...
How to Learn to Meditate Effectively: An Insider’s Guide
I'm lucky enough to work from home full-time anyway, but many new writers could find this transition a little jarring.
I recently wrote these two articles that might help.
About To Work From Home? Here's What To Expect
Want To Work From Home? Master These 3 Skills
This podcast also delves deeper into the topic.
Side Hustle Ideas for Creatives Who Want to Earn Thousands per Month
Are you looking for profitable side hustle ideas? It’s not a good idea to depend on one income source. If you’re working a fulltime job, you could lose it and find yourself scrambling to pay the bills.
That happened to me back in 2008 when I was a freelance journalist dependent on one client. It happened again in 2012 when a charity I was working for let me go.
Even if you don’t depend on your employer, profitable creatives avoid trading all their time for money. They create assets that help them focus on what they love making without worrying about paying the bills.
You can too
What Most Writers Get Wrong About Personal Branding
The biggest and most successful personal brands put their audiences first every time. And they get paid well for doing it. That applies to writers too.
In this short episode, I explain how to get personal branding right.
Attention writers
Masterclass is one of my the best places to learn from creative writers and entrepreneurs today, including the likes of Neil Gaiman and David Lynch. If you want to claim a free book from a Masterclass instructor, read this Masterclass review.
Why Creatives Need a Business Disaster Recovery Plan With Sally Binard
Do you have a business disaster recovery plan?
Florida Keys-based ceramicist and painter Sally Binard’s home and livelihood were destroyed by Hurricane Irma in September 2017. With her studio and home in ruins, Sally had to start rebuilding her creative business.
Her experiences reveal how many creative people can get ready for the worst... and rebuild after it's over.
In this interview, we cover:
- How advice from Jack White changed Binard's art
- Why creative entrepreneurs can achieve more with less
- How to prepare a business disaster recovery plan
- The differences in her creative process compared to writers
- How she balances running a business with the creative process
And lots more.
Binard is also a former marine biologist. So, I started by asking her why she decided to move away from that career and start a creative business in the first place.
Attention writers
Masterclass is one of the best places to learn from creative writers and entrepreneurs today, including the likes of Neil Gaiman and David Lynch. If you want to claim a free book from a Masterclass instructor, read this Masterclass review
5 Great Ways to Get Paid to Write
Let's say goodbye to the myth of the starving artist.
Every writer and creative professional deserves to get paid... and there's no reason why you can't.
In this week's mini-episode, I cover 5 great ways writers can get paid for their hard creative work, list the pros and cons and offer some ways to get started faster.
Resources from the episode
Writing Children's Books and Storytelling for Brands with Leah Komaiko
What was the first children's book you ever read? Mine was The BFG by Roald Dahl. Thinking of that book could help you tell better stories and even connect with readers today.
That's an approach branding consultant and children's book author Leah Komaiko recommends.
In this interview, Leah explains:
- How she got started writing children's books
- Why the first children's book you ever read is so important
- What effective copywriting looks and sounds like
- Why I (and you) should re-read the first children's book you remember...and what it could mean for your creative work
And lots more.
I start by asking Leah to describe how she transitioned from writing children's books to advising Fortune 100 clients about storytelling.
Resources
Quote "I discovered, in writing kids' books, that there's a very strong connection between what makes a great kids' book and what makes it a very powerful brand."
Attention writers
Grammarly is one of my favourite proofreading tools. Now, claim a 20% discount with this Grammarly coupon
3 Strategies for Becoming a More Efficient Writer
Being able to earn money from your writing is an amazing feeling!
I'm sure we all wish that earning an income as a writer was as simple as writing something, thousands of people seeing it, and then money is deposited into your bank account.
Unfortunately, earning a good living as a writer online today isn't that simple.
When you’re first starting out as a writer, everything is smooth sailing you can focus all of your energy just on writing.
You’re having a great time, but you’re probably not earning as much as you wish you could.
Once that frustration kicks in, you look for ways to turn your passion for the written word into a business.
But once you start to make this transition, one difficult task presents itself in many different ways…
Fear not:
In this podcast episode, I cover 3 strategies that will help you become a more efficient writer.
This is based on my new course The Efficient Writer.
How Newsletters Make Money for Writers with Hamish McKenzie of Substack
The internet is a noisy place for writers. If you want to build a relationship with readers and earn more from your creative work, consider starting a newsletter. Substack is an example of a popular service that you can try.
I recently interviewed co-founder and COO Hamish McKenzie. In this interview, he explains:
- Why newsletters are a great way of earning more money as w writer
- Why your first newsletter starts with an ideal reader
- How to build a relationship with readers and fans
- What it takes to grow a newsletter that people will pay for
And lots more.
I started by asking McKenzie to explain what Substack is and why he set it up in 2017.
Resources:
The Blank Page with Bryan Collins
Substack
The GaryVee Content Model
1000 True Fans by Kevin Kelly
Attention writers
Grammarly is one of my favourite proofreading tools. Now, claim a 20% discount with this Grammarly coupon
My Annual Review 2019
January is one of my favourite times of the year. Much like a blank page, it's a fresh start rich with possibility.
A key part of any new year involves putting the past to one side. The best way to do that is by writing an annual review, a practice I follow every year.
In this annual review podcast and article, I'll explain what I did and wrote during 2019. I'll also cover what did and didn't work.
Strap in.
Unlocking Your Extraordinary Mind with Vishen Lakhiani of Mindvalley
Malaysian-Indian entrepreneur Vishen Lakhiani is writing three books at once and is the founder of Mindvalley (Mindvalley.com), a personal development online education company.
He's also the author of New York Times best-seller The Code of the Extraordinary Mind and is about to publish a new book The Buddha and the Badass.
He explains:
- Why he's writing 3, yes 3, books at once
- How meditation helps him become more productive and creative
- Why typical approaches to setting goals don't work
- How he finds time for writing so many books and running a business with over 200 employees
And lots more.
I started by asking Vishen to describe why he set up Mindvalley in 2004.
Resources:
How to set writing goals
6-Phase Meditation Quest?
The Best Online Writing Courses
How To Find More Time to Write by Becoming Indistractable with Nir Eyal
168 hours.
Every writer, no matter what stage they're at in their careers, gets the same amount of time each week to waste or spend.
So how can you accomplish more with what you have?
Nir Eyal is the author of Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life. He's also an angel investor, productivity consultant, and former university lecturer.
He explains:
- How time-boxing and constraints can help writers become more productive
- Why he spent five years writing Indistractable
- The problem with many popular productivity books today
- What his ideal writing routine looks like
- And lots more.
I started by asking Nir to explain one of the core ideas in his book: time-boxing.
Resources:
Nir's scheduling tool Indistractable
How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life
The Fiction Formula And Self-Publishing Quickly with Sean Platt and Johnny B. Truant
Sean Platt and Johnny B. Truant co-founded Sterling & Stone and the authors of a touchstone non-fiction book Write. Publish. Repeat. They've just released the follow up to that book The Fiction Formula and are co-hosts of the Story Studio podcast.
In this interview, Johnny and Sean explain:
- Why they stopped creating courses and hosting in-person events for authors
- How they're going to publish 150 books in 2020 (yes, 150!)
- What it takes to generate thousands of dollars a month in revenue each month on Amazon
- Where new indie authors should start if they want to self-publish quickly
- How the Flywheel Effect (a concept from the business world) informs their creative process
And lots more.
I start by asking the pair why they decided to write a follow up to Write. Publish. Repeat.
Resources
Write. Publish. Repeat. The No Luck Required Guide to Self-Publishing Success
The Flywheel Effect by Jim Collins
Attention writers
Grammarly is one of my favourite proofreading tools. Now, claim a 20% discount with this Grammarly coupon
How Meditation Helps Creativity with Dr. Megan Jones of Headspace
Dr. Megan Jones is chief science officer at Headspace, the company behind the popular meditation app of the same name. Meditation offers several benefits for entrepreneurs, leaders and creatives. In this interview, she explains:
- How meditation enables creative thinking
- How to get started meditating even if you have no time
- What happens when you practice for just three weeks
- The type of meditation creatives should start with
And lots more.
I started by asking to explain how meditation can help someone become more productive.
Resources
Headspace.com
Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg
Become a Better Writer by Free Writing
Attention writers
Are you looking for a job? Check out my list of the best writing jobs
Creativity for Writers with Dr. Roger Firestien
Do you want to become a more creative writer?
Dr. Roger Firestien is a creativity consultant and senior faculty member at the Internal Center for Studies in Creativity at Buffalo State College in the United States. He's also the author of Create In A Flash: A Leader's Recipe for Breakthrough Innovation.
In this interview, Roger explains:
- How creativity works for writers
- Why it's important to force connections between different ideas
- What do to when you feel blocked and uninspired
- What his writing routine looks like
And lots more.
I started by asking Roger about his new book Create In A Flash: A Leader's Recipe for Breakthrough Innovation
Resources
Create in a Flash by Roger Firestein
Writing a Book About Leadership With Mark Brown, of Outward Bound
What does it take to become a great leader? There are many great books on this topic. One book I read recently is Outward Bound Lessons to Live a Life of Leadership by Mark Brown.
From Ohio, Brown has worked with the learning and leadership organization Outward Bound for over twenty years and has served as a transformational coach in many industries.
In this podcast episode, he explains:
- Why he wrote a book about leadership
- How to apply the 70/20/10 leadership model
- Why interviewing other leaders and coaches formed key parts of his book
- How he broke his book up into three acts
And lots more
I started by asking Mark to explain what the organization Outward Bound is and how it helps aspiring leaders.
How to Write a Good Recipe Book With Sean McCormack, Head Vet of Tails
You don't have to write a novel or a 60,000-word magnum opus to become an author. Successful recipe books can earn authors a healthy paycheque and build a brand in a way that's just not possible through other forms of media.
Sean McCormack is the head vet for Tails, a pet food company that provides personalised dog food in the United Kingdom and France. He's also the co-author of The Happy Dog CookBook, a recipe book for dogs.
In this interview McCormack explains:
- Why he co-wrote a recipe book for dog
- The value of writing ideas down in a book as opposed to an interview or video
- What it took to produce the first draft in just a few weeks
- How he road-tested the recipes inside of The Happy Dog CookBook
- How a business can build its brand through publishing a book
And lots more
I start by asking Sean to explain what Tails do and why they decided to publish a cookbook for dogs with Sean.
Turn Your Writing Into a Course That You Love Launching With Laura Philips
One of my goals on Become a Writer Today is to help you earn more money from writing.
Creating courses and offering coaching is a great way of getting paid. You can easily turn a non-fiction book into a course.
Selling courses and coaching packages is a little bit trickier though. Believe me, I've made a lot of mistakes!
Many writers feel uncomfortable with asking for the sale. I know I did when I first started selling courses online.
Laura Philips is a British entrepreneur who runs Love to Launch. Her business coaches students and clients how to create, launch and sell online courses, products and services.
In this interview, she explains:
- How to launch a product or service to it feels effortless
- How to align your creative passion with what readers and customers want
- What a non-fiction writer should consider before their next launch
- How to avoid overwhelm and still find time for your creative work... or time off
And lots more
I started by asking Laura to describe how she helps online entrepreneurs launch courses, products and services.
How to Work With An Editor With Neha Vaidya of PaperTrue
PaperTrue provides copyediting and proofreading services to writers, entrepreneurs and academics. Based in India, the company employs over 100 editors and works with writers, academics, entrepreneurs and executives around the world.
In this interview, CEO Neha Vaidya explains:
- Why every writer should work with an editor
- How to prepare your story, screenplay or book for an editor
- How much editing and proofreading costs
- What to expect from your editor
And lots more
I started by asking Neha to explain a little more about how PaperTrue helps writers.
Further reading
This Is Working
How Journaling Helps Writers Find Better Ideas With Michal Korzonek
Michal Korzonek is the co-founder of Journal Smarter. Living in the UK with his partner and co-founder Silvia Barros, he teaches clients and students how to use journaling for cultivating habits and focusing on their goals.
In this interview, he explains:
- How writers and creatives can use journaling to find more ideas
- How to cultivate a journaling habit if you don't have one
- The tools he uses...and why analogue is sometimes best
- How journaling encourages creative and clear thinking
Further reading
And lots more
I started by asking Michal what he wants to achieve with Journal Smarter.
Want to Earn More From Creative Work? Give Your Best Stuff Away For Free
Daniel Bordovsky is a Czech-born independent musician and composer. His instrumental music has been featured in over 2,000 projects including the US National Parks project. He also recently collaborated with entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk.
This year, Bordovsky is on track to earn over $300,000, up from $50,000 when he began working independently two years ago.
Although not a writer, in the traditional sense, his approach to creative work should inform anyone who wants to earn a living from stories, books and other creative projects.
- Why every creative should give away their best work for free, at least at first
- What it takes to build a network with influencers online
- How he balances business with creative projects
- The importance of finding time for your art
And lots more
Attention writers!
Would you like a free book from a Masterclass teacher? Check out my Masterclass review for more details.
Diversify Your Income With Magician and Author Joshua Jay
Joshua Jay is an award-winning magician and the author of popular books like several popular books including Magic: The Complete Course. He's also the founder of Vanishing Inc. one the largest magic retailers in the United States.
I recently caught up with Jay, and in this interview, he explains:
- How writing and publishing books helped grow his business
- The role of suspense and surprise in any creative work
- How he balances business and creative projects
- Why we should prepare for the next recession today (and how to do it)
And lots more
Attention writers!
What's the best grammar checker of 2019? Find out in my guide and get a discount on your tool of choice.
How To Become More Creative With Michael Gelb
How can you unlock creative thinking? What would it take to think like Leonardo da Vinci?
One man with answers to those questions is New York Time best-selling author Michael Gelb.
Michael is the author of over a dozen books about creativity, innovation and leadership, including the best-seller How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci.
His latest book is called The Healing Organization: Awakening the Conscience of Business to Help Save the World.
Prior to its release, I caught up with Michael. In this interview, he explains:
- Why every creative and business owner should give something back
- How you can think like Leonard da Vinci
- Where he gets ideas for his books
- How you can unlock creative thinking
- How side-pursuits, like Tai-Chi and Qigong inform his creative process
And lots more
Attention writers!
What's the best grammar checker tool you can use? Find out in my guide and get a discount on your tool of choice.
How to Write a Novel in 90 Days With Man Booker Nominated Author Louise Dean
Louise Dean is a British novelist, the author of four published works including Becoming Strangers, This Human Season, The Idea of Love and The Old Romantic.
Becoming Strangers was long-listed for the Man Booker prize while The Old Romanic was an Oprah book of the week. Dean also teaches aspiring novelist how to write fiction and secure book deals via the Novelry.
In this interview, she explains:
- The one skill every writer must learn (this applies to fiction and non-fiction)
- Why 90 days is the perfect amount of time for first drafts
- How she approaches writing and business
- What it's like when your works becomes an Oprah book of the * week
- Her radical approach to fighting writer's block
And much more.
Attention Writers!
Would you improve your writing skills? This article explains to top online writing courses available online today and includes details about Louise Dean's course.
How To Become a Prolific Writer With Pascal Gambardella
Pascal Gambardella, who holds a PhD, is an author and lecturer specialising in creative thinking. Over the years, he has taught students how to become more prolific and how to overcome problems like writer's block.
In this interview, Pascal explains:
- How he encourages prolific writing
- The questions you should ask yourself at the start of any writing project
- Why every writer should trigger a creative state and how to do it
- What his writing routine looks like
And lots more
Resources
Attention writers!
What's the best grammar checker of 2019? Find out in my guide and get a discount on your tool of choice.
How To Standout on Social Media and Grow Your Business Using Content Marketing With Timothy Sykes
Timothy Sykes is a blogger, a millionaire day trader, teacher and now philanthropist through his charity Karmagawa.
Sykes teaches students how to trade penny stocks. He has built a business around his controversial approach using blogging, content and social media marketing.
Sykes is also the author of An American Hedge Fund: How I Made $2 Million as a Stock Operator & Created a Hedge Fund.
In this interview, Sykes explains:
- How he uses content marketing to build his business and promote his charity
- What it takes to stand out on social media today
- How he deals with online critics
- Why storytelling is every entrepreneur and creative professional's secret weapon
And lots more
Attention writers!
What's the best grammar checker of 2019? Find out in my guide and get a discount on your tool of choice.
What's Your Book's Big Idea? Building a Culture of Good With Scott Moorehead
Not every author writes a book to earn more money. Some authors have a message they want to share with the world.
Scott Moorehead is one such writer.
He is the co-author of Build A Culture of Good: Unleash Results by Letting Your Employees Bring Their Soul to Work.
In this book, Moorehead and his co-authors Ryan McCarty and Marshall Goldsmith make a case for promoting philanthropy in the workplace.
In this interview Moorehead explains
- Why he choose to write a book about philanthropy in the first place
- How he came up with the big idea behind this book
- His take on most business books today
- The reason why he cut the last six chapters from his book
I started by asking Scott to give some background information about his business before getting into his reasons for writing Build a Culture of Good.
And lots more.
Further Reading
The Runner’s Guide to Better Writing
Attention writers!
What's the best grammar checker of 2019? Find out in my guide and get a discount on your tool of choice.
How to Tell Stories on Instagram With Screenwriter Max Marlow
Max Marlow studied screenwriting in Goldsmiths in London, graduating in 2017. He wrote several 30-page scripts only to face rejection from film and television agents who wouldn't accept unsolicited materials. Then, Marlow started sharing his writings on Instagram.
In this interview, he explains:
- Why every writer can use Instagram to connect with readers
- How he uses Instagram photos as a means of conquering writer's block
- What it takes to tell stories on this social media network
- How he ended up being mentored by Han Solo director Ron Howard
And lots more
Resources
The Best Online Writing Courses
Attention writers!
What's the best grammar checker tool you can use? Find out in my guide and get a discount on your tool of choice.
How to Write SEO Friendly Articles with Abidemi Sanusi
Abidemi Sanusi is a former human rights worker and now writer. Her book, Eyo, was shortlisted for the 2010 Commonwealth Writers' Prize. Based in London, she's also an SEO consultant and coach. In this podcast episode she explains:
- Why every writer should learn to write for the web
- How to balance writing fiction and nonfiction
- What's working in SEO today for writers and authors
- How she balances creative and analytical work
- Why she still writes fiction
And lots more
Attention writers!
What's the best grammar checker of 2019? Find out in my guide and get a discount on your tool of choice.
Ultralearning with Scott Young: How to Learn Skills Faster
Canadian writer Scott Young learnt the entire MIT computer science curriculum in just one year, travelled around the world for 12-months without speaking english and has taught himself creative skills like drawing portraits.
In his new book, Ultralearning: Master Hard Skills, Outsmart the Competition, and Accelerate Your Career, he's condensed what he and others have discovered about learning hard skills fast.
I recently caught up with Scott and in this interview, he reveals:
- Why he decided to write a book about ultra-learning
- How he approaches writing, research and self-editing
- What new writers should do if they want to acquire skills like copywriting
- The essential role of critical feedback for writers
- What his writing and ideal early morning routine looks like
And lots more
Attention writers!
What's the best grammar checker of 2019? Find out in my guide and get a discount on your tool of choice.
Change Your Mindset, Change Your Life With Garrain Jones
In 2011, Garrain Jones was 40 pounds overweight and living out of his car in California. Today, he runs a seven-figure coaching business, has spoken in 32 countries and is about to release his new book *Change Your Mindset, Change Your Life*.
Jones's journey from the backseat of his car to the stage started with studying how successful entrepreneurs spend their day. He was surprised to find they often rise between 04.30 and 06.30.
In this interview, Jones explains:
- How to Create Your Panda Power Hour
- What he learnt after studying how successful entrepreneurs operate
- His process for writing his book Change Your Mindset, Change Your Life
And lots more.
I started by asking Jones to tell me about how he got from living out of his car to running a seven figure coaching and speaking business.
Attention writers:
Would you like a discount for grammar checker? If so, check out my ProWritingAid review.
Sisu: The Finnish Art of Courage With Joanna Nylund
Have you ever faced an insurmountable barrier?
If so, a Finnish idea may help you solve that problem. Sisu is a concept that means strength of will, determination, perseverance. It’s kind of like stoicism.
Finnish author Joanna Nylund delves into this concept in her book Sisu: The Finish Art of Courage, which was published in 2018.
I recently had the chance to catch up with Joanna and in this interview, she explains:
- What exactly Sisu is and why it's so useful
- How this Finish concept can help become a better entrepreneur, writer or author
- Her process for writing the book Sisu: The Finnish Art of Courage
- Why she uses so many visual elements in her book
- How photography informs her writing and creative work
I started by asking Joanna how she went about explaining a finish concept outside of her native country.
Resources
Sisu
Attention writers:
Would you like a discount for grammar checker? If so, check out my ProWritingAid review.
How to Build a 7 Figure Business in 12 Months With Ryan Daniel Moran
Ryan Moran is the founder of Capitalism, Freedom Fast Lane and the author of an upcoming book called 12 Months to One Million.
He has also helped over 300 entrepreneurs launch and grow seven figure businesses on places like Amazon by encouraging them to ask and answer three simple questions that guides them through these stages.
In this interview, Moran explains:
- The three questions every entrepreneur (and author) should ask themselves before launching a product or selling book
- Why he wrote a book even though it's not necessarily the fastest way to build a business
- What his writing process looks like
- Why he teaches his ideas in different media, from books to podcasts to videos
- How he manages his time as an author, entrepreneur and coach
And lots more.
I started by asking Ryan about the background behind his business Capitalism.com and why he decided to write a book in the first place.
How to Conquer Writer's Block for Good
Have you ever looked at the blank page and found yourself out of ideas?
Or perhaps you’re wondering, "Do I have writer’s block?"
Don’t worry.
Almost every writer has asked themselves how they’ll produce something from nothing.
Even famous writers are vulnerable to the paralyzing effects of writer’s block.
In this episode, I explain what writer's block is and how you can conquer it once and for all.
Resources:
How to Beat Writer’s Block: 36 Surefire Strategies for 2019 (A Definitive Guide)
Discover How To Conquer Writer's Block For Good In Just 7 Days
Attention writers:
Would you like a discount for a grammar checker? If so, check out my ProWritingAid review.
How to Unlock Creative Thinking With Best-Selling Author Professor Michael A. Roberto
Professor Michael A. Roberto teaches leadership, business strategy and managerial decision-making at Bryant University in Rhode Island as well as for the Great Courses.
He's also the author of several best-selling books.
In his latest work, Unlocking Creativity, this New York Times best-selling proposes six mindsets that can help entrepreneurs and business leaders unlock creative thinking.
Michael and I talk about:
- How he tests his ideas for articles and books like Unlocking Creativity
- Why he's a morning person... and how this helps his writing routine
- How he balances lecturing with writing nonfiction articles and books
- What students want from courses based on books
And lots more.
Attention writers:
Would you like a discount for a grammar checker? If so, check out my ProWritingAid review.
Finding Your Motivation and Writing Viral Nonfiction with Jeff Hayden
Would you like to write nonfiction articles that get thousands if not millions of views?
If so, meet Jeff Hayden.
He's a nonfiction writer and author I've admired for some time.
Jeff has written thousands of popular articles for Inc.com over the years. He also recently published The Motivation Myth: How High Achievers Really Set Themselves Up to Win
In this interview with Jeff, we talk about:
- Why goals don't always work (and what you should do instead)
- What his research process for articles and books looks like
- How he writes viral articles on Inc.com
- His method for handling articles that get lots of views... and ones that don't
And lots more
Resources
The Motivation Myth by Jeff Haden
Attention writers:
Would you like a discount for a grammar checker? If so, check out my ProWritingAid review.
Make Your Business Run Like Clockwork and Put Your Profits First With Mike Michalowicz
Do sometimes find you don't have enough time to write because you're spending hours on other parts of your business? Or perhaps you're earning a side-income from writing but you can't seem to take a profit, after expenses?
I struggled with both of these problems. So I spoke to Mike Michalowicz, author of Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine, and Clockwork: Design Your Business to Run Itself. In this interview, he explains:
* How he puts paying himself first as a successful nonfiction author
* Why business owners (including writers and authors) must master effective delegation
* What his early morning writing routine looks like
* Why writing for Mike doesn't always mean sitting at a desk and typing
And lots more
Finally, here's my take on the best grammar checker for 2019. https://becomeawritertoday.com/best-grammar-checker-2019/
How To Write a Nonfiction Book With Joanna Penn
A few people online have helped me with my creative career either directly or indirectly.
Joanna Penn is one of those people.
I first started listening to the Creative Penn podcast by Joanna Penn in 2014 just before I started Become a Writer Today.
Since I started listening five years ago, Joanna’s show and books have taught me valuable lessons about creativity, self-publishing and writing books that sell.
I’ve admired Joanna’s work for years and I was finally able to interview Joanna for this Become a Writer Today podcast episode.
In this interview, Joanna explains:
* How she approaches writing a nonfiction book
* Why some entrepreneurs rely on ghostwriters for writing a book
* What her creative process for fiction and nonfiction looks like (and why they differ)
* The question every aspiring author should ask before they write their book
And lots more
Connect with Joanna at
https://www.booksandtravel.page/
https://www.thecreativepenn.com/
Check out her book How to Write Non-Fiction: Turn Your Knowledge Into Words
The Creative Process Behind Writing a Memorable Business Book With Ajit Nawalkha
Are you considering quitting your job to work in your business full-time?
You may not have to burn the boats or go beyond the point of no return, just yet.
Ajit Nawalkha is the author Live Big: The Entrepreneur's Guide to Passion, Practicality and Purpose.
From Jaipur, he's also the CEO and co-founder of online education platform Mindvalley.
As a business coach, Nawalkha also helps new entrepreneurs turn their fledgeling business idea into something they can work on full-time.
In this podcast episode, he explains:
- Why you shouldn't quit your job, at least not yet
- His process for creating memorable business books
- What the creative process looks like for non-fiction writer and entrepreneurs
And lots more
Finally, here's my take on the best grammar checker for 2019.
Daniel Pink on When You Should Write, Research, Work and Play
Daniel Pink is the New York Times best-selling author of books like When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing and Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us.
His new book When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing was one of my favourites of 2018 and it informs how I now structure my day.
In this podcast episode, Pink explains:
● His research process for writing best-selling non-fiction books like When, Drive and To Sell is Human
● The ideal time for writing, researching, attending to admin and more
● How he approaches his workday and keeps to a writing routine
● The differences between early risers and night owls
And lots more.
Finally, here's my take on the best grammar checker for 2019.
Jason Chicola Weighs in on How to Make More Money as a Freelancer
A founder of UpWork and Rev, both online businesses, Jason Chicola shares how writers can earn an income online.
UpWork is a platform that connects freelance writers and others with clients.
After years of working directly and indirectly with freelancers, he is convinced that the gig economy is steadily growing and paying well.
In this interview, discover:
● How to succeed in a gig market
● Two ways to create a successful writing business
● Why he believes opportunities continue to grow
And lots more.
Listen Now
Gaming, Storytelling and Creative Projects With John Romero
Latest episode of Become a Writer Today
In a now famous essay, Y Combinator co-founder Paul Graham argued for dividing a working day up into maker and manager time.
Writers and creative professionals can use the former to attend to business and the latter for deep work, like writing or coding.
But what does this look like in practice?
Enter John Romero.
Although not a writer, he's the creative talent behind games like Doom and Quake.
In this podcast episode, Romero explains:
- How he structures his day for working on his business and deep creative work
- The role of play for creative professionals
- His approach to building a relationship with fans
And lots more
Turning Your Writing Into a Million Dollar Business With Elaine Pofeldt
What does it take for an author to create a seven figure business? A team of writers. A marketing department? Offices around the world?
The answers may surprise you.
Elaine Pofeldt is an independent journalist who specialises in small business,
entrepreneurship and careers.
She is the author of The Million-Dollar, One-Person Business, a look at how entrepreneurs are hitting seven-figure revenue in businesses where they are the only employees
In this podcast episode, Elaine explains:
- How writers and creative entrepreneurs can create a seven-figure business
- What her writing routine looks like and why physical exercise is so important
- Why outsourcing and collaboration are so important if you want to scale your author business
And lots more
Anthony Metivier on Memory Palaces, Mind-Mapping and Self-Publishing Non-fiction Books
He’s also a popular blogger and a professor. I’ve known Anthony for a few years and his approach to creativity can help writers of all types create better books that readers love.
In this podcast episode, Metivier explains:
* How to use a memory palace to research a book
* Why he believes every writer should embrace mind-mapping
* How self-publishing non-fiction books helped him build an online business
My Annual Review - 2018
January is one of my favourite times of the year. It's a time for renewal and for reflecting on what worked and didn't work during the previous year.
So in this 2018 annual review, I will share with you what worked for me during 2018, what didn't work and what I'm going to focus on during 2019.
Hopefully you can use some of my lessons to build authority this year and earn more from your writing.
Finally, here's my take on the best grammar checker for 2019.