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Inadequacy & the Flip Side of Why You Create
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Inadequacy & the Flip Side of Why You Create

A series of phone calls I have had this week hearten me about humanity. A thought leader, a start-up co-founder, a memoirist, an herbalist professional, a novelist, a marketing boutique owner-cum-memoirist – they all reminded me of the importance of why. But they also remind me of the flip side of why. And that positive…

4 Keys to Write & Finish a Book – Really?
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4 Keys to Write & Finish a Book – Really?

Not so long ago, people really didn’t know about the book launches my clients had or their New York Times best-selling successes or Oprah appearances or simply finishing the books that had been brewing inside them sometimes for years. I used to think it poor form to draw attention to my work or to my…

Artists Make What Businesses Want
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Artists Make What Businesses Want

1. Artists Do Not Make Art Here’s a paradox I witness every week: On one hand, artists and authors feel that business is alien to them, and on the other hand, business people feel that making meaningful art is alien to them. I meet, talk, and work with such creative people and business people every…

The Myth of Self-Esteem & Creating Work That Matters
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The Myth of Self-Esteem & Creating Work That Matters

I want to talk about self-esteem and creating. About creating the work not only that we want to create but creating the work that your patch of the planet needs. I want to hear from you because I never have the complete picture, and hearing from you expands my – our – perspective. Here’s what…

How Branding Wiz Marty Neumeier’s Metaskills Succeeds
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How Branding Wiz Marty Neumeier’s Metaskills Succeeds

How do successful books work? We think they succeed because of some insider mystery, talent, or connection. There is insider knowledge. But the insider knowledge that matters is what can make you a more informed reader and  a more captivating author with a brave new story. For a while, I’ve wanted to create book review videos…

Tell A Story To Make the Heart Race: Interview with Super-Agent Kristin Nelson
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Tell A Story To Make the Heart Race: Interview with Super-Agent Kristin Nelson

What could an agent possibly offer a novelist whose self-published ebooks are bringing in five figures a month? That’s what self-published science fiction novelist Hugh Howey wanted to know when Kristin Nelson had the gumption to call. “I don’t know,” she said, in essence, “but let’s have a conversation.” That forthrightness got Howey’s attention. It…

Beyond the Paradox of Loving What You Do
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Beyond the Paradox of Loving What You Do

The Paradox of Loving What You Do A funny paradox: We love to love what we do. Yet, we sometimes fear that if we learn too much about how what we do works, the love will vanish. As if increased behind-the-scenes know-how spoils the innocent magic. And if we become conscious of how what we…

The Most Important Feature of Author Platforms
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The Most Important Feature of Author Platforms

When Keith Richards steps onto stage, a specific horde pays big bucks to be part of him and hear his inimitable riffs on the guitar. When David Sedaris steps onto stage, a smaller but sizable crowd pays a fair sum to be part of him and to hear his inimitable riffs from the page. Both…

Books that Matter to Julie Metz
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Books that Matter to Julie Metz

For years, Julie Metz thought she lived the perfect life – the perfect marriage, perfect brownstone, perfect career, perfect family. She tells her story of betrayal and renewal  in her New York Times best-selling memoir Perfection. Where some people would cower to tell the story, Julie mustered both the courage and the art to shape…

From Fear Toward Creative Mastery
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From Fear Toward Creative Mastery

The piece on The Apprenticeship Gap prompted lots of thoughtful discussion about amateurs, apprentices, artists, masters, and mentors. I also recently corresponded with my friend Tara Mohr, whose work I admire, about the topic. She’s helping me think in new ways about apprenticeship and expertise. Chalk one up for conversation. Check out her piece “Understanding How to…