Become A Writer Today

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 todayWhy he veered away from this genreHow to write an allegoryWhat it took to land a TEDx speaking gigHow 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 placeResourcesThe Alchemist by Paulo CoelhoAttention writersGrammarly is one of my favourite proofreading tools. Now, claim a 20% discount with this Grammarly

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 collaborateAnd lots more.I started by asking him how creatives can use HitRECORD.Attention writersGrammarly is one of my favourite proofreading tools. Now, claim a 20% discount with this Grammarly coupon--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/becomeawritertoday/messageSupport the showIf you enjoyed the show please leave a review on Apple. And if you have any questions you can find me on Twitter @BryanJCollinsThanks for listening!

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 addictionWhy he decided to write a memoir about his painful personal storyHow to make decisions fasterWhat his writing process looks likeAnd lots more.I started by asking Brian how he overcame heroin and started writing a memoir.Attention writersGrammarly is one of my favourite proofreading tools. Now, claim a 20% discount with this Grammarly couponSupport the showIf you enjoyed the show please leave a review on Appl

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 bookWhy bloggers have all they need to become nonfiction authorsWhat to do before you write a single blog postHow to conquer problems like overwhelm and not having time to writeAnd 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 BrotherThe Art of Writing a Non-Fiction BookThe Power of CreativityThis Is WorkingAttention writersGrammarly is one of my favourite proofreading tools. Now, claim a 20% discount with this Grammarly coupon--- Support the showIf you enjoyed the show please leave a review on Apple. And if

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 writersWhere to get niche website ideasWhat Jon would do if he had just one hour a week to workAnd lots moreI 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 BlogAttention writersGrammarly is one of my favourite proofreading tools. Now, claim a 20% discount with this Grammarly couponSupport the showIf you enjoyed the show please leave a review on Apple. And if you have any questions you can find me on Twitter @BryanJCollinsThank

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 GuideI'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 ExpectWant To Work From Home? Master These 3 SkillsThis podcast also delves deeper into the topic.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/becomeawritertoday/messageSupport the showIf you enjoyed the show please leave a review on Apple. And if

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.Support the showIf you enjoyed the show please leave a review on Apple. And if you have any questions you can find me on Twitter @BryanJCollinsThanks for listening!

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 writersMasterclass 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. Support the showIf you enjoyed the show please leave a review on Apple. And if you have any questions you can find me on Twitter @BryanJCollinsThanks for listening!

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 artWhy creative entrepreneurs can achieve more with lessHow to prepare a business disaster recovery planThe differences in her creative process compared to writersHow she balances running a business with the creative processAnd 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 writersMasterclass 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

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 episodeAWAI.comHow to Write a BookWhere to Find Writing JobsThe Best Online Writing CoursesSupport the showIf you enjoyed the show please leave a review on Apple. And if you have any questions you can find me on Twitter @BryanJCollinsThanks for listening!

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 workAnd lots more.I start by asking Leah to describe how she transitioned from writing children's books to advising Fortune 100 clients about storytelling.ResourcesStory by Robert McKeeThe BFG by Roald DahlQuote "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 writersGramma

 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.Join now--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/becomeawritertoday/messageSupport the showIf you enjoyed the

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 forAnd 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 CollinsSubstackThe GaryVee Content Model1000 True Fans by Kevin KellyAttention writersGrammarly is one of my favourite proofreading tools. Now, claim a 20% discount with this Grammarly coupon--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/becomeawritertoday/messageSupport the showIf you enjoyed the show please leave a review on Apple. And if y

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.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/becomeawritertoday/messageSupport the showIf you enjoyed the show please leave a review on Apple. And if you have any questions you can find me on Twitter @BryanJCollinsThanks for listening!

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 employeesAnd lots more.I started by asking Vishen to describe why he set up Mindvalley in 2004.Resources:How to set writing goals6-Phase Meditation Quest?The Best Online Writing Courses--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/becomeawritertoday/messageSupport the showIf you enjoyed the show please leave a review on Apple. And if you have any questions you can find me on Twitter @BryanJCollinsThanks for listening!

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 IndistractableHow to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/becomeawritertoday/messageSupport the showIf you enjoyed the show please leave a review on Apple. And if you have any questions you can find me on Twitter @BryanJCollinsThanks for

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 processAnd lots more.I start by asking the pair why they decided to write a follow up to Write. Publish. Repeat.Resources The Fiction FormulaWrite. Publish. Repeat. The No Luck Required Guide to Self-Publishing SuccessThe Flywheel Effect by Jim CollinsAttention writersGrammarly is one of my favourite proofreading tools. Now, claim a 20%

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 withAnd lots more.I started by asking to explain how meditation can help someone become more productive.ResourcesHeadspace.comWriting Down the Bones by Natalie GoldbergBecome a Better Writer by Free WritingAttention writersAre you looking for a job? Check out my list of the best writing jobs--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/becomeawritertoday/messageSupport the showIf you enjoyed the show please leave a review on Apple. And if you have any questions you can find me on Twitter @BryanJCollinsThanks for listening!

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 likeAnd lots more.I started by asking Roger about his new book Create In A Flash: A Leader's Recipe for Breakthrough InnovationResourcesCreate in a Flash by Roger Firestein--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/becomeawritertoday/messageSupport the showIf you enjoyed the show please leave a review on Apple. And if you have any questions you can find me on Twitter @BryanJCollinsThanks for listening!

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 actsAnd lots moreI started by asking Mark to explain what the organization Outward Bound is and how it helps aspiring leaders.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/becomeawritertoday/messageSupport the showIf you enjoyed the show please leave a review on Apple. And if you have any questions you can find me on Twitter @BryanJCollinsThanks for listening!