The Profitable Writer

There are many different types of writing—journalism, novels, short stories, nonfiction, blog posts, graphic novels, and a hundred others. But one thing that ties all writing together is storytelling. Stories are the way we process information and make sense of our lives. Therefore, it is critical that we learn how to construct and weave stories the best way can. It’s a craft I am still very much learning, and I’m thrilled that our guest today is here to help us learn to be better storytellers. John David Mann is coauthor of more than thirty books, including four New York Times bestsellers and five national bestsellers, including The Go-Giver (coauthored with Bob Burg). The Go-Giver has sold over 1 million copies and won the 2017 Living Now Book Awards Evergreen Medal for its “contributions to positive global change.” John is married to Ana Gabriel Mann and considers himself the luckiest mann in the world.  You might remember that I had both John and Ana here on the podcast as guests a couple of months ago to share about their new book, The Go-Giver Marriage. I have the pleasure today of talking to John about this even newer book that was released just this week: Cold Fear, which he wrote with Brandon Webb. This is a sequel to their previous novel, Steel Fear, which was very successful. In this conversation, we dive into all things storytelling. I get to ask John about his experience as a ghostwriter and collaborator, the biggest challenges of writing a sequel, the ins and outs of writing a novel, how to write an action scene, how to start a story, and much more. You can learn more about John David Mann or pick up his awesome books below: Get a copy of John’s free ebook, How To Write Good (Or At Least, Gooder) Steel Fear by Brandon Webb & John David Mann Cold Fear by Brandon Webb & John David Mann https://WebbAndMann.com  The Go-Giver Marriage: A Little Story About the 5 Secrets to Lasting Love  by John David Mann & Ana Gabriel Mann https://howtowritegood.com https://www.johndavidmann.com  Follow John David Mann on Instagram  Connect with John David on Facebook  Check out John David's Twitter  Learn more about John David on LinkedIn 

On this podcast, we talk a lot about giving. I want you to be a generous writer. But what does that mean, exactly? I look at it this way. Being a generous writer means that you give more in value than you receive from others. It means that you are always looking for ways to serve your audience through good content and great stories. It means you are connecting with others and connecting them with each other. It means you are filling your own creative well so that it overflows, and you can give to others. On this episode, you’ll learn that generosity has two aspects: giving to others and receiving from others. *** Check out my NEW book: 18 Words to Live By: A Father’s Wisdom on What Matters Most. Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers to help you build better habits and grow your writing business? Check out our Daily Writer Community.      Connect with Kent:     https://DailyWriterLife.com     Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders     Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders     LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kent-sanders     Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders    

This episode is for all the writers who struggle to be outgoing. I get it—most of us writers are introverts. We get our energy by spending time alone rather than spending it with people. But the reality is that people need to be a huge part of our lives as writers. On this episode, you’ll recognize, even if you’re an introvert, engaging with others is a choice you must make. *** Check out my NEW book: 18 Words to Live By: A Father’s Wisdom on What Matters Most. Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers to help you build better habits and grow your writing business? Check out our Daily Writer Community.      Connect with Kent:     https://DailyWriterLife.com     Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders     Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders     LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kent-sanders     Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders    

We writers have the well-earned reputation for not being the best at people skills, which is unfortunate because it’s certainly not always true. Writing is a people-centered business even though we spend a good amount of time sitting in front of a screen typing. Nevertheless, there is always room for improvement. Even if you’re an outgoing people person, you can always use a reminder of the basics. On this episode, you’ll discover four ways to develop better connections and increase your success. *** Check out my NEW book: 18 Words to Live By: A Father’s Wisdom on What Matters Most. Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers to help you build better habits and grow your writing business? Check out our Daily Writer Community.      Connect with Kent:     https://DailyWriterLife.com     Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders     Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders     LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kent-sanders     Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders    

It’s a blessing and a curse to live in the internet age. It’s a blessing, of course, because we have access to unlimited knowledge and connections. There are a million options for where you want to take your writing business or creativity. This also represents a curse because, well, too many options is overwhelming. It’s easy to get paralyzed by all the different models of a writing career. On this episode, you’ll learn the best way to grow is simple: choose your model. *** Check out my NEW book: 18 Words to Live By: A Father’s Wisdom on What Matters Most. Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers to help you build better habits and grow your writing business? Check out our Daily Writer Community.      Connect with Kent:     https://DailyWriterLife.com     Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders     Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders     LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kent-sanders     Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders    

Have you ever heard someone refer to your “six”? It refers to the six people who will carry your casket at your funeral. I want you to think about the six people in your life who would indeed carry your casket. How often do you speak to them? How close would you say these friends are to you? On this episode, Kent reminds us to invest in our friends, because they’re the ones who always stay with us at the end of the day. *** Check out my NEW book: 18 Words to Live By: A Father’s Wisdom on What Matters Most. Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers to help you build better habits and grow your writing business? Check out our Daily Writer Community.      Connect with Kent:     https://DailyWriterLife.com     Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders     Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders     LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kent-sanders     Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders    

Like me, you probably get sucked into lists of books, movies, or music that others have put together. These might consist of the top 10 movies of all time, the best 50 guitarists, the top 15 novels, the top 10 books on writing, a ranking of Star Wars movies, and so on. Human beings have made those curated lists. Someone, somewhere, decided they were going to be a tastemaker and put their opinion out there for the world. You can do the exact same thing, and there is great power in doing so. On this episode, you’ll be emboldened to help others find the best content in your field and shape how material is consumed. *** Check out my NEW book: 18 Words to Live By: A Father’s Wisdom on What Matters Most. Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers to help you build better habits and grow your writing business? Check out our Daily Writer Community.      Connect with Kent:     https://DailyWriterLife.com     Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders     Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders     LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kent-sanders     Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders    

As writers, we love to tell stories. Whether you're writing fiction or nonfiction, stories are a critical part of how we share information and help others engage in the human experience. Maybe you've thought about doing the ultimate deep-dive into storytelling, which is writing your OWN story by creating a memoir. My guest today is here to give us guidance on writing a compelling memoir. Her name is Alice Sullivan, and she is a ghostwriter, collaborator, and 11-time New York Times bestselling editor. A natural-born storyteller, she’s written 54 books and edited over 1,300 titles. She specializes in nonfiction, specifically memoir, self-help, and personal growth. Alice helps clients identify their goals and messages while creating engaging content to connect with their target markets. Her favorite projects are those that challenge her point of view and expand her knowledge. A couple of months ago, I mentioned here on the podcast that I was working on my father's Vietnam memoir. This was my opportunity to ask Alice everything I wanted to know about memoirs, and she did not disappoint! In this interview, we discuss topics like how to find the narrative thread or theme in a story, how to figure out the structure of a memoir, where to begin and end a memoir, how to structure a chapter and the transitions between chapters, and some of Alice's favorite authors. You can check out the books Alice has ghostwritten and connect with her using the links below: Missileman: The Secret Life of Cold War Engineer Wallace Clauson by John Clauson The Rise: An Unforgettable Journey of Self-Love, Forgiveness, and Transformation by Danette May The Leader Within Us: Mindset, Principles, and Tools for a Life By Design by Warren Rustand 7 Days of Christmas: A Season of Generosity by Jen Hatmaker Follow Alice on Instagram Connect with Alice on LinkedIn *** Check out my NEW book: 18 Words to Live By: A Father’s Wisdom on What Matters Most. Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers to help you build better habits and grow your writing business? Check out our Daily Writer Community.      Connect with Kent:     https://DailyWriterLife.com     Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders     Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders     LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kent-sanders     Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders    

Water can be a metaphor for life or death. Ask anyone who has gotten sick from contaminated water or tried to avoid falling out of a canoe while going down the Amazon River teeming with deadly piranhas. They will tell you that water can be deadly. But what about a person dying of thirst in the desert or someone who goes into the hospital because they’re dehydrated? Water can bring life. On this episode, Kent inspires us that our words can bring life or death to those around us. *** Check out my NEW book: 18 Words to Live By: A Father’s Wisdom on What Matters Most. Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers to help you build better habits and grow your writing business? Check out our Daily Writer Community.      Connect with Kent:     https://DailyWriterLife.com     Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders     Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders     LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kent-sanders     Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders    

When you’re passionate about what you do, it’s hard to stop. Ask any writer who loves writing and they can attest that it can be hard to let your foot off the gas pedal and take a break. It’s especially hard when you value and practice a writing habit. And like all habits, if practiced to the extreme, it can start to be harmful. On this episode, you’ll be reminded to take a break from your writing, so that you can boost your creativity, improve your life, and strengthen your mental energy. *** Check out my NEW book: 18 Words to Live By: A Father’s Wisdom on What Matters Most. Are you looking for a community of enthusiastic, generous writers to help you build better habits and grow your writing business? Check out our Daily Writer Community.      Connect with Kent:     https://DailyWriterLife.com     Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders     Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders     LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kent-sanders     Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders