Joe Bunting's Character Test

Nate Staniforth, a professional magician and author of "Here Is Real Magic," shares his journey from burnout to rediscovering wonder while traveling in India. He marvels at how adulthood dulls our ability to experience true joy and offers practical hacks to reconnect with that sense of awe. The discussion touches on the challenges of writing versus performing, the impact of failure on growth, and how childhood inspirations like Tolkien fueled his magic career. He also emphasizes the importance of embracing discomfort as an artist.

Kristina McMorris is best known as the author of Sold On A Monday, which spent 20 weeks on the NY Times bestsellers list. The novel is set during the great depression and is about a newspaper reporter who takes a photograph of two boys holding a sign, “2 children for sale.” The photograph kicks off a series of events that leads to a romance with a young woman at the paper, a run in with the mob, and a terrible quest to get to the bottom of the fate of the 2 children in the photograph.Get Sold on a Monday hereKistina's WebsiteBooks In this interview, we talk about how McMorris got interested in the great depression, the real photo that she based the novel on, and how she eventually got to meet one of the subjects in that photo.For our character test, we examine Lydia Bennet from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (bet that's not the sister you thought we'd choose). Finally we talk about how to live a story with a happy ending.As always, there's a free prize, which you can get by clicking here.Character Test is brought to you by The Write Practice Pro, a premium critiquing community for creative writers. You can learn more about The Write Practice Pro and join the community here.

Joanna Penn, also known as J.F. Penn, is the New York Times bestselling author of supernatural thriller novels and a leading voice in the indie publishing movement. In this episode we talk about travel, life and death, and how to get your dream job.You can find Joanna's work here:J.F. Penn (for thriller readers)The Creative Penn (for writers)J.F Penn's Books (Amazon)Joanna Penn's Books (Amazon)Books and Travel PodcastSocial: Instagram, Twitter, FacebookBefore Joanna became an international speaker, podcaster, and NY Times bestselling author, she worked a mind-numbing corporate job that she hated. We talk about how she made the intention to find a new dream career, how she built a bridge to accomplish it, and how she's thrived as a result. If you've ever wanted to get your dream job, this interview is for you.For our Character Test, we test Inspector Armand Gamache, the lead character in Louise Penny's fabulous Inspector Gamache series. If you haven't read this series, you should!As always, there's a free prize, which you can get by clicking here.Character Test is brought to you by The Write Practice Pro, a premium critiquing community for creative writers. You can learn more about The Write Practice Pro and join the community here.

What is your life's core message? The story that, if you look back at your life, you've been telling since you were a kid? What if, by founding out that message, you could re-invigorate your creativity and your work?In this special edition of Character Test, I share a speech I gave at ATL Ideas where I talk about my core message, Awe, and how I discovered it. Special thanks to Plywood People, the host of the conference, for inviting me to speak and giving me permission to share the talk.We also examine Malorie Hayes and talk about the tension between creativity and the marketplace.And, as always, there's a free prize, which you can get by clicking here.Character Test is brought to you by The Write Practice Pro, a premium critiquing community for creative writers. You can check out their new demo video and join the community here.

Rea Frey is the author of the suspense novels NOT HER DAUGHTER and BECAUSE YOU'RE MINE. In this episode, she talks about learning from death row inmates, how to empathize with villains, and how to recover from trauma from sexual assault. We also examine Tyrion Lannister from GAME OF THRONES and how to outrun imposter syndrome. To learn more about Rea and follow her writing, you can find her here: Rea Frey's books Rea's Website Facebook Twitter (@reafrey_author) Rea has an amazing story of resiliency. She eventually confronted the guy who assaulted her, punched him and knocked him down, which led to an amateur boxing career. When she decided to write her novel, she finished it in less than a month, and even then knew it was going to be published and optioned to become a film. It was. If you've ever wondered how to get the confidence to accomplish something hard (like confronting someone who hurt you or writing a book), you need to listen to this interview. We also examine Tyrion Lannister from George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire, the series that became the hit show Game of Thrones. And, as always, there's a free prize, which you can get by clicking here. Character Test is brought to you by The Write Practice Pro, a premium critiquing community for creative writers. You can learn more about The Write Practice Pro and join the community here.

Joshua Becker is the bestselling author and leader of the minimalist movement. In this interview, we talk about how to find the purpose of your home, of each room in your house, and even the purpose of our lives, and how we can use our purpose to enhance our purpose not distract from it. To learn more about Joshua and follow along with his writing, you can find him here: Joshua's Books Becoming Minimalist (Joshua's Blog) Becoming Minimalist Facebook Page Instagram (@joshua_becker) I immediately went and decluttered my house after this interview and it felt amazing. I think you might experience the same thing. We also examine Hiccup from How to Train Your Dragon and talk about how to become a purpose driven minimalist. And, as always, there's a free prize, which you can get by clicking here. Character Test is brought to you by The Write Practice Pro, a premium critiquing community for creative writers. You can learn more about The Write Practice Pro and join the community here.

Kevin J Anderson is the international bestselling novelist of books in the Dune series, Star Wars, Superman, X-Files, and more. In this episode, he talks about his love of hiking in the Colorado mountains while narrating novels, the importance of professionalism, and how to leave a legacy.Kevin J. Anderson's booksPublisherTwitter (@TheKJA)FacebookPublishing MFAThis is an interview about professionalism and about how to make it to the top of your field. Kevin upends the myth of the flaky writer. He is disciplined, structured, and turns his books in on time. Even more, he makes the claim that most of the writers at his level do the same. If you want to make it to the top, even the top of the writing world, this interview will inspire you and inform you about the path to get there.We also examine Lorelai from The Gilmore Girls and talk about how to make it to the top.Oh, and of course, there's a free prize.Character Test is brought to you by The Write Practice Pro, a premium critiquing community for creative writers. You can learn more about The Write Practice Pro and join the community here.More resources related to this episode:How to Write a NovelWhat Is Plot? The 6 Elements of Plot100 Story IdeasBest Book Writing SoftwareScrivener Review

My guest is Paul Angone, who worked for 10 years to publish one book. When his wife asked him, "How much longer are you going to do this?" he was close to giving up. But one month later, his blog post 21 Secret for Your Twenties went viral on Pinterest, and a connection from a friend led to his first publishing deal. His book 101 Secrets for Your 20s has now sold over 100,000 copies. In the interview, Paul talks about what it feels like to achieve something after ten years of trying for it, how to work toward your dreams, and why Warrior remains the most underrated film of the last decade. You can find Paul's work at the following places: allgroanup.com Books Facebook Instagram (@paulangone) We also put Miles Morales from Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse to the test. There's also, as usual, a free prize. P.S. I'm teaching a LIVE training this week only about how to come up with award-winning book ideas. You can sign up for free here. Character Test is brought to you by The Write Practice Pro, a premium critiquing community for creative writers. You can learn more about The Write Practice Pro and join the community here.

Derek Murphy is a bestselling novelist and creativity guru, and in this interview he talks about his travel nomadic lifestyle, the importance of discipline for any artist or creative career, and how to create things people will love. You can find Derek's work at the following places:creativindie.comD.S. Murphy, Derek's novelsDerek's NonfictionFacebookInstagramThis is an interview about creativity, and about how to make a living doing creative work. Derek makes the controversial claim that you should care less about your art if you want it to succeed. If you're a creative or want to be one, this interview will challenge you, inspire you, and help you in your work.We also examine Bilbo Baggins from THE HOBBIT and talk about how to find your artistic passion.Oh, and of course, there's a free prize?Character Test is brought to you by The Write Practice Pro, a premium critiquing community for creative writers. You can learn more about The Write Practice Pro and join the community here.More resources related to this episode:How to Become a WriterStory IdeasPoint of View Guide

Marianne Richmond is best known as the author of the bestselling children's books IF I COULD KEEP YOU LITTLE and BE BRAVE LITTLE ONE. Her books collectively have sold over 6 million copies. In our interview, she tells the story of the horrible seizures that left her emotionally disconnected growing up, the breakthrough that led to her first book, how she built her publishing empire only to watch it nearly crumble when Target cancelled a giant order, and how she stays creative. This is an interview about how to marry your creative life with your work, the tensions inherit in that relationship, and how to stay true to your art while also making a living. Marianne is very vulnerable and totally relateable. Anyone with any desire in creativity or writing will instantly connect. We also examine Eleanor the protagonist of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeymoon. Oh, and of course, there's a free prize? Character Test is brought to you by The Write Practice Pro, a premium critiquing community for creative writers. You can learn more about The Write Practice Pro and join the community here.