Become A Writer Today

Earlier this year, I came across a strategy that dramatically changed how I research and write articles and books. It’s called the Zettelkasten or Slipbox. This form of research and note-taking was popularised, at least in Germany, by sociologist and author Niklas Lumen.(Fun fact: Lumen used the Slipbox or Zettelkasten method of research to write and publish over 70 books).Basically, it involves writing a web of thought around your ideas, research, and readings. I write five to ten entries a day in my personal Slipbox, which is a little like journaling. Fear not: creating a Slipbox is relatively easy providing you follow a few simple rules.Create a single entry per ideaLink your entries to each otherUse descriptive headings Categorize your entriesThere’s a little bit more to it than that. So, in this week’s interview, Sascha Fast explains:What a Slipbox is and how to use one for writingHow to get started creating your SlipboxWhy a Slipbox is ideal for non-fiction writers How he’s using a Slipbox to research 7

You may already know that there are dozens of different writing apps which you can choose for your writing projects, but which one is the best?That's a question  I answer in this week's podcast episode where I discuss 10 of the best writing apps that I use, and take a look at the pros and cons of each. This should help you find the right one for your freelance writing projects, stories, or book.In this episode I talk about: The 10 writing apps that I like to useThe pros and cons of eachThe benefits of using a writing appWhich writing app suits which writing projectAnd much more.Resources: iA WriterScrivenerLivingWriterGoogle DocsDay OneDragon DictateRevEvernoteGrammarlyProWriting AidSupport 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!

Around eight or nine years ago that I first came across the Pomodora Technique and it changed the way that I write.Francesco Cirillo developed the technique help businesses and individuals improve and increase their productivity in a simple, fast and gentle way.Before you listen to the podcast, take some time to think about how you structure your day. In this episode we talk about:The difference between the Pomodoro core process and the Pomodoro techniqueSeeing time as a predator and using it to your advantage The importance of taking regular breaks Mistakes to watch out for when you start to use the techniqueAnd much more.ResourcesPomodoroLike the show? Please, leave a short review or rating wherever you're listening to it.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!

Productivity is something that's fascinated me over the years in fact, it's how I started Become a Writer Today.It also led me to stay in touch with my guest Arthur Worsley, who I first met at a mastermind a couple of years ago.He's an expert when it comes to productivity. His blog, Faster to Master (now called The Art of Living), was created to show people how easy it is to stop working harder and accomplish more.One of the big arguments against productivity is, you never get to the bottom of your to-do list, and this is one of the questions I put to Arthur. You'll find his reply insightful, whatever stage you're at with your writing or creative work.In this episode I talk to Arthur about:What causes procrastination and how to overcome itArthur's writing process for turning ideas into articlesTools and resources that he uses to structure his dayHis morning routine and how he prepares to write each dayThe importance of putting life, not work, first ResourcesThe Art of Living Stop

You may have heard the cliché about the penniless starving artist.That is true to some degree however, it's easier than ever before to earn a living as a writer or creative, thanks to the tools and software currently available.But where and how do you turn your passion for writing into profit?Michelle Vandepas is the co-owner and co-founder of GracePoint publishing, and not only is she an expert in self-publishing, but she also helps many authors turn their books into published works.In this episode, I talk to Michelle about:Why you need to market your book, not just write it and hope it sellsIs writing a book the right thing for you to do to achieve your business goals?Using your book as a business cardHow to decide whether to self-publish or go to a publisherDo you need an ISBN number?And much more.ResourcesGrace Point PublishingLike the show? Please, leave a short review or rating wherever you're listening to it.Support the showIf you enjoyed the show please leave a review on Apple. And if you ha

Have you got a burning desire to become a freelance writer? Or are you already are a freelance writer and you want to take your career to the next level?Whichever it is, this podcast is for you.Jessica Lawlor is the editor of The Write Life, and on Monday 14th September they launched their writers bundle. It's a package of courses designed to accelerate your freelance career. From how much to charge, how to find clients and so much more.If you want to take advantage of it, it's available for 3 days.I got to together with Jessica to not only discuss the bundle, which I've also contributed to, but how she manages a busy website like The Write Life.In this episode I talk to Jessica about:The Write Life bundleOpportunities for freelance writersHow she manages the workflow for a busy websiteHow she creates traffic to her siteThe type of content she enjoys writing Resourcesthewritersbundle2020The Write LifeJessica Lawlor NewsletterSupport the showIf you enjoyed the show please leave a review on Apple

Would you like to write narrative non-fiction? It's a challenging genre that fascinates me.Jeremy Dronfield is the author of the Sunday Times best-seller The Boy Who Followed His Father Into Auschwitz.In this interview, he explains:What looking at the past teaches us about todayThe process of writing narrative non-fiction  and how to find your subjectHow to write a great pitch letter that publishers noticeHis research processDealing with dark subject matterAnd lots more!Attention writers!Would you like to learn from top authors like Malcom Gladwell and James Patterson? Check out my 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!

Personal development is a huge topic online today, particularly on platforms like Medium. Although it’s a topic most people have an opinion about, it’s quite hard to stand out.Unless your name is Darius Foroux.Living in the Netherlands, he’s one of Medium’s top writers covering topics like wealth, buildings, habits and decision-making. He’s also an author and instructor, selling popular online courses about writing, careers and more via his website.In this interview, Darius explains:How he managed to write 7 books in six yearsWhy he focuses on one project at a timeHow he grew his blog into one of top personal development websites onlineHis process for researching, writing and publishing non-fiction articlesWhat he does when readers suggest editorial changes (including trolls)And lots moreIf you enjoyed this podcast episode, please leave a rating on the iTunes Store.ResourcesUlysses Like the show? Please, leave a short review or rating wherever you're listening to it.Attention Writers!What's the best

Living Writer is a new writing app for authors and novelists. It contains a number of templates and other tools that will help you plot and write a book faster. I'm currently testing it for a new book of nonfiction I'm working on. It's also free to try for a month. I recently caught up with the founders Dominic Chase and Casey Kerbs and asked them how it can help writers become authors.ResourcesThe Best Writing Apps of 2020Like the show? Leave a short review or rating wherever you're listening to it.Attention Writers!What's the best grammar checker of 2020? Find out in this review and claim a discount.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!

Welcome to Hell World is one of the most popular newsletters on Substack today. It's run by journalist, author and poet Luke O'Neil. His newsletter combines a commentary a US current affairs with poetry and insights from Luke's life. Luke's writings aren't for everyone and he's not afraid to say it. A blurb on his new book reads: "The Left’s new low." —Tucker CarlsonCheck out this week's interview.ResourcesWelcome to Hell WorldLike the show? Leave a short review or rating wherever you're listening to it.Attention writers!Grammarly 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 you have any questions you can find me on Twitter @BryanJCollinsThanks for listening!

Writing words that sell. That's your primary job as a copywriter. But, there's a bit more to it than that. Jack Stafford set up his copywriting agency The Copywriter Collective back in 2002.His copywriting agency employs copywriters and works with clients around the world. In this week's interview, he explains what a copywriter does, how to find a job as a copywriter and how to get paid.Like the show? Leave a short review or rating wherever you're listening to it.Attention Writers!What's the best grammar checker of 2020? Find out in this review and claim a discount.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!

When I started my new newsletter 100% Unfinished, I studied how the experts do it. One person who knows a lot about profitable newsletters is Terry GodierIn this episode, we cover:Why every nonfiction writer should start a newsletterHow can writers earn a live from a newsletterWhat newsletters are so popular this yearWhat makes a good newsletterWhat newsletter promotion strategies he recommends Terry previously ran two paid newsletters. Since recording this interview, he has migrated his newsletters to his site Terry GodierLike the show? Leave a short review or rating wherever you're listening to it.Attention writers!Grammarly 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 you have any questions you can find me on Twitter @BryanJCollinsThanks for listening!

Writing a book isn't often enough to earn a full-time living. Many successful non-fiction authors earn a living through public speaking and coaching. A book acts as a calling or business card. Christopher Connors is the author of Emotional Intelligence for the Modern Leader. He earns an income through writing and also coaching and public speaking. In this interview, he explains:What it means to be emotionally intelligentWhat to do when your motivation flagsHis ideal early morning writing routineWhy he writes leadership books… and how they help him grow his speaking businessAnd lots moreResourcesHow the Hell Has Danielle Steel Managed to Write 179 Books?Emotional Intelligence for the Modern Leader: A Guide to Cultivating Effective Leadership and OrganizationsAttention Writers!What's the best grammar checker of 2020. Find out in this review and claim a discount.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 @BryanJCollin

A few weeks ago, my editor from Forbes rang me."Bryan," he said. "We reviewed your contract and, well, we're ending your column at the end of the month."Now, I've spent the past two years writing for Forbes about topics like careers, leadership, creativity and more. Some would say losing a big writing gig like Forbes is a disaster.But, I say otherwise.ResourcesFreelance writing jobs - My 2020 guideGetting paid to write - a round up of my best postsMy newsletterSupport 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!

John Vorhaus is the author of one of the best books on comedy writing: The Comic Toolbox. He's also a scriptwriter, artist and writing instructor.In this week's interview, he explains:How to write comedy if you're not funnyWhat comedy is a little like dramaHow to balance your art with businessWhat he did after facing a bout of writer's blockAnd lots moreResourcesThe Comic ToolboxA White Belt in ArtDoctor's Without BordersLike the show? Leave a short review or rating wherever you're listening to it.Attention Writers!What's the best grammar checker of 2020? Find out in this review and claim a discount.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!

Would you spend a career writing leadership books? And if so what would that look like?Glenn Parker has written and published over a dozen books in this genre. He's also co-author of Positive Influence: The Leader Who Helps People Become Their Best Selfwith his son Michael.This book demonstrates the various ways leaders have positively influenced the lives and careers of many successful people.In this interview, Glenn explains:The four primary types of leaders... and how to identify your preferred styleHis ideal writing routineHow he built and sustained a career writing leadership booksWhere he finds leadership book ideasHis non-fiction writing research processAnd lots more#podcast #doingAttention Writers!What's the best grammar checker of 2020. Find out in this review and claim a discount.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!

Would you like to get into sports writing?Canadian sports journalist Alex Hutchinson is the author of New York Times best-selling Endure: Mind, Body and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human PerformanceBut he wasn't always a writer.In his early twenties, Hutchinson competed with the Canadian Athletics Team while training as a physicist. As his running career came to an end around 2006, he transitioned into sports journalism.The book blends Hutchinson's passion for running with his scientific training in an attempt to probe the link between the human body and mind in top athletes.In this interview, Alex explains:How top performers push past discomfort to accomplish moreWhy he decided to write a sports science bookHow he got into sports writingThe link between an introverted activity like writing and physical trainingWhy sports mantras work and how anyone can use themAnd lots more.I started by asking Alex to describe how he transitioned from a career as a physicists to becoming a sports writer.Resourc

I've collected lots of terrible writing advice over the years, from talks, seminars, courses, and books. It's easy to find good writing advice for self-publishing, writing a book, or earning more money as a freelance or  non-fiction writer.But what about terrible writing advice? What type of advice should you avoid if you want to become a successful author or profitable writer?This guide to terrible writing advice also includes some practical tips from one of my favourite writers: Ernest Hemingway.Let's dive in.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!

Evernote is a tool for capturing and arranging your information and ideas. It serves as a digital file cabinet, personal notebook and project management tool.Bethany Stephens is the founder of Soapbox Influence, a marketing agency based in Bentonville Arkansaw. Her company employs 15 people and works with Fortune 500 brands, including NBC Universal.Stephens is also a writer and blogger who considers Evernote a key part of her creative workflow. In this interview, Beth explains:How she uses Evernote to capture ideas and writeWhy every writer and creative should capture ideas regularlyWhat her tagging and filing system looks likeWhy she also uses Evernote for task and project managementAnd lots more.I started by asking Beth to describe what her business does and why her team rely on Evernote so much.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!

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 anyone 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 dayWhat to outsource if you want to increase profits fastHow to balance your ideas with what readers, students or clients will pay for Why he likes James Patterson's writing routineAnd lots more.I start by asking Dane how to build a business in two hours a day.Attention 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 you have any questions you can find me on Twitter @BryanJCollins