mindset | The Creative Penn

My 2017 Goals. Plus Visualization and Positive Thinking For Authors with Nina Amir

January 2, 2017 by Joanna Penn 18 Comments

Podcast: Download (Duration: 1:27:40 — 70.2MB)

I love the New Year! It's full of promise for the year ahead and in today's show, I talk to Nina Amir about positive thinking and creative visualization to help you set your goals for 2017.

In the (mega-45 mins) introduction, I go through a couple of the trends I see for 2017. The Amazon Echo was the biggest seller for Christmas which (I think) means a rise in audiobook listening through the devices. But stay non-exclusive with your audiobook deals if possible because there will be more options than ACX coming in 2017.

The rise of beautiful print products will continue in 2017. Indies will continue to make the biggest chunk of income with digital but gorgeous hardbacks and limited edition print products will become collector's items – mirroring vinyl in the music industry. This was also emphasized in Rohit Bhargava's Non-Obvious Trends 2017 under Precious Print.

I recap my 2016 creative year including the surprises I hadn't planned for, and talk about how I hit my income goals. I also share my 2017 goals for The Creative Penn & non-fiction as Joanna Penn, our new small press, and J.F.Penn.

Nina Amir is the bestselling author of How to Blog a Book, The Author Training Manual and other nonfiction as well as an author, coach and trainer, award-winning blogger and professional speaker.

She founded National Nonfiction Writing Month and the Nonfiction Writers' University. And her latest book is Creative Visualization for Writers: An Interactive Guide for Bringing your Book Ideas and your Writing Career to Life.

You can listen above or on iTunes or Stitcher or watch the video here, read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and full transcript below.

How Nina got started with journalism, then editing non-fiction and finally into writing her own books
Why non-fiction can be creative and can change lives
What visualization is and how you can use it as an author

My own story: Back in 2006, I wrote the affirmation “I am creative, I am an author.” In 2011, that affirmation became a reality.
How to identify your own visualizations

How to take ACTION in order to set your visualizations into motion. (This is sometimes the missing aspect that people forget!)
Why successful authors work on their mindset as well as the practical aspect of writing

What will you give up in order to achieve your creative dream? Because there is always a trade-off. How much do you really want this, and what are the excuses you're telling yourself that are preventing you getting there?

Why deciding on your values is so important in shaping the life you want
How to stay focused and positive in troubled times
Why content marketing will not go away, and why you should (maybe) start a blog

You can find Nina at www.NinaAmir.com and on twitter @NinaAmir. You can find her books here on Amazon.

The Successful Author Mindset With Joanna Penn

October 10, 2016 by Joanna Penn 8 Comments

Podcast: Download (Duration: 1:18:03 — 62.5MB)

Are you struggling with self-doubt, fear of failure or comparing yourself to other authors? In this interview, Joanna Penn talks about the successful author mindset. (Yes, it's an interview with me!)

In the intro, I talk about the week's publishing news, including the launch of Amazon Prime Reading, KU page reads allegedly affected by Page Flip, and the new ban on incentivized reviews that does NOT relate to books.

I remind everyone to focus on what you can control, which is writing great books and connecting with customers. I also get excited about Mark Zuckerberg in Lagos meeting with entrepreneurial Nigerians, and how Peter Diamandis' book Bold talks about 5 billion more people coming online by 2020. If you own your rights, you can publish everywhere. We live in constantly changing, exciting times 🙂

Today’s show is sponsored by The Successful Author Mindset, available in ebook, print, workbook and audiobook formats here.

Joanna Penn is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of thrillers under J.F.Penn. She also writes inspirational non-fiction for authors and is an award-winning creative entrepreneur and international professional speaker. Her site, TheCreativePenn.com is regularly voted one of the top 10 sites for writers and self-publishers.

This interview first appeared on the Big Gay Fiction Podcast – thanks to Jeff and Will. You can watch the original episodes on video here and here. Here are the highlights and the full transcript is below.

What are the most common mindset issues for authors?
On fear of rejection, fear of criticism, imposter syndrome and self-censorship
How to deal with comparisonitis (comparing yourself to more successful authors)
How to be gentle with yourself, but also tough enough to get things done
On writing non-fiction as well as fiction
My influencers, including Steven Pressfield and Seth Godin
Producing a workbook as well as a standard print book
How mindset issues evolve over years of being an author
Long term thinking and making the shift into full-time author entrepreneur
Advice to an author suffering from career issues. [This is the post we discuss.]

You can buy The Successful Author Mindset in ebook, print, workbook and audiobook formats here.

New Book Out Now. The Successful Author Mindset: A Handbook For Surviving The Writer’s Journey

June 29, 2016 by Joanna Penn 9 Comments

Today is an exciting and also terrifying day, because this is my most honest book to date. It contains excerpts from my journals which hopefully will help you understand that you're not alone.

Being a writer is not just about typing. It’s also about surviving the roller-coaster of the creative journey.

Self-doubt, fear of failure, the need for validation, perfectionism, writer’s block, comparisonitis, overwhelm, and much more.

When you’re going through these things, it can feel like you’re alone. But actually, they are part of the creative process, and every author goes through them too.

This book collects the mindset issues that writers experience, that I have been through myself over the last nine years, and that perhaps you will experience at different times on the creative journey.

Each small chapter tackles a possible issue and then offers an antidote, so that you can dip in and out over time. It includes excerpts from my own personal journals as well as quotes from well-known writers. I hope it helps you on the road to becoming a successful author.

Available in ebook, print and audiobook formats

The print book is also available as a Workbook version, with space to write your answers to the questions within the book.

Click here to buy the Companion Workbook on Amazon.

Try an audio sample or buy the audiobook & ebook bundle

Self-doubt and imposter syndrome
Need for validation
Fear of failure
Fear of rejection and criticism
Your inner critic
Fear of judgment
Perfectionism
Writer's block and procrastination
“I'm not creative. I don't have any ideas”
“My writing isn't original”
“Why write? There are too many books in the world already”
“I don't have the time or self-discipline to write”
“I'm not finding writing much fun. It's hard work.”
“I keep starting things and not finishing them”
Dealing with friends, family and writer's groups
“How do I find my voice?”
Comparisonitis or “Everyone is better than me”

Part 2: Mindset Aspects after Publishing

Anti-climax and creative dissatisfaction
What is your definition of success?
What happens when you tell people that you're an author?
“I'm overwhelmed”
Dealing with fans, authenticity and drawing the line
Haters gonna hate
Ambition, fame and fortune
Giving up

Part 3: Tips for Success on the Author Journey

Know thyself
Understand and hone your creative process
Develop professional habits
Manage professional relationships
Take control of your writing career
Find your community
Keep learning
Schedule rest and take time off
Think long term. Create a body of work

Available in ebook, print and audiobook formats

Try an audio sample or buy the audiobook & ebook bundle

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I'd love to know what you think of the book and what you think the biggest mindset issues for authors are. Join the conversation by leaving a comment below.

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Creativity, Art And Business With Lisa Congdon

May 16, 2016 by Joanna Penn 5 Comments

Podcast: Download (Duration: 1:13:24 — 58.8MB)

Today I'm talking with Lisa Congdon about the creative process as a visual artist, the myth of overnight success, getting over self-doubt about our work, and the importance of multiple streams of income for anyone wanting to be a full-time creative.

In the intro, I talk about my trip to Spain (photos here) and lessons learned from Picasso's body of work and the agricultural seasonality of the Alpujarras region and how this can influence our own creative journey.

In publishing news, I mention Wattpad Studios and Amazon Video Direct; the recent SPP show on applied intelligence, Intellogo and Trajectory; IPR License and Frankfurt Book Fair, and Kobo's launch in Turkey.

The corporate sponsorship for this show pays for hosting and transcription. This podcast episode is sponsored by 99 Designs, where you can get all kinds of designs for your author business including book covers, merchandising, branding and business cards, illustrations and artwork and much more. You can get a Powerpack upgrade which gives your project more chance of getting noticed by going to: 99Designs.com/joanna

Lisa Congdon is a fine artist, illustrator and creative entrepreneur. She's also the author of a number of books including Art Inc: The Essential Guide for Building Your Career As An Artist.

You can listen above or on iTunes or Stitcher or watch the video here, read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and full transcript below.

The myth of the ‘overnight success' and Lisa's journey from absolute beginner to full-time artist.

How to deal with imposter syndrome.

The bravery required to put our art out into the world.

Where the drive to create more comes from.

How to choose what to create next and dealing with feeling uninspired.

The similarities and differences between Lisa's visual creative work and writing books.

What the ‘editing' process is like for a visual artist.

On the variety of different income streams in Lisa's creative business.

Balancing running the business with creative output, and embracing marketing.

What creates long-term success in creative businesses.

Lisa's latest book is The Joy of Swimming, which she wrote and illustrated based on her own passion for swimming.

You can find Lisa's art and books at www.LisaCongdon.com.

Abundance For Authors And Taking Action With Honoree Corder

August 24, 2015 by Alexandra Amor 9 Comments

Podcast: Download (Duration: 53:15 — 42.8MB)

The ‘poor, starving artist' myth has kept a lot of creatives down, but we're living in a time of abundance – of creativity, of global readership and of the opportunity to publish and reach them.

In this interview, Honoree Corder shares her abundance ideas for authors, plus some interesting ideas for expanding income streams.
In the introduction, I mention that I'm still working on the Creative Freedom course, which is only for those serious about making a living with their income. I put out a video on the Roadmap this week, and you can still get the free video series at www.TheCreativePenn.com/freedom

This podcast is sponsored by Kobo Writing Life, which helps authors self-publish and reach readers in global markets through the Kobo eco-system. You can also subscribe to the Kobo Writing Life podcast for interviews with successful indie authors.

Kobo has just launched an initiative to support local independent bookstores in the US. Check out all the details at: Kobo.com/ereadlocal

Kobo’s financial support pays for the hosting and transcription, and if you enjoy the show, you can now support my time on Patreon. Thank you for your support!

Honoree Corder is an author, speaker, executive coach and entrepreneur. Her latest book is Prosperity for Writers: A Writer's Guide to Creating Abundance.

You can listen above or on iTunes or Stitcher, watch the video or read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and full transcript below.

Business funnels for authors and using a book as a calling card.

Several different ways to make money from books, including specialty printing for corporations.

Confidence, claiming our own value and shifting to a prosperous and abundance mindset.

BOLO and how to use this strategy to shift our mindset to one of abundance and prosperity.

The need to recommit to our plans when roadblocks get in our way and the hard work it takes to keep going.

On the necessity of writing more than one book and repurposing the assets you already have in place.

The acronym FAME and the importance of each element, including having a production plan.

Why scheduling matters in each day and also for a production plan.

You can find Honoree at HonoreeCorder.com or on twitter @honoree and the book is available on Amazon here.

My 2017 Goals. Plus Visualization and Positive Thinking For Authors with Nina Amir

The Successful Author Mindset With Joanna Penn

New Book Out Now. The Successful Author Mindset: A Handbook For Surviving The Writer’s Journey

Being a writer is not just about typing. It’s also about surviving the roller-coaster of the creative journey.

Available in ebook, print and audiobook formats

Try an audio sample or buy the audiobook & ebook bundle

Table of Contents:

Available in ebook, print and audiobook formats

Try an audio sample or buy the audiobook & ebook bundle

Creativity, Art And Business With Lisa Congdon

Abundance For Authors And Taking Action With Honoree Corder

The ‘poor, starving artist' myth has kept a lot of creatives down, but we're living in a time of abundance – of creativity, of global readership and of the opportunity to publish and reach them.

Search The Creative Penn

Inspiration and Information every Monday in The Creative Penn podcast

Thanks for visiting The Creative Penn

Being a writer is not just about typing. It’s also about surviving the roller-coaster of the creative journey.

Available in ebook, print and audiobook formats

Table of Contents:

Available in ebook, print and audiobook formats

The ‘poor, starving artist' myth has kept a lot of creatives down, but we're living in a time of abundance – of creativity, of global readership and of the opportunity to publish and reach them.

Connect with me on social media

Search The Creative Penn

Inspiration and Information every Monday in The Creative Penn podcast

Thanks for visiting The Creative Penn