The Casual Author

Summary In this episode of The Casual Author, Dan Kenner discusses effective time management strategies for authors, emphasizing the importance of celebrating small milestones and making progress in short bursts. He shares his personal experiences with productivity, the challenges of balancing writing with family life, and the significance of having a prioritized task list. Dan encourages listeners to embrace flexibility in their planning and to be patient with themselves as they navigate their writing journeys.Find my books at www.dankenner.comTakeaways* Using 15-minute increments can help manage time effectively.* Celebrating small wins is crucial for motivation.* Productivity can be achieved in small time blocks.* Creating a prioritized task list can enhance focus.* Flexibility in planning is important for busy lives.* Finding the right time of day for tasks boosts efficiency.* Reading in small increments can help maintain focus.* It's essential to be patient with oneself during the process.* Using tools like app blockers can minimize distractions.* Progress is more important than perfection.Chapters00:00Introduction and Context10:21Celebrating Milestones in Writing16:29Productivity Strategies for Authors30:39Final Thoughts and Encouragementwriting, productivity, author, milestones, time management, Dwarf Blooded, casual author, podcast, Dan Kenner, creativity

SummaryIn this episode of The Casual Author, Dan Kenner shares updates from his homestead, discussing the challenges of cold weather and its impact on livestock care. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity in the author business, sharing personal experiences and insights on how being true to oneself can lead to greater success in connecting with readers and selling books. Dan also reflects on the challenges of social media and the value of podcasting as a more authentic platform for engagement. He invites listeners to join the community and share their experiences as aspiring authors.TakeawaysCheck out my books and other information at www.dankenner.com Get early access to my books and monthly short stories at https://reamstories.com/dankennerAuthenticity is key to connecting with your audience.Cold weather presents unique challenges on the homestead.Pigs can be surprisingly destructive in winter.Cows have interesting behaviors to stay warm.Chickens are generally easier to manage in cold.Social media can feel inauthentic for some.Podcasting allows for more genuine connections.Success looks different for every author.Engaging with the community is vital for growth.Writing should align with your authentic self.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Updates on Homestead Life09:52 Navigating the Challenges of Cold Weather on the Homestead19:52 The Importance of Authenticity in Authoring23:45 Final Thoughts and Community Engagementauthenticity, author business, homestead life, writing tips, podcasting, community engagement, productivity, personal updates, cold weather challenges, author success

SummaryIn this conversation, Charles Hack discusses his unique approach to time management, emphasizing the importance of working in 15-minute increments. He shares how this method allows him to balance various aspects of his life, including family time and personal discipline, ultimately enhancing his productivity.TakeawaysWorking in 15-minute increments can enhance productivity.Time management is crucial for balancing work and personal life.Discipline is key to maintaining focus on tasks.Increments of time can include personal activities like dinner and sleep.Concentration is essential for completing tasks effectively.Creating a structured approach to time can lead to better outcomes.Personal discipline can be developed through consistent practice.Balancing multiple responsibilities requires effective time allocation.Time management techniques can be tailored to individual needs.Finding a method that works for you is essential for success.Link to Kickstarter Page for Honor Anthology https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/zsdiamanti/honor-special-edition-sci-fi-and-fantasy-anthology?ref=5xunbe

Keywordscreativity, writing, self-discovery, authenticity, author updates, productivity, indie publishing, personal growthSummaryIn this episode of The Casual Author, Dan Kenner shares personal updates about his life on the homestead, including the challenges of managing animals and family activities. He transitions into discussing his creative journey, emphasizing the importance of understanding oneself as a creative individual. Dan reflects on the noise and advice that can overwhelm new authors and stresses the significance of trusting one's intuition and authenticity in the creative process. He concludes by encouraging listeners to embrace their unique paths in writing and creativity.Takeawayswww.kindlepreneur.comThe Creative Penn Podcast, by Joanna Pennhttps://selfpublishingformula.com/Understanding yourself is crucial for creativity.Trusting your intuition can enhance productivity.The creative process is often filled with noise and advice.Editing can be a daunting task for many authors.Authenticity is key in creative expression.It's important to filter advice based on personal resonance.Finding what works for you is a journey of self-discovery.Engaging with your audience authentically is more rewarding than social media.Creative output can improve when you embrace your unique style.Don't feel pressured to conform to others' methods. Chapters00:00 Introduction and Updates on Life09:23 Creative Progress and Writing Journey16:02 Understanding Yourself as a Creative28:46 Navigating Feedback and Advice31:06 Conclusion and Call to Action

In this conversation, Dan Kenner discusses the challenges faced by aspiring authors and introduces the 'little by little' principle as a strategy for overcoming time constraints. He emphasizes the importance of defining personal success, setting clear goals, and recognizing that progress can vary for each individual. By focusing on small, consistent steps, writers can maintain motivation and satisfaction in their journey.TakeawaysSpecial Kick Starter - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/zsdiamanti/honor-special-edition-sci-fi-and-fantasy-anthology?ref=5xunbeFollow Dan on Ream for Monthly fantasy stories and early chapters - https://reamstories.com/dankennerThe little by little principle helps aspiring authors manage time.Success looks different for everyone; define it personally.Setting clear goals is crucial for progress.Progress can be small leaps; consistency matters.Feeling comfortable with your direction is important.Understanding personal progress is key to motivation.Time management is essential for writers.Celebrate small victories in your writing journey.Define what success means to you as an author.Stay motivated by focusing on your unique goals.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Little by Little Principle00:47 Embracing Progress: The Little by Little Mindset

Keywordsproductivity, sleep, health, writing, time management, authoring, work-life balanceSummaryIn this conversation, Dan Kenner discusses the challenges of balancing productivity with the need for sleep. He highlights how many individuals, including himself, find that their most effective writing times are late at night and early in the morning. However, this often leads to a dilemma where one must choose between sacrificing sleep for productivity, which can have significant health repercussions. Kenner emphasizes the importance of recognizing this struggle and the reality that sleep is often undervalued in the pursuit of work and creativity.TakeawaysInvest in the Honor Kickstarter Special Edition Today! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/zsdiamanti/honor-special-edition-sci-fi-and-fantasy-anthology?ref=5xunbeThe only effective times for authoring are late at night and early in the morning.Sleep is a great barrier for productivity.Sleep comes at a premium for many people.Choosing productivity over sleep can have health repercussions.Many people sacrifice sleep for work-related tasks.It's difficult to admit the struggle between sleep and productivity.The challenge of balancing work and rest is common.Effective writing often occurs during unconventional hours.Recognizing the value of sleep is crucial for overall health.Productivity should not come at the cost of well-being.TitlesThe Sleep-Productivity ParadoxBalancing Sleep and CreativitySound bites"Sleep comes at a premium.""We might not want to admit it.""How many of us are sacrificing sleep?"Chapters00:00 Rebranding and Podcast Direction00:55 Embracing Change in the Author Journey

In this episode, I talk about the troubles of sleep when you are on night duty with the kids. I continue with progress on The Hidden Heritage series and how I'm right around the corner from publishing another book, and some of the potential expansions happening to our homestead in 2025.With Urmi, we talk about her passion for writing and how her journey started with blogging and is now on guides and novels. We discuss the importance of her book for everyone, and how life long learning is essential for success in both writing and normal life.SHOW NOTES:To find out more about Urmi, her books and blog, head to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZoiI0SGU0Xo9_lNjtLWtggTry ProWriting Aid to improve your work! - https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=1010592&u=4294367&m=72053&urllink=&afftrack=SUPPORT ME OR THE SHOW:https://www.patreon.com/thecasualauthorhttps://reamstories.com/dankenner#writing #fantasy #interview #podcast #podcasting #podcasts #writing #writingadvice #writingcommunity #writers #author #authortube #panel #books #literature #reading #read #advice

In this episode, I share more about life with seven kids and will continue to share more about family life. I dive into more homestead plans for the future, and some of the challenges with cows today. I talk about progress with the six book series, The Hidden Heritage and plans for publishing all the books in the future.With Douglas, we dive into the importance of reading for our ability to craft stories. We talk about characters and how writing is about cause and effect. We discuss the travesty of mens' reading rates decreasing over time.SHOW NOTES:To find out more about Douglas, his books and podcast at https://douglasvigliotti.com/Try ProWriting Aid to improve your work! - https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=1010592&u=4294367&m=72053&urllink=&afftrack=SUPPORT ME OR THE SHOW:https://www.patreon.com/thecasualauthorhttps://reamstories.com/dankenner#writing #fantasy #interview #podcast #podcasting #podcasts #writing #writingadvice #writingcommunity #writers #author #authortube #panel #books #literature #reading #read #advice

In this episode, I share more about running a homestead and some of the things you don't consider when you aren't on the inside doing the work. I share that my short story, Between Life & Death, is now available for free to any follower on Ream (https://reamstories.com/dankenner)With Artemis, she shares some sage advice for newer authors now that she is one day out from publishing her debut novel, Awakened. She talks about writing the same story for years and year and how she went through a few different publishers until she found the right one for her book and to sustain her life as a writer.SHOW NOTES:To find out more about Artemis and her book athttps://linktr.ee/RogueHawkTry ProWriting Aid to improve your work! -https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=1010592&u=4294367&m=72053&urllink=&afftrack=SUPPORT ME OR THE SHOW:https://www.patreon.com/thecasualauthorhttps://reamstories.com/dankenner#writing #fantasy #interview #podcast #podcasting #podcasts #writing #writingadvice #writingcommunity #writers #author #authortube #panel #books #literature #reading #read #advice

In this episode, I talk about the thaw and what kinds of things we'll be dealing with now that the weather is turning around. I discuss the writing of my series, The Hidden Heritage, and some of the exciting things and challenges around that. With Amy, we dive into her vision as an author and mother, and how she strives to help others who are experiencing similar challenges as she did as a young mother. We talk about how she brings her book to life, and leverages it for fun and assistance to other parents.SHOW NOTES:To find out more about Amy and her book at https://magicalsleepfairy.com/Try ProWriting Aid to improve your work! - https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=1010592&u=4294367&m=72053&urllink=&afftrack=SUPPORT ME OR THE SHOW:https://www.patreon.com/thecasualauthorhttps://reamstories.com/dankenner#writing #fantasy #interview #podcast #podcasting #podcasts #writing #writingadvice #writingcommunity #writers #author #authortube #panel #books #literature #reading #read #advice

In this episode, I talk about some of the day to day things to consider when dealing with bitter cold weather. I talk about my progress on my authoring and changes I'm making to how I operate, i.e. using Patreon and Ream as a type of personal social media in place of other social media.With Dana, we talk about connecting with the right audience and being authentic from the beginning. We discuss how she built a business in this way and has established herself with a clear audience and sets her own rules of engagement.SHOW NOTES:To find out more about Dana and her books at https://www.aslobcomesclean.com/ Try ProWriting Aid to improve your work! - https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=1010592&u=4294367&m=72053&urllink=&afftrack=SUPPORT ME OR THE SHOW:https://www.patreon.com/thecasualauthorhttps://reamstories.com/dankenner#writing #fantasy #interview #podcast #podcasting #podcasts #writing #writingadvice #writingcommunity #writers #author #authortube #panel #books #literature #reading #read #advice

In this episode, I talk about managing the homestead in the coldest weeks of the year, which is where we are headed for the next fourteen days. I discuss my progress on projects and look forward plans for my author business. I realize the 'subscribe' button to the email list for my podcast has been broken (but it should be fixed now!)With H.H., we talk about her 25 year long story, the journey to making it publish ready, and her querying process. We discuss her ultimate decision to go independent, why it was the best and most rewarding decision for her, and how to view your successes as an author.SHOW NOTES:To find out more about H.H. and her books at https://hhrune.com/Try ProWriting Aid to improve your work! - https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=1010592&u=4294367&m=72053&urllink=&afftrack=SUPPORT ME OR THE SHOW:https://www.patreon.com/thecasualauthorhttps://reamstories.com/dankenner#writing #fantasy #interview #podcast #podcasting #podcasts #writing #writingadvice #writingcommunity #writers #author #authortube #panel #books #literature #reading #read #advice

In this episode, I talk about the troubles of having a cow with mastitis, and how it turned out to be a lot more work than expected. I dive into my current WIPs and how those are going, in addtion to how I'm trying to hone in my time for a more effective 2025, part of that is leaving social media, at least for awhile.With J.D., we talk about his early writing career starting with ghost writing and how that was a spring board into more professional self writing. He talks about starting with pantsing and moving into plotting, how co-authoring is a great opportunity, and how to mix up genres to make yourself different. SHOW NOTES:To find out more about J.D. and his books, head to https://jdbarker.com/Try ProWriting Aid to improve your work! - https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=1010592&u=4294367&m=72053&urllink=&afftrack=SUPPORT ME OR THE SHOW:https://www.patreon.com/thecasualauthorhttps://reamstories.com/dankenner#writing #fantasy #interview #podcast #podcasting #podcasts #writing #writingadvice #writingcommunity #writers #author #authortube #panel #books #literature #reading #read #advice

In this episode, I catch up with where things have been for the past few weeks on the homestead and with my authoring. I discuss some of my hopes for 2025. I also talk about dealing with some of the winter challenges while having homestead animals.With Katee, we discuss what it's like writing with ADHD, how we handle the various challenges, and what are the pros and cons of writing with it. There are many things we can accomplish with the skills and other things that slow us up. SHOW NOTES:To find out more about Katee and her books, head to https://kateestein.com/Try ProWriting Aid to improve your work! - https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=1010592&u=4294367&m=72053&urllink=&afftrack=SUPPORT ME OR THE SHOW:https://www.patreon.com/thecasualauthorhttps://reamstories.com/dankenner#writing #fantasy #interview #podcast #podcasting #podcasts #writing #writingadvice #writingcommunity #writers #author #authortube #panel #books #literature #reading #read #advice

In this episode, I dive into how I'm researching some of my favorite books to work on my own writing craft. I talk about the challenges we've had with getting our cow's hooves trimmed, and the effects of not having them trimmed regularly. I discuss progress on my work in progress and plans for the future. With Meghan, we discuss how she got into editing, and how and why she finds it to be a fulfilling part of the authoring journey. She gives tips and tricks for someone who, like me, might not enjoy the editing process or those who haven't had a lot of experience with editing yet. SHOW NOTES:To query Meghan for her editing services, message her at m.e.hoesch@gmail.com Try ProWriting Aid to improve your work! - https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=1010592&u=4294367&m=72053&urllink=&afftrack=SUPPORT ME OR THE SHOW:https://www.patreon.com/thecasualauthorhttps://reamstories.com/dankenner#writing #fantasy #interview #podcast #podcasting #podcasts #writing #writingadvice #writingcommunity #writers #author #authortube #panel #books #literature #reading #read #advice

In this episode, I talk about managing winter on the homestead, from keeping water unfrozen to cleaning up pens. I dive into some additional challenges about having a flock of chickens and our gratefully increased egg production. From an author standpoint, I give updates about my writing progress on my next book, as well as a free guide that I'm working on to help you have the most stellar writing sessions you can have every day. With Jeffrey, we talk about the motivations and background behind his book, Our Game. He discusses his goal to help women feel empowered to start their businesses and how his written fiction narrative helps to encourage that. We discuss BETA readers, editing and other tips and tricks for new authors to help them land on the most quality story and manuscript they can from the beginning. SHOW NOTES: Find out more about Jeffrey and his books at https://www.jeffreypshafer.com/ Try ProWriting Aid to improve your work! - https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=1010592&u=4294367&m=72053&urllink=&afftrack= SUPPORT ME OR THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/thecasualauthor https://reamstories.com/dankenner #writing #fantasy #interview #podcast #podcasting #podcasts #writing #writingadvice #writingcommunity #writers #author #authortube #panel #books #literature #reading #read #advice

In this episode, I talk about the complexity of the daily homstead chores and how I had to optimize them so that I could go on a business trip this past week. I dive into writing the fourth book of The Hidden Heritage series and some of the challenges, both good and bad, with writing a character in first person that can read people's minds. With Paul, we talk about the turning points in his career and how he was able to get to a point where he quite his job and went professional with his writing. He shares his support system, and how he and his partner, both in life and authoring, were able to flip the script on writing, editing and marketing to produce over 30 books in less than five years. He share some insights and advice to authors, like myself, who seek to ultimately make their authoring full time. SHOW NOTES: Find out more about Paul and his books at https://www.pauljbennettauthor.com/ Try ProWriting Aid to improve your work! - https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=1010592&u=4294367&m=72053&urllink=&afftrack= SUPPORT ME OR THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/thecasualauthor https://reamstories.com/dankenner #writing #fantasy #interview #podcast #podcasting #podcasts #writing #writingadvice #writingcommunity #writers #author #authortube #panel #books #literature #reading #read #advice

In this episode, I talk about winter management on the homestead and what things we are thinking about as we take care of the animals day to day. I dive into the logistics of our goat operations around breeding and how we've had to shuffle them around a bit to make sure we have the right goat kids at the right time. There was a bit of a change of plants due to an annoying goat as well. With Elena, we dive deep into what her new author experience was like as a new author as well as mother to a teenager and new infant. She shares about her experience using various tools and strategies to get her first book done, as well as the ins and outs of writing in a language that isn't your first language. Elena talks about her long-time dream of publishing a book and becoming an author came true based on small shifts and changes in her life to get her to this point, without sacrificing the joys of parenthood and family life.SHOW NOTES:Find out more about Elena and her books at https://elenacarterauthor.com/Try ProWriting Aid to improve your work! - https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=1010592&u=4294367&m=72053&urllink=&afftrack=SUPPORT ME OR THE SHOW:https://www.patreon.com/thecasualauthorhttps://reamstories.com/dankenner#writing #fantasy #interview #podcast #podcasting #podcasts #writing #writingadvice #writingcommunity #writers #author #authortube #panel #books #literature #reading #read #advice

In this episode, I talk about the new newsletter for the podcast at www.thecasualauthor.com and how to sign up for it. You learn more about the ins and outs of winterizing a homestead when it comes to feed, water and shelters. Ginger's milk decreased alarmingly fast and unexpectedly over the past couple weeks and I tell more about that and what we had to to for her. With Leslie, we learn about her methodology for having the most productive day possible with linear thinking and a set of principles around task management. She shares insights about pitfalls in productivity systems that are intended for project managers less for productivity. We dive into many examples of how taskology has shaped people's workdays and her experience with the system for over 20 years. SHOW NOTES:Find out more about Leslie and her business/books at https://productiveday.com/Try ProWriting Aid to improve your work! - https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=1010592&u=4294367&m=72053&urllink=&afftrack=SUPPORT ME OR THE SHOW:https://www.patreon.com/thecasualauthorhttps://reamstories.com/dankenner#writing #fantasy #interview #podcast #podcasting #podcasts #writing #writingadvice #writingcommunity #writers #author #authortube #panel #books #literature #reading #read #advice

In this episode, I dive into some changes that I'm making to the podcast schedule and email list. I share about our homestead 'winter cleanup' efforts and talk about building a new structure for our cow to live in. I share some helpful resources for authors looking to upscale their authoring, primarily in podcast interviews that are helpful and Turning Pro, a book by Stephen Pressfield.Turning Pro Link: https://a.co/d/9ArTNMdEpisode 2 of The Six Figure Author Podcast: https://6figureauthors.comWith Elizabeth, we talk about her long journey of writing books long before she was able to publish them. She shares her process for sendies queries to agents and publishers, and how it wasn't polished before. After finding a publishers that ultimately became unfit for her needs, she discusses finding the right one, and how her strategy for writing and targeting publishers changed in way to bring her success today. SHOW NOTES:Find out more about Elizabeth and her books at https://elizabethadrysdale.wixsite.com/authorTry ProWriting Aid to improve your work! - https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=1010592&u=4294367&m=72053&urllink=&afftrack=SUPPORT ME OR THE SHOW:https://www.patreon.com/thecasualauthorhttps://reamstories.com/dankenner#writing #fantasy #interview #podcast #podcasting #podcasts #writing #writingadvice #writingcommunity #writers #author #authortube #panel #books #literature #reading #read #advice