#297 – Fueling Your Creative Fire: Stats, Strategies, and Celebrating Writing Wins (Free-Writing Session)

Welcome to episode 297 of the Spun Today Podcast! I'm your host, Tony Ortiz, and in this free writing session, we're diving into the intersection of motivation, creativity, and the craft of writing. In this episode, I'll share my own writing journey, including detailed stats on how I've been keeping up with my writing goals—even amid holidays and life's curveballs. I'll talk about the process of revamping and self-publishing my first book, "Make Way for You," and discuss the labor—and breakthroughs—of translating it into Spanish using cutting-edge AI tools. You'll get a practical, behind-the-scenes look at modern self-publishing, from designing your own covers with new technologies to making your stories accessible in multiple languages. I'll also pass along an essential writing tip inspired by the age-old practice of keeping a commonplace book—a method that has fueled some of today's most prolific authors. Plus, we're diving into Omar El Akkad's powerful new book, "One Day Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This." I'll unpack some of its most striking passages—not just for their social and political weight, but for the craft behind them—and extract actionable lessons for writers seeking resonance and precision. To round things out, I'll read one of my own reflective free writing pieces, exploring the balance between accomplishment and the creative hunger for what's next. So, whether you're looking for inspiration to start writing, tips to refine your creative practice, or simply a fresh perspective on the art of storytelling, this episode has something for every writer and creative thinker. Check out all free-writing pieces at: spuntoday.com/freewriting. The Spun Today Podcast is a Podcast that is anchored in Writing, but unlimited in scope. Give it a whirl. Twitter: https://twitter.com/spuntoday Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spuntoday/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@spuntoday Website: http://www.spuntoday.com/home Newsletter: http://www.spuntoday.com/subscribe Links referenced in this episode: One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad: https://amzn.to/4s8mlMj Ryan Holiday's Commonplace Book: https://youtu.be/gT1EExZkzMM?si=DR70Zqndh8NSJ0Fu Jared Henderson's Commonplace Book: https://youtu.be/aaHEgPk0tNM?si=Q61lKeCBnaE55Ydg "What's Next?" https://www.spuntoday.com/freewriting/whatsnext Get your Podcast Started Today! https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=SPUN (Use Promo code SPUN and get up to 2-months of free service!) Check out all the Spun Today Merch, and other ways to help support this show! https://www.spuntoday.com/support Check out my Books Make Way for You – Tips for getting out of your own way ÁBRЕТЕ CAMINO: CONSEJOS PARA DEJAR DE SER TU PROPIO OBSTÁCULO (Spanish Edition) FRACTAL – A Time Travel Tale Melted Cold – A Collection of Short Stories http://www.spuntoday.com/books/ (e-Book, Paperback and Hardcover are now available) Fill out my Spun Today Questionnaire if you're passionate about your craft. I'll share your insight and motivation on the Podcast: http://www.spuntoday.com/questionnaire/ Shop on Amazon using this link, to support the Podcast: https://amzn.to/4km592l Shop on iTunes using this link, to support the Podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewTop?genreId=38&id=27820&popId=42&uo=10 Shop at the Spun Today store for Mugs, Notebooks, T-Shirts and more: https://spuntoday-shop.fourthwall.com/ Music: https://www.purple-planet.com Outro Background Music: https://www.bensound.com Spun Today Logo by: https://www.naveendhanalak.com/ Sound effects are credited to: http://www.freesfx.co.uk Listen on: ApplePodcasts | Spotify | Pocket Casts | YouTube | Website