Summary

In this episode of The Casual Author, Dan Kenner shares insights on managing life as an author while dealing with the chaos of family and homesteading. He discusses the importance of keeping creativity fresh to combat burnout, shares updates on his authoring journey including the publication of his new book 'Dwarf Blooded', and offers practical tips for maintaining productivity and creativity in writing.

Takeaways

Follow my Ream Page to read The Measure of Control! - https://reamstories.com/dankenner

Purchase my newest book, Dwarf Blooded - https://dan-kenner-books.myshopify.com/products/dwarf-blooded-paperback?variant=43918598340707

Keeping it fresh helps you be more productive.

Burnout is a real thing that many authors face.

It's important to manage life chaos while writing.

Taking breaks can help rejuvenate creativity.

Writing short stories can cleanse your creative palette.

You can still be productive even with a busy life.

Engaging with different projects can spark new ideas.

It's okay to step back from a project if you're feeling stuck.

You don't have to publish everything you write.

Feedback from listeners is valuable for content improvement.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Keeping It Fresh

15:32 The Journey of Authoring and New Releases

20:09 Burnout and Creativity: Finding Fresh Perspectives

Summary

In this episode, Dan Kenner discusses the challenges of managing overwhelm, particularly in the context of indie authoring and self-publishing. He shares personal anecdotes from his life on the homestead, updates on his publishing journey, and insights into the importance of setting realistic goals and taking breaks to maintain creativity and productivity. The conversation emphasizes the need for balance between work and personal well-being, especially for those juggling multiple responsibilities.

www.dankenner.com

www.dankennerbooks.com

www.reamstories.com/dankenner

Takeaways

Overwhelm affects everyone to varying degrees.

Managing overwhelm is crucial for productivity.

Setting realistic goals can help mitigate overwhelm.

Taking breaks is essential for creativity.

Social media may not align with everyone's goals.

It's important to celebrate achievements in publishing.

Family responsibilities can add to feelings of overwhelm.

Understanding personal limits is key to managing stress.

Finding joy in writing can help combat overwhelm.

Regularly reviewing goals can clarify priorities.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Overwhelm in Authoring

13:09 Updates on the Homestead and Authoring Journey

17:52 Understanding Overwhelm and Its Impact

33:24 Strategies for Managing Overwhelm

overwhelm, indie authoring, self-publishing, productivity, managing stress, Dwarf-Blooded, Kenner Homestead, writing tips, author updates, family life

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.com

Takeaways

* 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.

Chapters

00:00

Introduction and Context

10:21

Celebrating Milestones in Writing

16:29

Productivity Strategies for Authors

30:39

Final Thoughts and Encouragement

writing, productivity, author, milestones, time management, Dwarf Blooded, casual author, podcast, Dan Kenner, creativity

Summary

In 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.

Takeaways

Check out my books and other information at www.dankenner.com

Get early access to my books and monthly short stories at https://reamstories.com/dankenner

Authenticity 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.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Updates on Homestead Life

09:52 Navigating the Challenges of Cold Weather on the Homestead

19:52 The Importance of Authenticity in Authoring

23:45 Final Thoughts and Community Engagement

authenticity, 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

Keywords

creativity, writing, self-discovery, authenticity, author updates, productivity, indie publishing, personal growth

Summary

In 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.

Takeaways

www.kindlepreneur.com

The Creative Penn Podcast, by Joanna Penn

https://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.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Updates on Life

09:23 Creative Progress and Writing Journey

16:02 Understanding Yourself as a Creative

28:46 Navigating Feedback and Advice

31:06 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.

Takeaways

Special 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/dankenner

The 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.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Little by Little Principle

00:47 Embracing Progress: The Little by Little Mindset

Keywords

productivity, sleep, health, writing, time management, authoring, work-life balance

Summary

In 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.

Takeaways

Invest in the Honor Kickstarter Special Edition Today! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/zsdiamanti/honor-special-edition-sci-fi-and-fantasy-anthology?ref=5xunbe

The 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.

Titles

The Sleep-Productivity Paradox

Balancing Sleep and Creativity

Sound bites

"Sleep comes at a premium."

"We might not want to admit it."

"How many of us are sacrificing sleep?"

Chapters

00:00 Rebranding and Podcast Direction

00:55 Embracing Change in the Author Journey