Everyone Has What It Takes, William Kenower
Everyone Has What It Takes, William Kenower
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Everyone Has What It Takes
A Writer's Guide to the End of Self-Doubt

Author: William Kenower

Narrator: William Kenower

Unabridged: 6 hr 32 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Published: 12/14/2021


Synopsis

An insightful guide for any writer who's ever wondered if they're talented, creative, lovable, or worthy enough. Spoiler alert: You are.

As hard as the craft of writing is, the greatest challenges writers face are often within ourselves. Comparison, self-doubt, isolation, and other internal struggles can derail a writer's progress, at any stage in the writing life. Author, essayist, and speaker William Kenower knows these struggles first-hand, and hears them from writers everywhere he teaches and appears. In this candid and encouraging book, he dismantles the myth that some writers have talent and others don't, and shares relatable stories, wisdom, and best practices for reengaging with our passion, following our curiosity, and staying connected to what matters most.

If you've ever wondered whether you're "really" a writer, or should retreat to a safer, more conventional path, this enlightening and accepting book will spark renewed purpose and joy on your writing journey.

About The Author

William Kenower is the author of Fearless Writing: How to Create Boldly and Write With Confidence (Writers Digest Books, May 2017), and Write Within Yourself: An Author's Companion (Booktrope Editions, 2013), and the Editor-in-Chief of the popular online Author magazine. In addition to his books, William has published essays on writing and spirituality in the Huffington Post, Writer's Digest, Writer's Digest Online, The New York Times, and Tifferet Journal. His video interviews with authors, which have received well over a million views, are widely considered the best of their kind on the Internet. He is also the host of Author2Author, a weekly podcast where he and a different author discuss the books we write and the lives they lead. Kenower is also a dynamic and in-demand public speaker and teacher, who delivers keynotes and lectures at writers conferences, spiritual MeetUps, Rotary clubs, and more.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Eustacia on February 11, 2022

This is a writer's mindset book and the first few chapters felt very encouraging. But perhaps because it's only a mindset book, it started to feel a little bit repetitive halfway through. I read this in one shot, but that may not be the best idea - perhaps reading a chapter here and there and spread......more

Goodreads review by Selina on March 02, 2022

Kinda torn on how to rate this or how I feel about it. Parts were AMAZING. Parts made me want to recommend this to every writer or maybe just everyone. There are serious 24k gems in here. And parts...made no sense. Sometimes his story and show-don't-tell approach made it difficult for me to figure o......more

Goodreads review by Catherine on December 28, 2023

I enjoyed this writer's guide tremendously. As I've often struggled with self-doubt and low points in my writing career, Kenower's advice is very helpful and uplifting. Suggestions for how to stay motivated and deal with the inner critics as well as the ups and downs of writing for publication are g......more

Goodreads review by Christy on January 14, 2022

Some great stuff, some boring stuff This book was so hopeful and thoughtful, like being wrapped in a great big hug. But if you're looking for concrete, actionable steps to achieve your writing goals, this isn't it. It's a series of personal anecdotes - anecdotes within anecdotes - about how the autho......more

Goodreads review by Sunz on August 11, 2021

William Kenower’s Everyone Has What It Takes shows that the life of a writer is not a walk in the park. Internal and external pressures shape the road to success into a meandering course. Be that as it may, the writer continues the journey to fulfill one purpose- to write stories with love. Kenower......more


Quotes

"I wish I’d read Everyone Has What It Takes when I was starting my first book. Or my second. Or, for that matter, my hundredth magazine article. For me, as for most writers, self-doubt is never in short supply. Wisdom is. The wisdom of someone who’s walked the whole discouraging, uplifting, terrifying, exciting road of a writer’s life. Bill Kenower has that wisdom in abundance. Everyone Has What It Takes is a quietly powerful guide to both writing and life that will help you get past your psychological roadblocks and into your craft, whatever that may be. This book is a treasure."
—Martha Beck, New York Times bestselling author, sociologist and life coach

“I always look forward to hearing what William Kenower has to say about writing. In his latest book, Kenower explores what it means to be a successful creative as he examines the equality of personal talent. As usual, I felt energized and validated by his intellectual discussion of prose and life. Kenower reminds us to enjoy the whole writing journey, not just the high points. Everyone Has What It Takes will give your creative side a much-needed boost, which is good, because, as Kenower says, ‘ . . . the page is waiting for you.’”
Windy Lynn Harris, author of Writing & Selling Short Stories & Personal Essays

“Like Elizabeth Gilbert in Big Magic, Bill Kenower teaches us that sometimes the simplest ideas are the most profound. Follow your curiosity. Lead your life. Write your books. In honest, accessible prose, Kenower takes us past craft and into the psyche, where all writing starts, and gives us the core lessons that every writer needs to hear, and probably every day.”
Erica Bauermeister, bestselling author of  The School of Essential Ingredients and The Scent Keeper

“William Kenower’s encouraging new book, full of personal tales and relatable wisdom, urges you to throw out everything you think you know about becoming a successful writer. Instead, he exhorts, be curious, trust your words, say yes to opportunities and, most im-portant, keep writing what matters to you. A must-read for writers at all stages of the process.”
Jordan Rosenfeld, author of How to Write a Page-Turner

“William Kenower offers engaging personal stories from his personal experience about how, as writers, we often put ourselves on what I’d call a failure to thrive track. Then he expertly shows us how to reverse that toward pleasure and finding our own writing path.”
Sheila Bender, author of Writing Personal Essays

“In, Everyone Has What It Takes, Bill Kenower reminds us that with the right mind-set and attitude, we can create our own success with our writing. Using poignant stories from his life, Kenower shines light on the negative things we tell ourselves related to our creative life and illustrates a more positive approach for us to take. Inspiring and encouraging, this book should be part of every writer’s library.”
Kerrie Flanagan, writing consultant and author of The Writer’s Digest Guide to Magazine Article Writing and The Magazine Writing Blueprint

“William Kenower is the writing coach you’ve always wanted. In Everyone Has What It Takes, Kenower gives you the support you need to live your writing life without fear or worry. Through stories and examples, he shows you that you really do have what it takes to become a successful writer. I loved this book—it showed me a positive approach to writing that is less about competition and more about creativity and understanding. This book is about life, and the best way to live it—fully aware of who you are and who you want to be.”
Kate Ristau, author of Shadow Girl and Clockbreakers