Counting to seven has never been harder. Here’s the challenge. This drummer is playing to a beat with seven counts in each measure. Your challenge is to clap correctly on the downbeat of each new measure. Don’t lose concentration, or you’ll lose the game! The musical score is provided on the bottom of the screen. It doesn’t help. Sometimes your creativity taps to the beat …

This video gives a whole new meaning to the phrase “two steps forward, three steps back.” If you think your writing career is going backwards, maybe that’s a good thing? (If you cannot see the embedded video in your newsletter email, please click the headline and go directly to our site to view it.)

Happy April Fools Day! Today’s video is a vivid picture of an author trying to break into traditional publishing. A great line at the 2:12 mark. (If you cannot see the embedded video in your newsletter email, please click the headline and go directly to our site to view it.)

Watch the miracle of growth in today’s video: a one-year time lapse of the growth of a mango tree. Starting with a seed. Extraordinary to watch. But even more intriguing is that it will take another 3-5 years before it will bear fruit. Think of the metaphor of the writing life. From the seed of an idea. Then writing 300 words a day for a year will create the foundation of a 100,000-word …

Everyone starts somewhere. Sixty years ago a seven-year-old played his cello for President John F. Kennedy (and former President Eisenhower who was also in attendance). The performance was at the National Cultural Center, which was later renamed The Kennedy Center. The young boy is introduced by Leonard Bernstein. The cellist? Yo-Yo Ma. To put more historical context to this event: Thirty days …

If it were the month of May I could write, “May the fourth be with you.” But it is only March, so you’ll have to use your imagination. Today’s video is an illustration of all the roles an indie author must take to write, edit, produce, and market their own book. HAH! Actually, it’s a really creative vocalist. Watch and enjoy! (If you cannot see the embedded video in …

23 Reasons Why You Should Not Be Wasting Time on Fun Fridays: What do you call a joke that isn’t funny? A sentence. Back in 1980, I fell off my bike, twisted my foot, and hurt my knee. I’m telling you this now because there was no social media in the ’80s. What do sprinters eat before a race? Nothing; they fast. I was shocked when I found out my toaster wasn’t waterproof. Who shaves at least 20 …

Close your eyes and let the sound of this a capella rendition of “Ave Maria” wash over you. It may be the best four minutes you’ll spend in the arts today–unless you are writing your book (like you are supposed to be doing instead of watching Fun Friday videos). (If you cannot see the embedded video in your newsletter email, please click the headline and go directly to our …