In this episode of The Writer’s Round, I pull back the curtain on one of my favorite parts of the creative process: research and development.

From building playlists and collecting thematic inspiration to creating miniature libraries of books that shape my thinking, I share the unconventional system I use to determine whether an idea is worth pursuing—or just another shiny distraction.

Drawing from my experience finishing Here to Sell while simultaneously developing my next project, I explore how creativity often emerges through patterns, themes, and subconscious connections rather than rigid planning.

I explain why consuming the right art matters, how books influence voice and perspective, and why creating meaningful work starts long before the first draft.

Whether you're a writer, business owner, artist, or creator, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on how to cultivate original ideas and develop a stronger creative voice.

Here’s what we cover:

• Why writing a book feels more like steering a massive ship than launching an offer
• The difference between a fleeting idea and a creative project worth pursuing
• How playlists help me discover themes and story concepts
• The role intuition, symbolism, and synchronicity play in my creative process
• Why consuming great art is essential to creating great work
• How reading across genres helps develop a unique writing style
• The “mini-library” strategy I use to research creative projects
• How books, films, and stories can become creative mentors
• Why developing your voice requires experimentation, not formal training
• How business owners can use the same process to strengthen their content and messaging

Creative breakthroughs rarely happen in isolation. They emerge through intentional exposure to ideas, themes, stories, and experiences that allow your subconscious mind to make connections over time.

Whether you're writing a novel, building a business, or creating content, the quality of what you consume shapes the quality of what you create.

Sometimes the best way to develop a new idea isn't to force it—it's to build an environment where it can find you.

CONNECT WITH KENDALL:

👩🏼‍🌾 Applications are OPEN for the inaugural cohort of The Greenhouse 🌱🌻 a 6-month accelerator to grow your writing business and transform your words into a premium product

Website: candidcollective.co

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kendall-cherry/

Subscribe to my newsletter, Wallflower Fridays 🌻 💌 wallflowerfridays.com

The Writer's Round on Substack: thewritersround.com

PREMIUM SUPPORT

Join The Greenhouse 🌱🌻 A 6-month accelerator to grow your writing business and transform your words into a premium product that clients love to pay you for. Apply here: findthegreenhouse.com

Want to hire me to write for you? 👻✏️ Grab my services guide: candidcollective.co/services-guide

© The Candid Collective

What do you do when business feels harder than usual, the market is shifting beneath your feet, and you're simultaneously trying to bring your biggest creative project to life?

In this candid solo episode of The Writer’s Round, I share a personal update from the final stretch of writing my first book, reflect on the challenges of building a business during uncertain times, and introduce a brand-new summer series centered around creativity, storytelling, books, films, and artistic inspiration.

Rather than focusing on tactics or strategy, this episode explores the emotional realities of entrepreneurship, the power of long-term thinking, and why periods of uncertainty often create the clarity needed for your next chapter.

Here’s what we cover:

• A behind-the-scenes update on the final sprint to complete Here to Sell and what this stage of the creative process really looks like
• The financial, emotional, and creative challenges of pursuing a long-term project while running a business
• Why difficult seasons often create the greatest opportunities for clarity and reinvention
• How shifting market conditions are impacting service providers, consultants, and online businesses
• The importance of focusing on long-term assets instead of short-term results
• Why I believe many entrepreneurs are currently experiencing a collective season of transition and recalibration
• How books, movies, and other forms of art shape creative thinking and strengthen storytelling skills
• The surprising connection between nostalgia, creativity, and the cultural moment we're living through
• Why limiting news and social media consumption can create more space for original thought and creative work
• An introduction to this summer’s special podcast series focused on books, films, creative inspiration, and the stories shaping my work

Whether you're navigating a business pivot, working on a creative project of your own, or simply feeling the weight of an uncertain season, this episode offers an honest reminder that growth often happens in the middle of the mess—and that some of the most meaningful work requires patience, trust, and a long view.

CONNECT WITH KENDALL:

👩🏼‍🌾 Applications are OPEN for the inaugural cohort of The Greenhouse 🌱🌻 a 6-month accelerator to grow your writing business and transform your words into a premium product

Website: candidcollective.co

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kendall-cherry/

Subscribe to my newsletter, Wallflower Fridays 🌻 💌 wallflowerfridays.com

The Writer's Round on Substack: thewritersround.com

PREMIUM SUPPORT

Join The Greenhouse 🌱🌻 A 6-month accelerator to grow your writing business and transform your words into a premium product that clients love to pay you for. Apply here: findthegreenhouse.com

Want to hire me to write for you? 👻✏️ Grab my services guide: candidcollective.co/services-guide

© The Candid Collective

Ever feel like you should be creating better content—but you’re so deep in client work or execution that it keeps getting pushed aside?

In this solo episode of The Writer’s Round, I explore how simple, repeatable rituals—not more hustle—can help you build stronger sales stories and show up more consistently with your content.

Instead of adding more productivity hacks or rigid routines, this episode reframes rituals as small mindset shifts that help you notice ideas in real time, stay connected to your audience, and make content creation feel more natural—even in busy seasons.

Here’s what we cover:

• Why traditional “productivity hacks” often create more shame—and what to do instead
• How Morning Pages can train your subconscious to surface better sales angles and ideas
• The unexpected power of commenting on LinkedIn as real-time market research and messaging testing
• Why your client call transcripts are a goldmine for content—and how to actually use them
• How a weekly email newsletter builds consistency, clarity, and deeper audience connection
• Why tracking daily wins helps regulate your nervous system and unlock more creative thinking
• The connection between mental clarity, nervous system regulation, and better storytelling
• How to stay connected to your audience and messaging—even when you’re deep in execution mode

Whether you’re in a heavy delivery season, struggling to come up with fresh content ideas, or simply want a more sustainable way to create stories that convert, this episode will help you build small habits that compound into powerful results over time.

CONNECT WITH KENDALL:

👩🏼‍🌾 Applications are OPEN for the inaugural cohort of The Greenhouse 🌱🌻 a 6-month accelerator to grow your writing business and transform your words into a premium product

Website: candidcollective.co

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kendall-cherry/

Subscribe to my newsletter, Wallflower Fridays 🌻 💌 wallflowerfridays.com

The Writer's Round on Substack: thewritersround.com

PREMIUM SUPPORT

Join The Greenhouse 🌱🌻 A 6-month accelerator to grow your writing business and transform your words into a premium product that clients love to pay you for. Apply here: findthegreenhouse.com

Want to hire me to write for you? 👻✏️ Grab my services guide: candidcollective.co/services-guide

© The Candid Collective