A writer’s platform isn’t about shouting to be heard—it’s about connection. In this insightful piece, Clay Stafford reframes platform-building as an act of service and authenticity. Discover how to define who you are, what you stand for, and why your voice matters to build genuine relationships that last.
Great writers are always great readers—and not by accident. Clay Stafford explores how reading with purpose strengthens a writer’s craft, voice, and imagination. Learn to turn every book into a classroom, expand your creative vocabulary, and transform reading into an essential part of your writing practice.
Speaking to groups and participating in interviews or presentations is not just a task, but a joyous opportunity to connect with new people, share my passion, and increase individual awareness in the community. If you're not yet involved in public speaking, I highly...
Being a writer often feels like wandering through a labyrinth. Every path offers possibilities, but not every path leads to success or fulfillment. I know; I’ve been there. Writers who contact me sometimes feel overwhelmed and paralyzed by the complexity of career...
Everything has consequences, from ethical considerations to long-term goals. Every choice we make, from what we eat to how much activity we get in the day or how much we write each day, is a short-term choice that affects long-term goals. Life is not a tidal wave; it...
Writing is not about adding more subplots, making things complicated, adding a boatload of characters, or using some sort of gimmick. Writing – no matter what you’re writing – is about developing stories that resonate with readers, address the reader’s needs, and...
Success requires discipline, focus, and knowing your “why.” Without them, distractions can lead to downfall. Stay vigilant and keep your goals aligned with your values.
It's comforting to delude ourselves that our lives and careers should follow a steady upward trajectory, like a climbing line on a graph. But in reality, they resemble the unpredictable zigzag of the stock market, with its ups and downs. This fluctuation is not a sign...
When it finally hits us, we wonder why we didn’t realize it all along. You’ll laugh when I say it. But after you think about it, you’ll realize that this might be your reality. It is this: Great things don’t happen to you. You make great things happen. It sounds...
Professional writing, like anything professional, is a business. For those who want a career as a writer, business requires daily attention, just like writing. Remember: if you are not growing daily, you are getting worse. There is no stasis, stagnation, or limbo in...