Logo
Writing, publishing, and creative business advice for indie authors.
Menu
  • Home
    • Write for Us
    • Blog
    • About
      • More About Me
        • Renting Castles
        • Interviews
        • Travel Photos
        • My fiction writing
        • Inspiration vs. Motivation
    • Start Here
      • 100K Goals
      • Need help?
        • Current Projects
        • Book Marketing
        • Grow your email list
  • Writing
    • Free Writing Apps
    • How to write a book
    • 24-Chapter Outline
    • 25 best books on writing
    • Editing a Book
    • Writing prompts
    • Writing mistakes
    • Writing courses
    • Best keyboards
    • Best writing apps
    • Best AI writer
  • Publish
    • Publishing FAQ
    • Cover Design
      • Best book designers
      • Cover Templates
      • Book Formatting
      • Hire Me!
    • Book Editing
      • Hire Me!
    • Ghostwriting
    • Author Websites
  • Design
  • Free Books
    • Coaching
    • Courses
    • Manifesto
    • Explore
    • Breathe
    • Resources
    • Toolbox
  • 🎁
Own your ugly: why I have bad teeth and how I’m overcoming my insecurity

Own your ugly: why I have bad teeth and how I’m overcoming my insecurity

Recently I’ve been making a lot of video, doing some webinars, and preparing to launch my first online courses. One thing that’s always bothered me (maybe the reason it took me a year to even feel comfortable enough on camera to begin) is that I have ugly teeth. If teeth insecurity is keeping you off

Derek Murphy insecurity, self-doubt 1079
Are you heroic? How to persevere when things look bleak.

Are you heroic? How to persevere when things look bleak.

It’s 4:54am in Cleveland, and I can’t sleep. I elected to stay in a youth hostel and it’s quite nice, but my sole roommate has been coughing all night like he has some 18th century affliction. I had hoped to get a solid night’s sleep but now I’m in the common area, in the dark,

Derek Murphy hero's journey, insecurity, self-doubt, writer's block 308
How to beat cripping insecurity, doubt and failure: lessons from Steven Pressfield

How to beat cripping insecurity, doubt and failure: lessons from Steven Pressfield

Archive note: This essay was first published in October 2013. The interviews, book references and assessment of Steven Pressfield below reflect that period. This is a personal critique of creative practice, not a mental health diagnosis or treatment guide. If you’re an artist, author or entrepreneur, you’ve probably heard of Steven...

Derek Murphy insecurity 294
“Be the flame, not the moth.”
Logo
Writing, publishing, and creative business advice for indie authors.
inspiration for creative humans
#1 Site for Writers
#1 Site for WritersWe're one of the best self-publishing resources for authors. Stick around to find out why!
Trending
  • What's Hot
Why choosing a keyword-rich book title is a necessary evil for self-published writers
Why choosing a keyword-rich book title is a necessary evil for self-published writers
20772
Free novel outlining template for Google docs
Free novel outlining template for Google docs
12300
The 8 brilliant fonts you NEED to use in your book layout (with type combos & samples)
The 8 brilliant fonts you NEED to use in your book layout (with type combos & samples)
9043
How to make a full print book cover in Microsoft Word for KDP, Lulu or IngramSpark
How to make a full print book cover in Microsoft Word for KDP, Lulu or IngramSpark
7536
The horrible hidden truth behind the Secret Life of Walter Mitty that’s keeping you from your dreams.
The horrible hidden truth behind the Secret Life of Walter Mitty that's keeping you from your dreams.
7194
How much does the average author earn publishing their book?
How much does the average author earn publishing their book?
7014
Best Free AI Image Generator 2026 (No Signup, Tested + Ranked)
Best Free AI Image Generator 2026 (No Signup, Tested + Ranked)
6343

Plotting, scenes & revision

How to stand out with a real book when AI is ruining everything

Bookcraft Academy: 3 writing courses
Special offer: $37 (normally $197)

See the courses

Book covers

Your next cover doesn't have to start with a blank page

150 cover templates + 5 design courses
Special offer: $27 (normally $197)

See the bundle

Free book

Feeling invisible?

Get my book marketing book, Guerrilla Publishing, free, plus the 4-step bootcamp

Get the free book
Recent Posts
How Do I Love Thee? Meaning of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Sonnet 43
13 days ago0
Song of Myself Meaning: Whitman's Section 1 and the Famous Lines, Explained
13 days ago0
She Walks in Beauty Meaning: Byron's Poem, Line by Line, and Who She Was
13 days ago0
The Tell-Tale Heart Summary (and Why It's Not a Poem)
13 days ago0
Annabel Lee Meaning: Poe's Haunting Love Poem, Explained Stanza by Stanza
13 days ago0
The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe: Meaning, Summary and What 'Nevermore' Really Says
13 days ago259
Publish a Bestseller
Publish a Bestseller
Sell More Books
Sell More Books
Tags
authors book reviews books branding business cover design creativity crowdfunding digital nomad editing finish your book formatting freelance goals how to write a book insecurity inspiration kickstarter kindle marketing money motivation nanowrimo passive income plotting poetry procrastination productivity promotion publicity sales self-publishing sell art sell books social media templates wordpress work from home write faster writer's block writing writing a book writing contest writing retreat writing tips
Popular guides for writers
  • How many pages should a novel have?
  • How to prepare your manuscript for publication
  • The 8 best fonts for book layout
  • Best fantasy fonts for book covers
  • Is Vellum worth it?
  • The best AI writing tools for authors
  • Where to find a book editor (and what it costs)
  • How much do authors really earn?
  • How to make money selling short stories

Free tools

  • Free 3D book mockup maker
  • Book formatting templates
  • Free sample edit (Book Butchers)
Logo
Writing, publishing, and creative business advice for indie authors.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Terms & Privacy

Derek Murphy © 2026. All Rights Reserved. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, and some other links on this site are affiliate links too (they never cost you extra; see Terms & Privacy).