Mark interviews Donn King about his new book ANCHORED FOR THE STORM, about caregiving, and about creativity.

Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episode, a personal update, and a word from this episode's sponsor.

This episode is sponsored by Author Nation, being held in Las Vegas Nov 13 through 14, 2026

Learn more about Author Nation and register at AuthorNation.live.

In the interview, Mark and Donn talk about:

The difference between goals and missions
How Donn has always been a writer of some sort and how that will always be the thing that stays even when he cuts other things back
Writer's Block versus when the well runs dry
Understanding how not being true to yourself can be something that leads to depression
Thinking of yourself not as a speaker or a writer, but an expert in a particular field and which you can share those things through speaking and writing
The recent passing away of Donn's severely disabled daughter Hanna and the 24-hour required care she had needed
Donn's preferred 2 to 3 hours of uninterrupted time for writing . . . and how being unable to do that suggested to him that he could NOT write. And how that all changed when he found ways to get writing done in much smaller chunks, like 5 minute slots
How there are currently roughly 50 million unpaid caregivers in the US today and yet how they can feel so alone
Re-examining what it means to creative even for those who are writers or artists
Being able to serve your person by taking care of yourself
How when you are a caregiver you are in constant crisis without any indication that it will ever end
How Donn has been grieving as a parent for over numerous decades
Donn's book of devotionals for caregivers who don't need another inspirational slogan, ANCHORED FOR THE STORM
The question of "why do bad things happen to good people" and how it relates to the concept of a dog watching a human rushing about in their daily life without being able to comprehend what the human is doing and why the human is doing it
The generic and stereotypical things people can say when addressing someone else's loss
The value of not feeling alone and how that can help people drawing strength from one another
The Andy Weir novel PROJECT HAIL MARY and the recent movie adaptation
The Warren Buffett story about the idea of giving up things you really want to do in order to achieve the most important things that you want to do
Being aware of how Donn lost his "best-earning years"
Mark's recent "Publishing Wide But Shallow" talk
Donn knowing how to do a proper book launch, but not having the capability of getting those things done
Advice Donn would offer to others who are in a care-giving situation
What to say when you're not sure what to say
And more...

After the interview Mark reflects on the value in connecting (even when that interview either wasn't recorded or wasn't "used" for anything other than a personal connection with someone else, on the incredible power writers have to ensure someone else out there doesn't feel alone, and the importance of being honest when you're not sure what to say to someone in a delicate situation.

Links of Interest:

Donn King's Website
- Anchored for the Storm
- Creating While Caring
King's Chronicles (Substack)
Pint and Portal Podcast: Find Success Beyond Amazon (YouTube)
Manuscript Report (Mark's affiliate link - use MARK10 to save 10%)
Buy Mark a Coffee
Patreon for Stark Reflections
Mark's YouTube channel
ElevenLabs (AI Voice Generation - Affiliate link)
Mark's Stark Reflections on Writing & Publishing Newsletter (Signup)
An Author's Guide to Working With Bookstores and Libraries
The Relaxed Author
- Buy eBook Direct
- Buy Audiobook Direct
Publishing Pitfalls for Authors
An Author's Guide to Working with Libraries & Bookstores
Wide for the Win
Mark's Canadian Werewolf Books
The Canadian Mounted: A Trivia Guide to Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Yippee Ki-Yay Motherf*cker: A Trivia Guide to Die Hard
Merry Christmas! Shitter Was Full!: A Trivia Guide to National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
I Think It's A Sign That The Pun Also Rises

Donn King is an author and speaker who has spent years helping writers and speakers connect with audiences in authentic ways. Donn's books and podcast, The Alignment Show, explore how to live in courageous alignment with your values. He blends a warm, slightly playful style while still grounding his work in credibility. His goal is to prove that words, when used with honesty, heart, and craft, can shift lives.

The introductory, end, and bumper music for this podcast ("Laser Groove") was composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com and is Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0