Writer’s Digest - Humor Writing

Wherever I go, everyone wants to know how I assemble the columns they occasionally skim once they’ve finished Writer’s Digest’s useful content. Well, I describe my writing process like this: “Writing is like driving. You never see further than your headlights, but you can make the whole trip—what the hell was that? Did I just hit a deer? Aren’t there laws requiring deer to wear reflectors? I should go back. No, no, nothing I can do now. If I happen to pass a roadside trauma center, I’ll be sure to give them a heads-up. Now, which way is Mexico? … ”

by Jason Roeder Read more

This Writer's Life:
Agent Angst

Medium-sized agencies handle your work with care, but the big guys may get you a six-figure deal. So, what’s a writer to do?

by Kevin Alexander Read more

The Roeder Report:
Just Trying to Be Nice

A few years ago, I shared a short story with my writing group. It was a speculative work that dared to ask, “What if the circus took over the world?” The comments above were the three most encouraging I received from my cohorts. Of the two remaining members of my group, one handed me back my heavily wept-upon manuscript without a word, while the other simply dropped out of society.

by Jason Roeder Read more

This Writer's Life:
Instant Blogification

In late 2006, my editor at Writer’s Digest called me with an idea. “We’re putting together some blogs for our website. Do you want in?” At the time, I was wary of the whole blogosphere. I’d been under the impression that blogs were just online dream journals for tech-savvy, angst-ridden teenagers to share intimately detailed fantasies involving Prince William. Also, I’m not good at the Internet, as evidenced by my tendency to use outdated search engines and refer to it as the “Intranet.” But I was curious. So I decided to get informed. Read more

The Roeder Report:
Importance of Writing Environment

I’m writing this piece in a coffee shop. I know, I know, you think of a coffee shop as a place where people slurp down their lattes as fast as burn prevention allows before leaping from their seats to make room for the next customer; a place where, if you dawdle for more than 10 minutes, you’ll be force-fed the last morsel of your cranberry-orange scone and shoved onto the sidewalk by a bouncer who’s hoping you give him an excuse to choke you out.

by Jason Roeder Read more

This Writer's Life:
No Longer So Awkward

Like most rookie writers, he thought his first attempt at a memoir was a masterpiece. One MFA later, he’s embarrassed to admit he wrote that.

by Kevin Alexander Read more

Word Play

Language holds a key role in writing humor. Here are six steps to help you find the perfect word to nail a punchline. Read More