February 2012 Issue
February Issue
Writer's Digest Magazine
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Author Archives: Brian A. Klems
The Q: What’s the Best Piece of Novel Writing Advice You’ve Ever Received? (Plus, Win a Free WD Subscription!)
We’ve all received writing advice at some point in our lives. Whether it was a high school English teacher who suggested we cut back on using passive voice, a conference presenter who recommended abandoning our prologue, or a roommate who told us to never give up (and to, perhaps, get a second job in order to help pay the rent). The best pieces of writing advice stick with us and make us better writers, so it’s important we share that with others—after all, writers need to stick together. Read more
Getting Your Money Back
You slide your card into the ATM machine and attempt to withdraw cash, only to find that your account is empty. Something is wrong, as just yesterday, you had $5,000 in it. Only one person you know could be responsible for this—and without hesitation, you are off to confront that person and get your money back. Read more
Since vs. Because
Are “since” and “because” interchangeable or is there a difference between them? This quick explanation will help you put this hot-button issue to rest once and for all. Read more
WD Editors Are Writers Too: Meet Robert Lee Brewer, Senior Content Editor of Writer’s Market
All the editors on Writer’s Digest staff aren’t just 9-5 editors, we are also writers and storytellers—which is why we are so passionate about writing and publishing. “WD Editors Are Writers Too” is a feature on this blog to give you a sneak peek at the folks who lead the WD community—including their quirks, what inspires them and what they are writing outside of the Writer’s Digest world. Today’s pick is Writer’s Market Senior Content Editor Robert Lee Brewer, who loves writing, social media, connecting with others and the Cincinnati Reds as much as I do. He was also once named Poet Laureate of the Blogosphere and can grow a monster beard in like a week. Read more
Valentine’s Day Secret Admirer
You receive a Valentine’s Day card in the mail from a secret admirer. According to the love note, the secret admirer will reveal his or her identity on Valentine’s Day at a location mentioned on the card. Oddly enough, this is the same location you are taking your current love interest out on a Valentine’s Day date. Write about how this evening plays out. Read more
The 39 Best Blogs for Writers
While rolling through my typical stable of writing blogs this morning, I stumbled upon this great article by Writer’s Market editor Robert Lee Brewer (if you don’t follow @robertleebrewer on Twitter, you should). Anyway, he put together a great list of 39 Great Writing Blogs that he believes are most worthy of your precious time. Here’s what he says. Read more
The Tooth Fairy is a Thief
The Tooth Fairy visits your house in the middle of the night, only she isn’t just taking your children’s teeth. What is she stealing from your house and how do you attempt to stop her? Read more
Mystery Writing: An Interview With Author Mary Kay Andrews
Mary Kay Andrews was a successful journalist and mystery writer, but she still hadn’t found her niche—until a career renovation pushed her out of her comfort zone and onto the bestseller list. Read more
Not Your Average Bar Fight
After getting into an argument with another patron at a local bar, the person challenges you to a fight out back. Because you’ve never been in a fight before (and don’t want this to be your first time), you come up with a more creative way to settle your dispute. Read more
Use These Writing Prompts (& Get Feedback on Your Writing)
As the first month of 2012 winds down, so does the fight to stay strong in keeping up with New Year’s resolutions. It’s so easy to fall off the horse for a few days, then a few more days, then a few more—and we do this without considering how much falling off a horse actually hurts! (Even falling off a figurative horse hurts our writing career in the long run.) So with month two creeping up on us, I’d like to offer up some writing prompt exercises to rekindle your creative spirit. Read more
What Are the Guidelines for Formatting a Manuscript?
Before sending your novel out to potential agents and publishers, be sure to follow these important formatting guidelines. Read more
Thank You For Punishing Me
You’ve been convicted of a crime, but the judge recognizes that this is your first offense. Instead of sending you to jail, he hands down an extremely unusual punishment. What’s even more unusual is, after it’s over, you come back to thank him. Why? Read more
Reject a Hit: Romeo & Juliet
Let’s step once again into the role of the unconvinced, perhaps even curmudgeonly or fool-hearted editor: What harsh rejection letters might the authors of some of our favorite hits have had to endure? For this special edition of Reject a Hit, WD readers took our online challenge to rebuff Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet—in just one line. Here are 10 of our favorite faux editorial snubs. Read more
What Writers Need to Know About Formatting (FAQs)
When writing your future bestseller you don’t want to have to waste too much time wondering if you should be leaving one space or two between sentences or worried that you’re committing other style faux pas. Here I’ve collected a writer’s set of FAQs about formatting issues that will help you navigate the basics. Read more
Follow the Writer’s Digest Conference Live Here!
Not able to attend the Writer’s Digest Conference in New York City this weekend? Have no fear, as you’ll be able to get a sneak peek and pick up a few tips dished out by the presenters thanks to our stable of conference bloggers. Click here to find out how. Read more
The Q: Define What Writing Means to You (Plus, Win a Free WD Subscription!)
Writing means a lot of different things to a lot of people. It can be a release. It can be a way to pay the rent. It can be a way to exact revenge on a nemesis without actually committing a crime. But to all of us, it means something–otherwise, we wouldn’t carve time out of our busy schedules to do it. So my Q to you is: What Does Writing Mean to You? Read more
One Very Memorable Night (But Not for Good Reasons)
While out at a bar, your old high school sweetheart approaches you and gives you an unexpected kiss right on the lips. This causes you to have one intense reaction that will lead to a very memorable night—but not for good reasons. Read more
The Power of Two: Bonus Outtakes From WD Interview With Lincoln Child & Douglas Preston
In an exclusive dual interview appearing in the February 2012 issue of Writer’s Digest magazine, Lincoln and Child share what we can all learn from what makes their partnership work—about writing only what really speaks to us, finding our path through the story, and learning the value of feedback we can trust. (To read the full interview, click here to buy a copy of the issue [coming soon]). In this bonus online-only Q&A, they talk more about why reaching out to readers is important, and how to balance all the many aspects of a successful writing career today. Read more
WD Editors Are Writers Too: Meet Tiffany Luckey, Assistant Editor of Writer’s Market
All the editors on Writer’s Digest staff aren’t just 9-5 editors, we are also writers and storytellers—which is why we are so passionate about writing and publishing. “WD Editors Are Writers Too” is a new column on this blog to give you a sneak peek at the folks who lead the WD community—including their quirks, what inspires them and what they are writing outside of the Writer’s Digest world. Today’s pick is Writer’s Market Assistant Editor Tiffany Luckey, who is not only the master proofreader for this blog, but is also one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. Read more
How to Avoid 10 Common Conference Mistakes That Most Writers Make
10 top conference organizers reveal the 10 common pitfalls they most often see writers tumbling into—and how to avoid them. Read more
6 Simple Ways to Reboot Your Writing Routine
Abandoned manuscripts, dwindling writing time, stubborn computers—sometimes your writing life can feel like it’s lost the plot. It’s time to recenter and refocus—and start 2012 off right. Read more
“I Know I’m Supposed to Keep This a Secret, But …”
The plane lifted off the runway and into the air. The person next to you turns and quietly whispers in your ear, “I know I’m supposed to keep this a secret, but I absolutely must tell someone.” Read more
Free Webinar Tuesday @ 2:30 EST – 7 Secrets of Successful Self-Published Authors
If you’ve never tried a webinar before or have been hesitant to try because you’re not sure how it works and don’t know whether it’d be a right fit for you, you have an opportunity to try one for free. Get details here. Read more
What Are Your New Year’s Writing Resolutions?
Every year after the ball drops, we make promises to ourselves–to lose weight, to read more fiction, to drink less coffee, to win the lottery, to finally finish writing our novels. But by February we’re already back at Starbucks avoiding our novels (and playing on Facebook). It’s time we made a pact. Who’s with me? Read more
What is a Poetry Chapbook?
Cindy N. asks writing expert Brian A. Klems “What is a poetry chapbook, and how is it different from a regular book?” Here he gives a detailed explanation. Read more