May/June2013 Issue
May/June Issue
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Author Archives: Brian A. Klems
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
Taking Drastic Measures
Around mid-morning one day, you realize that everything that is happening seems really familiar. After much thought you discover that your life has fallen into a terrible rut and now you must take drastic measures to find a way out of it. Write the scene where you make a life-changing decision. Read more
Unexpected Christmas Chatter
It’s a few days after Christmas and you received everything you wanted, especially (fill in the blank). But things take an interesting turn when, in the middle of the night, the thing that you wanted, which had been sitting in the corner, starts talking to you. Read more
Happy Holidays from the Writer’s Digest Team
Every year we have a small holiday party, generally held at our art director’s house (she likes hosting, plus she lives minutes from our office). We eat lunch, chat about the worst Christmas presents we’ve ever received, play games and close things down with a White Elephant gift exchange. But the one thing that dominates the conversation throughout the entire event is how lucky we are to be a part of the wonderful writing community, doing something we love that (hopefully) helps others find success. Read more
2011 Inspirational Writing Winners
Writer’s Digest would like to congratulate the 100 Inspirational Writing winners of the 80th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition! Read more
The 18 Most Popular Articles on Writing of 2011
We posted more than 1,300 articles to WritersDigest.com this year and, quite frankly, that’s a lot. It’s hard to sift through all of that, so I’ve gatherd the 18 most popular articles to share with you—a mix of fiction, nonfiction, writer’s rights, agenting, publishing and a bit of humor. Bookmark these links and reference them as much as you need. There’s something for everyone here, so read on. Your manuscript and writing career will thank you. Read more
Christmas Ghost
While hanging up your Christmas lights, you are flagged down by a neighborhood kid who offers to help. As he helps you, he tells you about the Christmas ghost that haunts his house. What’s odd is that you’ve noticed the same things happening around your house. Write this scene. Read more
2011 Mainstream Fiction Writing Winners
Writer’s Digest would like to congratulate the 100 Mainstream Fiction Writing winners of the 80th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition! Read more
2011 Magazine Writing Winners
Writer’s Digest would like to congratulate the 100 Magazine Writing winners of the 80th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition! Read more
2011 Genre Writing Winners
Writer’s Digest would like to congratulate the 100 Genre Writing winners of the 80th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition! Read more
2011 Children’s/Young Adult Writing Winners
Writer’s Digest would like to congratulate the 100 Children’s/Young Adult Writing winners of the 80th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition! Read more
Humor Writing Basics (& a List of Funny Words)
Writing “funny” isn’t easy. It’s a skilled labor that can drive even the calmest of writers crazy. I’ve been writing my parenting humor blog, The Life of Dad (you should totally check it out!), for more than five years and I can tell you that I’ve lost quite a bit of sleep over things as simple as word choice (Should I use the word “rope,” or is “duct tape” funnier?). I have permanent lumps on my head from banging it against the wall in frustration. And I’m convinced it’s the number one reason I’m going bald. Read on for some excellent resources on humor writing. Read more
A Church-Mandated Penance
Needing to get something off your chest, you head to the confessional at church. After laying out your misdeed to the priest, you are given an unusual task to perform as penance—not creepy, just unusual. Write this scene. Read more
