A friend rings your doorbell way too early in the morning to be ringing doorbells. You answer the door in your PJs, and the friend says, "Pack a bag quickly. I have to get out of here now and need you to come with me." You are intrigued.
Author Archives: Brian A. Klems
Do You Underline Book Titles?
Do you italicize book titles? Underline them? Put book titles in quotes? Here's the real scoop on how to handle styling book titles in your writing.
Lipstick Message
You get a message, it is obviously for you, but it is scrawled in lipstick on a mirror in a public restroom. It's unexpected, but now you know exactly where the killer is hiding. It's time to find him and, hopefully, your friend (and hopefully your friend is still alive). Write this scene.
What if You Were the Editor Who Rejected Jurassic Park?
Most of us writers have received rejection letters at one point or another in our writing career (I've certainly received my fair share, that's for sure). But what if we could turn the tables a bit and pretend to be an editor that rejects a bestselling novel or famous author? Writer's Digest's Reject-a-Hit free...
Person of Your Dreams
The person of your dreams shows up on your doorstep, asking if you’d like to go out for coffee. You are surprised and confused, but you say yes. At the coffee shop, as he/she is talking, you discover that he/she thinks that you are someone else. Instead of coming clean, you go with it—only...
7 Tips for Turning Your Blog into a Book
Here are seven tips on how to book a blog and turn out a professional manuscript—one with a high likelihood of achieving self-publishing success or landing a traditional publishing deal—in the process.
Random Acts of Kindness for Writers
The writing community is made up of thousands of individuals who support one another. There is a collective understanding between writers that we are strongest together, and to that end, people readily give their time and energy to see their fellows succeed. Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi share the writing path with so many...
Why Are You Digging That Hole?
You’ve been outside digging a large hole for several hours when you realize that you can’t recall why you are digging it. Retrace your steps to try to discover your motivation.
Leaped or Leapt?
It's time to settle the dispute in the battle of leaped vs. leapt (vs. lept). Which one is correct? Find out here.
Mary Kole’s Publish Your Children’s, Tween, or Teen Fiction in Today’s Market (& a Critique)
We are honored to have agent Mary Kole back this Thursday (May 10, 2012) to teach her webinar "Publish Your Children's, Tween, or Teen Fiction in Today's Market: How to hook an agent with your 'Once upon a time...' and make your own fairy tale." This is not only our most popular webinar, but,...
When Your Favorite Characters Don’t Get Along
Your parents have thrown you a surprise birthday dinner and have invited your two favorite fictional characters (can be literary, television, movie, etc.). There's only one problem: Turns out, the characters don't get along and, after some mild bickering, they get into a big fight following one particular insult. Write this scene.
7 Ways to Write a Stand-Alone Book (with Series Potential)
Publishers would rather publish a stand-alone book and see how it does before committing to a series, so the first book becomes a tough balancing act. How do you learn to write a stand-alone book with series potential? Here are 7 ways to accomplish that.
Backstage Passes Lead to Adventure
You've been given the opportunity to see any band (dead or alive) at a live concert in your hometown. At the end of the show, you bump into an old high school friend who is working security and offers you (and the friend you brought to the concert) backstage passes. What happens next is...
The Q: Can You “Read” an Audiobook?
A few months ago, my wife picked up an audiobook from the library (it was Rob Lowe's Stories I Only Tell My Friends, in case you were wondering). I had never listened to an audiobook before, so I thought I'd give it a go. And I fell in love with it. It's the perfect...
Why You Were Late for the Meeting
You're at lunch when your smartphone buzzes with an e-mail from your boss: "Don't forget, we have a meeting in 10 minutes." Of course you did forget, so you rush out of the restaurant and attempt to make it before it starts. But a crazy chain of events stops you from getting back in...
Add Writer’s Digest to your Google+ Circles & Get Our Creativity Guide
Did you know Writer's Digest has a Google+ page? We've become a part of one of the fastest-growing networks so we can deliver more great writing advice and tips to even more people. Are you on Google+? If so, follow us and you'll get extra goodies, like this ...
23 Timeless Quotes About Writing
While fad advice in the writing world comes and goes, some wisdom is so novel that it’s withstood the test of time. Culled from 91 years of WD articles, interviews and essays, here are 23 of our favorite writing quotes of enduring advice and inspiration. Enjoy.
7th Annual Pop Fiction Writing Competition Winner: Horror
Here's the winning entry for the Horror category for the 7th Annual Writer's Digest Popular Fiction Writing competition by nursing student Stefani Corn.
Exciting News: I Landed a Literary Agent!
As many of you know, I've spent the past few months working on a New Year's Resolution list that's difficult, yet achievable (well, I'm not yet convinced that getting a photo of me and my kids with all of our eyes open at the same time is achievable, as they usually
Bribing An IRS Agent
There's a knock on the door. It's an IRS agent who has come to your house to audit your taxes. Knowing that you fudged a few numbers on your forms, you decide to attempt to bribe the agent. Much to your surprise, it's working, but things take an peculiar turn when the agent makes...
Friday the 13th Fun: 13 Top Products in the Writer’s Digest Shop
I know Friday the 13th is supposed to be an unlucky day, but I prefer to take the day and look at what can make me better—a better person, a better dad, a better writer. There are a lot of great WD tools that have helped me with the latter. And I'm not alone....
WD Editors Are Writers Too: Meet Jessica Strawser, Editor of Writer’s Digest
“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 Digest Editor Jessica Strawser. Few people know that Jessica...
What is Flashback in a Story?
Flashbacks can play pivotal roles in any story, whether it be fiction, nonfiction or a script. So what is flashback in a story (and how is it different than backstory)? Find out here.
Secret Passageway
You've just moved into a new house and are fixing it up. In the process of painting you find an odd crack in the wall. As you explore further, you find out it's a secret passageway—and you have no idea where it leads. You decide to grab a flashlight and go exploring.
April is Poetry Month – Ready for Our Poem-A-Day Challenge?
Did you know that April is National Poetry Month? I have never considered myself to be a poet, but I've learned that writing poetry can be fun. That's why a couple of years ago I participated in Robert Lee Brewer's Poem a Day challenge. It was one of the best decisions I ever made...