July/August 2013 Issue
July/August Issue
Writer's Digest Magazine
Preview the Issue
Buy It Here
Give a Gift SubscriptionSave 58%!
Website of the Week
Author Archives: Scott Francis
How to Make Writing Flow: Understanding What is Really Being Said in a Writing Critique
If you ask me, one of the most annoying things about being a writer is all of the contradictory advice that gets thrown around. If you ask ten writers a question about … Read more
Key Advice for Writing Fantasy
Paranormal writing is still hot… Whether you love the Twilight phenomenon or hate it, the buzz around teen vampires and werewolves is still going strong. If you’re into spooky writing—from the YA … Read more
Author Interview: Don Fry
Don Fry has taught over 10,000 writers worldwide to write better and faster with less agony. He a writing coach who has worked with newspapers and magazines, radio and television stations, and … Read more
How to Use Archetypes in Literature When Creating Characters for Your Novel
As writers we are often concerned with creating characters: characters that seem realistic, characters that are likeable or that readers can at least relate to and understand their motivations. But creating characters … Read more
How to Research Your Novel
Just because you’re writing fiction, it doesn’t give you license to make everything up. Well, okay, so maybe it does. It’s your story, you can do whatever you want. But, let’s say … Read more
Writing Dialogue: The 5 Best Ways to Make Your Characters’ Conversations Seem Real
Whether you write novels or prefer writing short stories, it’s important to know how to write dialogue in a story. Dialogue is one of those key elements of fiction that a lot … Read more
Finding Creative Writing Ideas
Where Do You Get Your Creative Writing Ideas? As a writer one of the most common questions you’ll hear is “where do you get your ideas?” Non-writers think that writers have some … Read more
How to Get a Short Story Published Like a Pro
As a writer you probably hear a lot of advice about how to get your novel published, how to write a perfect query letter, how to get an agent or editor’s attention … Read more
Best Advice for Getting Your Fiction Published
Seeking publication for your fiction? Start by making sure your writing is top notch. Read more
Defining character archetypes
For a character’s actions to seem believable they must reflect the personality of that character. Character archetypes are a great way to help understand what motivates your heroes and villains – the … Read more
The Gamechanger
Based on her popular writing reference 45 Master Characters, author and journey and archetype guru Victoria Lynn Schmidt has written a bonus character archetype to accompany the reprinting of her classic reference. … Read more
Your Story 39 Winner: Homecoming
Prompt: You return to the house where you grew up, only to learn it has been condemned. Read more
A Day in the Life of a Writer
Try this fun day-long writing prompt from Jack Heffron, author of The Writer’s Idea Book. You’ll gain a lot of insight, and may just come up with some great ideas to spark … Read more
Writer’s Idea Book
The Writer’s Idea Book, 10th Anniversary Edition How to Develop Great Ideas for Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, & Screenplays by Jack Heffron Writer’s Digest Books, 2011 ISBN: 9781599633862 $19.99, paperback, 352 pages buy … Read more
50 Questions
50 WRITING QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER Ponder these writing questions if you find yourself stuck on a project or are struggling with some aspect of your writing life. Based on the time-tested Writer’s … Read more
Songwriting Without Boundaries
Songwriting Without Boundaries Lyric Writing Exercises for Finding Your Voice by Pat Pattison Writer’s Digest Books, 2011 ISBN: 978-1-59963-297-1 $17.99, paperback, 240 pages Infuse your lyrics with sensory detail! Writing great song … Read more
Your Story 38 – Winners!
Prompt: Write the opening sentence to a story (25 words or fewer) based on the photo prompt to the left.Official Rules Thanks to everyone for your votes. Here are the results of … Read more
Songwriting Challenge Commentary
Songwriting Without Boundaries by Pat Pattison is destined to become a classic. Filled with more than 150 sense-bound prompts to help you commit to routine practice and improve your craft. The book … Read more
Stilted Dialogue
Considering dialogue from a book proposal standpoint. by Jeff Gerke Poor dialogue is something you must not have in your submission package if you want agents and editors to keep reading and … Read more
First 50 Pages
The First 50 Pages Engage Agents, Editors, and Readers, and Set Up Your Novel for Success by Jeff Gerke Writer’s Digest Books, 2011 ISBN: 9781599632384 $16.99, paperback, 240 pages Buy the Book … Read more
Question of the Day
Question of the Day Where Truth Is the Dare by Al Katkowsky Writer’s Digest Books, 2011 ISBN: 9781599632926 $12.99, paperback, 352 pages buy the book Life has answers. Make sure you’re … Read more
First 50 Pages Checklist
Before submitting your manuscript to an agent or editor, it’s important to make sure your submission package is in the best possible shape it can be. Here’s a checklist that can help … Read more
Your Story 37 Winner: Anonymous
Prompt: After being pulled over for speeding, your character finds something important while looking for her registration in the glove compartment. Once again, you’ve made the Your Story competition a success. Thanks … Read more
About the Author
In the “About the Author” section of your proposal, you want to explain why you are the perfect person to write this book. Or because there might be (probably will be) more … Read more
Openings That Will Grab Your Reader
Here are just three of the many ways to open your nonfiction article or book for a juvenile audience: Anecdotal The evening is silent except for the rhythm of the cricket’s song. … Read more
