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February 2012 Issue
February Issue
Writer's Digest Magazine
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There Are No Rules
There Are No Rules Blog by the Editors of Writer’s Digest
[description]Get on the cutting edge of today’s publishing trends and how authors can succeed in a world of fast-paced technological change, guided by the editors of Writer’s Digest.[/description]
[keywords]no rules blog, publishing trends, writing technology[/keywords]
[keywords]no rules blog, publishing trends, writing technology[/keywords]
Get on the cutting edge of today’s publishing trends and how authors can succeed in a world of fast-paced technological change, guided by the editors of Writer’s Digest. You’ll get an inside look at the work, play, and passion of the publishing business and find practical tools for success.
How to Find Your Narrative Voice
A strong narrative voice gives your fiction a distinctive flavor and makes it stand out in a slush pile. But many beginning novelists struggle with finding their narrative voice, and some opt … 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
21 Ray Bradbury Quotes: Your Moment of Friday Writing Zen
Every week, I spelunk into the Writer’s Digest archives to find the wisest, funniest, or downright strangest moments from our 92 years of publication. Today: An array of quotes from the brilliant … Read more
Don’t Write a Book Without a Buyer
(The following is a guest post by Rob Eagar) During the recent housing crash that devastated our economy, a lot of builders built homes based on speculation called “spec homes.” In these … Read more
Expert Tips for Writing Action Scenes
Think “action scene,” and you probably think of the Hollywood version: A character is thrust into high-stakes, physical drama (a gunfight, a daring rescue, a desperate escape) that changes her in some … 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
Do You Really Need to Write Every Day?
So many writers are adamant about the importance of writing every day that just the act of putting the adage into practice has become a way to define yourself as A Serious … Read more
Vintage Writer Cartoons and Jokes (Plus, Win a Free Book)
(Your Moment of Friday Writing Zen) Every week, I spelunk into the Writer’s Digest archives to find the wisest, funniest, or downright strangest moments from our 92 years of publication. This week, … Read more
5 Tips for Fearless Writing
Putting ideas out in the world takes courage, so playing it safe with your writing can be an appealing strategy. Faced with limited writing time and abundant competition, you figure out what … 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
3 Lessons in Writing (and Great Stories) From the Super Bowl
Like most writers, there’s not much I love more than a great story. And when you look beyond the creative new commercials, over-the-top halftime entertainment and an excuse to (over)indulge in beer … Read more
Challenge Assumptions to Sell More Books
Guest post by Rob Eagar Every author wants a lot of people to buy their books. But, people won’t buy a book unless they feel a reason to read – regardless if … Read more
Before The Great Gatsby: Vintage Quotes and Wisdom From F Scott Fitzgerald
At Writer’s Digest, one of my favorite things to do is to go spelunking in the magazine archives. First published in 1920 as Successful Writing, WD has been around for 92 years, which gives a motivated nerd a lot of thrills in digging around when he’s not editing, writing or having mini panic attacks about production deadlines. Read more
The Secret to Writing a Standout Picture Book
As any children’s picture book author will attest, writing for children is not easier than writing for adults. In fact, it’s probably more difficult, and here’s why: The story must appeal to … 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
What You Should Know About the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award
The very narrow annual submission window is now open for the much-buzzed-about Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award (learn about it here). If you’re an unpublished or self-published first-time novelist, you’re eligible to enter … Read more
Tips to Make Selling Your Fiction a Reality
Guest Post by Rob Eagar Earlier this year, I heard a publishing executive say, “The best way to market your fiction is to write more fiction.” I disagree with this idea, because … Read more
4 Techniques for Creating Believable Villains
The protagonist’s conflict with an opposing force—usually in the form of another character—is the essence of every novel. 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
Top Tips From the Writer’s Digest Conference
The staying power of events like this weekend’s Writer’s Digest Conference comes down to one thing: Momentum. It’s energizing being in the company of so many like-minded people—the solidarity is encouraging, and … Read more
The Drive to Write
Chris Baty, founder of National Novel Writing Month, gives the closing address of the 2012 Writer’s Digest Conference. Read more
How to Make Your Novel’s First 50 Pages Stand Out
Jeff Gerke gives tips to aspiring novelists on how to improve their first fifty pages. Read more
Making Good Ideas Great
Jack Heffron gives tips about how to make good fiction and non-fiction ideas great. Read more
How to Better Market Your Book
A panel of marketing experts give tips on how to better market your book. Read more
Writers Now Have A Choice
Best-Selling Author Barry Eisler predicts the future of publishing. Read more
