July/August 2013 Issue
July/August Issue
Writer's Digest Magazine
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Brian Klems’ The Writer’s Dig
Brian A. Klems is a published author and the online editor of WritersDigest.com. His blog, which covers everything writing—from grammar rules to publishing—is one of the most popular in the writing community. Follow him on Twitter @BrianKlems.
The 8 Secrets of Great Copywriting
Forty years as a copywriter has taught Pat Fagan that copywriting is part trench work, part cliff diving, part Hemingway, a little Lewis and Clark, and all about telling the truth. During his career, he learned a lot from working with the industry’s most talented giants. Here are their best tips. Read more
5 Ways to Make the Ordinary Menacing in Your Suspense Novel
Suspense happens when a scene becomes charged with anticipation. It’s the possibility of what might happen that keeps the reader on the edge of her chair. Here’s how to add suspense to everyday scenes that appear in your novel. Read more
How to Improve Your Writing: Subplots and Subtext
Subplots and subtext are two different sub sandwiches on the story menu, and as the chef, you need to grill them up strategically. Read more
The Art of Adaptation
Here’s the funny thing about writing: Where we start is almost never where we end up. Read more
How to Weave Backstory Into Your Novel Seamlessly
Behind every well- developed novel lies an important backstory—but including too much of it too soon can halt your story’s momentum. Here’s how to know what to reveal, and when. Read more
4 Things to Consider When Researching Literary Agents
These tips will help you refine your search and put you in the best position to land the literary agent that is best suited to represent your work. Read more
4 Tips When Writing from Experience
Like many writers, Robin Palmer’s first novel was autobiographical. Also like many writers, her first novel was not published. Since that first manuscript, she’s published 10 books. Yet it wasn’t until her forthcoming novel The Corner of Bitter and Sweet—the story of a sixteen-year-old girl dealing with her mother’s alcoholism and subsequent recovery—that she decided to dip back into my own experience. Determined not to repeat the same mistakes, she made certain to keep these four tips in mind. Read more
5 Ways to Develop a Book Idea
Having an idea and developing that idea into a marketable, publishable book are two different things. I learned this early in the process when trying to decide what kind of book I wanted to write. That’s why I’m offering up these tips that I learned along the way. I hope to save you a few headaches and a little time as you develop your idea. Read more
How I Got “OH BOY” Published – A Series of Articles & Tips on Getting Published
To celebrate the nationwide release of my book, , over the next couple of weeks I’m going to walk you through the entire process, so you can get an inside peek at how getting a book published works—from idea all the way to publication. I’ll also offer tips and advice to help you along your journey. PLUS, I’m giving away five autographed copies throughout the month of June. Here’s how to win: Read more
How to Prevent Predictable Plots
Here are tips on how to become more alert to the signals of those groaningly predictable plots and how to avoid them in your stories and novels. Read more
How to Push Your Characters to Their Limits
How far can a character go before she’s “out of character”? Here’s how to use the interplay of context, conflict and contradiction to your story’s advantage. Read more
10 Questions with Humor Writer Dan Zevin, Author of Dan Gets a Minivan
As part of my 10 Questions Series, humorist Dan Zevin took a minute to talk with me and answer 10 fascinating questions about humor writing—covering the writing process, finding an agent, important advice for aspiring humor writers and more—that anyone who has ever considered writing humor should check out. Read more
Tackling Historical Fiction
For those of you who are curious about the craft of historical fiction writing, let us part the curtain a little and let you have a peek. Read more
10 Questions Writers Must Ask Before Quitting Their Day Job
Ask yourself these 10 crucial questions before you quit your day job. Read more
6 Secrets to Creating and Sustaining Suspense
No matter what you write, keep your readers captivated with these no-fail techniques. Read more
8 Steps To Help Secure Your Beyonce Interview
Here’s the 8-part recipe for landing interviews with famous actors, actresses and musicians. Read more
5 Ways to Make Your Novel More Suspenseful
Suspense happens when a scene becomes charged with anticipation. Here’s how to accomplish that in your writing. Read more
Memoir vs. Autobiography
What’s the difference between autobiography vs. memoir? Here’s the answer. Read more
RIP Andrew J. Offutt
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Andrew J. Offutt’s family. Offutt, who once served as a consultant to the WD Criticism Services, reportedly died on April 30. You can read Offutt’s full obit here. Read more
How to Create Tension Through Misdirection
A car engine breaks the stillness of the night … the smell of seaweed intrudes on an afternoon chess game … an unopened letter slips behind couch cushions. These are what we might call “plot-hypers,” in that they add elements of uncertainty and tension. Here’s how to add them to your story. Read more
Representing Minorities in Your Writing
Here’s how a Jewish writer was able to gain some perspective and successfully write from the viewpoint of a different minority. Read more
LAST DAY TO ENTER: WD’s 21st Annual Self-Published Book Awards
Whether you’re a professional writer, a part-time freelancer or a self-starting student, here’s your chance to enter the premier self-published competition exclusively for self-published books. Writer’s Digest hosts the 21st annual self-published competition — the Annual Self-Published Book Awards. This self-published competition spotlights today’s self-published works and honors self-published authors. Read more
9 Questions with Thriller Writer Doug Richardson (Die Hard 2, Blood Money)
Doug Richardson may be best known for his scriptwriting and producing chops on Die Hard 2, Bad Boys and Hostage, but he’s a successful thriller writer as well. His new novel, Blood … Read more
The 4 Best Strategies for Savvy Self-Publishers
If you’re excited by the prospect of achieving success on your own, but intimidated by the ever-changing options available, take heart. Here’s how the savviest writers approach the self-publishing process—and where to go for the help you’ll need along the way. Read more
Stormwriting: What It Is and Why You Should Try It
Now you’re to the point where you’re ready to start crafting your book. You’ve done a bit of brainstorming, and perhaps you’ve done some writing. But there’s something about brainstorming that’s only … Read more
