Immersive Idea Generation: Going on a Story Field Trip
Ahead of NaNoWriMo and the WD Novel Writing Conference, Grant Faulkner shares a great technique for gathering excellent details for your story: a “story field trip”—an imaginative scavenger hunt to gather details, sensory information, and character insights.
Readings That Work for You and Your Listeners
Public readings of your written work—published or not yet published—are a great way to gain exposure for your writing and to build your author platform. Here are 16 rules to follow.
Writing with Wonder: Weaving Time and Place with Story in Historical Fiction
Dana Chamblee Carpenter recalls a panel on which Anne Perry tossed aside the idea that the historical fiction writer had a responsibility to get everything “right.” We’re storytellers, after all, not historians.
NaNoWriMo (and NaNonFiWriMo) Prep: Your 30-Day Writing Challenge Preparation Checklist
When approaching NaNoWriMo prep (or NaNonFiWriMo for nonfiction writers), you must create a strategy before the event to help you maintain a positive and enthusiastic mindset and productive habits no matter what life throws your way during that 30-day period.
11 Ways to Write More Scientific Fiction: Lessons from Michael Crichton
Few authors have better embedded believable and/or accurate scientific information within an engrossing story like Michael Crichton. This article explores the tactics Crichton used to craft realistic science fiction within one of his most popular novels, Sphere.
Surprise vs. Suspense and How to Pair Them in Your Writing
What's the difference between suspense and surprise, and how is each one powerful? Jane Cleland explains how to pair these two elements in your writing.
Reading, Breathing and the Long Sentence: How to Write Horror That Frightens Readers
Learn how to write horror that will chill your readers to the bone using these techniques from Phil Athans' all-new Advanced Horror Workshop.
Fired Up: Robert Crais on Passion, Process and Plot Twists
Robert Crais, master of crime writing, makes modern classics the old-fashioned way—with a heartfelt passion, a fine-tuned process and, naturally, a twist.
The Anatomy of a Book Cover: A Guide for Authors
Knowing and understanding the constituent parts of a book cover will help you make the best marketing decisions when you design or commission your own.
Consulting Tarot Cards
Erika Hoffman details her experience in a writing workshop that challenged participants to use tarot cards to generate story ideas through a series of writing exercises.
10 Screenwriting Techniques Every Writer Can Employ
Applying these screenwriting techniques to your fiction can offer benefits like sharper dialogue, improved pacing and stronger characters.
Using Kids and Parents as Beta Readers for Children’s Fiction
After writing two very different manuscripts, Marie Unanue sent them out to kids and their parents, who acted as beta readers, along with a survey. The process resulted in her final early reader chapter book.
Calls for Submissions: 2020 Writer’s Market and Guide to Literary Agents
Beginning today and running until 11:59 p.m. (Atlanta, Georgia time) on October 15, 2018, I’ll be accepting pitches for articles in the 2020 Writer’s Market and Guide to Literary Agents. I’ll start making assignments sometime that next week. What I Like So, what do I prefer? The best way to figure...
What Is (and Isn’t) High Concept Fiction, and How Do You Pitch It?
Pitching high concept fiction can be the key to skyrocketing to the top of agents' slush piles, according to Angie Hodapp of Nelson Literary Agency. But what is (and isn't) high concept, and how do you go about framing your story as high concept?
Literature as a Lifeline: How Stories and Genetic Testing Can Save Lives from Mental Illness
Literature comforts in a way clinical definitions and diagnoses cannot. It can help people recognize the symptoms of mental illness in themselves long before the predator of suicide pounces. Kristen Davis Schwandes explains why it is vitally important for writers to accurately portray the thought processes involved in mental illness.
3 Layers of Writing Mastery: Which One Is Most Important?
Writing requires three layers of mastery: Mastery of stories, craft and emotion. But which one of these three is the most important? William Kenower weighs in.
The Glamorous and Unattainable Writing Life: 6 Common Misconceptions About Being a Writer
Now that you've published a book, you can afford that fancy NYC loft, right? Emily Bleeker clears up a few common and hilarious misconceptions about writers.
Language Arts: ‘VOX’ Author/Linguist Christina Dalcher Discusses the Power of Words
Following the release of her hit book, VOX, linguist-turned-author Christina Dalcher shares insight into the power of words spoken, written and suppressed. Learn more about Dalcher in the November/December 2018 issue of Writer’s Digest. As much as Christina Dalcher loves words—she’s a linguist by trade, having taught at universities internationally—she knows better than...
“Go Your Own Way”: James Patterson on Supporting Childhood Literacy, Generating Novel Ideas, and Writing with Bill Clinton
After more than four decades in publishing, record-breaking bestseller James Patterson has this to say: You can go your own way. Discover an exclusive extended interview with Patterson below.
How to Sell an Essay or Article: 21 Tips for Writing a Winning Cover Letter
Wondering how to sell an essay? Writing a cover letter that's short and perfect to introduce your pages will sell a piece faster than submitting an excellent article or essay with an uninspired note.
Getting Started in Freelance Writing: Key Tips from Marketing Mentor Ilise Benun
Marketing Mentor Ilise Benun shares a few tips on for getting started in freelance writing — a topic she'll address in greater detail in her indieLAB session on what it takes to forge a successful writing career of any kind.
Planning To Write Something Today? Tips for Setting Writing Goals that Work
Lynn Dickinson shares tips to help writers honestly examine their writing routines to make the changes necessary to achieve their writing goals.
Train Your Eye for Better Writing: 3 Writing Techniques Adapted from the Visual Arts
Here are three writing techniques from traditional visual arts training that can help you find a deeper, truer and more vivid writing voice.
Insider Secrets for Indie Authors and Small Presses from Amy Collins of New Shelves Books
Amy Collins of New Shelves Books shares insider secrets about book sales and marketing tips for indie authors and small publishers, as well as small and indie publishing trends.