July/August 2013 Issue
July/August Issue
Writer's Digest Magazine
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How to Start Writing a Book, 1st Chapter
Sometimes there’s nothing worse for a writer than a blank screen, just waiting to be filled in. Here you’ll find guidelines, advice, and inspiration for taking those first steps from blank page to finished piece. You’ll also find resources to help you learn how to write a novel in three months or fewer.
The 2008 WD Guide to Software for Writers
Here in our annual software round-up, we’ve tested most writing software programs to help you find the best choice for your writing needs.
by Jenna Glatzer Read more
Fiction: Point of View
How many times have you heard this around the workshop table: “Why don’t you consider a new point of view?” (Actually, the term used more often is “POV” because it sounds a lot cooler, I suspect.) Everyone then agrees that a new POV might help matters, including the writer, who knew something was wrong and is now relieved to have a likely suspect.
by Steve Almond Read more
Principles of Building a Story
Read "Principles of Building of a Story" from From First Draft to Finished Novel. Read more
From First Draft to Finish Novel
A Writer’s Guide to Cohesive Story Building Read more
Defining and Developing Your Anti-Hero
Anti-heros are the bastards of fiction—those bad guys readers love to hate and hate to love. Find out whats makes a memorable anti-hero tick in this excerpt from Bullies, Bastards & Bitches by Jessica Page Morrell. Read more
The Four Commandments of Writing Good Sentences
If you want to write a good sentence, don’t pay any attention to your grammar. I don’t mean “a sentence this like OK is.” I mean don’t automatically think you’ve written a good sentence just because it’s grammatically correct. Lots of bad sentences are grammatically correct. Some of these bad sentences might even be yours.
by Bonnie Trenga Read more
Challenging the Limits of Memory
In this excerpt from Writing Life Stories, Bill Roorbach teaches you how to pay attention to and translate your memories and how to overcome your resistance to remembered places and events. Read more
Publish Your First Book After 50
Who says publishing is a young person’s game? Here are an agent’s tips for writing and publishing well into your golden years.
By Scott Hoffman
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9 Ways to Overcome Too Many Ideas Syndrome
Don’t let your creativity get in the way of your productivity. Here are nine tips for overcoming Too Many Ideas Syndrome. Read more
5 Tips To Polish Your Fiction
5 Tips To Polish Your Fiction Read more
Write a Memoir to Remember!
An interesting life and excellent writing are key to a compelling memoir. Learn the elements that will help make your story stand out from the rest of the pack. Read more
The 10 Commandments of Fiction Writing
Guide your writing ways with these 10 rules thou must not break.
by Raymond Obstfeld
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17 Writing Secrets
One author shares his tried-and-true principles for making good writing better.
by Steven Goldsberry Read more
8 Basic Writing Blunders
These big-picture writing errors might make you cringe with recognition. But shake it off: Bestselling novelist Jerry B. Jenkins will help you fix them.
by Jerry B. Jenkins Read more
