Author Archives: Baihley Gentry

Language Arts: ‘VOX’ Author/Linguist Christina Dalcher Discusses the Power of Words

By: Baihley Gentry | September 19, 2018 | Comments 0

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...

Curtis Sittenfeld on Choosing Beta Readers, Outlining and Creating Complex Characters

By: Baihley Gentry | August 2, 2018 | Comments 1

Bestselling author Curtis Sittenfeld (Eligible) explains how her characters keep it “real,” and why plumbing the awkward and uncomfortable can lead to the richest social commentary.

Your Story #92: Vote Now!

By: Baihley Gentry | July 24, 2018 | Comments 0

Your Story Writing Contest: Write the opening sentence (just one sentence), of 25 words or fewer, to a story based on this photo.

Debut Author Interview: Helen Hoang, Author of The Kiss Quotient

By: Baihley Gentry | June 19, 2018 | Comments 0

We spoke to Helen Hoang about her debut romance, The Kiss Quotient, in our September issue and since the novel’s release, it’s generated buzz from The New York Times, Bustle, NPR, Entertainment Weekly, Publishers Weekly and more. Read an interview with Hoang.

Your Story #91: CLOSED

By: Baihley Gentry | May 30, 2018 | Comments 2

photo from Getty | Credit: Image Source Prompt: Write a short story, of 650 words or fewer, based on the photo prompt above. You can be funny, poignant, witty, etc.; it is, after all, your story. Read the finalists below, then vote for the one you like best by selecting your favorite...

Insider’s Guides to Navigating 3 Online Resources for Writers

By: Baihley Gentry | May 2, 2018 | Comments 0

In our May/June 2018 issue of Writer's Digest, check out our annual 101 Best Websites for Writers! Here, in this online exclusive, we take a deep dive into three handy online resources for writers.

Your Story #90: Winners!

By: Baihley Gentry | April 17, 2018 | Comments 5

Prompt: Write the opening sentence (just one sentence), of 25 words or fewer, to a story based on the photo above. You can be funny, poignant, witty, etc.; it is, after all, your story. Thanks to everyone who entered and/or voted in WD’s Your Story 90! Here are the results. The top...

Brand Basics: 6 Debut Authors Discuss Their Author Platforms and Connecting with Readers

By: Baihley Gentry | March 20, 2018 | Comments 0

6 Breaking In authors discuss the makings of their author platforms—or lack thereof—and how they best connect with readers.

Your Story #89: Winner

By: Baihley Gentry | February 27, 2018 | Comments 15

Prompt: Write a short story, of 650 words or fewer, based on the photo prompt above. You can be funny, poignant, witty, etc.; it is, after all, your story. Once again, you’ve made the Your Story competition a success! Thanks to everyone who participated in competition #89 (either by entering, reading or...

Nothing Wasted: Interview with Tomi Adeyemi, Author of ‘Children of Blood and Bone’

By: Baihley Gentry | February 7, 2018 | Comments 1

In our "Breaking In" column in Writer's Digest magazine, we talk with debut authors—such as Tomi Adeyemi, San Diego-based author of Children of Blood and Bone—about how they did it, what they learned and why you can do it, too. This is an extended interview with Adeyemi, who appeared in the February 2018...

Unstoppable: YA Fantasy Author Leigh Bardugo on World-Building and Having Faith in Your Abilities | The WD Interview

By: Baihley Gentry | February 2, 2018 | Comments 0

In this interview from the March/April 2018 issue of Writer’s Digest—including outtakes that didn't appear in the magazine—bestselling author Leigh Bardugo discusses finding YA fantasy stardom and why, if pursuing a dream, you’re always on the right track.

Your Story #88: Winners!

By: Baihley Gentry | January 22, 2018 | Comments 0

Enter the Your Story #88 contest now and you could see your work in Writer's Digest!

Your Story #87: WINNER

By: Baihley Gentry | December 11, 2017 | Comments 33

Prompt: Write a short story, of 700 words or fewer, based on the photo prompt shown here. You can be funny, poignant, witty, etc.; it is, after all, your story. Once again, you’ve made the Your Story competition a success! Thanks to everyone who participated in competition #87 (either by entering,...

Correction: Your Story #82

By: Baihley Gentry | October 13, 2017 | Comments 0

We made a deeply regrettable error in our November/December Your Story column, where we incorrectly attributed one of the winners in Contest #82 as Marlene Seielstad when it should have been Lindsay Neadow. The winning entry is as follows: While he thought he was snapping his money shot, Frank didn’t realize...

Your Story #86: Winners!

By: Baihley Gentry | October 11, 2017 | Comments 39

Prompt: Write the opening sentence (just one sentence), of 25 words or fewer, to a story based on the photo in this post. You can be funny, poignant, witty, etc.; it is, after all, your story.

Your Story #85: Winner!

By: Baihley Gentry | August 29, 2017 | Comments 26

Prompt: Write a short story, of 700 words or fewer, based on the photo at left (or below for mobile users).You can be funny, poignant, witty, etc.; it is, after all, your story. Once again, you’ve made the Your Story competition a success! Thanks to everyone who participated in competition #85 (either...

Your Story #84: Winners!

By: Baihley Gentry | July 25, 2017 | Comments 37

Prompt: Write theopening sentence (just one sentence), of 25 words or fewer, to a story based on this photo. (For mobile users, it will appear below.) You can be funny, poignant, witty, etc.; it is, after all, your story. Thanks to everyone who entered and/or voted in WD’s Your Story 84!...

Your Story #83: Winner!

By: Baihley Gentry | May 30, 2017 | Comments 36

Write a short story, of 700 words or fewer, based on this prompt: A man is surprised to find himself feeling both pleased and liberated by the news that he will soon die. Once again, you’ve made the Your Story competition a success! Thanks to everyone who participated in competition #83...

Have You Checked Out WD’s 101 Best Websites for Writers?

By: Baihley Gentry | April 13, 2017 | Comments 0

Each year, for nearly 20 years now, the editors at WD have scoured the web for the best digital resources for writers. These 101 websites we select are, we believe, the best of the bunch.

Your Story #82: Winners!

By: Baihley Gentry | April 11, 2017 | Comments 52

Write the opening sentence (one sentence only, 25 words or fewer) to a story based on the photo on the left. You can be funny, poignant, witty, etc.; it is, after all, your story. Thanks to everyone who entered and/or voted in WD’s Your Story 82! Here are the results. The top 10...

A Writer’s Guide to British vs. American English

By: Baihley Gentry | March 24, 2017 | Comments 0

Upon my recent discovery that, in England, “English muffins” are merely dubbed “muffins” (I know), my curiosity was piqued: What are some ways vocabulary may differ across the pond? This infographic comparing everyday differences in British and American English is a gem (or as the Britons call it…a gem. But I...

Self-Published Authors: Here’s What You Need to Know About Book Cover Design

By: Baihley Gentry | March 10, 2017 | Comments 0

You’ve got the words on paper. You’ve done the editing, the rewriting, the beta-readers-feedback inputting. You’re ready to share your book with the world. But you’re a writer, not a designer. What’s a self-published author to do? These tips will steer you in the right direction.

Your Story #81: Winner!

By: Baihley Gentry | February 22, 2017 | Comments 42

Prompt: Write a short story, of 700 words or fewer based on the prompt at left. (For mobile users, it will appear below.) You can be funny, poignant, witty, etc.; it is, after all, your story. Once again, you’ve made the Your Story competition a success! Thanks to everyone who participated...

11 Reasons Writing is Good for Your Health

By: Baihley Gentry | February 10, 2017 | Comments 8

Most of us write simply because we love to. It’s an outlet for our creativity. It’s fun. (Hard work, sure, but fun.) As it turns out, writing’s got some health perks, too.

Take 3: Bonus Q&A’s From Fiction Editors

By: Baihley Gentry | January 27, 2017 | Comments 1

Fifteen fiction editors at top publications answer our trio of questions to get to the heart of what they’re really looking for in short story submissions—and how yours can stand out. Here are bonus responses we didn’t have space to print in the magazine.

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