It’s a Bird! It’s a Plane! It’s Your Lead!
Take a cue from great newspaper articles: Use snazzy and surprising leads that grab your readers' curiosity and keep them hooked until the end.
Writer out of Carolina: Dorothy Allison
"This is not joy. This is not pleasure. Writing is work, and the most difficult work is inhabiting someone who is not you."
Mix Mastery
Variety is the spice of life and the spice of your articles. Cook up sources from different people and places to please all tastes.
Same Time Next Year
Make a date to study magazines' editorial calendars before you query—they'll tell you exactly what editors want and when.
Tips for Powerful, Understated Writing
In our era of exclamation points, sometimes nothing works better than a whisper.
5 Secrets to Fending Off Rejection Slips
Nonfiction columnist David Fryxell, outlines the five secrets to writing query letters that can help fend off rejection slips.
The Right Word for the Write Job
Finding the right word can help strengthen your manuscript while adding your own voice and personal style to the piece.
Looking for the Silver Lining
The recent tough times in the media marketplace can mean opportunities for freelancers who can go with the flow.
The Truth is Out There
The Internet can make finding facts for articles fast and easy—but be careful not to get caught in the Web. Here's how to get instant answers online.
5 Tips on Avoiding Information Overload
What do you do when you have more information than your allotted word count can handle? David Fryxell, the editorial director of Writer's Digest, tackles the problem of information overload. Here five tips to help lighten your load.
Get Editors to Call You
After bagging that first assignment, do the job right to assure it's the first of many. In time, you'll become the indispensable writer upon whom editors rely.
Avoid the Editorial “John Doe”
Editors want to say yes to your story as badly as you want them to?so make it easy for them with these five steps.
Nonfiction
Go Back in Time
Enough Backstory, On With the Action!
Condense and time the delivery of a character's history to intensify your reader's interest in your nonfiction story.
Credit Where Credit Is Due
Understanding fair use is crucial for writers who glean material from outside sources. Learn when and how to attribute facts, opinions and paraphrases.
The Core Need of Elizabeth George
"I wish I had known back then that a mastery of process would lead to a product."
Dual Success
More and more print publications are producing web counterparts. How does that affect nonfiction writers? David A. Fryxell, Writer's Digest Editorial Director, provides some insight.
How to Get Into Magazines: Write What Editors Want (But Don’t Want to Write Themselves)
Editor and writer David Fryxell shares a valuable piece of advice with anyone trying to break into the magazine or newspaper market — "Learn to write the stories that editors dread."
The New Year Brings New Markets
Staying on top of new markets requires understanding technology, noticing up-and-coming trends and searching for the unexpected.
Quota on Quotes?
Sometimes, a source's exact words say everything that needs to be said. But not always.
When Words Play, You Win!
What to do when a blank page stares blankly back? Hold on tight while your mind unravels.