How to Reach Young Readers: Rachel Renée Russell’s WD Interview Outtakes
In our bonus Q&A online, Dork Diaries author Rachel Renée Russell discusses getting an agent, connecting with her audience, and more.
5 Ways to Modify NaNoWriMo
It’s November, and that means many writers are well into their (first? second? 12th?) NaNoWriMo experience. But for many other writers, crafting a 50,000-word novel in 30 days is daunting, and they’d rather write a book over a span of a few months (or years), rather than just one. If you...
Your Story 62: Winner
Prompt: I knew it was a mistake the moment it was over.
Your Story 61: Winners!
Prompt: Write the opening sentence, of 25 words or fewer, to a story based on the photo to the left.
Your Story 60 Winner: Tug of War
Prompt: A man opens his mailbox to find an envelope containing a set of instructions.
Your Story 59: The Winners!
Write the opening sentence (25 words or fewer) to a story based on the photo to the left.
Your Story 58 Winner: Commit This to Memory
Prompt: You come home from a relaxing vacation and realize you have the wrong suitcase.
Getting the Details Right in Your Novel: Psychologist vs. Psychiatrist
Although both professions study and treat people with psychological and behavioral issues, there are big distinctions between psychologists and psychiatrists. Fortunately, you don’t need to feign emotional trauma and lie on a couch for hours to get it right in your work. Here’s a breakdown.
More Markets for Pop Fiction
The March/April 2014 issue’s roundup of literary journals that accept genre short stories is divided by category, from children’s to mystery to science fiction. In this bonus sidebar online, we offer up four markets that accept work in multiple genres (romance, historical and more).
Your Story 57: Winners!
Prompt: Write the opening sentence (25 words or fewer) to a story based on the photo to the left.
Your Story 56 Winner: Pa & Me at Sea
Prompt: “If you can guess what I have in my pocket, you can have it.”
Your Story 55: The Winners!
Prompt: Write the opening sentence (25 words or fewer) to a story based on the photo to the left.
Extra Credit: Online MFA Programs
Online Master of Fine Arts programs are among the newest options in graduate education. In our companion to November/December issue’s roundup of online writing workshops, learn more about these five young Web-based MFAs ...
Your Story 54: The Winners!
Prompt: Write the opening sentence (25 words or fewer) to a story based on the photo to the left. Thanks to everyone who entered and voted in Your Story 54! Here are the results. The winners in ranking order are as follows: 1. The water receded and the bride was gone,...
Your Story 53 Winner: Sausage, Peppers, and Ice Cream
Prompt: A girl puts a quarter in a gumball machine and a human tooth comes out.
MAGAZINE MARKET SPOTLIGHT: NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KIDS
In the October 2013 issue of Writer’s Digest, National Geographic Kids is among one of three handpicked venues spotlighted in the Standout Markets column. In this special online exclusive, we share more Q&A with Editor Rachel Buchholz, who discusses the key to successful article pitches, and more.
Your Story 52: The Winners!
Prompt: Write the opening sentence (25 words or fewer) to a story based on the photo to the left.
Your Story 51 Winner: Stray Lust
Prompt: Begin your story with the following line of dialogue: “Heads, we get married; tails, we break up."
Your Story 50: The Winners!
Prompt: Write the opening sentence (25 words or fewer) to a story based on the photo to the left.
Gabbing With Giffin
In these outtakes from the March/April 2013 WD Interview, bestselling women’s fiction author Emily Giffin talks about relating to her readers, the challenges of writing from different perspectives and what fans can expect from her future books. Learn more about this modern-day Jane Austen in our exclusive extended Q&A.
Your Story 49 Winner: Defining Home
Prompt: You’re stranded on a desert island with three items: a coconut, a mask and a dictionary.
Your Story 48: The Winners!
Prompt: Write the opening sentence (25 words or fewer) to a story based on the photo to the left.
Your Story 47 Winner: The Ticker
Prompt: A man who lives alone sees a set of footprints leading away from his house the morning after a heavy snowfall.
Your Story 46: The Winners
Prompt: Write the opening sentence (25 words or fewer) to a story incorporating these three words: fresh, hair and tangled.