Be Inspired
From the Magazine | Interviews | Poetry Prompts | The Writer's Life (Book Recommendations / Overcoming Writer's Block / Writing Habits and Practices) | Vintage WD | Writing Prompts | Writing Quotes
Find the prompts, interviews, quotes, book recommendations, and other inspirational articles to help you write that novel, short story, article, or whatever other piece of writing you're currently working on...or that you want to write! Our Be Inspired sections are here to get the creative juices flowing.
What Is Pastiche in Literature, and Why Is Sherlock Holmes Perfect for It?
What has made Sherlock Holmes so adaptable and changeable throughout the character’s original inception? Author Timothy Miller explains.
How to Write Through Grief and Find Creativity
When author Diana Giovinazzo found herself caught in the storm of grief, doing what she loved felt insurmountable. Here, she shares how she worked through her grief to find her creativity again.
5 Tips for Keeping Your Writing Rolling
The occasional bump in the writing process is normal, but it can be difficult to work through. Here, author Genevieve Essig shares five ways to keep your writing rolling.
Tammye Huf: On Real Love That Sparked Inspiration
Debut novelist Tammye Huf discusses how her own familial love story inspired her historical fiction novel, A More Perfect Union.
Plot Twist Story Prompts: Going Rogue
Every good story needs a nice (or not so nice) turn or two to keep it interesting. This week, have a character go rogue.
How Daily Meditation Can Lead to New Stories
In seeking meaning did author Randal Maurice Jelks also find purpose and understanding. Here, he shares how daily meditation can lead to new stories.
Jonathan Evison: On Silencing Self-Doubt
New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Evison discusses the process of writing his new Dickensian epic novel, Small World.
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 595
Every Wednesday, Robert Lee Brewer shares a prompt and an example poem to get things started on the Poetic Asides blog. This week, write a game poem.
Uncrowded
Every writer needs a little inspiration once in a while. For today's prompt, we're writing about someplace that's empty.
Kerri Maher: On Playing the Long Game
Author Kerri Maher discusses how the idea for her new historical fiction novel, The Paris Bookseller, grew in her mind for over 20 years.
Writing Mistakes Writers Make: Not Setting Goals
The Writer's Digest team has witnessed many writing mistakes over the years, so this series helps identify them for other writers (along with correction strategies). This week's mistake is not setting goals.
5 Tips for Finishing Your Book
The first step in getting published is to actually finish your novel. Here, USA Today bestselling author Sariah Wilson offers five tips that she uses to help keep her on track.
Plot Twist Story Prompts: Board Up the Doors
Every good story needs a nice (or not so nice) turn or two to keep it interesting. This week, have your characters take a defensive posture.
As Technology Continues to Change the Way We Think About Reading and Writing, What’s Something You Hope Never Changes?: From Our Readers (Comment for a Chance at Publication)
This post announces our latest From Our Readers question: As technology continues to change the way we think about reading and writing, what’s something you hope never changes? Comment for a chance at publication in a future issue of Writer's Digest.
Radhika Sanghani: On Personal Growth Inspiring Fiction
Award-winning journalist and author Radhika Sanghani discusses how her own self-love journey inspired her to write her new novel, 30 Things I Love About Myself.
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 594
Every Wednesday, Robert Lee Brewer shares a prompt and an example poem to get things started on the Poetic Asides blog. This week, write a fresh start poem.
Colleen Coble: On Pursuing Your Dreams
Bestselling author Colleen Coble discusses the risk of doing what others expect vs. what you want in her new romantic suspense novel, A Stranger’s Game.
Unbound Optimism
Every writer needs a little inspiration once in a while. For today's prompt, write about optimism.
Benjamin Percy: On Owning His Own Characters
Award-winning novelist Benjamin Percy discusses his desire to build his own universe of characters and writing his new speculative fiction novel, The Unfamiliar Garden.
Leah Konen: On the Thrill of Real-life Inspiration
Author Leah Konen discusses how being stranded led to the idea for her new thriller novel, The Perfect Escape.
185 Writing Quotes From Writer's Digest Magazine in 2021
Here are 185 quotes from writers, editors, agents, and other publishing professionals taken directly from Writer's Digest issues published in 2021.
Writing Mistakes Writers Make: Only Looking to the “Classics” for Inspiration
The Writer's Digest team has witnessed many writing mistakes over the years, so we started this series to help identify them for other writers (along with correction strategies). This week's writing mistake is only looking to the “classics” for inspiration.
How Do I Find My Voice in Writing?
Recently, a young writer reached out to Senior Editor Robert Lee Brewer about how to develop his natural writing voice. Here's his answer.
Plot Twist Story Prompts: Double-Cross
Every good story needs a nice (or not so nice) turn or two to keep it interesting. This week, have one character double-cross another character.