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.
Dyslexia Is a Writer's Superpower (With Help)
Author PJ Manney shares how dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia should not be viewed as impediments to becoming a writer. Rather, they should be viewed as writing superpowers, especially when paired with certain technologies.
Plot Twist Story Prompts: Falsely Accused
Every good story needs a nice (or not so nice) turn or two to keep it interesting. This week, have a character get falsely accused for something.
M.M. Chouinard: On Jumping From One Project to Another
Novelist M.M. Chouinard immediately started writing her second book after finishing her first and shares here why that was the best decision she could have made.
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 564
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 disappointment poem.
Emily Henry: On Writing the Second Book
Romance author Emily Henry describes the ups and downs of writing your second book, using her experiences writing her latest release, People We Meet on Vacation.
Who Really Owns a Story?
Jean Hanff Korelitz, author of The Plot, on artistic appropriation and adaptations.
Sarah Pinsker: On Reviving the Set-Aside Story
Award-winning novelist Sarah Pinsker discusses how she picked up and put down a story over many years which would eventually become her latest release, We Are Satellites.
Mary Alice Monroe: On Writing the Family Saga
Award-winning author Mary Alice Monroe discusses what it's like to draft a series that spans generations and storylines.
30 Poetry Prompts for the 2021 April PAD Challenge
Find all 30 poetry prompts for the 2021 April Poem-A-Day Challenge in this post.
Mistakes Writers Make: Not Using Your Spare 15 Minutes
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 writers make is not using your spare 15 minutes.
Plot Twist Story Prompts: Unexpected Visitor
Every good story needs a nice (or not so nice) turn or two to keep it interesting. This week, invite an unexpected visitor into your story.
Pam Jenoff: On Writing About Isolation While Isolated
Bestselling author Pam Jenoff shares how she explored themes of isolation in her latest novel, The Woman with the Blue Star, while writing during the 2020 pandemic lockdown.
Lynn Painter: On Rom-Coms and Escapism
Author Lynn Painter discusses the strengths of the romantic comedy genre and how she utilized them in her novel Better than the Movies.
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 563
Every Wednesday, Robert Lee Brewer shares a prompt and an example poem to get things started on the Poetic Asides blog. This week, write an after poem.
How to Inhabit the Character You Write About
One key to engaging your reader is to give them a character they love to read about. Author Diana Souhami gives her top tips for making this happen.
5 Ways To Develop Your Writing Imagination for Fantasy Fiction
World-building can be an exciting process for the fantasy writer ... but what about when you hit an idea roadblock? Author A.J. Smith has 5 tips for ensuring that you keep your imagination engaged.
D. Eric Maikranz: On Crowdsourcing and Readership
Debut author D. Eric Maikranz explains how he connected with his audience after self-publishing his novel The Reincarnationist Papers and what it was like to get that novel picked up by a Hollywood director and traditional publisher later on.
5 Tips to Work Through Procrastination
Have you caught yourself doing anything other than sitting down to write? Procrastination and writer's block happen to every writer. Let author Clare Whitfield give you tips on how to overcome and get back to writing.
Writing for the Time Impoverished: How to Structure Your Writing to Make Sure You Finish Your Novel
What separates professional writers from amateurs? Author Matthew Harffy has the answer, and tips for ensuring that you make your publication dreams a reality.
Negative Space: An Interview With Lilly Dancyger
Catapult and Barrelhouse Books editor Lilly Dancyger talks about her debut memoir Negative Space.
Celeste Ng: The WD Interview
The former WD reader talks about creating dynamic characters and outlining her sensation, Little Fires Everywhere in this interview from the November/December 2020 issue of Writer's Digest.
Writing Mistakes Writers Make: Revising While Writing
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 revising while writing.