The Writer's Life
5 Research Tips for Writing Historical Fiction
Author Piper Huguley shares her five research tips for writing historical fiction that readers love and writers love as well.
Writing Mistakes Writers Make: Not Having an Online Presence
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 not having an online presence.
6 Steps to Becoming a Good Literary Citizen
While the writing process may be an independent venture, the literary community at large is full of writers who need and want your support as much as you need and want theirs. Here, author Aileen Weintraub shares 6 steps in becoming a good literary citizen.
Doing Better: Building Your DEIJ-B Muscle as a Writer
Author Faye Snowden discusses the importance of authors to write diversely and offers tips and resources to help along the never-ending process of doing better.
Fiction Gives Me Hope
After nearly 20 years of experiencing varying degrees of censorship for her nonfiction, writer Nandita Dinesh turned her creative eye toward another form. Here, she details why fiction gives her hope.
9 Pros and Cons of Co-Writing a Novel
Writing is often an isolating and personal endeavor, and co-writing offers an opportunity to share the experience with someone else. Here, the co-writing team Ali Brady break down the pros and cons of co-writing a novel.
Queer All Year: 25 Books by LGBTQIA+ Authors To Read Beyond Pride Month
Go beyond Pride month with what you put on your TBR pile. Here, editor Michael Woodson shares 25 books by LGBTQIA+ authors to continue reading after Pride is over.
How To Get Past the Fact That You’ve Reread Your Book Too Many Times
Reading your work in progress is a large part of the writing process, and you may start to doubt yourself after one too many rereads. Here, author Siena Sterling shares how to get past the fact that you’ve reread your book too many times.
When Inspiration Strikes: Or Opening Yourself to Your Surroundings
A tense situation became inspiration for author Richard O’Rawe’s future book. Here, he makes a case for opening yourself up to your surroundings.
Writing Mistakes Writers Make: Worrying About Format
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 worrying too much about the format your writing takes.
Writing the Raw Emotions of the Most Vulnerable Time in My Life
When a devastating diagnosis turned her world upside down, New York Times bestselling author Kelly Yang went into “fix it” mode. Here, she details how writing her new YA novel helped her navigate what she couldn’t control.
Making Your Fiction a Place You Want To Be
Author Janet Key shares the feeling of not wanting to revisit the world she was creating and the tools she used to help make her fiction a place she wanted to be.
Writer’s Digest Official Book Club Selection: Portrait of a Thief
The editors of Writer’s Digest are proud to bring you the first book club pick, Portrait of a Thief, to read along with us.
Managing Point of View: Mythbusting
In the first of this three-part series, novelist and WD columnist Sharon Short breaks down 7 of the most common myths about choosing which POV is right for your story.
How and Why To Turn Your Play Into a Novel
Award-winning novelist and playwright Lynne Kaufman discusses the differences, similarities, and benefits of turning your play into a novel.
Writing Mistakes Writers Make: Thinking There’s Not Enough Room for Your Story
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 thinking there's not enough room for your story.
A Master Class in Failure (To Find Writing Success)
Failure is often a step in finding success but navigating the treacherous terrain of rejection can be burdensome. Here, international bestselling author Marcia DeSanctis shares a master class in coming back from failure.
The Writer’s Guide to Being a Great Podcast Guest
More writers than ever are appearing on or even hosting podcasts related to their writing. Host of the "Creative Nonfiction Podcast" Brendan O'Meara shares how to make it an enjoyable and successful experience.
How I Went From No Book to Book Deal in Under a Year
From picking up a reading habit to navigating daily word counts, award-winning journalist Carley Fortune shares how she went from no book to a book deal in less than a year.
7 Stories in Which Death Is Not the End
The world of the unknown is a playground for curious writers. Here, author Steve Toltz shares 7 stories where death is not the end and discusses what writing beyond death can do for our stories and our characters.
Writing Mistakes Writers Make: Believing Naysayers
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 believing naysayers, whether they're family or professionals.
7 Books About Trees to Read on Arbor Day
On this National Arbor Day in the U.S., here are 7 books about trees to read and spark your imagination.
Writing Mistakes Writers Make: Drafting Solely on a Computer
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 drafting solely on a computer.
6 Books I Wish I Could Read for the First Time Again
Editor Michael Woodson discusses the books that he wishes he could read for the first time over and over again, and the impact they had on his writing.