Vintage WD

This August 1989 Writer's Digest articles encourages writers to say no to their characters—in other words, create compelling conflicts in their stories.

This WD article from 1957 offers a humorous look at what it's like to be a writer with a day job, a family, or other obligations that take time away from writing--something many of us can relate to.

In this 1941 Writer's Digest article, one writer talks about knowing the ins and outs of the genre in which you're writing, and the one thing they all have in common: writing a good story.

To overcome writer’s block, Pulitzer Prize winner Jane Smiley read 100 novels. It was the perfect medicine. She talks about the lessons those novels taught her in this January 2006 WD interview.

In this January 2015 WD interview, Rachel Renée Russell talks about changing careers from lawyer to author and the chart-topping success of her Dork Diaries series.

In this 1938 Writer's Digest article, Leon Byrne emphasizes the importance of learning and getting back to the fundamentals of craft, particularly when writing short stories (though we find his advice applicable to novels as well).

You want to write, but don’t know how to begin? Taken from our December 1990 issue, follow these 10 steps to beginning a rewarding, fulfilling career as a writer.

In celebration of Herman Wouk's birthday, we revisit his 1966 interview with former WD editor-in-chief, Kirk Polking.

From our September 1959 issue, beware of these tired clichés that will kill your story’s chance for publication.

In this September 1956 WD article, Jim Kjelgaard reflects on the ups and downs of choosing writing as a career--and says he'd do it all over again.

This 1956 article by renowned science-fiction writer Richard Matheson explains his thoughts about the limitless possibilities in the genre.

In this February 1970 Writer's Digest article, Eudora Welty argues that, "Fiction is not meant to be a disguise for propaganda. A story should speak for itself as a story."

In this 1937 article, journalist Eugene Lyons wrote about his observations of the censorship of authors in Russia during the first decades of the Soviet Union.

In part 2 of the 1931 article about mystery story techniques, George Dyer offers tips for how to drop hints about who the real criminal of the story is.

In part 1 of this April 1931 WD article, George Dyer shares mystery story techniques that will ensure your readers will be left satisfied, not disappointed.

In this piece from the Writer's Digest archives, T.C. O'Donnell shares the importance of finding the core of the story when writing for very small children.

Chris Bohjalian's newest book, The Red Lotus, was released this week. To celebrate, here's Jessica Strawser's 2014 interview with Chris Bohjalian in which they discuss his passion for the craft and his goal to never write the same book twice.

Today is Freedom of Information day and while censorship isn't necessarily the same as withholding information, they are, to some degree, related. Here's a piece from the November 1965 issue of WD by Alma Boice Holland with her thoughts about censors and the arts.