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writing war stories
From the Magazine

Telling the Stories of War: Author Roundtable

Three award-winning journalists discuss their unique approaches to writing war stories of American military history with Writer's Digest columnist Don Vaughn.

  • By Don Vaughan
    Apr 16, 2020
Retelling Shakespeare
Writing Techniques

Writing Tips for Retelling Shakespeare: From Atwood's Hag-Seed to Updike's Gertrude and Claudius

Novelist Pat McKee shares 5 writing tips he learned while retelling Shakespeare's play Tempest as the novel Ariel's Island.

  • By Pat McKee
    Mar 10, 2020
Selling popular fiction
Vintage WD

Vintage WD: Decoding the Secrets to Selling Popular Fiction, Part 2

Part 2 of this April 1981 WD article by Roy Sorrels and Megan Daniel about writing and selling popular fiction picks up where part 1 left off.

  • By Amy Jones
    Mar 5, 2020
Secrets of Writing Popular Fiction
Vintage WD

Vintage WD: Decoding the Secrets to Selling Popular Fiction, Part 1

In this article about writing popular fiction like murder mysteries or regency romances, Roy Sorrels and Megan Daniel share some of their best tips.

  • By Amy Jones
    Feb 27, 2020
villains in memoir
Memoir

Your Own Worst Enemy: Writing Villains in Memoir

Writing villains in memoir takes a special kind of honesty. In this feature from the July/August 2019 issue of Writer's Digest, William Kenower offers his take.

  • By William Kenower
    Jan 31, 2020
The Yellow House
Breaking In Writers Digest

Building The Yellow House: An Interview With National Book Award Finalist Sarah M. Broom

The National Book Award finalist answers 10 questions about her debut memoir The Yellow House.

  • By Cassandra Lipp
    Oct 11, 2019
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Memoir

Writing About Your Life Without Ruining Your Relationships

"Write what you know" is common writing advice, but when it comes to mining what you know about your friends and family for stories, you enter delicate territory, as Mark Guerin shares in this guest post.

  • By Mark Guerin
    Aug 26, 2019
The Austin Paradox William R. Leibowitz
Science Fiction/Fantasy

Using Facts As the Base of Science Fiction

Miracle Man and The Austin Paradox author William R. Leibowitz tells how to base science fiction on fact so that stories seem plausible—without boring the reader.

  • By William R. Leibowitz
    Aug 23, 2019
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Mystery/Thriller

Genealogy Research and the Crime Novelist

Mystery writer Kristen Lepionka shares how her love of solving mysteries led her to researching her family history, and what genealogists and mystery writers have in common.

  • By Kristen Lepionka
    Aug 14, 2019
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Writing Techniques

Life Into Fiction: Turning a True Event Into a Compelling Story

Lawyer and crime novelist Stephanie Kane delves into the complications and rewards of using real-life events as inspiration for writing compelling fiction.

  • By Stephanie Kane
    Aug 13, 2019
What a Body Remembers Karen Stefano
Memoir

Trauma: What Happens When We Put It On the Page?

Writing the story of her assault wasn't easy for Karen Stefano. The author shares her experience writing about trauma, including how she found the strength to put it all on the page, the inevitable ups and downs, and the self-care needed in between.

  • By Karen Stefano
    Jul 8, 2019
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Settings

World-Building Tips from the Masters

Five celebrated speculative fiction authors give their best world-building tips, demonstrating how different approaches can work.

  • By E.J. Wenstrom
    May 21, 2019
 (Photo by Lisa Lake/Getty Images for Philly Fights Cancer)
Humor in Nonfiction

Jerry Seinfeld's 5-Step Comedy Writing Process

Former WD staffer Jess Zafarris crossed paths with Jerry Seinfeld, who shared his comedy writing process. His tips are not only useful for aspiring standup comedians, but also have broader applications for writers looking to add comedic elements to their own work.

  • By Jess Zafarris
    May 13, 2019
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Writing Genres

The WD Interview: Susan Orlean on The Library Book and Finding the Red-Hot Center of the Story

Susan Orlean talks to WD about the challenges of researching and writing The Library Book, and how libraries are meeting the needs of 21st century patrons.

  • By Don Vaughan
    May 8, 2019
WD Short Short Competition Winner—Reena Shah
Writing Genres

Interview with Reena Shah, Winner of the WD 19th Annual Short Short Story Competition

Read an interview with Reena Shah, winner of the 19th Annual WD Short Short Story Competition.

  • By Cassandra Lipp
    May 8, 2019
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Historical

Getting the History Right in Historical Fiction Using Declassified Records

Award-winning historical fiction author Samuel Marquis tells how he was finally able to tell the true story of Operation Condor through declassified government documents made available to the public.

  • By Guest Column
    Apr 29, 2019
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The Writer's Life

How to Make Yourself Look Good Without Lying

How should talented, upcoming writers present themselves to editors when pitching articles? Freelance professional Katherine Swarts has a few tips.

  • By Katherine Swarts
    Apr 18, 2019
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Historical

How to Write Historical Fiction

Author Mariah Fredericks reveals how she conducted research on The Gilded Age for her new book, Death of a New American.

  • By Guest Column
    Apr 11, 2019
 The Elements of Narrative Nonfiction
The Writer's Life

Write a Book that Authors the Change You Wish to See in the World

Not all writers start out as writers. Some of them begin as people who want to make a difference. Learn how to write a book that authors the change you wish to see in the world.

  • By Nina Amir
    Apr 8, 2019
 Putting the Science in Fiction: Expert Advice for Writing with Authenticity in Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Other Genres
Writing Techniques

In Search Of Utopia: Why Is There So Little Utopian Fiction?

Dystopian fiction has waxed and waned and fractured into subgenres over the past few years—but where is all the contemporary utopian fiction? Author Sayde Scarlett discusses.

  • By Guest Column
    Apr 3, 2019
 The Complete Handbook of Novel Writing, 3rd Edition By The Editors of Writer's Digest
Writing Goal

8 Ways to Stay Mentally Fit and Mindful in the Writing Process

Bryan E. Robinson, Ph.D., author of #CHILL: Turn Off Your Job and Turn On Your Life, offers several tips inspired by the book for mindfulness and mental fitness during the pressures of the writing process.

  • By Guest Column
    Mar 23, 2019
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Writing Goal

Reddit for Writers: 47 Writing Subreddits to Explore

This supplement to the 2019 edition of our 101 Best Websites provides a guide to writing subreddits — destinations across Reddit where writers can find useful information, community and resources.

  • By Jess Zafarris
    Mar 22, 2019
 Cover of Writer's Digest August 1929 issue
Vintage WD

Vintage Wisdom (Good and Bad): 14 Short Fiction Writing Tips From 1929

Writer's Digest editors selected their favorite fiction writing tips from the 1929 WD magazine article "The Way to the Fiction House Market" by Jack Byrne.

  • By Cassandra Lipp
    Mar 20, 2019
Writer's Digest Annual Conference
Mystery/Thriller

The Differences Between a Crime Novel, Mystery Novel and Thriller Novel

To pitch the right agents, you first need to know exactly what it is you’re pitching. Learn the subtle differences among the many subgenres of suspense—and how to meet and exceed expectations in every one.

  • By David Corbett
    Mar 13, 2019
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