Writing the Surreal: A Conversation with Author Steve Kissing
Ericka McIntyre talks with Steve Kissing about how to write the surreal.
Crowdfunding a Novel: Fantastic and Frustrating
Interested in crowdfunding a novel? Susan K. Hamilton, who has crowdfunded two novels, shares the joys and frustrations authors can expect when publishing via this 21st century route.
Not Your Grandmother’s Harlequin: Writing Romance in the 21st Century
When Linda Cardillo's manuscript drew the interest of Harlequin, she had reservations about the bodice-ripping stereotypes attached to writing romance fiction. But her preconceptions were dispelled when she learned more about the breadth and diversity of the genre today.
Min Jin Lee: Finding Story Ideas That Truly Provoke Your Passions
Pachinko author Min Jin Lee talks about finding story ideas that truly provoke your passions and how to tune out the burden of expectations.
Who Is Your Target Audience? Use This Simple Trick to Figure Out If They Actually Exist
A major conundrum that trips up many new writers is defining your target audience before you have any actual readers. Dana Sitar explains how to identify them.
Building Picture-Book Characters: 5 Elements You Need to Know
In this excerpt from Ann Whitford Paul's new book Writing Picture Books, Revised and Expanded Edition, learn the five fundamental elements you should know inside and out about your picture-book characters.
How to Write Funny Dialogue: 5 Tips for Making Readers Laugh Out Loud
Playwright and author Stephen Evans explains how to write funny dialogue with these five key tips informed by neurology, rhythm and theater.
19 Diversity-Focused Writing Conferences & Events in 2019
Although 2019 is well under way, there’s still time to register for these diversity-centric writing conferences and events taking place later this year.
A Writer’s Job Is to Persevere: Not Stopping at 96
Eugenia Lovett West, who's still actively writing and publishing at age 96, takes perseverance to the next level.
Using Literary Techniques in Narrative Journalism
Dustin Grinnell dives deep into two-time Pulitzer-winner Jon Franklin’s advice for perfecting the storytelling techniques that made his narrative journalism so exciting to read.
Jaleigh Johnson: Improving Your Writing With Dungeons & Dragons
For New York Times-bestselling fantasy novelist Jaleigh Johnson, Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) is more than just a role playing game, it's a writing tool.
Breaking In: Debut Author Christy Stillwell on Perseverance and Publishing with Small Presses
In our Breaking In column in Writer’s Digest magazine, we talk with debut authors—such as Christy Stillwell, author of The Wolf Tone—about how they did it, what they learned and why you can do it, too. Here, Stillwell talks about her experience publishing with a small press and more.
7 Steps Toward Writing Your Transformational Book
Have you felt inspired to write a transformational book—one that will help your readers create change in their lives, organizations, or the world?
7 Ways to Defend Yourself from Writing Coach Scams
Industry experts and legitimate writing coaches provide advice on how to spot writing coach scams and shield yourself accordingly.
The Tragical Mystery Book Tour (Part 4)
At the risk of too much of a good thing being a bad thing, here is one last installment in author and New Yorker cartoonist Bob Eckstein’s book tour.
7 Tips for a Successful Relationship with Your Book Cover Designer
To help you get the most value out of a partnership with a book cover designer, we turned to some of the top professionals for their across-the-aisle tips on how authors can build and maintain such successful working relationships.
“Don’t let anyone tell you ‘No.'” Author Brad Meltzer on Research, Rejections and More
Did you know there was once a secret plot to murder George Washington? Bestselling thriller writer Brad Meltzer lets us in on the secrets around his new non-fiction book 'The First Conspiracy'—plus thriller writing tips and more.
Translating High-Profile Events into Fiction
Robert F. Delaney discusses the process of writing his debut novel, which serves as a case study into the unique experience of writing about a true story that, at the time of its occurrence, received significant media coverage.
3 Key Novel Writing Tips: Wisdom from the Authors Speaking in the 2019 Virtual Conference for Novelists
Check out a sneak peek at a few of the things you can expect to learn from three of the presenters at the 2019 Virtual Novel Writing
Conference, plus a little bit about each of them.
A Teacher’s Guide to Your New Year’s Writing Goals
Author and school teacher Roxanna Elden offers her four secrets to accomplishing your writing goals this year.
WD Editor-at-Large Jessica Strawser Named 2019 Writer-in-Residence by the Cincinnati Library Foundation
Jessica Strawser, former WD Editor-in-Chief and current editor-at-large (and of course, author of three novels) has been selected by the Library Foundation of Cincinnati and Hamilton County to be its 2019 Writer-in-Residence.
Imagination Unchained: BIRD BOX Author Josh Malerman on Film Adaptations, Theatrical Book Readings and More
Bird Box author and multidisciplinary creative Josh Malerman shares insights into his writing process, what it's like having a story adapted for the screen, his unique theatrical book readings and more.
Tips for Writing About Controversial Topics in Fiction
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and bestselling novelist Bryan Gruley offers his best tips for writing about controversial topics—social, political and otherwise—in your fiction.
Begin from the Middle: How to Start Your Story In Medias Res
By starting a story in the midst of action, writers can hook readers with a literary technique as old as the Greek epics—in medias res. Paul Buchanan explains.