Writing Tips From Writer’s Digest Conference Instructors
As we make final preparations for the 2019 Writer's Digest Annual Conference, here's a taste of some of the writing tips you'll enjoy from our speakers.
Unveiling the WD October 2019 Cover
WD editor-in-chief Ericka McIntyre offers a sneak peek of the upcoming October 2019 issue, featuring Alice Hoffman and WD's annual agent roundup.
Everyday vs. Every Day
Learn the everyday rules of when it's appropriate to use everyday vs. every day with Grammar Rules from the Writer's Digest editors. When is it correct to use everyday? When should you go with every day? Are they interchangeable or not?
Reading Your Work In Public: 12 Tips From Dead Rabbits Reading Series Founder
Sharing your work at readings is a great way to get your work in front of an audience and network with other writers. Dead Rabbits Reading Series host M.K. Rainey shares 12 tips on how to make it happen.
Marketing Three Books at the Same Time: What I’ve Learned
Although she has a lot to juggle, Eleanor's Wars author Ames Sheldon talks about the benefits of working on three books at the same time.
Harlequin Announces Romance Includes You Mentorship Initiative
The Romance Includes You mentorship initiative aims to find new talent and increase diversity and inclusion in romance publishing.
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.
Make Violent Scenes Matter: 5 Tips for Writing Violence That Doesn’t Turn Readers Off
After writing bestselling thrillers as well as books that missed the mark, author Carter Wilson shares five lessons he's learned about writing violent scenes.
Gaslighting and Writing Villains Who Make Your Spine Tingle
Writing villains can be a challenge but one approach is having them use gaslighting techniques on their victims. Learn more from this excerpt from Fight Write by Carla Hoch.
10 Tips for Effective Networking at a Writer’s Conference
Nervous about connecting with other writers and publishing professionals at your next writer's conference? John Peragine has 10 tips on how to network effectively and get the most out of your experience.
The Challenges of Getting Your Book Published
Self-publishing or traditional publishing? Author Robert McCaw has gotten his books published both ways and shares the pros and cons of each route.
How I Interviewed a Serial Killer and Stayed Sane
Talking to a serial killer for research, Dr. Aysha Akhtar, MD, MPH, reveals the planning that went into her interviews and how she stayed sane through the process.
Take Two: How to Adapt a Book Into a Screenplay
When adapting a novel for film, Script Magazine editor Jeanne Bowerman says your number-one job is to tell an amazing story—enhancing it for the format.
Using Story Tropes to Subvert Reader Expectations
Taylor Simonds tells how being aware of the tropes of your genre and turning them upside down can help your work stand out in an oversaturated market.
Sifting through Mythology: Finding the Grains of Your Story
Marc Graham explains how he used popular—and differing—myths and archaeological records to find the story of his new novel, Song of Songs: A Novel of the Queen of Sheba.
The WD Interview: Karin Slaughter | Excerpt
Karin Slaughter talks about what led to her Save the Libraries nonprofit, social media for authors, and what the future holds for her beloved characters.
Why Writers Should Embrace Their Weird Side
Debut author Sarah Sover shares how embracing her weird side led to the publication of her first book.
6 Elements of A Successful Author Website
Building your author website? Incorporate these six elements in your design to ensure its success.
Writing a Novel? Here are Seven Friends You Need
From the veteran writer to the friend who doesn't read, author Karen Dukess presents the seven friends you need to keep on track while writing and publishing your novel.
Take Two: Creating Multi-Layered Villains You Love to Hate
The villains we remember most aren't just bad, they have layers of goodness weaved in. Jeanne Veillette Bowerman explains how every character can have their own antagonist within your story.
Sometimes the Story Writes Itself
Writing fiction can be like dreaming, coming from our subconscious. Cheryl A. Ossola suggests writers need to get out of the story's way.
Nothing Is Fiction
Former journalist and award-winning author Fred Waitzkin made the leap from nonfiction to fiction by accepting that nothing is fiction—everything is inspired by his real-life experience.
Three Ways to Discover Who Your Characters Really Are
Don't "create" characters; get to know them instead. John Jamison has used the power of story in various roles—from pastor to brand development consultant—and he has some unique methods for getting to know his characters.
Creeping Common Sense: Let’s Talk Mistakes
It's important for new writers to ask the pros about the mistakes they've made; successful, well-published writer and WD contributing editor Jeff Somers reveals why.