Brainstorming for Story Ideas
The best beginnings are based on strong story ideas that immediately set the book apart from all others of its ilk. If you have a bad feeling that your story idea is not compelling or unique enough to hook agents or editors, much less readers, then this post is just for...
Focus on the Writing Life: Feeding Your Creativity
Every writer goes through a creative dry spell. And sometimes that point of struggle can leave an author straining her brain for the right idea, plot line, or word. Everyone will give you differing advice on how to handle Writer’s Block, or to enhance your creativity, but few will tell you to take...
Creativity: The X Factor
One of the most popular toys in our household these days is a set of remote control bumper cars. One is red, one is blue, and to win a round of this game, you need to crash into your opponent’s car at just the right spot to eject the little helmeted...
Things to Write About: Great Places to Find Ideas
Look around and you’ll find there’s no shortage of interesting things to write about—whether you’re in search of blog topics or creative story ideas. But in spite of that, I found myself sucked in to the advance copy of a book I recently happened upon in my inbox: 642 Things to...
How to Overcome Writer’s Block Like a Bestselling Author
Writers everywhere have or will lack writing inspiration. Whether you need help to overcome writer’s block, or are simply looking for inspiration for writing, read our today’s tip, taken from Write Great Fiction: Revision and Self-Editing by James Scott Bell. We all have times in our writing when the words get...
Effective Writing Strategies & Motivation- Be Productive!
Whether you are seeking inspiration for writing or want to know how to get motivation to write, today’s tip, provided by The Productive Writer, will give you effective writing techniques to be productive. There is no other writer in the world who is trying to accomplish exactly what you are striving...
4 Ways Inspiration Helps You Beat Writer’s Block
Battling writer’s block? Relax. Research suggests inspiration will find you.
Try These Writing Prompts – Trust Me, It’ll Be Fun
Some mornings I'm about as creative as a thumbtack. I roll out of bed at the same time, eat the same Raisin Bran for breakfast and drive the same route to work. Then I stare blankly at the computer screen for 45 minutes before deciding to sneak down and see if...
It’s Time for #StoryFriday
Two years ago on a hot Friday morning I was feeling burnout and was desperately looking for a fun boost. Scrabble just wasn't going to cut it, I was tired of losing The New Yorker Caption contest, and HR apparently frowns upon booze in the office (I know, I know, silly...
6 Steps to Jump-Start Your Story
Sooner or later, we all get stranded in the middle of our manuscripts. Use these 6 steps to jump-start your story so you can keep on driving.
by John Dufresne
by John Dufresne
10 Ways to Start Your Story Better
A good opening line is a powerful thing: It can grab an editor’s attention, set the tone for the rest of the piece, and make sure readers stay through The End. Here are 10 ways to steer your story toward success.
10 Ways to Stay Sane When Frustrated With Your Writing
So how does bestselling author Karin Slaughter (Broken) stay sane when her writing is frustrating her? We asked—and here are her responses.
10 Ways to Fuel Your Writing
It takes a lot of energy to write a book and stay with it through drafts, revisions, submissions, rejections, sales and marketing. Many writers find the energy in the sheer joy of writing. But others draw on darker impulses and feelings to carry them through the process. Sorrow, anger and hurt...
10 Creative Ways to Beat Writer’s Block Fast
Following are 10 exercises that will help you take a fresh look at your work-in-progress by giving you a mental break.
by Fred White
by Fred White
Top 10 Productivity Pitfalls for Writers to Avoid
When you find time to write, you want to make sure you’re making the most of whatever time you have. With that in mind, here are Sage Cohen's productivity pitfalls you should avoid.
By Sage Cohen
By Sage Cohen
3 Exercises For Tapping Inspiration
Sometimes writers need a little inspirational nudge. Try these exercises to help get you started.
7 Reasons Inspiration Matters to Writers
Here are 7 reasons why inspiration matters—and plenty of ways to use them to your creative advantage.
Flex Your Creative Writing Muscles
A well-balanced writing diet includes a daily dose of creativity. Here are four ways to satisfy your creative urges.
by Stephenie Steele and Joe Stollenwerk
by Stephenie Steele and Joe Stollenwerk
How to Channel Passion in Your Writing
Transposing your own powerful feelings, opinions, joys and sadness to your characters, every day, is the way to instill in your pages the wisdom that is living inside your novel—and you.
by Donald Maass
by Donald Maass
4 Techniques to Fire Up Your Fiction
Here are some exercises to apply to your novel-in-progress. They are designed to dig up what matters in your story and infuse it in your manuscript in effective—but not obvious—ways.
by Donald Maass
by Donald Maass
9 Ways to Write Yourself Out of a Slump
Push forward your writing (and your career) even when the phone isn’t ringing.
by Art Spikol
by Art Spikol
Excerpt from The Fire In Fiction
Techniques and exercises for creating characters who matter.
A Boot Camp for Creative Writing (Uncut)
What should you expect from a worthwhile fiction workshop? Here's the inside scoop.
by Charles Johnson
by Charles Johnson
The Four Energies of Writing: What’s Your Fuel?
How do you sustain your enthusiasm throughout a writing project—or even a writing career? It's all about finding and focusing your energy. Learn to identify which of these four energies motivates your writing life or project.