5 Things The Path Can Teach Us About Writing
I think the general consensus among those writers who teach the craft is that you must read—and read widely—about the craft of writing, particularly those authors who write in your genre. But I think there’s a lot you can learn about writing from other mediums, too. Specifically television. Every other Monday,...
Creating Setting and Subtext in Your Fiction
The following is a guest post by Writer’s Digest author Mary Buckham, author of A Writer’s Guide to Active Setting: How to Enhance Your Fiction with More Descriptive, Dynamic Settings. She is also the author of the USA Today bestselling Invisible Recruits series, which has been touted for its unique voice,...
3 Things Bloodline Can Teach Us About Writing
I think the general consensus among those writers who teach the craft is that you must read—and read widely—about the craft of writing, particularly those authors who write in your genre. But I think there’s a lot you can learn about writing from other mediums, too. Specifically television. Every other Monday,...
Are You Making These Setting Mistakes?
The following is a guest post by Writer’s Digest author Mary Buckham, author of A Writer’s Guide to Active Setting: How to Enhance Your Fiction with More Descriptive, Dynamic Settings. She is also the author of the USA Today bestselling Invisible Recruits series, which has been touted for its unique voice,...
6 Things Fargo (Season 1) Can Teach Us About Writing
I think the general consensus among those writers who teach the craft is that you must read—and read widely—about the craft of writing, particularly those authors who write in your genre. But I think there’s a lot you can learn about writing from other mediums, too. Specifically television. Every other Monday,...
4 Things True Detective (Season 1) Can Teach Us About Writing
I think the general consensus among those writers who teach the craft is that you must read—and read widely—about the craft of writing, particularly those authors who write in your genre. But I think there’s a lot you can learn about writing from other mediums, too. Specifically television. Every other Monday,...
The Five Cardinal Sins of Description
This guest post is by Joseph Bates, whose new book Writing Your Novel From Start to Finish: A Guidebook for the Journey provides the instruction, inspiration, and guidance you need to complete your novel. Bates is the author of Tomorrowland: Stories (Curbside Splendor 2013), and his short fiction has appeared in...
How to Write Vivid Descriptions
Eli K.P. William, author of 2015 novel CASH CRASH JUBILEE, offers advice on how to write vivid descriptions, while still being mindful of pacing.
11 Secrets to Writing an Effective Character Description
The following is an excerpt from Word Painting Revised Edition by Rebecca McClanahan, available now! The characters in our stories, songs, poems, and essays embody our writing. They are our words made flesh. Sometimes they even speak for us, carrying much of the burden of plot, theme, mood, idea, and emotion....
Horror, Mysteries and Setting: Playing on the Unexpected
Horror fiction, like its predecessor, Gothic fiction, is meant to frighten and unsettle. Gothic stories often feature mystery and the supernatural, the clash of good and evil, and a sense of doom and decay woven together with ghosts, family curses, madness, and desire. Gothic fiction is the first tradition where setting...
Popular Author Adriana Trigiani Explains How to Bring a Setting to Life
The secret to Adriana Trigiani’s success begins with an old family recipe: quality ingredients, attention to detail, and good old-fashioned hard work.
Discover The Basic Elements of Setting In a Story
No matter if you are just getting started or want to break into fiction writing, setting is a crucial element to any story. In order to create an imaginary world for your story, you’ll need to know the fundamental elements of setting first. Discover the basic elements of setting in a...
Expert Tips on Writing Sensory Details in Setting & Description
Today’s tip of the day comes from Write Great Fiction: Revision and Self-Editing by James Scott Bell, in which he discusses the importance of setting and description, and explains how including sensory details within a story can not only benefit your writing but also engage your readers. What to Avoid When...
How to Improve Your Writing Style in 10 Minutes or Fewer
Everyone can benefit from the occasional reminder of the principles of strong writing. Below are 10 tips and exercises designed to make your writing more clear and concise. Think of them as a 10-minute refresher course.
by Brandon Royal
by Brandon Royal
How to Write Intriguing Male and Female Characters
Understanding gender differences can improve your writing in any genre. Here’s how.
by Leigh Anne Jasheway
by Leigh Anne Jasheway
Best Writing Advice in 10 Words or Fewer
Several Writer's Digest contributors share their best advice in 10 words or fewer.
The Best and Worst of Writing Advice
When you gather a panel of writers to discuss the best and worst writing advice they’ve ever received, the conversation promises to be as colorful as it is informative—and this one with spy novelist Alex Dryden, mystery novelist Lisa Gardner, author Alex Kava, and debut author Daniel Palmer, did not disappoint.
How to Give Your Character the Perfect Name
What you call your characters could influence your readers’ perceptions of them. Here are some factors to consider in finding the perfect match.
by Devyani Borade
The Life, Art and Business of Fiction
by Devyani Borade
From Idea to Page in 4 Simple Steps
Nothing is more exciting than the promise of a story in your head, but in order to get it on the page you need to figure out exactly what you need to do to make it work. Here are 4 steps to help you build the framework of your story.
The Constant Art of Being a Writer
The Life, Art and Business of FictionUsing Parallelism in Your Writing
The Sentence Sleuth says you need to balance all the elements of your sentences.
by Bonnie Trenga
Read chapter 1, "What is Plot, Anyway?" of Write Great Fiction: Plot & Structure.
by Bonnie Trenga
What is Plot, Anyway?
Read chapter 1, "What is Plot, Anyway?" of Write Great Fiction: Plot & Structure.
Don’t Use Adverbs and Adjectives to Prettify Your Prose
Learn how adjective and adverbs create redundancy and promote lazy writing and see how you can make your writing direct, vivid, and descriptive without making your readers want to get rid of your book.
by William Noble
Read Chapter 2, Opening Scenes: An Overview from Hooked
by William Noble
Opening Scenes: An Overview
Read Chapter 2, Opening Scenes: An Overview from Hooked