Author Victoria Laurie on Writing Realistic Psychics, Penning a Good Mystery and Her Publishing Journey
Victoria Laurie hit the ground running with her debut novel Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye, and her career hasn’t slowed down since. She has multiple bestselling titles, and her latest novel, When, has been optioned by Warner Brothers for a TV adaptation. We talked to Laurie about writing mysteries, writing realistic psychics, and...
Beloved Settings: Considerations for Fictionalizing a Favorite Place
Laura Oles discusses her considerations for transforming her favorite weekend getaway, Port Aransas, Tex., into a setting for her mystery novel.
W Is for Writer: A 2010 Interview with Sue Grafton (1940-2017)
This interview from the February 2010 issue of Writer's Digest is posted in fond memory of the late Sue Grafton, who passed away on December 28, 2017.
Transparency
You bolt awake … but you're not immediately sure what awakened you. You blearily fumble for your cell phone to check the time, but as you reach for the bedside table, you gasp—your hand passes through the oak nightstand as if it were composed of nothing but mist. After a moment,...
How to Write Suspense Like Stephen King
Aside from the fact that no less an authority than William Faulkner recommends reading widely in different styles and genres, there’s still another compelling reason why you might want to study Stephen King’s novels no matter what kind of writing you do. King is the number one horror writer in America,...
New Literary Agent Alert: Kira Watson of Emma Sweeney Agency, LLC
She is Seeking: Kira is particularly interested in Children's Literature (YA & MG) with a strong narrative voice, well-crafted storylines, and memorable characters. Within YA & MG, Kira is actively seeking Realistic Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Magic Realism, Thriller/Mystery, Horror, Fantasy, and Historical Fiction. Stories with folklore elements, complex villains, morally...
How I Got My Literary Agent: Jackie Copleton
Debut author Jackie Copleton, A DICTIONARY OF MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING (Dec 2015, Penguin) shares how she obtained her agent and published her novel.
4 Things Wayward Pines 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 Key to Better Writing? Study Screenwriting!
I feel obliged to preface this short piece with a disclaimer: I am no expert. On the other hand, I’m not sure anybody is. Three words you often hear in Hollywood—and I’ve heard them myself—are: “Nobody knows anything.” You hear it from producers, you hear it from directors, you hear it...
Author Interview: Max Wirestone—Librarian to Author
It’s time for another debut author interview. I love debut author interviews because it gives people an opportunity to see what successful writers did right on their journeys. This interview is with Max Wirestone, who is a librarian in a small New Hampshire town. He lives in New England with his editor-husband...
Successful Queries: Agent Jim McCarthy and “The Big Rewind”
The 72nd installment in the Successful Queries series is with agent Jim McCarthy (Dystel & Goderich Literary Management) for Libby Cudmore's mystery/thriller, THE BIG REWIND (February 2, 2016, William Morrow).
An Exclusive Kit For Writing Mystery Novels or Thrillers
Whether you are just starting to brainstorm a story idea or have a finished manuscript, the Writing Mysteries and Thrillers That Sell Premium Collection helps you plot, structure, write and sell a mystery novel or thriller!
Writer’s Digest Annual Competition
For 80 years, the Annual Writer’s Digest Competition has rewarded writers just like you for their finest work. We continue the tradition by giving away more than $30,000 in cash and prizes! Win a trip to the Writer's Digest Conference in New York City !
3 Ways to Know When to End Your Chapters
At some point in writing your novel, you have to start thinking about “chaptering,” the process of deciding exactly when and where your chapter breaks will go. Here are three simple, essential techniques that can help you make effective chapter pauses.
by Aaron Elkins
by Aaron Elkins
How to Organize and Develop Ideas for Your Novel
With so many great ideas, how do you organize them into some sort of coherent outline that will guide your writing? Here's how.
by Laura Whitcomb
by Laura Whitcomb
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 “Up the Stakes” for Your Main Character
Don’t be afraid to make things hard on your characters. You should always come up with several different problems to choose from. Here are 3 ways to do that.
by Victoria Lynn Schmidt
by Victoria Lynn Schmidt
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
Quick Tip: How to Develop Your Characters
Here are 4 quick exercises to make sure your characters speak to readers (and agents).
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.
5 Steps to a Great Female Protagonist
According to bestselling authors JT Ellison, Alex Kava and Erica Spindler, there are 5 key ways to make your heroine shine. Here they are.
by Jessica Strawser, reporting from ThrillerFest 2010 (New York City)
by Jessica Strawser, reporting from ThrillerFest 2010 (New York City)
Motivate Your Characters Like a Pro
In his session “The Psychology of Character Motivation,” Edgar-nominated author D.P. Lyle, MD, shared this invaluable exercise for developing your characters’ motivations as your story unfolds.
by Jessica Strawser, reporting from ThrillerFest 2010 (New York City)
by Jessica Strawser, reporting from ThrillerFest 2010 (New York City)