7 Top Tips to Create a Cinematic Novel
Writing a story that has all the enticing elements of a screenplay in novel form can be a challenge, but if done right it can lead to a cinematic manuscript that's bound to catch the eye of agents and readers. Here are seven ways to take your eye for big screen...
5 Things the Screenwriting Business Taught Me About Writing
A confession: I bristled at being called a “screenwriter” while jacket copy for Magicians Impossible, my debut novel, was being finalized. Everyone else wanted that facet of my biography in; I wanted it out. I didn’t want to be “screenwriter with debut novel,” which to most reading pegs said debut novel...
The Differences and Similarities Between Writing a Novel and Writing for Television
Television writer Hollie Overton shares three skills from screenwriting that have helped her write two novels, as well as three skills she had to learn while writing fiction.
Much Ad’oh About Nothing
For 28 seasons, “The Simpsons” has celebrated authors and their work through cameos and callouts. Showrunner Al Jean reflects on the animated classic’s literary legacy.
Guest Post: How I Got My Book Optioned for a Major Motion Picture
Have you ever been curious about what it takes to get your novel or series turned into a movie or film franchise? In today’s guest post, Robert Blake Whitehill, author of the Ben Blackshaw series, sheds some light on his experiences in getting his novels optioned. — As an award-winning screenwriter, I...
3 Most Common Complaints About Agents by Scriptwriters
Television writer Chad Gervich breaks down the most common complaints made by scriptwriters about Hollywood agents.
Writing a Screenplay: Using Structure to Develop Your Ideas
The following is a guest blog post by Fred Perry. Fred won first place in the screenplay category in the 82nd Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition. He has also received script requests, optioned three features, and won eight screenplay competitions. Today, he’ll tell you how to start a screenplay and share...
Selling Your Book’s Movie and TV Rights – What You Need to Know
If you’ve ever wondered how something gets made into a film—and how your work can be tapped for one, too—here’s the inside scoop on options.
Marketing a Screenplay
If you don’t have an agent, and have no contacts in the business, you can still market your script on your own. Before you try, however, take one preparatory step: Register your script with the Writer’s Guild of America. Registration provides a dated record of the writer’s claim to authorship and...
What Writers Need to Know About Formatting (FAQs)
When writing your future bestseller you don't want to have to waste too much time wondering if you should be leaving one space or two between sentences or worried that you're committing other style faux pas. Here I’ve collected a writer’s set of FAQs about formatting issues that will help you...
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 !
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 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.
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)
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
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.
Using 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.
November is National Novel Writing Month
NaNoWriMo’s Chris Baty shares five tips for writing your book in a month.
by Chris Baty
by Chris Baty
From Idea To Script
Here’s how to turn your promising concept into a screen-worthy script.
by Jurgen Wolff
by Jurgen Wolff
Does Your Screenplay Need a Treatment or a Synopsis?
A treatment or a synopsis can be an indispensable tool, both for writing and marketing a screenplay. In this article, we’ll look at the relationship between the treatment, synopsis, summary, logline, scene cards and coverage. A synopsis can be a story guide for writing your screenplay, or be written afterwards as...