Breaking Out by Changing It Up: Write Something New
Author Karen Dionne (THE MARSH KING’S DAUGHTER) discusses her process in writing her breakout novel, and why changing genres and exploring new characters and plots might just be the key to standing out.
How to Embrace Your Strengths—and Flaws—to Find Your Writing Voice
Agents and editors often say they’re looking for a fresh writing voice. But what does voice mean? In this post from romance author Natalie Charles, you’ll learn to accept your strengths—and weaknesses—in order to embrace and discover your authentic voice.
How to Stop Yourself from Obsessing Over Duplicating Writing Success
After a few bylines, successful queries, or even a book contract, it can be easy to assume that success will come simply by duplicating your efforts. Instead, the exact opposite may be true: Writers must treat each work as separate, and stop trying too hard.
Finding the Right Writing Inspiration for Your Life
New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Probst shares some of the ways she finds writing inspiration, in this excerpt from her new Writer’s Digest Books title Write Naked.
The Inspiring Power of Freewriting
As a writer, your constant companion is the blank page. Yet no matter how many times you face it and commit to penetrating its force field, you might still feel your hair blowing back and every fiber of your being resisting the task at hand. When you’re stuck, I believe the...
Writing Advice: How to Fight Through Self Doubt
As writers we are extremely tough on ourselves—whether it's our first book or 15th book. Here's how to deal with the constant layers of self-doubt and reassure yourself that you'll be OK.
8 Ways William Shakespeare Can Make You a Better Writer
I learned from the Bard of Avon at least eight crucial and valuable writing lessons. They can help you too.
Not in the Writing Mood?
Falling out of a writing mood can happen to the best of us, and getting back in can be tougher than talking your way into a secret, after-hours, invite-only nightclub. But if we don’t try to break through, then we’re not writing, and if we’re not writing…well, then we can’t call...
Stimulate Your Mind With These Writing Exercises!
If you’re looking for ways to get out of your writing funk or challenge yourself, we have more writing exercises for you from Your First Novel by Ann Rittenberg and Laura Whitcomb. Leave a comment below letting us know what works best for you! First Lines. Take a stack of novels...
4 Left-Brain Exercises to Jumpstart Your Writing
As writers, we’re constantly on the hunt for new ideas but sometimes we may not be looking in the right places or simply need to refresh our writing routine. If you are looking for writing inspiration, read this excerpt from Your First Novel and find new ways to challenge yourself and...
Marketing Lessons from My Father
By Rob Eagar Marketing and sales are in my blood. That’s because I come from a distinguished line of salesmen. My grandfather was in sales. My father was in sales. In college, I tried to buck the trend by majoring in landscape architecture. But, my inability to recall the Latin names of...
The Best Ways to Find Ideas For a Good Story
It’s fairly simple–in order to write a novel or story, you must have a solid idea first. Most writers struggle at one time or another coming up with the right story idea. After all, you want an idea that can sustain an entire story. If you’re wondering where to find creative...
Your Moment of Friday Writing Zen: Simple Writing Advice to Keep You Going This Weekend
Every week, I spelunk into the Writer’s Digest archives to find the wisest, funniest, or downright strangest moments from our 92 years of publication. Today, from August 1967, are highlights of a love letter to language by Arnold Gingrich, the co-founder of Esquire magazine. In 1967, he presented the keynote at the first annual...