Write Better Fiction

The Writer's Digest team has witnessed many writing mistakes over the years, so we started this series to help identify them for other writers (along with correction strategies). This week's writing mistake is labeling your book with an inaccurate genre.

Trained fighter and author Carla Hoch argues that having an authentic fight scene comes second to having a realistic one. Read more about how to engage your reader with realism.

When revising and editing, it's best to think about it in shorter, hyper focused periods rather than one intense push. Kris Spisak discusses the benefits of timed editing for your story as well as your productivity.

Many writers have certain requirements in order to get to writing: the right lighting, a particular pen, or a favorite mug. Author Stephen Graham Jones offers a different perspective on ways to get to work without ritual.

Let's look at the differences between persecution and prosecution with Grammar Rules from the Writer's Digest editors, including a few examples of correct usages.

You might have heard about National Novel Writing Month AKA NaNoWriMo. But what is it, really? And how can writers get involved?

New York Times bestselling author Stephen Graham Jones discusses how his new horror novel, My Heart is a Chainsaw, is his love letter to the slasher films of his youth.

New York Times bestselling Stephan Pastis discuss the process of creating his very first graphic novel for middle grade readers, Trubble Town: Squirrel Do Bad.

Dialogue can make or break a story. It helps a reader understand a character's voice, personality, sense of humor, and motive. Author Matthew FitzSimmons shares 5 tips for improving your dialogue in fiction.

Debut author Sasha Peyton Smith discusses how exploring her own grief led to the first draft of her young adult historical fantasy novel, The Witch Haven.

Let's look at the differences between elicit and illicit with Grammar Rules from the Writer's Digest editors, including a few examples of correct usages.

Sailaja Joshi, the founder of Mango & Marigold Press, shares a few thoughts on how to increase the diversity of children's home libraries to help expand their perspectives.

When editing, it's easy to accidentally shift into reader mode, missing mistakes along the way. Author Kris Spisak offers a new way of thinking when tackling the editorial process.

Knowing what is myth is important in writing historical fiction, but so is knowing what isn't. Author Cait Stevenson shares 6 things writers should know about the Middle Ages to help enrich their historical fiction stories.

Sometimes story collections are independent of one another, and sometimes they have something that connects them together. Author Lou Mathews walks us through how to find that link in our own stories to create a cohesive book.

You all may prefer to use neither, but there is a correct contraction to use when combining the words "you" and "all." In this Grammar Rules post, we look at whether writers should use y'all or ya'll in their writing.

Bestselling author Jasmin Darznik offers creative ways to put female friendships at the heart of your story.

Author J.R. Jamison explores how writing with an empathetic eye (and ear) can enhance character development.