Write Better Fiction
Character | Dialogue | Genre (Children's / Comics & Graphic Novels / Historical / Horror / Humor Fiction / Literary / Mystery & Thriller / Romance / Science Fiction & Fantasy / Screenwriting / Spiritual / Young Adult) | Grammar | Plot | Revising & Editing | Settings | Short Story | Writing Scenes | Writing Techniques
This is the place to learn how to write better fiction. WD editors & guest contributors cover everything about writing—from grammar to writing tips to fueling your creative fire, we have you covered. Your fiction writing career will thank you.
6 Ways To Fight Your Inner Critics
For many writers, self-critique gets in the way of making much progress. Here, author Julia Crouch shares 6 ways to fight your inner critics.
Writing Allegory: A Convenient Place to Hide
Where realistic fiction felt both too restrictive and too revealing for author Susan Speranza’s transition from poetry to fiction, she turned to allegory. Here, she shares examples of famous allegories throughout history and how allegorical writing helped shape her novel, Ice Out.
The Writer's Digest Interview: Marlon James
Booker Prize–winning author Marlon James talks about mythology and world-building in his character-driven epic Moon Witch, Spider King, the second book in his Dark Star Trilogy in this interview from the March/April 2022 issue of Writer's Digest.
The WD Interview: Lisa Jewell
The New York Times-bestselling British author discusses creating thrilling plot twists and developing characters in her 19th novel, The Night She Disappeared, in this interview from the Jan/Feb 2022 issue of Writer's Digest.
Managing Point of View: Mythbusting
In the first of this three-part series, novelist and WD columnist Sharon Short breaks down 7 of the most common myths about choosing which POV is right for your story.
Things To Consider When Writing About Ghosts and the Supernatural in Fiction
From maintaining subtlety to visiting haunted places, author J. Fremont shares everything to consider when writing about ghosts and the supernatural in fiction.
Writer's Digest Presents: World-Building (Podcast, Episode 5)
In the fifth episode of the Writer's Digest Presents podcast, we talk about world-building in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, including interviews with authors Whitney Hill (fiction) and Jeannine Hall Gailey (poetry).
12 Dos and Don’ts of Revealing Critical Backstory in a Novel
How much backstory is too much backstory, and how do we know when we haven’t given enough? Here, bestselling author Jenna Kernan offers six dos and six don’ts of revealing critical backstory in a novel.
Getting Started Writing a Beach Book
Sun, sand, and surf are only a fraction of what a beachside setting can bring to your stories. Here, bestselling author Amy Clipston helps us get started writing a beach book.
10 Questions to Ask Yourself for an Airtight Plot
No matter the genre of book you’re writing, certain questions authors ask themselves can help them strengthen their plots and, by extension, strengthen their stories, Here, authors Boyd Morrison and Beth Morrison share 10 questions to ask yourself for an airtight plot.
How I Went From No Book to Book Deal in Under a Year
From picking up a reading habit to navigating daily word counts, award-winning journalist Carley Fortune shares how she went from no book to a book deal in less than a year.
Stay Thirsty, My Friends: On Freeing Writing From the Weight of Perfection
Internationally bestselling author Sarah McCoy reclaims the necessary messiness that comes with the writing process and discusses why writers strive for perfection when perfection doesn’t exist.
Amy Lea: On People-Watching Inspiring Romance
Author and bureaucrat Amy Lea discusses writing meet-cutes and meet-not-so-cutes in her debut romantic comedy novel, Set On You.
Dark Secrets and Dastardly Lies: Ramping Up a Killer Plot
A mystery needs more than a murder and the bad guy who did it. Here, author Connie Berry shares tips on how to ramp up a mystery novel with a killer plot.
Shame and Success: Blending Artistic Expression With Social Media
With social media being so pervasive in our lives, the relationship artists have with it is both inspiring and overwhelming. Here, author Francesca Giacco discusses how social media has played a part in her life and in her new novel, Six Days in Rome.
4 Things Writers Should Know About Investigative Reporter Nellie Bly
Bestselling and award-winning Maya Rodale shines a light on the famous reporter and how her work can still inspire today’s writers.
Abbigail Nguyen Rosewood: On Focusing on the Work
Award-winning author Abbigail Nguyen Rosewood discusses pain metamorphosing into prose in her new novel, Constellations of Eve.
How Do Characters Who Don’t Know How to Fight, Fight? (FightWrite™)
Trained fighter and author Carla Hoch discusses how to write scene with characters who are untrained for more realistic fighting sequences.
4 Things Every Military/Espionage Thriller Writer Should Know
You don’t need first-hand insider information to write a compelling and believable spy novel. Here, New York Times bestselling author Don Bentley shares 4 things every military/espionage thriller writer should know.
Funny You Should Ask: Pitch, Revise, and Resubmit
In this Funny You Should Ask column from the March/April 2022 issue of Writer's Digest, literary agent Barbara Poelle tackles questions about online pitching events and how to interpret revise and resubmit requests from agents.
7 Stories in Which Death Is Not the End
The world of the unknown is a playground for curious writers. Here, author Steve Toltz shares 7 stories where death is not the end and discusses what writing beyond death can do for our stories and our characters.
My Characters, My Patients: How Knowing Your Characters’ Health Helps You Write Their Stories
Author Karen Winn’s medical background offered her a deepened sense of empathy for the characters she wrote. Here, she discusses how knowing your characters' health helps to write their stories.
5 Tips for Writing Setting as a Character
The best stories invoke all the senses. Here, author Liz Michalski discusses how to write setting as a character with 5 helpful tips.
Jennifer Estep: On the Ever-Evolving Industry of Publishing
Internationally bestselling author Jennifer Estep discusses what she learned in publishing her newest epic fantasy novel, Tear Down the Throne.