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Probst_1:20
Writing Techniques

Making the Switch from Romance to Women’s Fiction

In this article, author Jennifer Probst explains the differences between romance and women's fiction, the importance of both, and how you can make the genre switch.

  • By Jennifer Probst
    Jan 20, 2021
Wrobel_1:20
Interviews

Stephanie Wrobel: On Writing an Unusual Hero

Author Stephanie Wrobel explains how she came to write about mental illness and how it affects familial relationships, as well as getting inside the head of an unusual character.

  • By Robert Lee Brewer
    Jan 20, 2021
Miller_1:19
Interviews

Timothy Miller: The Alluring Puzzle of Fact and Fiction

Screenwriter and novelist Timothy Miller explains how he came to write historical fiction and how research can help him drive his plot.

  • By Robert Lee Brewer
    Jan 19, 2021
Batra&DeCandido_1:18
Interviews

Dr. Munish Batra and Keith R.A. DeCandido: Entertainment and Outrage

Authors Dr. Munish Batra and Keith R.A. DeCandido explain how they came to co-write their novel and why it's important to them that the readers experience outrage while reading.

  • By Robert Lee Brewer
    Jan 18, 2021
Cleland_1:17
Interviews

Jane K. Cleland: On Writing the Successful Long-Running Series

Award-winning mystery author Jane K. Cleland describes what it's like to write a long-running book series and offers expert advice for the genre writer.

  • By Robert Lee Brewer
    Jan 17, 2021
Malden_1:16
Interviews

Carla Malden: Writing With Optimism and Innocence

Screenwriter and author Carla Malden explains why young adult fiction and the '60s go hand-in-hand and how she connected with her main character's voice.

  • By Robert Lee Brewer
    Jan 16, 2021
Kelly_1:15
Interviews

Greta K. Kelly: Publishing Is a Marathon

Debut author Greta K. Kelly reveals how the idea for her novel sparked and the biggest surprise of her publication journey.

  • By Robert Lee Brewer
    Jan 15, 2021
Brandt_1:14
Interviews

Gerald Brandt: Toeing the Line Between Sci-Fi and Fantasy

Science fiction author Gerald Brandt explains how this new series explores the genre boundary and how he came to find his newest book's focus.

  • By Robert Lee Brewer
    Jan 14, 2021
Grushin_1:12
Writing Techniques

A Word About Writing Princesses and Fairy Tales

Author Olga Grushin explains how her views on fairy tales have changed over the years, and what it takes to write a princess from a modern lens.

  • By Olga Grushin
    Jan 12, 2021
Probst_1:11
Interviews

Jennifer Probst: Making the Genre Leap

New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Probst speaks about putting a five-year pin in her latest novel and being reminded that even experts need advice.

  • By Robert Lee Brewer
    Jan 11, 2021
Dobbs_1:9
Interviews

Leighann Dobbs: Cat Sleuths and New Perspectives

USA Today bestselling author Leighann Dobbs explains why she writes cozy mysteries from a cat's perspective and how she's still learning new writing skills.

  • By Robert Lee Brewer
    Jan 9, 2021
Buzz words abound in Hollywood. Probably the biggest one is "high-concept ideas." Jeanne Veillette Bowerman explains what that phrase mean and why high-concept ideas make a screenwriting career
How to Write a Script, Writing Tips

Take Two: High Concept Ideas Make a Screenwriting Career

Buzz words abound in Hollywood. Probably the biggest one is "high-concept ideas." Jeanne Veillette Bowerman explains what that phrase mean and why high-concept ideas make a screenwriting career.

  • By Jeanne Veillette Bowerman
    Jan 8, 2021
Jones_1:6
Interviews

Robert Jones, Jr.: Writing to Answer the Question, "What About Love?"

Author Robert Jones, Jr. discusses the inspiration that led him to write his debut novel and how he stayed focused on the heart of his story during the writing process.

  • By Robert Lee Brewer
    Jan 6, 2021
julia_claiborne_johnson_on_the_challenges_of_writing_the_second_book_author_spotlight
Interviews

Julia Claiborne Johnson: On the Challenges of Writing the Second Book

Bestselling author Julia Claiborne Johnson shares the secret to how books get published, what surprised her the most about getting a second book published, how to handle holes in research for historical novels, and so much more.

  • By Robert Lee Brewer
    Jan 5, 2021
Hoch_1:1
Writing Techniques

FightWrite™: Knife Fights, Part 1

In this article, author and trained fighter Carla Hoch explains the basics of various types of knives and the implications a knife fight may have on your characters and plot.

  • By Carla Hoch
    Jan 1, 2021
For those who tell me they have decided to retire due to the pandemic and write a book, that they can learn to write a book in a weekend, I like to turn the tables. If it’s a lawyer, I tell them I, too, decided to re
Humor Fiction

Writing Humor in Uncertain Times

How can you find the funny in the world today? Cartoonist and humorist Bob Eckstein has advice for writing humor in uncertain times.

  • By Bob Eckstein
    Dec 30, 2020
World Building 3
Writing Techniques

Making Magic, Part 1: Defining and Selecting Magic Systems

In the first of a two-part series, WD editor Moriah Richard explains how magic systems exist on a spectrum and gives you some tips on selecting a system that works for you.

  • By Moriah Richard
    Dec 29, 2020
Schwartz_12:15
Interviews

Evan I. Schwartz: The Rock 'n Roll of Non-Profit Publishing

Author Evan I. Schwartz explains how he went from writing nonfiction to fiction and how he came to discover his non-profit publisher.

  • By Robert Lee Brewer
    Dec 15, 2020
Williams_12:15
Writing Techniques

Five Tips for Writing Romantic Scenes

Romance author Denise Williams dishes out her top five tips to penning a romantic scene that hooks your readers and avoids cliche.

  • By Denise Williams
    Dec 15, 2020
Putting your screenplays up against other writers' scripts creates an opportunity to stand out from the crowd. Jeanne Veillette Bowerman shares advice on choosing and succeeding in a screenwriting competition
Screenwriting (Film)

Take Two: Screenwriting Competition Guide

Putting your screenplays up against other writers' scripts creates an opportunity to stand out from the crowd. Jeanne Veillette Bowerman shares advice on choosing and succeeding in a screenwriting competition.

  • By Jeanne Veillette Bowerman
    Dec 11, 2020
Wegert_12:8
Writing Techniques

Keeping Your Narrator’s Secrets When Writing a Series

Mystery novelist Tessa Wegert gives writers simple tricks to ensuring your character's secrets are revealed at just the right time.

  • By Tessa Wegert
    Dec 8, 2020
Edgerton_12:8
Interviews

Les Edgerton: When Your Story Haunts Your Agent

Award-winning author Les Edgerton explores how a short story he wrote at age 13 paved the way for his latest noir novel.

  • By Robert Lee Brewer
    Dec 8, 2020
FightWrite_12:04
Writing Techniques

FightWrite™: Crime Fiction and Violence

Author and trained fighter Carla Hoch answers a writer's question about writing from the perspective of criminals and when best to utilize a fight.

  • By Carla Hoch
    Dec 4, 2020
Arlen_12:1
Interviews

Tessa Arlen: On Polite Editorial Tussles and Unraveling Mysteries

In this article, author Tessa Arlen explains how to navigate the differences between American and English audiences and create a realistic historical mystery.

  • By Robert Lee Brewer
    Dec 2, 2020
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