Writing Techniques

World-building can be a complicated and extensive task for a writer, especially when you’re on your second or third draft and your story is fully fleshed out. Here are some quick tricks for keeping yourself organized.

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 writers make is omitting sensory details.

Sarah Pinsker, author of the science fiction novel We Are Satellites, shares her top 4 tips for writing a winning science fiction novel.

Probably the most common question asked by aspiring novelists is how to up their dialogue game. Author Emily Henry gives her top 4 tips here.

No matter the age of your audience, there are a few keys ways to ensure that they are hooked by your story. In this article, author Mary Alice Monroe gives her top 3 tips for accomplishing this.

As the author of 16 novels, Wendy Wax shares her top 6 tips for novelists to help their writing journey go as smoothly as possible.

If your character isn't a trained fighter but the scene calls for a fight, how can you make the scene realistic? Author and trained fighter Carla Hoch has the answers for writers here.

Mia P. Manansala, author of Arsenic & Adobo, explains how writers can help their main character solve a mystery when they're the prime suspect.

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 writers make is not using your spare 15 minutes.

In this article, debut author Christina Sweeney-Baird explains how writers can expertly craft a near-future dystopian novel.

Authors Mark and Connor Sullivan are no strangers to utilizing suspense in their novels. Here, they share their top 8 tips for writers to do the same.

Humor often stems from things that are not humorous. Can you mine your family's dynamics for inspiration? Author Jesse Q. Sutanto believes you can, and gives you her top 3 tips for doing so.

One key to engaging your reader is to give them a character they love to read about. Author Diana Souhami gives her top tips for making this happen.

World-building can be an exciting process for the fantasy writer ... but what about when you hit an idea roadblock? Author A.J. Smith has 5 tips for ensuring that you keep your imagination engaged.

What separates professional writers from amateurs? Author Matthew Harffy has the answer, and tips for ensuring that you make your publication dreams a reality.

Critically acclaimed thriller novelist Carter Wilson explains why he uses memory—or complete lack thereof—as a central thematic element in his works and how other writers can as well.

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 revising while writing.

Sweet romance is a genre defined by it's lack of sexually explicit scenes—but how can you ensure yours doesn't feel flat? Romance author Sariah Wilson shares her top tips for creating chemistry and intimacy between characters who aren't sleeping together.