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Stottlemyre_1:21
Interviews

Todd Stottlemyre: On Mixing and Bending Genres

Author Todd Stottlemyre explains how he combined fiction and nonfiction in his latest book and what it meant as a writer to share his personal experiences.

  • By Robert Lee Brewer
    Jan 21, 2021
Henick_1:13
Interviews

Mark Henick: On Memory, Healing, and Languishing Projects

Author Mark Henick shares how he was able to turn a successful TEDx talk into a memoir, even when the project didn't come as quickly as he expected.

  • By Robert Lee Brewer
    Jan 13, 2021
Dulan_12:16
Interviews

Lily Dulan: Kindness, Alignment, Regeneration, and Action

Nonfiction author Lily Dulan shares how her personal experience with grief led her to help others and what her biggest back-and-forth with her publisher was.

  • By Robert Lee Brewer
    Dec 16, 2020
Hsu Gee_12:9
Interviews

Darien Hsu Gee: Making the Most Out of Micro

Author and essayist Darien Hsu Gee explores the intricacies of crafting micro essays and a faster-than-usual publication process for her newest collection of work.

  • By Robert Lee Brewer
    Dec 9, 2020
johanna_garton_the_intersection_of_mountaineering_and_crossed_paths_and_lives_hero_image
Interviews

Johanna Garton: The Intersection of Mountaineering and Crossed Paths and Lives

Author Johanna Garton shares her experience of taking and finishing a story her journalist mother started a decade before her about mountaineer Christine Boskoff, who disappeared while climbing in China in 2006.

  • By Robert Lee Brewer
    Nov 7, 2020
Amir
Writing Techniques

The “Secret Sauce” Necessary to Succeed at a 30-Day Writing Challenge

In this article, author and writing coach Nina Amir lays out her top tips to master your mindset and complete a 30-day writing challenge.

  • By Nina Amir
    Oct 30, 2020
Grinnell_Literary Techniques
Writing Techniques

Using Literary Techniques in Narrative Journalism

In this article, author Dustin Grinnell examines Jon Franklin’s award-winning article Mrs. Kelly’s Monster to help writers master the use of literary techniques in narrative journalism.

  • By Dustin Grinnell
    Oct 21, 2020
lee_gutkind_godfather_behind_creative_nonfiction_tries_memoir_for_the_first_time
Interviews

Lee Gutkind: The Godfather Behind Creative Nonfiction Takes on Memoir for the First Time

Dubbed the "Godfather behind creative nonfiction" by Vanity Fair Magazine, Lee Gutkind shares his first experience with memoir, what makes it different than his previous books, what writers can't take back, and more!

  • By Robert Lee Brewer
    Sep 29, 2020
What a Body Remembers Karen Stefano
Memoir

Trauma: What Happens When We Put It On the Page?

Writing the story of her assault wasn't easy for Karen Stefano. The author shares her experience writing about trauma, including how she found the strength to put it all on the page, the inevitable ups and downs, and the self-care needed in between.

  • By Karen Stefano
    Jul 8, 2019
Aysha Akhtar Our Sympathy With Animals
Writing Techniques

How I Interviewed a Serial Killer and Stayed Sane

Talking to a serial killer for research, Dr. Aysha Akhtar, MD, MPH, reveals the planning that went into her interviews and how she stayed sane through the process.

  • By Aysha Akhtar
    Jun 28, 2019
Fred Waitzkin Deep Water Blues
Memoir

Nothing Is Fiction

Former journalist and award-winning author Fred Waitzkin made the leap from nonfiction to fiction by accepting that nothing is fiction—everything is inspired by his real-life experience.

  • By Fred Waitzkin
    Jun 7, 2019
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Writing Genres

The WD Interview: Susan Orlean on The Library Book and Finding the Red-Hot Center of the Story

Susan Orlean talks to WD about the challenges of researching and writing The Library Book, and how libraries are meeting the needs of 21st century patrons.

  • By Don Vaughan
    May 8, 2019
 The Elements of Narrative Nonfiction
The Writer's Life

Write a Book that Authors the Change You Wish to See in the World

Not all writers start out as writers. Some of them begin as people who want to make a difference. Learn how to write a book that authors the change you wish to see in the world.

  • By Nina Amir
    Apr 8, 2019
 The Complete Handbook of Novel Writing, 3rd Edition By The Editors of Writer's Digest
Writing Goal

8 Ways to Stay Mentally Fit and Mindful in the Writing Process

Bryan E. Robinson, Ph.D., author of #CHILL: Turn Off Your Job and Turn On Your Life, offers several tips inspired by the book for mindfulness and mental fitness during the pressures of the writing process.

  • By Guest Column
    Mar 23, 2019
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Writing Goal

Reddit for Writers: 47 Writing Subreddits to Explore

This supplement to the 2019 edition of our 101 Best Websites provides a guide to writing subreddits — destinations across Reddit where writers can find useful information, community and resources.

  • By Jess Zafarris
    Mar 22, 2019
 The Elements of Narrative Nonfiction
Writing Articles

Writing for Audiences Affected by Cancer

Spiritual nonfiction author and professor Anthony Maranise shares a thoughtful essay about the unique considerations of writing for audiences affected by cancer.

  • By Guest Column
    Mar 7, 2019
 The Elements of Narrative Nonfiction
Creative Nonfiction Writing

7 Steps Toward Writing Your Transformational Book

Have you felt inspired to write a transformational book—one that will help your readers create change in their lives, organizations, or the world?

  • By Nina Amir
    Jan 29, 2019
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Interviews

Brad Meltzer on Research, Rejections, and More

"Don't let anyone tell you 'No.'"Bestselling author Brad Meltzer reveals the secrets around his new non-fiction book, 'The First Conspiracy'—plus thriller writing tips, and more.

  • By Jess Zafarris
    Jan 23, 2019
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Writing Goal

The Tragical Mystery Book Tour (Part 3)

Author and New Yorker cartoonist Bob Eckstein recently set out on a book tour of his own devising to promote his book The History of the Snowman. In this four-part series, he outlines his experience, lessons learned along the way, and what up-and-coming authors might expect from their own tours.

  • By Bob Eckstein
    Jan 17, 2019
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The Writer's Life

A Prescription for Writers in a Fast-Paced World

Writing a book is not for the faint of heart. Physician and author Beth Ricanati, MD, offers a prescription for a meaningful writing ritual that will help you achieve your goals.

  • By Guest Column
    Dec 5, 2018
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Writing Articles

Immersive Nonfiction & Idea Generation with 'The Fifth Risk' Author Michael Lewis

Author Michael Lewis of The Big Short, Moneyball and his latest, The Fifth Risk, lays out his formula for immersive nonfiction in this extended Writer's Digest interview.

  • By Carten Cordell
    Nov 20, 2018
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Publishing Insights

Superhero Sauce: Blending Pop Culture & Academic Disciplines in Nonfiction (+ a Quiz!)

In his book 'Superhero Ethics,' Travis Smith blended his knowledge of political philosophy with superhero mythos. By outlining his writing process and what he learned, he demonstrates how combining pop culture topics with academic disciplines can make for fun and accessible nonfiction books.

  • By Guest Column
    Sep 10, 2018
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Historical Books

How to Select the Best Topic for Historical Nonfiction—and How to Pitch It

When considering the best topic for a work of historical nonfiction, you must consider your reasearch, your target audience, and what you seek to accomplish. Author Cory Taylor discusses what goes into this process, and how to pitch the work once it's complete.

  • By Guest Column
    Jun 26, 2018
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Interviews

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Discusses the Power of Reading, His Writing Process, and His YA Memoir Becoming Kareem

In this interview, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar discusses his new bestseller, Becoming Kareem, a heartfelt memoir for young adult readers, as well as his writing process, the importance of reading and civil rights.

  • By Barry Goodrich
    May 24, 2018
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