How to Start Writing a Book, 1st Chapter
Why Writers Should Embrace Their Weird Side
Debut author Sarah Sover shares how embracing her weird side led to the publication of her first book.
Where Do I Start?: The Anatomy of Chapter One
No matter the genre, editing is essential. Audrey Wick and her editor, Julie Sturgeon, give readers a behind-the-scenes peek at the process of editing the first chapter of a manuscript.
Novel Writing from A to Z: The Alphabetical Elements of Writing Fiction
Staring down the first blank page of your novel-to-be can be daunting—but any hesitation stops here. Our A to Z guide of expert tips, inspirational advice and helpful novel writing hints will walk you from Page 1 through The End.
The Writer’s Digest Podcast, Episode 8: Interview with NaNoWriMo Executive Director Grant Faulkner
In this episode of the Writer’s Digest Podcast, we talk with author and Executive Director of National Novel Writing Month Grant Faulkner, who shares an inside look at the NaNoWriMo writing challenge and discusses how to overcome some of the main obstacles to creativity, techniques to help you prepare to write your novel, and how to keep your creative momentum up every month of the year.
Encouraging Young Writers: Why You Should Set Aside Time to Read and Write With Kids
Making time to read and write with your kids can not only encourage your young writers to flex their creative muscles—it can also help you find time to work on your own passion projects.
Tune In: 23 Best Podcasts for Writers
This year, to accompany our annual list of 101 Best Websites for Writers, we decided to put together a list of what we think are the best podcasts for writers. Here are our favorites.
How to Turn Real Events from Your Life into a Work of Fiction
Learn what to change—and what to keep—when incorporating your real-life experiences into your works of fiction.
Top 5 Reasons Cruising is the Perfect Writing Vacation
Here are some reasons why cruising is a great way to spend a vacation that can lead to some excellent writing results.
How Being an Editor Helped Me Be a Better Writer (and Vice Versa)
As a debut novelist who’s also a full-time nonfiction editor, I’ve tried hard to keep my editor and author hats separate. However, I’ve found that the two roles have intertwined more than I expected, and in ways that are surprisingly beneficial.
How to Turn Elements of Your Novel Into a Masterpiece
Get too focused on any one instrument at play in your story, and you may lose sight of the harmony inherent in truly great fiction. Here’s how to compose the elements of your novel into a masterpiece.
7 Steps to Creating a Flexible Outline for Any Story
Many writers who swear they dislike outlines are thinking of them in the wrong ways. K.M. Weiland's seven-step process to creating a flexible outline for any story can help you let loose and have fun in your first draft.
10 Rules of Writing a Novel From a Copywriter
Here are a few things author Helen Klein Ross learned along the way to writing a novel between stints as a copywriter from how to manage time to handle inspiration and more.
10 Ways To Hook Your Reader (and Reel Them in for Good)
When I wanted to write an essay about my difficult relationship with my brother I had to figure out a way to make it interesting to other people so I turned to these 10 elements to keep the story rolling.
The 5 Biggest Fiction Writing Mistakes (& How to Fix Them)
Start your revision by addressing these five biggest fiction writing mistakes, and you'll immediately change your story for the better.
7 Reasons Writing a Book Makes You a Badass
Author Brian A. Klems explains why writing his book, OH BOY, YOU'RE HAVING A GIRL: A Dad's Survival Guide to Raising Daughters, made him feel like a complete and utter badass.
The 5 Essential Story Ingredients
Forget three-act structures, formulas for plot, and even beginnings, middles and ends. Write better stories by propelling your protagonist through a transformation your readers will never forget.
5 Ways to Come Up With Great Story Ideas
Here are five ways that will help pump up your creativity muscle and build story ideas that will keep you writing for hours on end.
