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.
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.
Vintage Wisdom (Good and Bad): 14 Short Fiction Writing Tips From 1929
Writer's Digest editors selected their favorite fiction writing tips from the 1929 WD magazine article "The Way to the Fiction House Market" by Jack Byrne.
The Three-Step Process From Isolation to Publication
Debut author Joanne Ramos talks about letting herself get lost in the world of her book, when she knew to let others in and when to let The Farm out into the world.
The Differences Between a Crime Novel, Mystery Novel and Thriller Novel
To pitch the right agents, you first need to know exactly what it is you’re pitching. Learn the subtle differences among the many subgenres of suspense—and how to meet and exceed expectations in every one.
5 Tips for Better Book Cover Typography
This post will dive into this crucial component of a book cover. Read on to find out how to handle book cover typography — and how to make yours stand out and sell your book.
Writing Exercise: How to Start Loving Your Characters
How can you make your characters—flaws and all—people that your readers can’t forget?
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.
Third-Person Limited: Analyzing Fiction’s Most Flexible Point of View
From fast-paced action to intimate drama, third-person limited POV can be adapted to any scene or situation.
Author Platform: How to Build Your Online Audience and Stay Sane
E.J. Wenstrom shares a few steps you can take while you're building your online author platform that can save your sanity.
Self-Publishing Audiobooks: Why Should You Consider It?
As WD author Jessica Kaye shares in the opening paragraphs of her book The Guide to Publishing Audiobooks, audiobooks are reaching more people than ever. Here are her thoughts about why you might consider self-publishing audiobooks.
How a Strong Character Arc Can Make Readers Love Your Protagonist
Novels readers love it when a protagonist dramatically transforms from Page One to The End. Jerry B. Jenkins shares the fundamentals of developing a strong character arc.
A Sense of Discovery: ‘Chocolat’ Author Joanne Harris on Routine, Inspiration and What’s Next
Author Joanne Harris discusses her writing routine, her journey to becoming a full-time author, as well as her upcoming book The Strawberry Thief, which is set in the same universe as her 2000 hit novel Chocolat.
The Writer’s Dip: Should You Quit Your Current Writing Project?
How do you know if you should quit your current writing project or keep at it? Learn why quitting the “wrong things” may be the only way to achieve your wildest writing goals.
The Quintessential Guide to Selecting and Working With Beta Readers
With the brutal, thorough help of beta readers, you can achieve writing goals faster and more efficiently. LS Hawker offers a definitive guide to selecting and working with them.
indieLAB: The Rise of Self-Publishing 3.0
What is Self-Publishing 3.0? Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) founder Orna Ross explains the shift from the earliest iterations of self-publishing to today's landscape with Self-Publishing 3.0.
Putting the Heart in Science Fiction: An Analysis of the Screenplay ‘Her’
Often, the science fiction genre is high on concept but low on heart. More cerebral than emotional. However, there’s a new wave of sci-fi that prioritizes the heart over the head. Dustin Grinnell dives deep into the screenplay of the film 'Her' to investigate.
How to Fall in Love with the Writing Process: 6 Questions to Hone Your Creative Workflow
Plots and characters will come and go, but for successful writers, passion for the writing process burns on. Use these 6 questions to transform your creative method from craft into art.
Crowdfunding a Novel: Fantastic and Frustrating
Interested in crowdfunding a novel? Susan K. Hamilton, who has crowdfunded two novels, shares the joys and frustrations authors can expect when publishing via this 21st century route.
Not Your Grandmother’s Harlequin: Writing Romance in the 21st Century
When Linda Cardillo's manuscript drew the interest of Harlequin, she had reservations about the bodice-ripping stereotypes attached to writing romance fiction. But her preconceptions were dispelled when she learned more about the breadth and diversity of the genre today.
Min Jin Lee: Finding Story Ideas That Truly Provoke Your Passions
Pachinko author Min Jin Lee talks about finding story ideas that truly provoke your passions and how to tune out the burden of expectations.
Who Is Your Target Audience? Use This Simple Trick to Figure Out If They Actually Exist
A major conundrum that trips up many new writers is defining your target audience before you have any actual readers. Dana Sitar explains how to identify them.
Building Picture-Book Characters: 5 Elements You Need to Know
In this excerpt from Ann Whitford Paul's new book Writing Picture Books, Revised and Expanded Edition, learn the five fundamental elements you should know inside and out about your picture-book characters.
Breaking In: Debut Author Jacob Tobia on the Memoir Process and More
In this interview, author Jacob Tobia discusses making the leap from writing personal essays and op-eds to a full memoir as well as the importance of building a platform to promote your work.