Here's how to explore the functions of dialogue and narration in a scene, so that you can find the mix that’s right for your novel.
Brian Klems’ The Writer’s Dig
Staying Positive While Writing About Death and Tragedy
Here are 10 tips to keep your spirits up when writing about deeply emotional content.
Why Point of View is So Important for Novel Writers
The following is a brief rundown of the three most common POVs and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
It’s Never Too Late: On Becoming a Writer at 50
The year I turned 20 I sat down and made out my bucket list, jotting down the decade birthdays—30th, 40th, 50th, and so on—and beneath each entry what I hoped to have accomplished by that date. Longevity not being a strong family trait, I figured I had maybe five decades to make my life’s...
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 Add Another Level to Your Novel with Footnotes
Footnotes seem to be a rather polarizing topic among the literary community, so let's talk about them—and what benefits exist.
When Does Black Women’s Fiction Become Just Women’s Fiction?
When does black women’s fiction become just women’s fiction? To answer that question, we’d first have to establish the difference between the two. Some might argue that it’s the characters, others might say themes or cultural perspective. After reflecting on this for years, I concluded that the biggest thing that separates women’s fiction and...
6 Keys to Writing a Compelling Historical Novel
Writing the historical novel brings several unique challenges. Tailoring these techniques to your historical novel will help you capture and hold your readers’ attention.
Why Is the Word “Girl” In So Many Modern Book Titles?
In the last few years, girls in titles have infiltrated bookstores and subsequently movie theaters. Why are they so popular? Why should (or shouldn’t) you give your novel one of those coveted Girl titles? Here's what you need to know.
From Writing Books to TV Shows – Making the Adjustment
I had written three books by the time I entered a TV writers’ room. I thought of myself as a seasoned writer who was, essentially, starting over. It was a new medium with new rules and I was ready to start at the basics. Turns out the basics aren’t that hard. I easily got a hang...
Tips on Writing a Sequel (When You Didn’t Plan to Write a Sequel)
Here are tips on how to revisit a world you've written about before and grow it into additional novels.
A Writers Conference Survival Guide
Here are a few tips that will help you make the most of any conference, whether it’s a cosplay-loaded comic book convention, a business-centric event like BEA or a mystery con that’s geared to fans and authors.
Advice to My Unpublished Self
Here are 10 encouraging pieces of advice all unpublished writers need to tell themselves from time to time.
My (New) Life As a (New) Writer
Here are my top 10 take-a-ways from my past year as a writer. All start with “Be” because writing is not only a state of mind, it’s an action. You are either doing it or not.
The Trick to Winning Big Literary Prizes
This month, many of the best contemporary books are going to receive prizes and plaudits in some of Britain and Europe’s top literary awards and ceremonies. The first of these took place on 8 May, with the announcement of winning entrants in the 2017 British Book of the Year Awards, where the Fiction Book...
5 New Ways for Writers to Keep a Journal
If you’re one of those writers who’s been meaning to start a journal for years but doesn’t get inspired by the idea of stream-of-consciousness-ing your thoughts each day, you're in luck—here are five solutions just for you.
6 Ways to Improve Your Romantic Thriller Novel
When I'm trudging through the messy middle of a book, I double check my list of must-haves to punch up the pace. Here's what you can do to strengthen the middle of your novel.
Top 5 Reasons Every Writer Should Join Camp NaNoWriMo
Camp NaNoWriMo is like the summer camp version of National Novel Writing Month. Here's why you should consider spending your summer with that community.
7 Quotes From Writers About Dads (Happy Father’s Day)
In honor of Father's Day, we've collected several quotes from writers (and a couple from our favorite literary dads) that embody the spirit of fathers.
From Slush Pile to Big Five: How to Stay Sane While Working on your Debut
I was recently asked to visit my former MFA program to speak with current students about my experience publishing my debut novel, The Salt House, forthcoming from Touchstone/Simon & Schuster this summer. As a woman in her mid-40’s who’d only graduated from the program several years earlier, my journey to selling my debut was...
5 Things All Writers Should Know When Writing a Second Novel
Here in the writing community we talk a LOT about how to break in with a novel—whether breaking in means signing with an agent, landing a deal with a publisher big or small, or self-publishing well enough to make a splash. That makes sense, of course—because breaking in isn’t easy. More often than not,...
Why Finding a Literary Agent Is So Similar to Dating
In this back and forth, author Ricki Schultz and literary agent Barbara Poelle dish on the similarities between courting a mate and courting an agent.
How to Treat Mentally Ill Characters When Writing a Novel
To avoid stereotyping and caricature—and to keep your story believable—try these strategies and tips.
How Taking a New Path in Writing Can Fire Up Your Muse
It was May 2014 and we were in New York, prepping for a meeting with our agent, Elisabeth Weed. She had asked us to brainstorm ideas for our next book. We were due at her office in one hour and all we had was a magical blow dryer.
A 30-year Writing Journey Finds Publishing Partner at Writer’s Digest Conference
How pitching at a writing conference can lead to finding an agent.