Writing Tips Guides Resources

Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer One of America 's most influential writing teachers offers a toolbox from which writers of all kinds can draw practical inspiration. "Writing is a craft you can learn," says Roy Peter Clark. "You need tools, not rules." His book distills decades of experience into 50 tools that will help any writer become more fluent and effective. WRITING TOOLS covers everything from the most basic ("Tool 5: Watch those adverbs") to the more complex ("Tool 34: Turn your notebook into a camera") and ... [Find out more ...]

Every writer needs some help with their writing from time to time. And every writer can become a better writer over time. One simple technique you can use to become a better writer and improve your writing process is to spend less time writing and more time thinking about your writing.

Many writers struggle with their early drafts simply because they have not allowed their ideas enough time to simmer. Giving yourself time to brainstorm, sort through ideas, and build upon creative inspirations is the key to become a successful and productive writer. It is best to spend some time away from your desk and your computer. You can take a walk or jog, or you can perform some mindless household task such as vacuuming or folding laundry as long as you can focus the majority of your brain power on your writing without distractions.

If you want to become a better writer then you should set aside at least a portion of those moments to focus on your writing. In fact, you might find that not only does this improve your writing but it also allows you to multi-task by completing some other mundane chore (or simply getting in your exercise for the day). Once you can concentrate your thought on your writing, you will see ... [Find out more ...]

Writing Fiction and Poetry: Essays by North Carolina ...

"Our meddling intellect misshapes the beauteous forms of things; we murder to dissect," Wordsworth cautioned at the dawning of a new age of science and technology. It is a caution that, ... [Find out more ...]

"Throw the book away"

Children's literature is an excellent way to educate children, on everything from social behavior and beliefs to attitudes toward education itself. A major aspect of children's literature is the importance of books and ... [Find out more ...]

Secrets of Successful Writers Interviews with forty-nine writers as they speak about writing, publishing and promoting their books in the digital age. The interviews include John Locke, Gordon Ferris, Stephen Carpenter, Dakota Banks, Linda Wisdom, Matthew Reilly, Loucinda McGary, David Lender, JR Rain, Jack Dann, Dale Brown, Stephanie McAfee, Andy Briggs, Kat Martin and many, many more. Some of the writers are traditional authors. Others have built careers as self-published ebook authors. All their stories are ... [Find out more ...]

Becoming a better writer does not happen overnight. It takes a lot of discipline and dedication. Improving oneself as a writer is something that has to be done on daily basis. Practice is the key to become a better writer. However, there are a few things every writer can do to assure continuous improvement.

1. Write a Lot

Write as much as possible. Set aside a time to write regularly. Schedule a few hours each day and write every day. There are those who prefer to do it in the morning in a quiet place while there are those that prefer to do it in the evening with music playing in the background. Pick a time that is best for you, and keep your schedule.

2. Write for Your Audience

Connecting with your audience is not easy. The most effective and experience writer can still have problems simply by choosing the wrong audience. Think about who will be reading your writing and write to them. This way, the connection can be made much easier.

3. Keep It Simple

Make sure you writing is clear, simple and concise. By using short sentences, your writing can be more effective and straight to the point. There is no need to use complex words to show off your vocabulary. Whenever possible, use active voice.

4. ... [Find out more ...]

Writing Fiction and Poetry: Essays by North Carolina ...

"Our meddling intellect misshapes the beauteous forms of things; we murder to dissect," Wordsworth cautioned at the dawning of a new age of science and technology. It is a caution that, ... [Find out more ...]

"Throw the book away"

Children's literature is an excellent way to educate children, on everything from social behavior and beliefs to attitudes toward education itself. A major aspect of children's literature is the importance of books and ... [Find out more ...]

Secrets of Successful Writers Interviews with forty-nine writers as they speak about writing, publishing and promoting their books in the digital age. The interviews include John Locke, Gordon Ferris, Stephen Carpenter, Dakota Banks, Linda Wisdom, Matthew Reilly, Loucinda McGary, David Lender, JR Rain, Jack Dann, Dale Brown, Stephanie McAfee, Andy Briggs, Kat Martin and many, many more. Some of the writers are traditional authors. Others have built careers as self-published ebook authors. All their stories are ... [Find out more ...]

In order to become a better writer, you need to develop your own personal writing process. If you want to learn and grow as a writer, you must work to develop an unique writing process. Developing and improving your writing process is the key to become a better writer.

While most writing processes contain the same basic elements, each writer’s writing process is as individual as the writer. Generally, the writing process consists of five steps: brainstorming, organizing, writing, revising and editing. Some writer might condense these essential steps into three: brainstorming and organization as one, writing, and then revising and editing as the final step.

How do you begin to develop your own unique writing process? You must write a lot. And you must experiment with different methods, different styles and different variations within each of the five steps.

This is especially important when it comes to the first step in the process — brainstorming to generate ideas. Experiment with all the variations of brainstorming you hear about from free writing, clustering, questioning, listing and journaling as well as many other options.

After you have spent time brainstorming, it is important to organize those ideas. Sometimes, you will need to do this on paper while other times it can be done in your mind. You may be ... [Find out more ...]

Writing Fiction and Poetry: Essays by North Carolina ...

"Our meddling intellect misshapes the beauteous forms of things; we murder to dissect," Wordsworth cautioned at the dawning of a new age of science and technology. It is a caution that, ... [Find out more ...]

"Throw the book away"

Children's literature is an excellent way to educate children, on everything from social behavior and beliefs to attitudes toward education itself. A major aspect of children's literature is the importance of books and ... [Find out more ...]