Creative Writing Ideas Blog

Noise

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:32:48 GMT

I know that I'm alone in my room. I know that I am alone in the world. Being alone I am not afraid of. But being alone doesnt mean that I don't know what's

Online Course: Bringing Characters to Life

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:20:51 GMT

In this 8-week e-mail course, you'll learn how to create fictional characters that feel 3-dimensional and real. Make your characters and stories come alive in the reader's imagination.

Finding Stories in Pictures

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 10:42:39 GMT

Photographer Anja Lietzmann finds stories in London street scenes. What stories do her pictures make you imagine? What stories can you find on the streets of your own town?

Scary Photo Prompts

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 10:25:59 GMT

To celebrate Halloween this year, we've created a booklet of scary photo prompts. You can use this booklet to get ideas for terrifying or atmospheric stories or poems. Download it for free here.

Read This BEFORE You Send Your Fiction to an Editor

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 15:00:26 GMT

Our new e-book, Fiction Boot Camp shows you how to improve over 100 aspects of your fiction to give your writing the best chance of success.

How to Find Writing Time

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 15:36:48 GMT

Bryan Cohen's new book Writer on the Side offers ideas to keep you motivated and help you find writing time throughout the day, even with a busy schedule.

Advice from a Literary Agent

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 14:20:40 GMT

We asked editor and former literary agent Robin Martin to share her tips for fiction writers.

Useful Book for Self-Publishers

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 10:48:07 GMT

If you're thinking of self-publishing a nonfiction book, The Well-Fed Self-Publisher will take you step-by-step through the process Peter Bowerman used to achieve spectactular self-publishing success.

Nancy Ellen Dodd Explains How to Write a Manuscript in 7 Stages

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 09:18:44 GMT

The author of The Writer's Compass talks about becoming a writer and outlines a 7-stage process for writing a manuscript.

What a Writing Partner Can Do for You

Tue, 03 May 2011 13:20:33 GMT

A writing partnership can energize your writing and bring a fresh perspective to your work.

Free Course: Endless Story Ideas

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 16:58:39 GMT

Take this 3-day online course for free and generate lots of ideas for your fiction writing.

Kathryn Vercillo on How to Write Blogs

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 15:47:51 GMT

Do you want to learn how to blog effectively? Here's some advice from a pro.

Tim Lemire on Publishing Nonfiction

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 17:56:02 GMT

Author Tim Lemire describes how he wrote and published seven nonfiction books on a wide range of topics.

Writing Prompt Contest

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 18:02:16 GMT

To celebrate our new Facebook page, we're running a special competition, with a $100 prize for the best writing prompt. See competition details.

Friend Us on Facebook

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 11:03:12 GMT

Creative Writing Now has a new Facebook page! Come visit us there and click on the "like" button to friend us.

Nancy Antle on Writing Children's Literature

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 18:16:51 GMT

Author Nancy Antle talks about writing picture books and middle-grade fiction.

Julie Schwietert Collazo on Writing Travel Literature

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 17:29:03 GMT

Julie Schwietert Collazo teaches travel writing at MatadorU. We asked her to share some advice for aspiring travel writers.

Levi Stahl on the Best Fiction Books for Writers

Fri, 10 Dec 2010 16:48:05 GMT

Literary blogger Levi Stahl offers his picks of novels and short stories for fiction writers to study.

Russell Rowland's Tips for Writing a Novel

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 18:43:01 GMT

Novelist Rowland Russell shares some tips for writing a novel and explains why writing to publishing trends is a mistake.

Writing Blog: Dear Literary Ladies

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 18:40:45 GMT

This delightful blog matches questions about writing with quotes by famous women writers in an advice-column format.

Ron Hogan on the Best Novels for Writers

Thu, 11 Nov 2010 12:58:40 GMT

Writer Ron Hogan, who founded the seminal cultural blog Beatrice.com, offers his picks of novels for aspiring novelists to use as models.

Jenny Davidson on World Building and Writing Alternative Historical Fiction

Thu, 11 Nov 2010 11:39:30 GMT

Author Jenny Davidson talks about the process of writing her recent novels, which are set in an altered historical past.

Edward Champion on the Best Fiction Books for Writers

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 13:59:10 GMT

Writer and cultural critic Edward Champion recommends some novels to study as examples of character and plot development.

Jonathan Mayhew on Reading Poetry

Mon, 08 Nov 2010 19:27:36 GMT

Professor Jonathan Mayhew, author of four books about poetry, talks about recommended reading for poets.

Publishing Short Short Stories and Hybrid Genres

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 18:54:57 GMT

We spoke with the founders of Rose Metal Press, an independent nonprofit publisher specialized in hybrid genres and nontraditional literary forms.

Scott Rice on Bad Writing

Tue, 02 Nov 2010 16:15:10 GMT

The tongue-in-cheek Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest offers prizes for horrible writing. Read our interview with the competition's founder.

Mark Athitakis on American Fiction

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 15:21:21 GMT

Writer and critic Mark Athitakis discusses current trends in American fiction and book reviewing.

Jill Esbaum on Writing Children's Books

Fri, 15 Oct 2010 14:51:17 GMT

Author Jill Esbaum discusses writing and publishing children's books and how to avoid common mistakes.

Matilda Butler and Kendra Bonnett on Memoir Writing

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 11:05:48 GMT

Kendra Bonnett and Matilda Butler offer advice for new memoirists and share their experiences of writing the collective memoir, Rosie's Daughters.

Jessie Carty on Narrative Poems

Mon, 11 Oct 2010 10:05:12 GMT

Poet Jessie Carty talks about her poetic influences and what she has learned from editing a literary magazine.

Heather Sellers on Memoir Writing

Tue, 05 Oct 2010 18:51:53 GMT

Author Heather Sellers talked to us about the process of writing her new memoir, You Don't Look Like Anyone I Know.

Michael Klam on Poetry Slams

Tue, 05 Oct 2010 13:39:25 GMT

Michael Klam, Poet in Residence at Balboa Park's Museum of the Living Artist, spoke to us about performance poetry and poetry translation.

Ari from Reading in Color on Diversity in YA Fiction

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 12:09:35 GMT

The founder of the book review blog Reading in Color talks about young adult literature and her letter-writing campaign to Borders.

Nicole Peeler on Fantasy Writing

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 16:23:56 GMT

Nicole Peeler, author of the Jane True urban fantasy series, shares her thoughts on the dos and don'ts of writing fantasy.

John Matthew Fox on How to Write Book Reviews

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 15:21:17 GMT

Writer and critic John Matthew Fox talks about reviewing books and offers advice for new reviewers.

Meredith Sue Willis on Strategies for Writing Novels

Sat, 25 Sep 2010 11:44:28 GMT

Meredith Sue Willis explains her Archipelago Method for novel-writing and shares advice on maintaining momentum during the writing process.

Skhye Moncrief on Writing Romance Novels

Mon, 20 Sep 2010 17:06:18 GMT

Romance author Skhye Moncrief spoke with us about writing romance novels, what it's like to work with Druids, and her thing for kilts.

D. Patrick Miller on Independent Publishing

Sat, 18 Sep 2010 09:31:46 GMT

Author, editor, and publisher D. Patrick Miller talks about independent publishing and typical mistakes he sees in manuscripts by new authors.

Robert Raymer on Writing Short Stories in Malaysia

Fri, 17 Sep 2010 17:01:33 GMT

Expat writer Robert Raymer explains the benefits and challenges of launching a literary career in a foreign country.

Cynthia Harrison on the Writing Life

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 13:47:38 GMT

We spoke about fiction writing with Cynthia Harrison, author of the book Your Words, Your Story, and the popular writing blog, A Writer's Diary.

Carl Lennertz from HarperCollins on Book Marketing

Sun, 12 Sep 2010 10:51:20 GMT

We asked Carl Lennertz about his work at HarperCollins, what makes a novel successful, and how authors can help market their own books.

Merric Davidson on The New Writer and Magazine Publishing

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 15:47:54 GMT

The publisher of The New Writer spoke with us about his magazine, its annual fiction and poetry prizes, and the future of magazine publishing.

Writing Blog: Advice to Writers

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 10:08:45 GMT

Read quotes by writers about writing on this blog by Jon Winokur.

Found Poem: Headstone Service by Al Fogel

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 16:13:26 GMT

Poet Al Fogel created found poetry using texts from the Directory Of VA Benefits.

Lynda Schab on Writing Greeting Cards and Christian Mom Lit

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 14:49:05 GMT

Writer Lynda Schab shares tips from her freelance writing career and describes the changing landscape of chick lit and Christian fiction.

Writing Blog: Six Questions For...

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 17:31:15 GMT

Jim Harrison's blog features six-question interviews with editors, publishers, and agents.

E-book: 1,000 Creative Writing Prompts

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 08:05:41 GMT

Want the ultimate antidote to writer's block? Bryan Cohen's new e-book offers 1,000 creative writing prompts covering a wide range of topics.

Writing Blog: Mortal Corkscrew

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 16:18:17 GMT

You'll find poetry, fiction, artwork, and author interviews on this exciting blog by writer Melanie Huber.

Publication Opportunity: Leaf Garden Press

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 13:19:55 GMT

Leaf Garden, an online literary journal, is currently accepting submissions of poetry, fiction, and essays. Check them out.

Freelance Writing Career Tips from Alyssa Ast

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 16:28:04 GMT

We asked writer and journalist Alyssa Ast to share her advice on starting a freelance writing career.