Online Creative Writing Course: Description Writing Magic

Thu, 9 Feb 2023 12:49:40 -0500

Online Creative Writing Course: Irresistible Fiction

Sat, 10 Apr 2021 15:48:32 -0400

Romance Story Ideas

Wed, 13 Feb 2019 12:45:24 -0500

A classic romance story has three key elements. Find out what they are, and get ideas for your own romantic fiction.

Fear of Starting

Tue, 6 Jun 2017 13:31:17 -0400

Often, people put off writing because they're afraid. Here are some tips on how to overcome fear and get words onto the page.

Love Story Ideas

Thu, 16 Feb 2017 13:38:43 -0500

Here are some prompts that you can turn into romance, suspense fiction, or romantic suspense.

Is Your Idea Interesting Enough?

Tue, 7 Feb 2017 11:05:58 -0500

Here's the secret to writing a novel that will hold your readers' interest.

"Show, Don't Tell" Explained

Mon, 18 Jul 2016 13:26:02 -0400

"Show, don't tell" is common advice in creative writing classes. But what does it actually mean? And how do you do it?

Story Ideas: Communication

Mon, 18 Jul 2016 13:23:43 -0400

Here are some ideas you can turn into stories. All of these ideas have to do with communication...

How to Finish What You Start

Tue, 13 Jan 2015 11:43:05 -0500

Do you tend to lose interest in your writing projects partway through? How can you stay inspired long enough to complete your manuscript? Here's what you need to know.

20 Answers to "What Happens Next?"

Wed, 2 Jul 2014 10:36:17 -0400

Raymond Carver offered this advice to writers: "When in doubt, have a man come through a door with a gun in his hand." Depending on your story, that's certainly one option. Here are twenty others.

Inspiring Places to Write

Fri, 28 Mar 2014 12:32:18 -0400

Sometimes a change of scenery can wake up the muse. Here are some ideas to try.

2 Easy Ways to Get Great Story Ideas

Thu, 27 Feb 2014 03:34:49 -0500

These two magic phrases will help you come up with lots of ideas.

How to Make Your Characters More Interesting

Sat, 8 Feb 2014 08:38:54 -0500

These five simple techniques will add interest to your characters -- and to your stories.

Story Ideas: Obsessions

Fri, 17 Jan 2014 16:10:58 -0500

Here are four story prompts involving characters with obsessions...

Story Ideas: New Year's Resolutions for Your Characters

Thu, 9 Jan 2014 12:34:57 -0500

Here are four fiction writing prompts about New Year's resolutions that have unexpected results...

Story Planning Worksheet

Sat, 22 Dec 2012 14:16:12 -0500

This worksheet makes it easy to develop your story ideas. Fill in the blanks to start planning a story.

Ideas for Characters and Stories

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 08:09:32 -0500

Here are some fiction prompts and ideas to get your imagination flowing. Have fun!

"What If" Story Ideas

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 12:15:25 -0500

Looking for creative inspiration? Here are some "what-if" questions that you can use to come up with story ideas.

Lisa Dordal on Writing Poetry

Fri, 10 Aug 2012 15:01:19 -0400

Poet Lisa Dordal offers advice to new poets and shares her own writing process.

Great Story Beginnings

Fri, 10 Aug 2012 13:13:02 -0400

A great story beginning captures your readers' attention and makes them want to read on. Here are some tips on how to start with a bang.

Satisfying Story Endings

Fri, 6 Jul 2012 07:15:55 -0400

The ending of a story or novel forms readers' final impression of what they have read. Here are some guidelines to help you write endings that will leave readers satisfied.

Online Course: Bringing Characters to Life

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 07:20:51 -0500

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.

Scary Photo Prompts

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 06:25:59 -0400

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.

How to Find Writing Time

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 11:36:48 -0400

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 10:20:40 -0400

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

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

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 05:18:44 -0400

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

Free Course: Endless Story Ideas

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 12:58:39 -0400

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

Friend Us on Facebook

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 06:03:12 -0500

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 13:16:51 -0500

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

Julie Schwietert Collazo on Writing Travel Literature

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 12:29:03 -0500

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 11:48:05 -0500

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 13:43:01 -0500

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

Ron Hogan on the Best Novels for Writers

Thu, 11 Nov 2010 07:58:40 -0500

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 06:39:30 -0500

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 08:59:10 -0500

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

Jonathan Mayhew on Reading Poetry

Mon, 8 Nov 2010 14:27:36 -0500

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

Publishing Short Short Stories and Hybrid Genres

Wed, 3 Nov 2010 14:54:57 -0400

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, 2 Nov 2010 12:15:10 -0400

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, 1 Nov 2010 11:21:21 -0400

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 10:51:17 -0400

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 07:05:48 -0400

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 06:05:12 -0400

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

Heather Sellers on Memoir Writing

Tue, 5 Oct 2010 14:51:53 -0400

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, 5 Oct 2010 09:39:25 -0400

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, 4 Oct 2010 08:09:35 -0400

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 12:23:56 -0400

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 11:21:17 -0400

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 07:44:28 -0400

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 13:06:18 -0400

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 05:31:46 -0400

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