In writing, discipline and routine get all the credit. But brains need rest, and inspiration often strikes when you’re not at your desk.
Keep reading When Writing Doesn’t Look Like Writing: Thinking, resting, and moving around
Writing about our hidden inner truths can be hard. How do you know when it’s time to write about it and what is the truth?
Keep reading What It Means to Tell the Truth in Your Work—Even When It Hurts
Discover five different methods to process and express your grief through creative writing in this post by writer and artist Audrey Quinn.
Express your grief through creative writing–there’s no wrong way to give voice to your emotions. Explore how to use journaling, poetry, music, humor, and storytelling to process pain, find healing, and transform your experiences into meaningful expression.
Keep reading Ways to Express Your Grief Through Creative Writing
What’s holding you back from sharing your truth through stories? Stories connect us, teach us, and help us heal. Whether it’s fear of being unheard, doubt about your identity, or not knowing where to start holding you back, your story still matters.
Goal setting is an important part of a writer’s life. But it’s also important to remind yourself of all the things you’ve already accomplished and celebrate new goals met when they happen.
Keep reading How to Celebrate Your Writing Successes, Even the Little Ones
Transform your stories with shattering moments—those life-changing events that leave characters (and readers) forever altered. From short stories to novels, discover how these pivotal plot points can create unforgettable narratives that resonate deeply with your audience.
Keep reading Shattering Moments: Crafting Pivotal Turning Points in Your Stories
Creating a writing routine can transform your creativity and productivity. By committing to regular practice, embracing imperfection, and tailoring your process to fit your life and preferences, you can overcome procrastination, improve your craft, and stay motivated as a writer.
Keep reading How to Develop Your Writing Routine and Stick to It
Self-publishing success requires planning. Learn the three basic keys in this blog post by Patricia Marshall.
Polish up your writing by eliminating these ten overused words according to writer and author Jeaux Bartlett. Whether you choose to substitute more impactful words with similar meanings or choose to omit these oft unnecessary words, your writing will come across as more precise and engaging by making just a few revisions in your vocabulary.
What makes a book impossible to put down? What’s the secret behind books that linger in your memory and ensnare your attention long after you’ve reached the final sentence? Read on to find out how narrative tension helps take a story from enjoyable to irresistible.
Read what Audrey thinks about Octavia Butler’s masterpiece Wild Seed, the first book (chronologically) in her Patternist series.
Keep reading Sir, Those are Human Beings, not Sims: A Nuanced Review of Wild Seed by Octavia Butler
What does your main character do to have fun? Learn how giving your main character hobbies and unexpected talents boosts enjoyment for your readers in this informative blog post by Bill Cameron.
Reading is essential for writers, sharpening your craft, expanding your vocabulary, and helping you find your voice. By reading widely, you develop empathy, refine your taste, and gain insights into the publishing world, ultimately becoming a better writer—and person.
“Try to resist the urge to prune a few bushes while the forest burns.”
Keep reading Master Self-Editing: A Writer’s Guide to Effective Revision
Read what Audrey thinks about this delightful study of an unreliable (probably queer) narrator, a weird college professor/cult leader, and entitled liberal arts students who commit a murder (or two).
Ever wondered how game writing and fiction writing overlap? They do so in a few surprising ways, from world-building to activating your readers’ imaginations.
Keep reading How does writing for games relate to writing fiction?
We all experience loss. How can we heal from them? Expressive writing can help us access, understand, and release our emotions.
By Audrey Quinn Stories tell us who we are, and I’m not just saying that because it’s part of my organization’s mission statement. Think about it. Stories helped make you who you are There’s the stories you read in books growing up, the stories you see on television and in movies, the stories you hear…
Keep reading ‘Who Cares About What I Have to Say?’: Why Your Story Matters More than You Think
Sprinkling humor into your writing can engage and entertain readers. Read tips on how to do it well.
Keep reading How to Add Humor without Creating a Hassle, Hullabaloo, or Hurdle for Readers
Every dream has to start somewhere. Writing goals help you figure out where you want to go and to get there.
Keep reading Why Goal-Setting is Important for Writers and How to Set Goals for Your Own Writing
If you write, you’ll find yourself butting up against writer’s block at some point. It’s OK. You can free yourself with writing prompts. Here’s how.
Keep reading Battling Writer’s Block? Try Writing Prompts to Break Through
Whether it’s a novel, short story, news article, or prose, dialogue serves as a narrative device that moves the story forward, reveals personalities and relationships, creates tension, and creates or resolves conflict. But what about in plays?
Don’t be intimidated by the idea of writing a graphic novel or comic. Get inspired instead! Here are five of our picks to get you dreaming and drawing.
Storyboarding isn’t just for fancy movie directors. Writers can use storyboards as a powerful tool to create story roadmaps, give deeper insight, and enhance the editing process.
Keep reading How Storyboarding Helps Writers (and Readers!) Understand Your Story
Getting started on your memoir can be hard. But reading other memoirs isn’t procrastination–it’s research! Here are five must-read memoirs to inspire you.
Keep reading Need Help Finding Inspiration for Writing Your Memoir? Read These Books!
Do you want to share your work at an open mic but are slightly terrified about it? Learn how to overcome your anxiety with these compassionate tips.
Keep reading Got Stage Fright? Learn to Tackle Your Performance Anxiety Gremlin
Have you tried to write a story and had it not feel quite right? Do you worry you sound fake or phony? You might be struggling to find your voice.
Keep reading Who is That Author I See, Staring Straight Back at Me?
Self-care for creative people can be a challenge–especially in a fast-paced world where your talents aren’t always recognized or valued. What is real self-care?
Keep reading Leona Morrison’s Self-Care Routines and Revelations
Do you notice how writers use movement to tell their stories? How do they do that?
Receiving and giving critique is an important part of the writing process. How do you do it well? Is there an ettiquette?
You’ve only got a few sentences to draw in your readers and get them to want to keep reading. How do you do that?
What is ekphrasis? The answer may come as a surprise even if you identify as a writer and/or a poet.
Keep reading Ekphrasis: No, it’s not a Greek Dessert or Exotic Bug Larvae
You’ve decided to join a book club, but you aren’t sure what the social etiquette of book club entails. No worries, we’ve got you covered.
For many of us writers, self-care can be a confusing and infuriating concept.
Just what does self-care even mean?
Is it taking indulgent bubble baths, laying on a couch watching Netflix all day, and eating an entire box of Welch’s Fruit Snacks? Well…sometimes, but these things are not essential or unique to self-care.
For many people, “spoken word poetry” conjures images of dimly lit coffee shops crawling with college hipsters in flannels and fedoras, droning on at the microphone about seemingly unrelated words and concepts. But what if spoken word poetry wasn’t just for young, nerdy hipster people?
Keep reading Beyond the Open Mic: How Spoken Word Poetry Helps People Find Their Voices
Want to expand your vocabulary, storytelling skills creatively? While competing against other word nerds? These games are for you!
Keep reading Seven Scintillating Games for the Most Loquacious of Word Nerds