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In his fiction column from the January 1990 issue of Writer’s Digest, author Lawrence Block explores the reality behind the saying, “Truth is stranger than fiction.” Amy Jones A couple of years ago, two friends of mine, a man and woman I’d known for most of a decade, made the papers. They did so in […]… Continue reading Stop Making Sense: Explaining Some Fiction Rules of Logic — L.A. Kennedy

We all need to be reminded of the simple things sometimes. Jeremiah S Blanchard Writing is a tough job. It’s an art that takes far more practice than anyone considers — especially the beginning writer. You know it’s tough because you’ve been typing and scribbling away for a while now, and you haven’t caught any… Continue reading 5 Reminders of Why You’re a Writer That Will Make Your Writing Shine — L.A. Kennedy

Some practical, straightforward advice for the non-writers who want to get better. Dimitri Halkidis Not everyone can write. This is something I learned gradually, over a period of decades. And while the timid and anxious part of me struggles with admitting this, I am — objectively — a good writer. But I wasn’t born with […]… Continue reading 9 Tips on Writing For Non-Writers — L.A. Kennedy

By Andrew Solomon The following is adapted from a speech the author gave at the Whiting Writers’ Awards on March 5th. When I had just finished my schooling and was looking for a job, a friend put me in touch with an absurdly well-connected British biographer who, she assured me, would help me find the […]… Continue reading The Middle of Things: Advice for Young Writers — L.A. Kennedy

Death to clichés. Less is more. Writing is painful–here, the greats tell us how to do it better. By Belle Beth Cooper I’ve been reading some advice from successful writers lately and exploring what their routines are like to see what I can learn. Here are six of the most common pieces of advice I […]… Continue reading 6 Pieces of Advice From Successful Writers — L.A. Kennedy

Written by MasterClass It’s easy to get overwhelmed as a new writer when you’re staring at the blank page wondering where to begin. The good news is there are many places you can find writing advice and tips that can help you strengthen your abilities and build confidence in yourself. Writing is a lifelong pursuit, […]… Continue reading 11 Tips for New Writers — L.A. Kennedy

via Once you believe… — L.A. Kennedy

How do you recognize a good urban fantasy when you see one, and if you want to try your hand at writing one, what’s the basic recipe? Here are the ingredients you need. Mishell Baker Even if you don’t regularly haunt the science fiction and fantasy section of your local bookstore, chances are you’ve crossed […]… Continue reading 5 Elements All Urban Fantasy Novels Must Have — L.A. Kennedy

No matter what sort of character name you’re pursuing, heed common sense and follow these seven tips to make sure you pick the best names possible for your story. Elizabeth Sims Choosing a character name for your novel is as pressure-filled as picking a name for a baby. It has to suit the character’s personality, […]… Continue reading The 7 Rules of Picking Names for Fictional Characters — L.A. Kennedy

One of the biggest bugaboos in manuscript submissions is when the author doesn’t properly introduce the protagonist within the first chapter. Here’s how to help readers meet your main character. Les Edgerton One of the biggest bugaboos in manuscript submissions is when the author doesn’t properly introduce the protagonist within the first chapter. Readers want […]… Continue reading Write Better: 3 Ways To Introduce Your Main Character — L.A. Kennedy