Writing Exercises & Advice -- Creative Writing Exercises and Advice
This page includes creative writing exercises and advice for creative writers, covering all aspects of craft and technique. Creative writing exercises will help get you started writing and improve specific areas of fiction writing.
November 2009 Writing Prompt
For this month, we have an exercise in compression, both of language and of time, based on a story by Abigail Thomas.
For this month, we have an exercise in compression, both of language and of time, based on a story by Abigail Thomas.
Forming a Writing Group
Writing groups can fill a number of needs in a writer's life, providing regular deadlines, feedback, and, with a good group, inspiration and motivation. Many writers credit their writing group with much of their success. These articles will help you get yours off to a good start.
Writing groups can fill a number of needs in a writer's life, providing regular deadlines, feedback, and, with a good group, inspiration and motivation. Many writers credit their writing group with much of their success. These articles will help you get yours off to a good start.
October 2009 Creative Writing Prompt Portfolio
Read responses to the October 2009 creative writing prompt, "Why I Stole It." Offer your own thoughts on their work, or try the writing prompt for yourself.
Read responses to the October 2009 creative writing prompt, "Why I Stole It." Offer your own thoughts on their work, or try the writing prompt for yourself.
First Line Story Starters
Often all you need is the first line to fill a page. These story starters, meant as opening phrases, were offered by readers as their favorite story starters.
Often all you need is the first line to fill a page. These story starters, meant as opening phrases, were offered by readers as their favorite story starters.
Story Starters
Almost everyone could use a little help in filling a blank page from time to time. Use these story starters, contributed by readers, to launch your writing session. Choose one story starter and see where it takes you. You might be surprised.
Almost everyone could use a little help in filling a blank page from time to time. Use these story starters, contributed by readers, to launch your writing session. Choose one story starter and see where it takes you. You might be surprised.
Creative Writing Prompts
These creative writing prompts, appropriate for poetry or fiction, will help you take your free writing sessions in a new direction.
These creative writing prompts, appropriate for poetry or fiction, will help you take your free writing sessions in a new direction.
Writing Exercises for New Story Ideas
Don't know what to write about? These exercises and writing prompts will get you started.
Don't know what to write about? These exercises and writing prompts will get you started.
Creative Writing Exercises for Craft
No matter what stage you're at with your writing, it's always beneficial to work on craft and technique. These exercises target common problems and weaknesses.
No matter what stage you're at with your writing, it's always beneficial to work on craft and technique. These exercises target common problems and weaknesses.
Share Your Favorite Writing Exercise
Do you have a favorite creative writing exercise? Share your writing exercise and discover new ones here.
Do you have a favorite creative writing exercise? Share your writing exercise and discover new ones here.
Add Description to Your Writing
This article started with a question from a reader named Jason, an Iraq War veteran who was now working on his writing, and specifically on description. I knew Jason wasn't alone: evoking a three-dimensional world through words is not easy. Almost all the advice offered in a subsequent
This article started with a question from a reader named Jason, an Iraq War veteran who was now working on his writing, and specifically on description. I knew Jason wasn't alone: evoking a three-dimensional world through words is not easy. Almost all the advice offered in a subsequent
Description Writing Exercise
Having trouble with description? It's something most writers have to work at. This writing exercise gives you the opportunity to practice this aspect of craft.
Having trouble with description? It's something most writers have to work at. This writing exercise gives you the opportunity to practice this aspect of craft.
Advice for Young Writers
In 2008, we posted a question from a teen named Makayla and received a wealth of valuable advice in response. Here are some of the top comments.
In 2008, we posted a question from a teen named Makayla and received a wealth of valuable advice in response. Here are some of the top comments.
Writing in a Recession
For many of us, the recession means more time. Within limits, this can be a good thing for a writing practice, which in turn is a good thing for our lives. Ready to find a silver lining in the gloom and doom? Read on.
For many of us, the recession means more time. Within limits, this can be a good thing for a writing practice, which in turn is a good thing for our lives. Ready to find a silver lining in the gloom and doom? Read on.
Revision Checklist
While you can't catch every mistake yourself, this revision checklist will help you make sure you've checked your work for the obvious pitfalls before sharing it with someone else.
While you can't catch every mistake yourself, this revision checklist will help you make sure you've checked your work for the obvious pitfalls before sharing it with someone else.
How to Find a Writing Community
Though writing itself is a solitary pursuit, the writing life presents many opportunities for community. In fact, a writing community can be an essential element in a writing career.
Though writing itself is a solitary pursuit, the writing life presents many opportunities for community. In fact, a writing community can be an essential element in a writing career.
Reader Questions on Writing and Publishing
Peruse questions about creative writing and publishing submitted by About.com readers -- and contribute your two cents -- with this list of FAQs.
Peruse questions about creative writing and publishing submitted by About.com readers -- and contribute your two cents -- with this list of FAQs.
Do I Need Permission to Use This?
Rose J. wrote in wondering if she needed to get permission to use major landmarks in her children's book, and if there were some copyright resources we could refer her to. Luckily, there's plenty of info out there for concerned writers.
Rose J. wrote in wondering if she needed to get permission to use major landmarks in her children's book, and if there were some copyright resources we could refer her to. Luckily, there's plenty of info out there for concerned writers.
Five Tips to Avoiding Total Disaster as a Novelist
Kris Saknussemm, author of Zanesville: A Novel, offers his advice on making it as a novelist, cautioning against filling notebooks with useless information and advising writers to be unreasonable.
Kris Saknussemm, author of Zanesville: A Novel, offers his advice on making it as a novelist, cautioning against filling notebooks with useless information and advising writers to be unreasonable.
Top Gifts for Writers
Having trouble selecting a gift for the writer in your life? With a little thought, you can choose a gift that your friend will cherish. This guide will get you started.
Having trouble selecting a gift for the writer in your life? With a little thought, you can choose a gift that your friend will cherish. This guide will get you started.
Idea Box
One way to ensure that you always have a place to turn for new ideas is to keep a box or notebook for phrases, conversations, or images that spark your imagination.
One way to ensure that you always have a place to turn for new ideas is to keep a box or notebook for phrases, conversations, or images that spark your imagination.
Top New Year's Resolutions for Writers
Want to set some concrete goals for the next year of your writing life? Finish the short story collection that's been gathering dust, read that classic Russian novel you've always meant to read, or just set aside some time every day to work on your craft.
Want to set some concrete goals for the next year of your writing life? Finish the short story collection that's been gathering dust, read that classic Russian novel you've always meant to read, or just set aside some time every day to work on your craft.