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.
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
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.
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.
Favorite Writing Exercise -- Share Your Favorite Creative Wri…
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.
Favorite Writing Prompts -- Share Your Favorite Creative Writ…
Do you have a favorite creative writing prompt? Share your writing prompt and discover new ones here.
Do you have a favorite creative writing prompt? Share your writing prompt and discover new ones here.
Young Writers -- Advice for Young Writers
Young writers often have questions about how to improve their writing and get started on a writing career. Share the advice that made the biggest difference in your writing career.
Young writers often have questions about how to improve their writing and get started on a writing career. Share the advice that made the biggest difference in your writing career.
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.
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.
How Do I Format an Electronic Submission?
A reader wrote in with a question about email submissions: "I'm wondering if a particular format or list of details is required when emailing a short story."
A reader wrote in with a question about email submissions: "I'm wondering if a particular format or list of details is required when emailing a short story."
What agent fees should I expect?
How much will a legit agent charge writers? Reader Burak wrote in asking about agent fees, and wondering if it was possible to get one that would work for free. We told him that it was, at least until you get a book deal.
How much will a legit agent charge writers? Reader Burak wrote in asking about agent fees, and wondering if it was possible to get one that would work for free. We told him that it was, at least until you get a book deal.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.