Updated Articles and Resources

From Cliff Daigle, Former About.com Guide

Know Your Theme Created: Saturday, March 31, 2012 Updated: Saturday, March 31, 2012
A different way of examining theme in fiction and how knowing yours can improve your writing.
How to Write Faster Created: Sunday, March 25, 2012 Updated: Sunday, March 25, 2012
Tools, tips and techniques to write fiction faster than you ever have before.
What is a Writer's Platform Created: Sunday, March 18, 2012 Updated: Sunday, March 18, 2012
While writers are often told to build their platforms as soon as possible, it's not immediately obvious what that means. This article will run down the major components of a solid writer's platform..
How to Choose a Genre for Your Novels Created: Thursday, March 08, 2012 Updated: Thursday, March 08, 2012
Advice for writers on when and how to choose a genre to write in.
Finding the time to write Created: Wednesday, February 29, 2012 Updated: Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Every writer complains that they'd write more if they only had the time. This article tells writers how to find the time to write everyday.
Book Review of The War of Art by Steven Pressfield Created: Sunday, February 26, 2012 Updated: Sunday, February 26, 2012
A review of Steven Pressfield's non-fiction book The War of Art, a must-read for anyone making a living as an artist.
How to get story ideas for writing fiction Created: Thursday, February 16, 2012 Updated: Tuesday, February 21, 2012
The truth about where great story ideas come from and how you can learn to generate more of them than you could ever use.
How to pitch your novel to an agent or publisher Created: Thursday, February 16, 2012 Updated: Tuesday, February 21, 2012
How to craft and deliver a killer pitch of your novel that will have them begging to read it.
Fiction Writing Exercise to Create Story Ideas Created: Thursday, February 16, 2012 Updated: Tuesday, February 21, 2012
A quick, fun writing exercise to help you come up with a ton of story ideas in no time.
Contact the About.com Fiction Writing Guide Created: Thursday, February 16, 2012 Updated: Thursday, February 16, 2012
Find out how to get in touch with the About.com Fiction Writing Guide.
Writing Prompt Critique -- Help Critique Writing Prompt Submissions Created: Sunday, November 21, 2010 Updated: Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Offer your comments on "Leaving Delight," written in response to the November 2010 writing prompt.
Writing Prompt Critique -- Help Critique Writing Prompt Submissions Created: Sunday, November 21, 2010 Updated: Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Offer your comments on "Antonia and Her Family," written in response to the November 2010 writing prompt.
Writing Prompt Critique -- Help Critique Writing Prompt Submissions Created: Saturday, November 06, 2010 Updated: Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Offer your comments on "War of the 'Woods,'" written in response to the November 2010 writing prompt.
Writing Prompt Critique -- Help Critique Writing Prompt Submissions Created: Friday, October 29, 2010 Updated: Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Offer your comments on "A Good Vintage," written in response to the October 2010 writing prompt.
Writing Prompt Critique -- Help Critique Writing Prompt Submissions Created: Monday, October 25, 2010 Updated: Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Offer your comments on "Mr. Criggs," written in response to the October 2010 writing prompt.
Writing Prompt Critique -- Help Critique Writing Prompt Submissions Created: Sunday, October 24, 2010 Updated: Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Offer your comments on "The House," written in response to the October 2010 writing prompt.
Writing Prompt Critique -- Help Critique Writing Prompt Submissions Created: Sunday, October 24, 2010 Updated: Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Offer your comments on "A Halloween to Remember," written in response to the October 2010 writing prompt.
Writing Prompt Critique -- Help Critique Writing Prompt Submissions Created: Sunday, October 24, 2010 Updated: Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Offer your comments on "Apparitions," written in response to the October 2010 writing prompt.
Writing Prompt Critique -- Help Critique Writing Prompt Submissions Created: Sunday, October 24, 2010 Updated: Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Offer your comments on "A Viennese Visitation," written in response to the October 2010 writing prompt.
Writing Prompt Critique -- Help Critique Writing Prompt Submissions Created: Friday, October 15, 2010 Updated: Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Offer your comments on "Bonnie Prince Charlie's Halloween," written in response to the October 2010 writing prompt.
Writing Prompt Critique -- Help Critique Writing Prompt Submissions Created: Friday, October 15, 2010 Updated: Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Offer your comments on "The Haunted House," written in response to the October 2010 writing prompt.
Writing Prompt Critique -- Help Critique Writing Prompt Submissions Created: Thursday, October 14, 2010 Updated: Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Offer your comments on "The Ghosts of Monk’s Reach," written in response to the October 2010 writing prompt.
Writing Prompt Critique -- Help Critique Writing Prompt Submissions Created: Thursday, October 14, 2010 Updated: Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Offer your comments on "The Monster," written in response to the October 2010 writing prompt.
Writing Prompt Critique -- Help Critique Writing Prompt Submissions Created: Thursday, October 14, 2010 Updated: Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Offer your comments on "The Trunk Call," written in response to the October 2010 writing prompt.
Mark Twain -- Comment on Mark Twain Created: Monday, April 19, 2010 Updated: Tuesday, February 01, 2011
In his time, Mark Twain was one of the best-known living Americans, and today literary minds continue to laud Huckleberry Finn as one of the greatest American novels. Are you a fan of Twain's work,..
Writing Contests vs. Literary Journals -- Is It Better to Send to Writing Contests or Literary Journals? Created: Wednesday, April 14, 2010 Updated: Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Do you think it's wiser to submit to contests as opposed to submitting directly to publications? Or vice-versa? Or is it best to just submit in both ways?
Avi Reviews -- What's Your Favorite Book by Avi? Created: Thursday, June 18, 2009 Updated: Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Do you have a favorite book by Avi? Write your own review here.
Description Tips -- What Do You Know About Description? Created: Thursday, June 18, 2009 Updated: Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Description is key to evocative fiction, but even seasoned writers struggle sometimes to get a description just right. Do you have tips to share? Read advice from others and contribute your own.
Advice on Agents -- Share Your Advice on Agents Created: Monday, January 04, 2010 Updated: Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Do you have an agent already, or are you looking for one now? Share advice on agents with your fellow writers.
Author Websites -- What Makes for Good Author Websites? Created: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 Updated: Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Have you designed a website for to promote your book? Or do you have experiences with other author websites to share? Offer your insights here.
Book Promotion -- Share Your Book Promotion Tips Created: Tuesday, May 12, 2009 Updated: Tuesday, February 01, 2011
In the age of the Internet, writers are much more involved in marketing their books, whether they're making the bestseller lists or publishing themselves. Read tips on book promotion from other wri..
Cover Letter Advice -- Cover Letters for Creative Writers Created: Tuesday, April 07, 2009 Updated: Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Submitting creative writing for publication is not that different from applying for a job. You want to put your best, most professional foot forward, starting with your cover letter. How do you ach..