Editor: Here's the mindset you need for revising your first draft

Posted on 09/18/2019 at 11:16 AM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

We were recently advised, when it comes to your to-do list, to handle the boulders first versus the pebbles. In...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Editing, Joanna Penn, Writing advice

Don't make these mistakes in your first memoir

Posted on 09/17/2019 at 03:00 PM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

Earlier this month, Jane Friedman shared a guest post reminding potential (or current) memoirists to keep their focus tight. The...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Jane Friedman, Licenses, copyrights, and other legalese, Memoir, Writing advice

Your ending should make a reader want more; here's how

Posted on 09/16/2019 at 04:00 PM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

Joanna Penn’s latest podcast guest shared a fantastic quote from Mickey Spillane in his appearance: “The first chapter sells your...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Joanna Penn, Writing advice

One author's self-editing trick: Take a vacation

Posted on 09/16/2019 at 12:16 PM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

Some writers are always going to have a better knack for self-editing than others, but author Monica Duncan’s go-to trick...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Editing, Writer's Digest, Writing advice

Roald Dahl's best quotes about writers and writing

Posted on 09/14/2019 at 12:00 PM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

Happy belated birthday to Roald Dahl! The author of several beloved children’s books including Matilda (our favorite), James and the...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Children's literature, Writer's Digest, Writing advice

Watch out for these critique groups

Posted on 09/09/2019 at 03:00 PM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

Critique groups are often mentioned as a great way to both improve your writing craft and to make sure you...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Writing advice

On approaching your memoir's characters in real life

Posted on 09/06/2019 at 11:08 AM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

We’ve shared quite a few posts on the stylistic tricks to writing a memoir. But here’s another consideration you’ll want...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Memoir, Writer's Digest, Writing advice

All of Writer's Digest's advice on writing YA fiction

Posted on 09/05/2019 at 11:35 AM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

Writing a successful young-adult novel isn’t as easy as just making your main characters, well, young adults. Writer’s Digest has...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Writer's Digest, Writing advice, Young adult literature

Writing coach: Narrow your focus to start a successful memoir

Posted on 09/03/2019 at 03:00 PM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

Writing coach Tanja Pajevic wants to be clear: Don’t start your memoir thinking you’ll include everything. That’s called an autobiography...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Jane Friedman, Memoir, Writing advice

12 authors share advice on the craft and business of writing

Posted on 09/02/2019 at 12:00 PM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

If you’re among those laboring on Labor Day, we’ll add some light advice to your place. Here are Robert Lee...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Writer's Digest, Writing advice