Writing

Keep your text library in order, and become a well-organized writer

JRR Tolkien created Elvish and many other writers have made up new words and phrases. But can you really construct a whole new lexicon? Hephzibah Anderson takes a look.

When I learned “show, don’t tell,” I thought I’d discovered a guide that would never fail me. And sure, it was good for me, in the way training wheels help in learning to ride a bike. The directive…

Can we all agree it sucks?

1. Read like mad. But try to do it analytically – which can be hard, because the better and more compelling a novel is, the less conscious you will be of its devices. It’s worth…

A list of the top 13 blogs & top 11 podcasts NYT bestseller Gail Carriger finds most useful as a hybrid author. Great tips!

Fiction University is a site dedicated to helping writers and authors improve their writing craft and their publishing careers.

Become a better creative writer with The Write Practice. Find the best writing lessons, get timed writing prompts and exercises, and then publish your writing in our community to get feedback.

Our seven-step guide will help you tackle common problems all writers face during the first draft: from writer’s block to scenes that are difficult to write.

I wrote stories for over a decade before I began to think that I might have enough material for a collection, and when I sat down with those stories with the vague idea that the ones I chose for a book should share a theme, I was startled to find that although I’d been reading story collections for many years, I didn’t know what made for a successful one.

From Charles Dickens’ nineteenth century work Bleak House to modern classics like the Divergent series, the English language is full of great novels written in the present tense. If you are working on your first book or first novel, writing in the present tense can be a great way to hook readers and create suspense. Choosing between different verb tenses is one of the most important decisions you can make when writing the first draft of a fiction novel or short story; the present tense can give your writing an unmatched sense of immediacy.

These tips from our founder and director Anna Davis will help you craft a compelling first page and instantly capture the imagination of your reader.

Some books grab you right from the start.

Henry David Thoreau did not consider his time on Walden Pond a writing retreat, per-se. He was retreating from all of life, and he wrote about how brilliant that was. Despite his assured and unrema…

Reflecting on moments that shaped his life, actor Ethan Hawke examines how courageous expression promotes healing and connection with one another -- and invites you to discover your own unabashed creativity. "There is no path till you walk it," he says.

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Or at least be happier whilst trying! This is Nathan's guide to novel writing in 7 easy (ish!) steps. Nathan won the Costa Book Prize in 2013 with his debut novel, The Shock Of The Fall. It has been translated into 27 languages. Nathan worked part time as a mental health nurse in Bristol and his book’s narrator is a 19 year old boy with schizophrenia. He graduated from Bath Spa University in 2010 with an MA in Creative Writing and is now a lecturer in Creative Writing at the University. About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

One of my big goals for 2016 will be to move to dictation for first drafts. Monica Leonelle explains why dictation is so brilliant for writers.

The following is adapted from the introduction to 100 Years of the Best American Short Stories. A story is a noise in the night. You may be lying there quietly resting in the international house of…

Recently, I’ve come across a lot of people, both online and off, discussing diversity in books. What it means; who should be writing it; whose voices ought to be heard; which people should be listening. And rightly so; diversity is at the heart of storytelling. We are all different and unique, whatever our race or culture, and we can only benefit from hearing different voices; looking at different points of view; encountering different perspectives.

A great first sentence is very important. In a novel, it’s a “promise,” a “handshake,” an “embrace,” a “key.” Great first sentences are celebrated everywhere literature is cherished and mandated everywhere it’s taught. They’re a pleasure and a duty — the “most important sentence in a book,” everyone agrees. But they haven’t always been important. When Daniel […]

“All suggestions can be ignored when necessary,” says the best-selling author, but ignore them at your own peril. (And put away that thesaurus.)

The author of Dead Wind discusses her writing process and how she switched from a stand-alone book to a series

Studies of humans and other animals indicate that inventiveness often stems from factors other than need

Show don’t tell is common advice among writers — but what does it really mean? This thorough guide answers that question with plenty of helpful examples.

Featuring short story and flash fiction writers, and editors.

Is it possible to narrate a story with social media posts that are supposed to be short and sweet? Yes! Here're 20 creative social media storytelling ideas.

Writing is when you sit—fingertips hovering over your keyboard, cursor blinking on a fresh blank document—and open Twitter for the twenty-eighth time.

A free 100 day fiction writing course by podcast. Learn to write more, better and happier. From award-winning author Tim Clare.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

How to write zines with simple tools