Writing a Great Retelling

When I say retelling, it's Sherlock Holmes who comes to mind. Just in recent film and TV, Robert Downey Jr. and Benedict Cumber-batch stand out for their interpretations of Arthur Conan Doyle's beloved character.

Conflict Avoidance

Setting expectations early in the author-editor relationship can prevent conflict and help manage emotions when the edits come in.

Out to Sea

THE CHALLENGE: Write a drabble-a short story of exactly 100 words-based on the photo prompt below.

Alyssa Cole

In Alyssa Cole's newest thriller, One of Us Knows, the lead character Kenetria Nash is the host of what's known as a \"system,\" a group of personalities that inhabit the same body.

Escalate Conflict to Keep Readers Turning Pages

Draw readers in through physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual conflict.

Better Story Structure Through Musicals and Kung Fu Movies

Build emotion and conflict for your characters and readers by taking a note from the structure of two popular storytelling forms.

The 26" Annual 101 Best Websites for Writers

Creating this list is a yearlong project that involves an overwhelming number of bookmarked sites on our browsers. Th ere are so many great websites for writers—with more popping up practically daily—it’s no wonder this is still one of our most popular features aft er 25 years.

BREAKINGIN

Debut authors: How they did it, what they learned, and why you can do it, too.

WRITERSONWRITING

When I wrote Daughters of Shandong, my biggest challenge was finding a way to convey, in full force, the gravity of what my characters overcame.

A Long-Haul Writer’s Lament

Advice for Those at the Start

Daniel Willcocks

When Winter Comes; The Self-publishing Blueprint (Nonfiction books for authors, horror, and suspense fiction; Activated Authors [nonfiction]; Devil's Rock Publishing [fiction])

Hilarity With a Side of Heartbreak

Katie Love, first place winner of WD's 2023 Personal Essay Awards, shares how she walks the line between comedy and tragedy in her writing.

Septet as Memoir

Poet Wayne Lee set out on a journey to write nothing but septets for a year—not knowing it would help him grapple with one of the most emotionally challenging years of his life.

Tommy Orange

The award-winning author on the power and limits of fiction and the breakthrough moment for his second novel, Wandering Stars.

Bringing Characters to Life on the Page

How to effectively reveal characters through showing and telling.

Love to Hate Them

Four types of unlikable characters and how to make them work in your writing.

Daring to Show My Dark Side

I never planned to write my debut about the Devil.

What's in a name?

The Importance of Naming Characters

A Matter of Trust

Whether hot off the presses or on the shelves for years, a good book is worth talking about.

When Mystery and Mythology Collide

Author and illustrator Nasugraq Rainey Hopson shares the process of keeping her main character in the dark while introducing readers to a culturally significant mythology with her new middle-grade book, Eagle Drums.

Celebrations

BUILDING BETTER WORLDS

Kill With Your Critique ... the Good Way

You can offer serious, honest feedback without crushing a writer's soul.

TWO HOURS AND THREE YEARS: THE LIFE OF A SHORT SHORT STORY

New Zealand-based writer and first-place winner of the 23rd Annual Writer's Digest Short Short Story Awards shares the personal experience that inspired her story.

Chuck Wendig

The New York Times bestselling author discusses genre-hopping, fear as a motivator, and his new books.

WRITING OUR WAY INTO (AND OUT OF) DARK FORESTS

Using deep characterization for propulsive storytelling.

TWISTY BUSINESS

How to stress test a plot twist.

THE BIG REVEAL

Write a compelling story by understanding when and how to reveal crucial information to readers for maximum impact.

Château de Monte-Cristo

Literary Tourism, Part 2

Building Better Worlds

Tips for making your story concrete.

Agentspotlight

Seasoned literary agents on the business of publishing.