Info Dumping: What It Is and How to Avoid It

Info Dumping: What It Is and How to Avoid It

Have you ever been given feedback that there was too much info dumping in your story? Did you not really understand what that meant?

Info dumping is a common piece of feedback for authors who include too much information in their stories. If you info dump, you will slow the pace—and worse, you’ll likely bore readers. You never want to bore your readers.

So how do you know when to include a “chunk of info” and when it is better to strip your scenes to the bone? (Almost always, by the way.)

In this article, you can learn what info dumping is, along with some common ways writers accidentally do it. You’ll also learn some editing questions that can help you condense your writing, leaving your reader with only necessary information that develops characters or advances the plot.

Thanksgiving Writing Prompts: 20 Creative Prompts to Practice Gratitude

Thanksgiving Writing Prompts: 20 Creative Prompts to Practice Gratitude

It’s Thanksgiving week! During this holiday, are you hoping to find some extra practice time for writing? Or maybe you’re looking for some great Thanksgiving writing prompts that can help you express your gratitude? 

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of the year for you to take a breath and slow down. You have a lot to do, I’m sure! However, sometimes taking a few minutes—even just fifteen minutes—in your day to show your gratitude can rejuvenate your holiday spirit. 

In this article, you can have some quick and quiet writing time to reflect on what you’re thankful for—by using one fo these twenty-five Thanksgiving writing prompts and exercises. 

15 Haunted Halloween Writing Prompts

15 Haunted Halloween Writing Prompts

Writers write to get a reaction out of their readers. No matter the genre, you want your reader to feel something when they read your writing.

For horror writers, that feeling is fear. But it’s also so much more than that.

Great horror stories take the everyday creepy and turn it into something even more creepy (and often become a condemnation of injustices in society). And then, the great thing is, horror stories teach you that those creepy things can be beaten. That’s what keeps bringing the readers back.

And that’s why horror writers keep churning out the fear.

Maybe you love writing scary stories. Maybe you don’t, but this is something you’d like to take a whack at, just for practice (we’re fans about that around here!).

Just like reading outside your genre is valuable to mastering the writing craft, so is writing a scary story.

This story doesn’t have to be long, it could be a short story. Try for something you can write in one sitting, like 1,500 words.

To get you started, use one of the Halloween writing prompts suggested in this article. Then let loose, and have fun!

How to Write a Query Letter: 3 Paragraphs That Hook a Literary Agent

How to Write a Query Letter: 3 Paragraphs That Hook a Literary Agent

If you’re interested in getting your book traditionally published, it’s crucial that you sign with a literary agent who loves your story and has a vision for your career. To do this means you need to write the single most important page you’ll ever write outside of your book: a query letter.

No pressure, right?

If the thought of writing a query letter freaks you out or confuses you, hit the pause button and breathe for a second. You are not alone.

Here’s the good news: there is a method that will help you get an agent to say, “Sounds great! Send me more.” I call this the three-paragraph method. It’s all about the hook-book-cook!

3 Big Reasons Our Spring Writing Contest Will Make You a Better Writer

3 Big Reasons Our Spring Writing Contest Will Make You a Better Writer

Entering a writing contest can be scary—but sometimes this push is just what you need to take a big (and great!) step forward in your writing craft. Plus, entering a writing contest is extra fun when it comes with amazing prices.

If you’ve been wanting to enter a writing contest but haven’t made the leap, or would like to again, read on! The Write Practice Spring 2022 writing contest might be the prefect fit for your writing process and kickstart your publishing dreams.

Are you excited about our Spring 2022 writing contest? We are! You can learn the full details on why entering this contest will make you a better writer, what you can win, and how to enter in this article.