What do you do when you get stuck with your writing? There isn’t one answer of course, but I hope your first thought settles on reading. Assuming you’re an avid reader, a bibliophile, or a writer, at some point you’ve probably thought with regret about the limited scope of reading you can do in a lifetime. The latest boom in publishing (online, self-publishing, indie publishing), brings countless piles of books to to the reader. How to choose the right ones?
Here to learn? You’re in the WRITE place!
At The Write Practice, we publish a new article each day designed to help writers tackle one part of their writing journey, from generating ideas to grammar to writing and publishing your first book. Each article has a short practice exercise at the end to help you immediately put your learning to use.
Check out the latest articles below or find ones that match your interest in the sidebar.
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Add An Adopted Character to Your NaNoWriMo Cast
I have to credit Joe with suggesting the idea, just in time for writers plowing through NaNoWriMo. Seriously, it’s November 9, already. Have you hit a creativity wall yet?
Yes? Here’s a crazy idea: Adoption.
Free Inspiration
Did you see them? Or did they go unnoticed? The person in the car behind you. The people at the table beside you.
How to Use Bathos to Add Humor to Your Writing
I was going to try to tie the election into today’s post, but after twelve out of fourteen ads during Jeopardy were campaign ads, I realized that I have no desire to give either of the candidates that satisfaction. Just make sure you go vote today.
And now, on to more important things, like bathos.
How to Generate Ideas in Your Sleep
The best part about Daylight Saving Time in the fall is that extra hour we receive. Twenty-five hours in one day. A dream come true, right?
And while you may not realize it, that extra hour offers a prime time to tap into your imagination—without any effort on your part. That’s right—it’s possible to generate ideas in your sleep.
Whether they’re realistic or completely fantastical, dreams are a wonderful source for unique story ideas. You simply have to realize their creative potential. Here are a few ways to mine your dreams for your next big idea:
The Beach [writing prompt]
PRACTICE
Write about the beach.
Write for fifteen minutes. When you’re finished, post your practice in the comments section.
And if you post, please comment on a few pieces by other writers.
How to Win NaNoWriMo: Day One
To win NaNoWriMo, you must write a 50,000 word novel—from scratch—in one month (Nov. 1-30). That’s 1,667 words a day, every day, thirty days straight.
That’s a lot of words. If you’re participating in NaNoWriMo this year, how do you do it? Here are three suggestions.
Things Not to Post on Facebook: Grammar Edition
Facebook is a weird thing. It’s nice because it allows you to keep tabs on who from high school has gotten engaged/pregnant/fat, but it also brings out some of the worst spelling and grammar I’ve ever seen.
When you meet someone who might be the future love of your life, and you add them on Facebook, what are they going to think when they see that you don’t type out the whole word “you” in your status updates, or worse, when they see you used the wrong your/you’re? That’s going to ruin your future chances at marrying them, and then you’re not going to share that beautiful mountain cabin with your two Bernese Mountain Dogs, and you can definitely forget about raising your kids Denver and Dakota in a way that will encourage them to be responsible for their actions while still reminding them that you will always be there for them. You blew it with that misapplied space in “under neath”.
So please, don’t make these mistakes. You know, for the kids.
Who Dictates What You Write?
How do you decide what to write? Are you investigating what the market needs by doing research and asking your followers, or you write about what deeply warms your heart? The publishing industry is tough. Writers know this; hence the boom of self-publishing. Even though satisfying your readers is significant, you need to write what you, as a writer, find so worthy of writing.
How to Write with Your Funny Bone
I have this friend named Mike who happens to be a great guy with one major pitfall.
Without fail, every time Mike says something which he intends to be funny he has to follow it up by explaining to his quiet, confused audience that it was actually a joke.
Note: If you have to tell your audience when to laugh, you’re not doing it right.
