New Daily Writing Guides from The Write Practice

Mystery Clues: The Ultimate Guide to Clues and Red Herrings

Whenever I’m planting a clue in a mystery novel I’m writing, I feel so exposed—like I’m waving a red flag and announcing a clue has been served. Experience has helped lay those fears (mostly) to rest. With skillful weaving into the story, clues and foreshadowing blend in or are seen but soon forgotten by readers.

Without spoonfeeding your audience, you must place all the pieces on the table, allowing readers to actively participate in solving the puzzle. When making your first attempts at writing mystery, it can be difficult to find that balance between too much and too little.
Take a look at our best guide to clues and red herrings here.

What is the Plural of Crisis?

by Robert Harrell | 0 Comments

Ever have a crisis? It can be a crisis of conscience, an economic crisis, a moral crisis, or something else. But what if you have more than one? What do you have then?
Let’s discuss the plural of crisis and look at some examples.

6 Takeaways From David Mamet’s Masterclass for Writers of Fiction

by Guest Blogger | 0 Comments

As writers of fiction, we’re always learning from more seasoned writers, whether it’s through reading, film-viewing, or taking a class. Today, guest writer Nick Labonté reviews David Mamet’s Masterclass on Dramatic Writing. See if it’s the right online course for you!

Poetry Dare: Write a Poem About a Childhood Memory

by Sue Weems | 0 Comments

It’s National Poetry Month! I know, I know. You don’t want to write a poem, but what if I could show you a way to tap into a childhood memory to create a poem or scene that you could use in any kind of writing? Will you accept a poetry dare today?

How to Write a Book in 100 Days

by Joe Bunting | 24 Comments

Let’s start with the obvious: You don’t know how to write a book. I’ve written seven books, and I don’t really know how to write a book either. I have a process that works, sure, but with writing, as with many things in life, it’s always when you think you know what you’re doing that you get into trouble.

So let’s just admit right now, you don’t know how to write a book, and definitely not in 100 days, and that’s okay. There, don’t you feel better?

Is Well-being Hyphenated?

by Robert Harrell | 0 Comments

The Merriam-Webster dictionary tells us that well-being refers to “the state of being happy, healthy, or prosperous.”

Knowing what the term means, though, doesn’t help us with its spelling. For that, an understanding of how words evolve in the English language may be helpful. Let’s explore the correct spelling of well-being. Is it hyphenated or not?

How to Find the Writing Coach You Need

by Jeff Elkins | 2 Comments

Do you have a great idea for a book but you’re not sure what to do with it? Have you ever started writing a book and never finished, or finished it but didn’t know what to do next?

If yes, you might feel frustrated. You also might greatly benefit from hiring a writing coach.

But what is a writing—or book—coach? Do you need to hire someone to finish a book, or can you do it on your own for free?

Whether or not you’re interested in self-publishing a book or pursuing the traditional publishing path, a writing coach will make you a better writer in every step of your writing process.

Learn why a writing coach might benefit your first book, or hundredth, and how to find the writing coach you need.

Elements of Suspense: How Mystery and Thriller Writers Grip Readers

by Joslyn Chase | 0 Comments

Do you remember how you felt while reading The Da Vince Code or Gone Girl? The sweaty palms, the pleasant shiver, the jaw-clenching tension? Remember how those well-drawn elements of suspense held you in thrall, feathering along your skin, raising goosebumps?

Suspense fiction comes in a variety of flavors, all delicious, and if you have a yen for building suspense in your writing and learning how to create the same kind of reading experience for your own audience, this is the place for you.

In a special series of articles, I’ll be your guide as we dig deep into the elements of suspense that grab readers and don’t let go. These elements apply, regardless of the publishing route you choose for getting your stories out to your suspense readers.

Here, we will learn how you can craft suspense in your own books, starting now.

Proust Questionnaire: 35 Questions To Ask Your Characters From Marcel Proust

by Joe Bunting | 26 Comments

We’re on a characterization kick this week on The Write Practice. Today, we’re going to continue to delve into the lives of our characters by going through a list of thirty-five questions to ask your characters made famous by the canonical French author, Marcel Proust.

Motif vs Symbol: What’s the Difference?

by Liz Bureman | 11 Comments

Using the novel Divergent by Veronica Roth as an example, we look at the difference between a symbol vs. motif, and how they affect the story.

Here to learn? You’re in the WRITE place!