New Daily Writing Guides from The Write Practice

25 Hero’s Journey Story Ideas to Start an Epic Adventure

by Sue Weems | 0 Comments

If you’ve watched any one of George Lucas’s Star Wars films, read or watched any of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings books or films then you’ve experienced the hero’s journey. I’ve walked my creative writing classes through these stories numerous times, helping them identify and emulate the story principles.

Part of what makes these stories so compelling is that they follow a character from their ordinary life into an adventure they couldn’t have imagined, leading to personal transformation.
Try one of our 25 hero’s journey story ideas to write your own adventure!

What is an Allegory in Literature?

by Joe Bunting | 24 Comments

Allegory is one of those literary terms you’re pretty sure you learned about in school, but it can be difficult to put it into words. So what is an allegory in literature? Today you’ll be able to define it and identify allegory in some well known examples whether you’re studying allegory for school or for your own writing!

Writing Deadlines: The Unlikely Secret to Creative Freedom

by Sue Weems | 0 Comments

I’m a firm believer in deadlines.

Some will argue that creativity has no end point and that they can’t be inspired if there’s a timeline. If that mindset results in powerful writing and stories that resonate with readers as regularly as you’d like, then go forth and continue with the process that is working for you!

If, however, you can’t seem to finish in the time and manner you desire, a little deadline practice might be just the thing you need to propel your writing forward.

A 5 Step Process to Refine Your Story Premise

by Kallista Ann | 1 Comment

Writers working on their first drafts often have trouble taking an initial idea all the way to a finished first draft and ultimately a final draft. Why? It could be a number of reasons, but the one I see most often is an unfocused story premise. Let me show you how a...

Can You Use Whose for Inanimate Objects?

by Liz Bureman | 17 Comments

Today, Joe brought my attention to a strange quirk of the English language: we use “whose” for inanimate objects. It sounds so weird when you use the phrase like, “I placed the iPhone whose screen is broken in the bin,” but it’s technically grammatically correct.

50+ Inspiring Quotes About Writing and Writers

by Joe Bunting | 6 Comments

The best way to become a better writer is to write and then to publish your writing, whether you publish it on a blog, in a book, or with a close friend. It’s only by practicing writing, and getting feedback on it, that you can improve.

That being said, it never hurts to learn from those who have gone before you, and over the years, we’ve compiled a lot of excellent advice from the best writers on how to become a better writer.

Pyrrhic Victory: Definition and Examples for Writers

by Liz Bureman | 26 Comments

For those who might not be familiar with the term, a Pyrrhic victory is technically a win, but the excessive cost undermines the sense of triumph. That means you win, but it feels like you’ve lost.

Sometimes the cost includes the casualties incurred in the process of achieving the victory, but it can also be the personal cost that devastates the victor.

Pickup vs. Pick Up: Is Pickup One Word?

by Robert Harrell | 1 Comment

s pickup one word or two? What’s the difference between pickup vs. pick up vs. pick-up? Today our resident grammarian Robert Harrell clears up the confusion around these terms.

How to Prepare to Write a Book: 4 Simple Steps You Can Do Now

by Jeff Elkins | 1 Comment

You’ve been thinking about it for months, promising yourself that when it arrives you are finally going to knuckle down and write your manuscript. Then you realize, you have no idea how to prepare to write a book.

It doesn’t matter if you visit your favorite coffee shop or have the best book ideas in the world, if you don’t figure out your ideal writing process, it’s unlikely that you’ll actually finish your entire book.

If you want to be a successful writer, start your book writing process by evaluating your creative process and when and how you produce the best work.

This may seem overwhelming.

Here’s the good news: You don’t have to just jump into it feet first.

There are things you can start doing right now to set yourself up for a solid writing routine and good actual writing that will do your rough draft (or final draft) justice.

20 End of School Year Writing Prompts

by Sue Weems | 0 Comments

We’re inching closer to the end of the school year for students (or maybe you’re already done, like my college students!). Major testing winds down, days are full of assemblies, field days, educational games, and the countdown to summer is on. These final weeks of school are the perfect time though to sneak in some fun writing. Here are some end of school year writing prompts to try!

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

25 Hero’s Journey Story Ideas to Start an Epic Adventure

What is an Allegory in Literature?

Writing Deadlines: The Unlikely Secret to Creative Freedom

A 5 Step Process to Refine Your Story Premise

Can You Use Whose for Inanimate Objects?

50+ Inspiring Quotes About Writing and Writers

Pyrrhic Victory: Definition and Examples for Writers

Pickup vs. Pick Up: Is Pickup One Word?

How to Prepare to Write a Book: 4 Simple Steps You Can Do Now

20 End of School Year Writing Prompts

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