New Daily Writing Guides from The Write Practice

One Writer’s Story of Surviving the Syrian War

Last November we were approached by a young writer who lived in Syria. We’re often approached by writers from all over the world, but there was something different about this aspiring writer: his message.

Nabeel Kallas studies medicine and writes novels in his spare time. He lives in the war-torn nation of Syria and writes about the people of his homeland. His first novel is called WHEN THE JASMINE RETURNS.

WHEN THE JASMINE RETURNS is a story about young people living in Syria. It follows a group of friends trying to live normally despite their fears and the constant threat of the dangers of war.

Today, we’re sharing an exclusive excerpt from this upcoming novel.

How to Keep Score in Your Story With Scene Goals

by Joslyn Chase | 0 Comments

Imagine attending a football game with no rules. I don’t know about you, but there’s a limit to how excited I could get about watching a bunch of men run around with no particular aim in mind. Really, except for the tight pants, it would be pointless.

What makes the game worth watching is knowing your team has a goal, and knowing there’s an opposing team aiming to stop them from achieving it. That’s what pulls you to the edge of your seat, screaming and pumping your fist in the air.

It’s the same when you read fiction. If the writer hasn’t told you how to keep score, you have no way of knowing whether the characters are drawing nearer or farther from accomplishing their goals, and little reason to care.

5 Books by Black Authors to Read Today

by Alice Sudlow | 0 Comments

What’s the purpose of story? Do stories matter? And are there stories we can read that might just change the world?

Yes. Yes. And yes.

And today, I want to celebrate five stories by Black authors that matter a whole lot.

All About Our Summer Writing Contest: Prizes and Publishing Info

by Joe Bunting | 0 Comments

Do you want to write? Are you feeling stuck, finding it a little more difficult to write a story readers love? Join our Summer Writing Contest to write an amazing story, get published, and even become a better writer along the way!

7 Steps to Creating Suspense

by Joe Bunting | 8 Comments

Posing a good dramatic question in the minds of your readers is the best way to create suspense and keep people reading. In Monday’s post, we talked about what the dramatic question is. Today we’re going to talk about how to use it effectively.

Here are seven steps to create suspense with the dramatic question:

Writing for Fun: A Guide to Playfulness for Serious Writers

by Sue Weems | 0 Comments

Writing is a lot of work, and there are definitely parts of the process that aren’t fun. But if writing has become a drudgery, if it’s become something you dread every day, then maybe it’s time for a little play to reinvigorate your love for writing. What if you were writing for fun?

10 Writing Jobs You Can Do for a Living

by Guest Blogger | 1 Comment

You love to write. People have told you you’re good at it, and you sense they’re right.

But writing is one thing. Writing for a living is another. How do you know the time is right, or whether you really have what it takes?

You’d better be certain you know what you’re getting yourself into before you take the leap. Full-time writing is no hobby. And it’s not easy. But if you’re called to it—oh, the rewards.

Lists for Writers: 2 Steps to Jumpstart Your Writing Habit With Lists

by Sue Weems | 0 Comments

If anxiety, boredom, overwhelm, or (ahem) listlessness have paralyzed your creative work, here’s a quick writing exercise to get you going again: 1. Make a list. 2. Repeat.

6 Mystery Writing Tips to Puzzle Your Readers

by Jeff Elkins | 0 Comments

When I tackled writing my first mystery two years ago, I was shocked at how different the process was from writing a general thriller. Even though I’d already published six novels, I was surprised at how much preparation and planning writing a detective story took.

If you’re thinking of writing a mystery, here are six things I had to learn I wish someone had told me.

What Does it Take to Be a Writer? 4 Traits You’ll Need to Succeed