The weather’s cooling off, students are returning to school, and here at The Write Practice, we’re gearing up for our Fall Writing Contest. Because there’s no better way to welcome the changing seasons than by writing some amazing stories!
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.
And make sure to subscribe to get a weekly digest of our latest posts, along with our free guide, 10 Steps to Become a Writer.
How to Ditch Writer’s Guilt and Write Now
Raise your hand if you’ve ever felt guilty about something related to writing. (My hand can’t get any higher.) Whether you feel that you aren’t writing enough or feel terrible about neglecting chores while finishing your novel, writer’s guilt is real.
Here are a few ideas for abandoning writer’s guilt to get your work done.
How to Write an Antagonist That Everyone Loves — And Why You Should
Not many people like antagonists. The antagonists are supposed to be antagonizing — that’s their whole purpose. They are designed to aggravate the protagonists; to foil the plans of the heroes and create conflict. They are supposed to be a villain for our heroes to defeat, right?
Sure. But what if they could be more?
Giveaway: Win a Free Premium Entry to Our Fall Writing Contest!
If you’ve spent much time around The Write Practice, you’ve probably noticed that we love writing contests. Our mission is to help writers grow, and there’s no better way to practice your craft than by entering a writing contest.
That’s why we’re excited to give three lucky writers free entry to our Fall Writing Contest!
Why Genre Mashups Are Not Just for Music
Everyone loves a good mash-up. Taking two (or more) different songs and seamlessly blending them together to create an entirely new song turns old music into something fresh and exciting. The same thing goes for novels. If you take old concepts and mix them together, you can write something worth raving about.
Motivation to Write: The 7 Fundamental Needs of Writers And How to Leverage Their Motivational Power
If you write long enough, at some point you are going to experience a lag in productivity. Whether you call it “writer’s block” or “resistance” or just “a slump,” the moment will come when you struggle to put words on the page, and you just can’t find motivation to write through the struggle.
One way to overcome that lag is to lean into what motivates you. Do you know why you write?
How to Get the Most From Writing Advice
I subscribe to several writing web and blog sites. I trust them to give me sound writing advice. But sometimes the sheer volume of advice engulfs me, and I feel like I’m in the middle of a tidal wave.
Being overwhelmed can lead to creative paralysis. I work myself into a frenzy trying to apply everything to all my writing right now. Or, I close the computer or put down my pen and count the leaves on my philodendron plant. Neither approach is helpful.
With so much useful writing advice, how do you know where to start?
Vote for the Winner of the Summer Writing Contest
The Summer Writing Contest stories are in! Now it’s your turn to vote for your favorite to win the Readers’ Choice Award.
How to Sell Books Without a Publisher
One of the great benefits a traditional publisher brings to the relationship is a network of agents and bookstores designed for the purpose of selling books. Like sailing a small boat into the ocean, without that pre-established network, self-publishing is scary. When we are first drifting into open waters, there is so much we don’t know.
Here is the good news: It is possible to sell books without a publisher. You just have to learn how.
Need Help to Focus on Writing? Try This Tip From Ray Bradbury
Do you sit down to write and it seems like a million thoughts are dancing in your head? You know, they’re just there having a loud obnoxious party. With all those bouncing thoughts, it’s hard to focus on writing. To combat those mental distractions, try a daily writing habit of Ray Bradbury’s.