The Write Practice: The Online Writing Workbook

4 Reasons You Should Never Write Alone

Imagine the quintessential writer: introverted, glasses, coffee in hand, sitting alone at a small desk, while poking their fingers on a keyboard.

We all have preconceived notions as to what being a writer looks like, but whatever your idea of a writer, I can bet that one trait is uniform across the board. You probably imagine your writer alone, the Stephen King type, secluded, perhaps in a cabin in the middle of nowhere.

Interestingly enough, being a writer alone is nearly impossible, and after being part of a writers group for almost a year, I’ve learned I could never do it alone.

Best Book Writing Software: How to Make a Beat Sheet in Google Sheets

by Jeff Elkins | 8 Comments

Recently, I shared why Microsoft Excel and Google Docs are some of my favorite pieces of book writing software. Spreadsheets might seem like odd resources for a writer, but I’ve found them to be invaluable tools for planning my stories.

I use spreadsheets to plan my stories in several ways. Today, though, I’m going to focus on just one: creating a beat sheet to outline a story before I write.

Show, Don’t Tell: How to Inject Drama Into Your Writing

by Guest Blogger | 59 Comments

You’ve probably heard the age-old adage of “show, don’t tell” at least a thousand times in your writing career so far. It’s arguably one of the most-used writing tips about. Why then, is it also the one mistake most writers make over all others?

I heard “show, don’t tell” so many times, it became a useless mantra to chant, rather than put into action. I had no idea that by ignoring it, I was actually writing flat, monotonous narrative.

So, what does it mean to show and not tell? Well—it all comes down to drama.

How Free Writing Helps You Find Your True Creative Voice

by Guest Blogger | 66 Comments

If you’re someone who writes regularly—even more so if you write for others as well as your own platform—the demands can easily take their toll, right? You find yourself writing to formula, and if you’re not careful the demands of writing can become a deafening cacophony of noise in your head.

Fortunately, a simple writing exercise might be just the thing to need to jumpstart your creativity and help you rediscover your creative voice.

Best Book Writing Software: The 6 Documents You Always Need Open as a Writer

by Kellie McGann | 19 Comments

If you’ve been around The Write Practice long, you’ll have noticed we’ve recently talked a lot about which book writing software you should use. While I’m a strong believer in “use whatever works for you,” I’m also a strong believer in Scrivener.

So today, instead of giving you more reasons why I think you should use Scrivener (because there have already been plenty…) I’m going to tell you which tabs/notes you’ll want to create and have open while you’re writing.

Even if you don’t use Scrivener, you’ll want to have these as separate documents or pages on Word or Google Docs (or whichever writing software you use).

Vote for the Winner of the Spring Writing Contest

by Joe Bunting | 5 Comments

This week, nearly four hundred writers submitted their stories to the Spring Writing Contest.

I’ve so enjoyed seeing how these stories have developed. Our contest Facebook group was full of lively conversations, writers collaborating to help each other find the best ideas and tell unique, creative stories. They’ve workshopped their stories and given each other great feedback in Becoming Writer.

These writers worked hard to craft their very best stories, and this week, they took that final, scary step: submitting their writing to the judges. Now, it’s your turn to read the stories—and vote for your favorite!

Daily Routines of Writers: Using the Power of Habits and Triggers to Write Every Day

by Guest Blogger | 26 Comments

I’ll start with the bad news.

Much of what you’ve heard about daily routines is more fictional than the stories you’re writing. Everyone seems to have their own “key” to productivity: motivation, willpower, passion, and big goals being the most common.

While these all have the vague ring of truthiness, you’ve probably noticed that, in practice, the results of such methods are inconsistent to nonexistent.

Fortunately, there’s a simple cure.

Habits.

One Quick Writing Tip to Help Readers Connect With Your Characters

by Ruthanne Reid | 33 Comments

See if these sound familiar:

A hand passed through my hair.
A foot slid past the puddle.
Her eyes flew across the kitchen.

Each of these shares the same problem: a severed body part stole the lead.

St. Patrick’s Day Photo Writing Prompt

by Monica M. Clark | 12 Comments

Did you feel lucky this weekend? It was St. Patrick’s Day after all, which is a great excuse for not writing—just kidding! Such a thing does not exist! The holiday is, however, a great excuse to participate in a themed photo prompt.

6 Writing Tips to Learn From Theater

by The Magic Violinist | 13 Comments

I’ve learned a lot about theater over the past year through my interest in musicals, my college theater class, and participating in a couple of theater groups. Throughout all of these experiences, I’ve noticed a bunch of similarities between performing or writing a play and writing a story. Here are six of them.

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