New Daily Writing Guides from The Write Practice

Thanksgiving Writing Prompts: 20 Creative Prompts to Practice Gratitude

It’s Thanksgiving week! During this holiday, are you hoping to find some extra practice time for writing? Or maybe you’re looking for some great Thanksgiving writing prompts that can help you express your gratitude?

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of the year for you to take a breath and slow down. You have a lot to do, I’m sure! However, sometimes taking a few minutes—even just fifteen minutes—in your day to show your gratitude can rejuvenate your holiday spirit.

In this article, you can have some quick and quiet writing time to reflect on what you’re thankful for—by using one fo these twenty-five Thanksgiving writing prompts and exercises.

Inciting Incident: Definition, Examples, Types, and How to Start a Story Right

by Joe Bunting | 64 Comments

If you are planning on writing a story, there is something you need to consider besides basic plot structure. You need to determine your Inciting Incident.

What incident will compel your protagonist to act, prompting them to move through a meaningful story?

Let’s take a look at what an inciting incident is and how to write one.

Comic Relief in Literature: More Than Just Jokes?

by Robert Harrell | 0 Comments

If you’ve ever been reading an intense scene or dramatic moment when a character comes in with some witty barb or action that makes you laugh? You’ve experienced comic relief in literature. What is comic relief and how does it work? Let’s take a look.

6 Quotes by Aristotle That Will Make You a Better Novelist

by Guest Blogger | 0 Comments

When I came across these quotes from Aristotle’s Poetics, I realized that they held more than inspiration–they held real wisdom for novelists. Can these 6 quotes by Aristotle make you a better novelist? Read on to find out.

7 Basic Plots, Endless Possibilities: A Writers Manual

by Sue Weems | 1 Comment

Ever wonder why some stories feel so familiar? It’s because most of them follow a similar structure or plot pattern. Christopher Booker’s The Seven Basic Plots is an analysis of stories based on Jungian psychology. Can one of his 7 basic plots help you write your next book?

Six Word Stories: How to Write the Shortest Story You’ll Never Forget

by Joe Bunting | 62 Comments

Six-word stories are a great way to practice your writing without actually having to write much.They can also be used to warm up before working on a novel or short story.

While you’re not going to be able to tell an entire life story in six words, you just might be able to catch a movement of conflict or a significant moment in a character’s life. Plus it’s fun. Let’s look at how to write a really short story.

What’s an En Dash? (And How to Use it Correctly)

by Liz Bureman | 28 Comments

An en dash is one of the punctuation marks that most people see all the time, but rarely think about how to use correctly. Take a look at how to create an en dash and when to use it.

How to Write an Underdog Story: 7 Steps with Examples

by Joslyn Chase | 0 Comments

Everyone loves a good underdog story. In some ways, we can all relate to the downtrodden character who rises against insurmountable odds. And the requisite feel-good ending is as sweet and satisfying as a warm cup of cocoa at the end of a cold and bitter day.

The underdog plot is a sure-fire recipe for a story readers can care about, invest in, and cheer on towards a rewarding conclusion. Plus, it can be a lot of fun to write. Read on to learn more about how to craft an underdog story that will ring your reader’s happy bell.

C.S. Lewis on Writing: Is His Advice Still Relevant?

by Sue Weems | 0 Comments

C.S. Lewis wrote over 30 books in a variety of genres. If we cornered C.S. Lewis on writing, what advice would he give? And would it still be relevant for us today?

21 Creative Nonfiction Writing Prompts to Inspire True Stories