New Daily Writing Guides from The Write Practice

How to Write Like Improv Theater

Do you listen to and trust your imagination? Become an improviser with your writing and learn to do so. Say yes to your story idea and don’t block your creativity.

To improvise means to create and perform (music, drama, or verse) spontaneously or without preparation; and to produce or make (something) from whatever is available.

Patricia Ryan Madson’s book Improv Wisdom shows us how to apply the concepts of improvisational theater to deal with real-life challenges. Today, I will look at how the concepts of improv can also apply to how we approach our writing.

How to Uncover the Magic of Metaphor

by Guest Blogger | 35 Comments

I am not a poet but I read poems regularly. Their succinct and succulent lines transform the way I see the world around me, fill my head with color and sound and taste and most important of all to me, emotion. And all without lots of words.

If you can’t quite say what you’re getting at, playing with metaphor-making may unlock your voice and expand your piece. And even if you don’t think you need metaphors for your writing, metaphor-making may unlock new ideas for you.

The Downside of Your Good Taste

by Ruthanne Reid | 51 Comments

You have good taste. It’s why you got into this whole “writing” in the first place—you’re aware of good writing when you read it. Of course, this has both an upside and a downside.

The upside: you know good writing when you read it, so you know what you want your writing to be.

The downside: you know good writing when you read it, so you know your writing has a long way to go.

One Reason to Write a Book in a Month

by Joe Bunting | 17 Comments

Today is the first of November. For many writers, that means one thing: National Novel Writing Month has begun.

One thing’s for sure: writing 50,000 words in 30 days takes a lot—a lot of dedication, of imagination, of perseverance. It’s important to know why you’re writing at all. Focusing on that reason for starting will help you power through when the writing gets hard and you’re tempted to quit.

There are hundreds of reasons to write a book in just thirty days. Today, though, I’ll focus on just one.

Why You Should Cultivate Daily Writing Habits

by Monica M. Clark | 10 Comments

NaNoWriMo is a fun thing lots of writers do each year. In order to write 50,000 words in just 30 days, they write thousands of words every single day. Whether you’re writing a novel in a month or not, though, writing every day is actually a really valuable habit to develop.

Don’t believe me? Then check out these quotes from authors and bloggers, which will inspire you next month and beyond!

6 Keys to Write a YA Novel That Connects With Teen Readers

by Guest Blogger | 18 Comments

Writing a novel that appeals to a younger audience takes a certain amount of finesse – especially if you are no longer in that age bracket! It is not easy to venture into the minds of young adults and, essentially, “relive” your own past.

Let’s have a look at six essential tips from published authors when it comes to writing YA novels.

Top 8 Foods and Drinks for Writers

by Kellie McGann | 39 Comments

For successful writers, there are three main components you need to really write: productivity, creativity, and inspiration. Without any one of these three, you’ll find writing difficult, but when they come together, you will find your writing will be better and maybe even a bit easier.

The things you eat and drink can have a significant effect on your writing. If you’re lacking productivity, creativity, or inspiration, pick one of these writing-enhancing foods and drinks for a boost.

How to Spark Your Story With an Inciting Incident

by Pamela Fernuik | 0 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.

How to Plot Your Storyline for NaNoWriMo

by Jeff Elkins | 12 Comments

The first time I took up the NaNoWriMo challenge, I lost my first two days staring at a blank scene. I’d write a paragraph and then delete it. I’d get a couple sentences into a chapter and then change my mind. My writing was a disappointing mess.

By the third day, I was already so far behind my goal, I realized I was never going to catch up. I stuck it out for two more weeks, but then, discouraged and frustrated, I quit.

The second time I tried the NaNoWriMo challenge, my experience was different.

One preparation secret made all the difference in helping me start off on the right foot and actually finish my book.

What Most Writers Don’t Know About Screenplay Structure

by Guest Blogger | 4 Comments

Do you struggle with screenplay structure? Especially sustaining momentum in that long second act?

When learning how to write a script, writers are overwhelmingly taught that screenplay structure is all about three acts. The problem with this three act formula, however, is that it often leads to writers running out of steam in act two as they try to fill it with “conflict.” This means act two becomes a series of disconnected events that aren’t really connected and seem to exist just for the sake of “things happening.”

This happens when screenwriters focus too much on traditional three act structure and ignore the building blocks underneath each act—sequences.

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