New Daily Writing Guides from The Write Practice

How Original Are You?

Everyone wants to be original. Fact. And yet how hard do you strive towards being original? How can you tell if you are or aren’t? Who’s the judge of your work?

These are questions that bother me daily and cloud over my work. It’s not easy to get through. You can rationalize: my work is unique, because nobody else can do it exactly like I did. This is true, and yet so many books look like copies of one another, old-fashioned themes, clichéd choice of phrases and sentences.

Is it enough? I personally don’t think it is.

How to Know When You Are Ready to Write a Novel

by Guest Blogger | 10 Comments

You’ve been thinking about writing a novel for years now. You’ve had ideas swimming around in your head for as long as you can remember.

You’ve researched the best webinars, workshops, and creative writing degrees. Or maybe you’ve taken some writing courses, read all the “how to” books, and even went to a writing conference.

And after all this, you still don’t feel ready.

Writer’s Block? Try Getting Visual

by Joe Bunting | 15 Comments

For several weeks, I’ve been blocked on a writing projects for a client. One night, I even stayed up until one in the morning, staring at my screen, unable to write a thing.

Then, just yesterday, I had a breakthrough. In just a few hours, I was able to accomplish more than I had the previous three weeks combined.

What got me unblocked? Visuals.

How to Handle Rejection

by Katie Axelson | 6 Comments

It’s going to happen someday. You’re going to open your inbox, and it’s not going to be the headline that makes your eyes leap to that one email. Your blood pressure’s going to rise, and it’s going to seem like Chrome slows down in opening that email that’s going to change your life.

Ready, Set, Write!

by Birgitte Rasine | 52 Comments

It’s almost time for NaNoWriMo. Many affectionately call it “NaNo,” for short. “Nano” is also short for “mind-numbingly short” as in nanosecond, and “really, really, ridiculously small,” as in nanoparticles.
In the spirit of all things nano, I’ve got a challenge for you. It’s the Non-NaNoWriMo Writing Challenge (try typing that ten times at top speed…).

Write for one hour, uninterrupted.

Who Else Wants To Be Prolific?

by Carlos Cooper | 30 Comments

What does it mean to be a prolific writer? In non-dictionary terms, it basically means you write a lot and publish a lot of work. If you’re trying to be prolific, where do you start?

You Need More Space

by Joe Bunting | 23 Comments

Well, maybe you don’t, but I do.

I don’t think it’s impossible to write when you’re busy. It’s easy to make excuses about why you don’t have time to be a writer. I don’t want to create more obstacles for you. You should write, whether you have space or not.

But if you’re like me, you’re too busy. You’re checking your email too often. You’re committed to too many projects and groups and even people. You need more space.

Readying Yourself For NaNoWriMo

by The Magic Violinist | 59 Comments

Are you participating in NaNoWriMo this year? I am! I’ve participated in NaNoWriMo for five years now (I started when I was nine). For me, NaNoWriMo is on par with Christmas, and my brother has been known to say that it’s better than Thanksgiving (I completely agree). NaNoWriMo is fun, challenging, and hectic.

NaNoWriMo can also be extremely difficult.

Introduce Yourself AS A WRITER

by Marianne Richmond | 220 Comments

I have been a book author and artist for close to twenty years. I have paid for my mortgage, groceries, vacations and braces with my self-generated income. I have sold a blessed two million copies of my words and pictures.

And yet, until about five years ago, I stumbled through an introduction of my work and my abilities. It may have sounded something like this…

What Are Stock Characters, and How Can They Enliven Your Story

by Liz Bureman | 21 Comments

There are a few characters that we’re all familiar with in television and literature. Most lawyers are terrible people, the black guy who lightens the mood in a horror movie will die first, the high school head cheerleader will be catty (unless she’s the main character), and any pair of cops will have one who goes by the book and one wild card.

These character archetypes, when they’re not main or central characters, can tell the reader a lot about what type of story to expect. They’re referred to as stock characters.

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