New Daily Writing Guides from The Write Practice

4 Ways to Enjoy Poetry Forever

At some point in my life I fell into the habit of introducing myself as a poet. My opening line was always “Hi, I’m Michael; and I’m a poet.”

Without fail 96.32% of the time the response would be “I used to write poetry as well, but I grew out of it.” The other 3.68% would probably snicker and point (at 6’2″ I don’t exactly fit the stereotype of lit–geek). I find this strange because I rather enjoy poetry, immensely if I dare add.

So I started to wonder, how can you make sure you never “grow out of” poetry? Here’s what I came up with:

How to Let Your Characters Drive Your Story

by Joe Bunting | 114 Comments

I love the way Anne Lamott described writing. She said,

“Writing is like driving at night with headlights: you can only see a little bit.”

Should you outline your novel and make sure you know everything that happens before you write, or do you take Anne Lamott’s advice and drive in the dark?

Could it be possible to do both?

How to Avoid Distractions and Create a Career in Fiction: Interview with Holly Lisle

by Joe Bunting | 49 Comments

As a writer, you’d probably like to be more focused, to avoid the distractions of Facebook, email, and, potentially, children more effectively. You might also like to spend more time working on building a large platform, without stealing any time away from your creative writing, of course. And you’d definitely like to get published.

Today, I’m talking to author Holly Lisle about how to avoid distraction, build and manage platforms, and handle the boons and banes of publishing. Holly Lisle is the author of more than thirty novels as well as several books about writing. You can find links to her fiction and writing instruction at hollylisle.com and follow her on Twitter (@hollylisle).

Thanks for joining us, Holly!

How to Use Music as Writing Inspiration

by Melissa Tydell | 120 Comments

At a wedding reception recently, the DJ played a song that was straight from my high school days. My friends and I danced along and laughed at the lyrics, but the music brought me back in time to all those high school dances.

The guys would come up with elaborate ways to ask their dates to the dance. The girls would shop for the perfect dress. We’d make plans to get together for a group dinner beforehand. And finally, we’d dance all night long (well, until 11 pm), letting loose with that freedom only 16-year-olds can experience.

So many times, I’ve heard a song on the radio, on a commercial, during a movie, or on my iPod and found myself transported to another place and time. The lyrics and the melody remind me of a moment I’ve experienced, a memory I haven’t recalled for ages, and I’ll feel everything that I felt back then.

Music has the ability to move us—our memories and our imaginations. Here’s how to channel that power into inspiration for your writing:

Why You Should Edit Your First Draft for Captain Obvious

by Joe Bunting | 54 Comments

So, you’ve completed a first draft. Huzzah, and kudos to you! Take a bow, pat yourself on the back, do something else that indicates you’re proud of yourself.

OK, the moonwalk was a bit much. Nice moves, though.

But now, it’s revision time. Maybe you were on a hot streak at the Writing Time Casino and you’ve produced a first draft that’s almost perfect. Enjoy that moment of triumph.

Six Ways to Make Your Readers Hate You

by Joe Bunting | 64 Comments

As an author, you want to make your readers happy, right? You want to have outstanding writing that not only makes you feel good, but makes others feel good. You want people to read your work and say, “Hey, this person really knows how to write. I like their stuff.”

You don’t want to make your readers hate you and your work. Well, if you want your readers to like you, here are six things not to do.

Don't Write For Passion

by Joe Bunting | 122 Comments

The wisdom of the zeitgeist says, “Follow your dreams. Don’t settle for a job you don’t love. You have to be passionate about what you do.”

However, the truth is that if you look at the people who really love what they do, you find that most of them didn’t follow this rule.

Free Write Like a Sweaty-Toothed Madman

by Joe Bunting | 120 Comments

Free writing is an exercise we often practice here at the Write Practice to unblock the mind and increase creativity and fluidity.

But free writing is more than a pill you dole out to cure writer’s block, isn’t it? It has a much more important function than helping you finish a scene or discover an ending that resonates.

Free writing, practiced deliberately can set you free from fear.

Longing [writing prompt]

by Joe Bunting | 195 Comments

PRACTICE

Write about longing.

Write for fifteen minutes. When you’re finished, post your practice in the comments section.

And if you post, please be sure to give feedback to a few other writers.

No Writing Allowed

by Katie Axelson | 40 Comments

STOP!

Put your pencil down.

Step away from the computer. (But not so far away that you can’t read this).

There will be no word-crafting today. I repeat: there will be no word-crafting today!

Sorry.

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