New Daily Writing Guides from The Write Practice

What to do When Your Word Count is Too Low

by Joe Bunting | 35 Comments

This is a guest post by Emily Wenstrom (@emilywenstrom).

When I completed the first draft of my first-ever novel last December, I promptly did a little victory dance.

And then I sat back down and took the word count, which completely killed my buzz. My manuscript rang in at little over 45,000—half the length of your average novel. Eep! I had a minor freakout. What was I going to do?

But fortunately, rationality eventually returned. This was only a first draft, after all. Surely there was some room for development. Turns out, there was tons.

If you find yourself in a similar situation, here are five of the best ways I’ve discovered to beef up your word count without diluting your story.

Unproductivity Fuels Productivity

by Katie Axelson | 83 Comments

The assignment was clear. I knew exactly what I wanted to accomplish. The research was done. Ideas and content were plentiful. I had everything I needed to complete the writing project except the words.

So I did the most logical thing I knew to do…

You Will Be Rejected

by Joe Bunting | 59 Comments

I recently received my first rejection letter for a short story I submitted at the beginning of July. It read:

Dear JH Bunting,

We regret that your manuscript does not fit our current editorial needs, but we appreciated the opportunity to consider your work. Thanks very much for submitting.

Sincerely,

The Editors of the Magazine that Doesn’t Want to Publish Me

This is the nature of this work we do. On the one hand, we get the joy of creating. We get to make up new worlds, play with our imaginary friends, make something that wasn’t there before. Writing is a joy, isn’t it?

On the other hand, we will face rejection upon rejection upon rejection.

Are you ready for that? Is it worth it for you?

Write What You Don’t Know

by Melissa Tydell | 39 Comments

We’ve heard it over and over: write what you know. But we can challenge our imaginations and think differently by writing what we don’t know.

If you want to break out of a writing rut, take a look at your past and present work. Do you typically write about the same type of character? Do you set all of your stories in the same location or time period? Are the plotlines fairly similar?

I often find myself writing about characters like me: 20-something women living in the Midwest in the present time. Most of the plotlines deal with relationships, either romantic or family-focused. There’s nothing wrong with that, but by getting outside my comfort zone, I open myself up to discover something new and fresh and fun.

Why I Decided to Read Fifty Shades of Grey

by Joe Bunting | 104 Comments

Who are we without our choices? Am I a certain political party/religion/career because that’s what my parents were and what my environment dictated or because I chose those things?

When I look in the mirror, I see myself as an amalgam of my choices. Mine. Not somebody’s naysaying, all-controlling, all-knowing demands. Because nobody is responsible for me. And I like it that way.

So, who are you really?

Middle School Memories [writing prompt]

by Joe Bunting | 69 Comments

Practice

Throughout your high school or middle school careers you probably made many memories. Turn those memories into writing.

Remember that first kiss, or when you flunked a math test, or tried to make the best senior prank possible? Write about that!

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

What Does Letter Writing Teach Us

by Joe Bunting | 57 Comments

When is the last time you wrote or received a letter? Not a bill or a sales letter, a real letter from a person who cares about you.

A survey has found that one child in ten has never even written a letter, and the trend continues to grow with lightning speed. Letters are becoming obsolete, just like typewriters, tapes, records and many other things. However, there will always be the nostalgic types who hold on to them as a matter of principle and love. Who’s a better fit for the picture of these sentimental souls than writers?

Show Off Writing Contest: Athletic Edition

by Joe Bunting | 162 Comments

Once a month, we stop practicing and invite you to show off your best work.

Are you interested in being published (in print)? Would you like to get better at the writing craft by working with an editor? Do you enjoy a little friendly competition? And are you a fan of The Write Practice?

Then this writing contest might be for you.

If I Had a Hammer

by Joe Bunting | 15 Comments

This short story by Bob Vander Lugt won our “America Is…” Show Off Contest. Bob writes short fiction and lives in Michigan.

One hallmark of nearly every great writer through history is that they supported, and were supported by, a larger community of writers. I hope you show Bob the full support of The Write Practice community by reading and sharing this story. I’m honored to publish it here. Enjoy!

Why You Need to Harness Your Sorrow to Write Well

by Suzie Gallagher | 112 Comments

John Cooper Clarke, the British poet, was once told by a fan, “Hey John, love your poems. I write too, but I can only write when I’m depressed.” Clark replied, “Well I hope you never write then!”

However, most writers use emotion as fuel for their writing. There is a stasis, an equilibrium that our bodies and minds need to maintain their function, but as writers we fight against balance, we encourage any emotions that are on the edge. We embrace and harness our emotions and write about them.

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