New Daily Writing Guides from The Write Practice

7 Killer Tips for How to Write a Bio

You have just opened your email from the magazine you submitted your article to. You read the email you have been hoping for and dreaming of: “Hey there, we want to publish your article. Please reply with a fifty-word killer bio. We will post it at the end of your article. You can include up to three links.”

Wow, your writing has been accepted! Now you have to say who you are.

Writing your biography can seem almost as challenging as writing the piece you submitted. But it is a necessary part of publishing your writing. How will your readers know who wrote your wonderful article if you do not tell them?

Anthropomorphism: Literary Definition and Examples for Writers

by Joe Bunting | 0 Comments

Children’s books often use animals as main characters, giving them human-like characteristics to connect with readers in real life. Did you know there’s a name for that? Let’s look at anthropomorphism’s literary definition and some examples.

How to Turn a Writing Prompt You Hate Into a Story You Love

by Sarah Gribble | 0 Comments

There’s no shortage of writing prompts out there. We even do them with every post here on the Write Practice blog.

Prompts have a place in writing, whether it’s overcoming writer’s block or simply as a warmup to get your brain moving. Writing prompts are awesome.

Until they’re not.

What do you do if you hate the writing prompt you’re given?

Happy Public Domain Day: What is Public Domain and Why Does It Matter for Writers

by Robert Harrell | 1 Comment

You may have seen posts across social media on January 1, 2024 celebrating Public Domain Day with pictures of Disney's Steamboat Willie Mickey Mouse animation. What is Public Domain Day and how does it affect writers? Public Domain Day was on January 1st, but it is...

How to Market a Children’s Book: 4 Questions to Define Your Target Reader

by Marianne Richmond | 0 Comments

You’ve written a children’s book. Great work! Now, have you thought about marketing your children’s book? Do you wonder if this is even important, or how to do it?

One of the most important considerations you, as a children’s book author (or book author in general), need to address along with the creative side of things is: Who is your target reader? Or, who is your target market?

As a book writer, we like to imagine that everyone will love our book. But this is unrealistic, nonstrategic and a quick way to experience the disappointment of sluggish sales.

Truth: We don’t want to be all things to all people. We want to be the choice for specific, potential readers.

If we write a book without knowing exactly who we’re writing for, we end up writing for our own enjoyment. This is fine and good unless you wish to make money from your book writing efforts.

I.E. vs. E.G.: How to Keep Them Straight

by Liz Bureman | 40 Comments

We all have our pet peeves when it comes to writing. Maybe you hate the Oxford comma. Maybe you loathe the misuse of the ellipsis. As an editor, I’m supposed to have a lot of writing pet peeves, but one of my biggest is the interchanging of e.g. and i.e. I’m here to tell you once and for all that the two are not the same.

How Long Does it Take to Write a Book?

by Sarah Gribble | 0 Comments

How long does it take to write a book? Writing the first draft of a book is a grueling, intimidating process. But it doesn’t have to be a slow process.

Ask one hundred writers how long it takes them to write their first drafts and you’ll get one hundred different answers. There is no perfect length of time to spend on a first draft.

You will find, though, that the writers whose answer is closer to a couple of months than to a couple of years are most likely more successful.

How to Write a Journal: 6 Tips to Get Started

by Pamela Fernuik | 62 Comments

Do you keep a journal? I do. It is how I remember the travels I’ve taken, the life experiences I’ve enjoyed, and the litter boxes I’ve cleaned.

We are writers, and so it is even more helpful for us to journal. Not sure yet? Let me share with you some tips from my journaling experience.

Do You Use Quotation Marks or Italics for Song and Album Titles?

by Liz Bureman | 40 Comments

I love music. I’ve been teaching myself to play guitar, and I can stumble my way through four or five songs without wanting to poke holes in my eardrums, but my main appreciation for music is when other people play it. I’m an avid Spotify user, and I take a lot of pride in my ability to make kickass playlists. One of my girlfriends has even given me the green light to create her hypothetical wedding reception playlist.

Not everyone writes out the titles of their favorite songs or music albums regularly, so it’s no surprise I sometimes hear people ask, “Are song titles italicized?”

The answer is no.

Here’s how it works.

31 January Writing Prompts to Fuel Your New Year Writing Goals

by Sue Weems | 0 Comments

January! That month full of fresh starts and in some parts of the world, bitter cold and snow. No matter what the weather is like in your neck of the woods, start this month with a writing challenge to record a few lines each day in a daily writing practice.
We have 31 prompts to take you through the month!

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