writing advice

Author Dario Ciriello talks about breaking writing rules, what publishing other writers taught him about the business, and how little he as a writer cares about what other writers think.

Every reader starts a story cold, and you want to warm the reader up to your story as quickly as possible. Learn proven techniques for story openings.

A round-up of the best and most popular advice on writing craft and technique I've featured since 2010.

Ultimately, concept is far less important than character when it comes to determining the overall quality of your story, but your audience is attracted to your story based on your concept alone. Does your concept have what it takes to draw people in?

But being able to truly see if you’ve been successful in writing a compelling work requires objectivity and distance than can be hard to achieve on your own—and this is where a professional editor comes in.

The most successful people in every industry use goals as road maps to help them reach their desired destination. It’s no different for writers.

If I could teach only one key to great writing, it would be this: Make every word count. Recognize the power of a single, well-chosen word. Trust it to do its work. As a rule, the more economically you use language, the more powerfully you will deliver your message.

There are countless ways to defeat ourselves, but the biggest and worst is to make the task too big and then feel daunted before we ever start

Before you can take someone else's advice, you have to develop a realistic picture of who you are, what your tendencies are, and what you’re willing and able to change.

Author and editor Jessica Strawser offers guidance on how to write through illness, grief, and other major life events.

As a product of the human brain, writing is particularly influenced by emotions, moods, and worldviews. Learn how to create a mindset conducive to writing.

Editor Jessi Rita Hoffman warns against the use of "stammer verbs," words that cause an unnecessary halt in the scene.

Editor Jessi Rita Hoffman explains how to craft professional and compelling back-cover copy for your book.

Steve Brewer discusses having a book adapted to film, his personal writing and editing challenges, and the tricky experience of using a pen name.

Brooke McIntyre of Inked Voices explains what to look for in a critique group and how to find the best writing critique group for you.

What does it take to launch a new website and online community? A Q&A with author and entrepreneur Alexis Grant.