Posts by Barbara Henning
Flash Fiction Prompt: The Storyteller
Below is “The Storyteller,” a flash fiction prompt by Writers.com instructor Barbara Henning from her forthcoming The Prompt Book. Enjoy it as a jumping-off point for your creativity! — Think of a story that someone told you, maybe when you were growing up. Or retell a story that you have told others. Let the voice of…
Read MoreIs Self-Publishing on Amazon All It’s Cracked Up to Be? Pros and Cons
If you’re struggling with or uninterested in conventional publishing, you’ve likely considered self-publishing. One of many options within this route is self-publishing on Amazon: with its Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) program, the giant online marketplace has now stepped into the publishing world. Before you commit to self-publishing on Amazon, make sure you understand the pros…
Read MoreThe Transformative Power of Writing Circles: Interview with Susan Vespoli
writers.com instructor Susan Vespoli leads both in-person and online writing circles in the Wild Writing tradition of Laurie Wagner. In this interview, Susan explains what writing circles are and how they function, and how writing circles can be a transformative practice for both writing and life. What is a writing circle? There are different forms…
Read MoreUnlock Your Creativity with the “Three I’s” of Writing: Interview with Sarah Aronson
In this interview, Writers.com instructor Sarah Aronson outlines what she calls the “Three I’s” of writing: inspiration, intuition, and intellect. She discusses how overrelying on intellect can stifle us as writers, and how to use a “Three I’s” approach to unlock creativity in our writing process. Sarah is a recognized children’s book author and educator. Her new book, Just…
Read MoreMindful Writing: Interview with Marc Olmsted
In this interview, Writers.com instructor Marc Olmsted explores the connection between mindfulness and writing, and especially how writing mindfully can improve our poetry, fiction, and other creative writing. Below is the full video interview: Here is a text transcript (edited into sections): What mindfulness is I’m very influenced by the simple instructions of Padmasambhava, the Indian meditation…
Read More7 Memoir Writing Tips: Interview with Anya Achtenberg
Knowing how to write a memoir can be difficult, especially when we’re starting out. In this interview, Writers.com instructor Anya Achtenberg covers the seven essential memoir writing tips—and how to write a memoir in the closely related forms of literary nonfiction and autobiographical fiction. Below is the full interview audio: And below is the interview transcribed…
Read MoreDealing with Rejection as a Writer: 12 Tips to Get Through
Dealing with rejection as a writer hurts, full stop. Writing is an extremely vulnerable act, and when we then submit that work for publication and have it rejected, it can feel like being karate kicked in the heart. Whatever your ambitions for your writing, we can help you develop strategies for dealing with the inevitable…
Read MoreWhat is Good Poetry? Interview with Jonathan McClure
Editor’s note: This is an excerpt of an interview on “What is good poetry?” with Writers.com instructor Jonathan McClure, author of the recently published poetry anthology The Fire Lit and Nearing. In this excerpt, Jonathan describes what he believes is the main element of good poetry, as well as the most common issue that makes…
Read MoreFour Things to Look for in Online Creative Writing Courses for Adults
We have an informal staff motto: “There are two kinds of people: writers, and budding writers.” In other words, if you have something to say—something to share with the world—then you can write, and an online creative writing course can help. Online creative writing classes can help you hone your craft in any creative writing…
Read More16 Common Fiction Writing Mistakes (And What to Do Instead)
Editor’s note: Below is a collection of 16 common fiction writing mistakes by Writers.com instructor Rosemary Tantra Bensko. It forms a great companion to her short story writing checklist (much of which is applicable to fiction writing of any length). If you want to know common errors fiction writers make—and how to address them—then dive…
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