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Concise Writing: How to Omit Needless Words

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This article is all about concise writing, summed up in the timeless phrase “Omit needless words.” We’ll examine some of the best advice on writing concisely, define what concise writing is and isn’t, and describe 11 writing habits that encourage concision. “Omit Needless Words” and The Elements of Style In 1920, William Strunk Jr. published […]

Why “Show, Don’t Tell” is a Golden Rule of Creative Writing

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“Show, don’t tell” is one of the most plainspoken rules in creative writing, and yet its message will carry your writing journey. “Show, don’t tell” is not just a suggestion for creative writers; it’s at the heart of what defines creative writing itself. “Show, don’t tell” is not just a suggestion for creative writers; it’s […]

7 Common Writing Mistakes: Creative Writing Tips for Beginners

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Creative writing mistakes are nothing to feel down about. All good creative writing is not just writing: it’s writing, revising, editing, and proofreading—not only to polish the beauty of our language, but to work with common creative writing mistakes that pop up for all of us. Today, we’ll be looking at seven common creative writing […]

10 Important Literary Devices in Prose: Examples & Analysis

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Any writer looking to master the art of storytelling will want to learn the literary devices in prose. Fiction and nonfiction writers rely on these devices to bring their stories to life, impact their readers, and uncover the core truths of life. You can, too, with mastery over the different literary devices!  If you’re not […]

11 Common Literary Devices: Definitions, Examples, and Exercises

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Did high school make you hate the phrase “literary devices?” If so, you’re not alone. Common literary devices, such as metaphors and similes, are the building blocks of literature, but because they’re analyzed in such stuffy, antiquated ways, many people come out of high school with a disdain for what English classes teach. However, for […]

How to Write Dialogue: Tips, Examples, and Exercises

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Often, what makes a story memorable is its characters. Great characterization comes from great dialogue writing, which is why learning how to write good dialogue is essential for story writers of any genre. We’ve packed this article with dialogue writing tips and dialogue writing examples. Carry it with you like a suitcase on every writing […]

How to Write a Short Story: The Short Story Checklist

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Below is a collection of practical short story writing tips by Writers.com instructor Rosemary Tantra Bensko. Each paragraph is its own checklist item: a core element of short story writing advice to follow unless you have clear reasons to the contrary. We hope it’s a helpful resource in your own writing. Update 9/1/2020: We’ve now […]

The Importance of Word Choice in Writing

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All strong writers have something in common: they understand the value of word choice in writing. Strong word choice uses vocabulary and language to maximum effect, creating clear moods and images and making your stories and poems more powerful and vivid. The meaning of “word choice” may seem self-explanatory, but to truly transform your style […]

How to Write Flash Fiction Stories

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Many fiction writers attempt to conquer the flash fiction genre in their writing careers. Don’t let its small size fool you; the flash fiction story proves difficult for writers to master. The short-short story requires lots of planning and editing, so if you’re not sure how to write flash fiction stories, you’re not alone. Writing […]
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