Write into the Week: September 1, 2025

Elle | Community Manager | September 1, 2025 |

““You can make anything by writing.”
–C.S. Lewis

Dear Writer,

I hope you’re having a good start to your week. In this newsletter:

A writing prompt to inspire your creativity.
Reading and listening recommendations in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.
Publishing, residency, and retreat opportunities available now.
Join our free Monday and Friday write-ins, and meet our community of writers.

Happy writing this week!

—Elle, Curriculum Specialist & Community Manager

Writer to Writer: The Art of Anything

This week’s quote by C.S. Lewis is a reminder that writing isn’t just a tool for documenting what is—it’s also how we imagine what could be. Whether you’re inventing characters from scratch, rewriting a personal memory with fresh insight, or puzzling words in a poem until your message lands, you’re making something that didn’t exist before. That’s no small feat! Pause and celebrate the beauty in that.

This week, take the pressure off needing a BIG IDEA, and let yourself write something small but true, strange but possible, or rough but real. The act of writing is the making of art.

Writing Prompt

Write what doesn’t exist…yet. Describe a relationship, event, or place that hasn’t happened or that you haven’t visited, but that you wish would. Let writing be the first step in making it real.

Craft Talk Recommendations:

Fiction:

“Creating Interesting Characters” from Second Story channel on YouTube. One the greatest challenges facing fiction writers is the crafting of round, dynamic characters, who behave like real humans. Have a watch, and spend some time considering how to make your characters live and breathe on the page.

Poetry:

“How to Write a Sonnet” from the That Shakespeare Guy channel on YouTube. This video breaks down the elements of sonnet, and guides you to pen your own Shakespearean style sonnet.

Nonfiction/Writer Interview:

“I’m Politely Begging You to Write Nonfiction” from the Writing with Andrew channel on YouTube. An entertaining dive into why you should write nonfiction. This video discusses the basics of creative nonfiction, and some of the reasons why you might want to add some to your writing practice.

Listening Recommendations:

From The Poetry Lab Podcast: “How to Write Collaborative Poems” – Collaborative poems can break creative blocks wide open. In this episode, Leo shares her experience writing with partners and groups, along with tips and playful exercises to help you try it yourself. Whether you’re stuck or just craving connection, collaboration can reignite your writing in unexpected and joyful ways.
From the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast: “What Agents & Readers Want: How to Write a Story That Works” – This episode breaks down the five key elements every successful novel needs to hook agents and readers. Whether you’re just starting your first draft or revising for querying, this episode will help you craft a story that works and keeps readers turning the pages.

Publishing Opportunities:

Literary Cleveland and Gordon Square Review – Submission Deadline: September 30, 2025. Seeking submissions of poetry, short fiction, and short nonfiction. They pay selected contributors!
The Yale Review – Submission Deadline: September 30, 2025. Seeking submissions of poetry, fiction, essays, and translations.

Monday and Friday: Free Group Writing Sessions

Come write with us! Community write-ins are a great way to meet other writers, and carve out space in your calendar for your writing.

Monday: Write Into the Week with Elle

Join me (Elle) for an hour of mindset support, goal setting, community, and dedicated time to write! We’ll meet on Monday at 11 AM Eastern time, at this Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83999379617

Friday: Open Write-In

Join the Writers.com staff for a 90-minute writing session each Friday from 11 AM to 12:30 PM Eastern time. We will write together for the first hour. In the last, optional half hour, we’ll share our writing with one another and connect.

To add yourself, join our newsletter using the join box above, and add yourself to the “Friday Write-Ins” list at the bottom of any email. We’ll send you a Zoom link the morning of the call.

Join us on Instagram for more writing inspiration!

We’re sharing writing tips, creative prompts, and a steady stream of encouragement—follow us @writersdotcom. Click below to check out one of our latest posts on writing creative nonfiction.

Posted in: Write into the Week

Elle | Community Manager

Elle is a writer and novelist originally from southwestern New York, now residing on the central coast in California. She does not miss the snow even a little bit. As an avid traveler, Elle can frequently be found wandering the globe, having lived in and explored over thirty countries, all while gaining inspiration for her writing and new perspectives on life. Elle is a former educator and Teach for America alumna, having taught in Los Angeles, Baltimore and Boston. She holds a B.A. in English Literature and Creative Writing from George Mason University and a M.A. in Education and Curriculum Design from Johns Hopkins University. She is passionate about well-crafted sentences and memorable metaphors. Elle is currently at work on a novel and a collection of personal essays.