Writing Tips
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Newest Articles
How to Write a Novel Outline
Congratulations on the momentous decision to start writing a novel! I hope your brain is brimming with plot ideas and character arcs. The start of a new writing project should feel exhilarating! Take a moment, a breath, and lean in to that excitement. Writing a novel is an adventure—some parts will feel like a fun…
Spiritual Journaling: How to Keep a Spiritual Journal, and 46 Spiritual Journal Prompts
If you have an active spiritual practice, I strongly recommend keeping a spiritual journal. I’ve been spiritually journaling regularly for the past three years, and my personal spiritual growth over that time feels much faster, and much clearer and better-defined, than in the preceding years of my life. In this article, we’ll cover what spiritual…
Negative Capability: What It Is and How to Access It
What is “negative capability”? In brief, when we as writers or artists are able to allow complexities and uncertainties in our work—without trying to resolve them—we are expressing negative capability. This phrase, famously associated with the poet John Keats (and Keats’s own admiration for William Shakespeare), can unlock for writers new ways of thinking about…
From Our Instructors
How to Become a Poet
If you’re here, you’re wondering how to become a poet. The good news is, anyone can learn to write poetry—and if you’ve ever written a poem before, you can already call yourself a poet. Even so, sitting down to put feelings to stanzas can seem impossible. With so many possibilities to tinker with language, where…
The 50 Best Gifts for Writers in Your Life
Professional authors chime in on gift ideas for writers—both during the holidays and any time of year. If you’re looking for the best gifts for writers in your life, look no further. There are lots of great gifts for creative writers—you just need to get in a writer’s head. With the help of some lovely…
How to Write a Podcast Script: A Step-by-Step Guide
Want more advice on how to write a podcast script? Check out Cara Stevens’ Zoom webinar How to Start a Podcast. Cara J. Stevens is an author, editor, podcaster and book coach. She has written more than 80 books for young readers based on video games, pop-culture trends, and beloved characters including Pokémon Go, Terraria, and…
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Writing Prompts
Jump-start your creativity with our writing prompts. Check back regularly for new prompts!
Show and Tell
Write a story or poem about an object with a lot of nostalgic value for you/the narrator. Do not, at any point, tell the reader explicitly what this object is.
Forgive and Forget
Write a story or poem about a time when you had to forget something to maintain a friendship or relationship.
Trash Day
Collect pieces of “junk writing”—spam emails, credit card advertisements, roadside billboards, bumper stickers, etc. Then, write a story or poem that uses all of the junk writing you collected.