Writing Tips
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Write into the Week: April 26, 2026
“The true alchemists do not change lead into gold; they change the world into words.” –William H. Gass 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…
Write into the Week: April 18, 2026
“I think that listening is an expression of love and that telling someone your story is an act of generosity.” –Elias Khoury 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,…
100 Poetry Prompts for New Poem Ideas
A poem can be about anything, which makes discovering new poem ideas both very easy and very overwhelming. Which poetry prompts are worth writing towards, and which should I avoid? The truth is, ideas are everywhere—it’s the execution that matters. Nonetheless, some poetry prompts are better than others, and we’ve curated the best of the…
From Our Instructors
Learn to Write! 8 Tips on Learning How to Write
If you’re here, you want to learn to write—whether that’s poetry, fiction, nonfiction, or something in-between. Learning to write is a process, and it is something that writers learn and relearn throughout their lives. To quote Ernest Hemingway, “We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master.” But anyone can…
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…
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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.