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The Hardest Part of Being a Writer

Earlier this month, we asked writers from all walks of life: “What’s the biggest thing holding you back in your writing?” One hundred forty-four answered us. Among twenty options—everything from “I struggle to complete large projects” to “I don’t feel confident navigating publishing”—here were their top 7 answers, in order: I’m worried my work isn’t…

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Wellness Journaling: How to Journal for Wellness

Wellness Journaling: How to Journal for Wellness

Keeping a wellness journal allows us to monitor our health in a way that’s both freeing and healing. Traditionally, journaling is a way to keep a written record of our daily lives—our thoughts and experiences. Journaling as a wellness practice can incorporate some of that, but it is a mode of journaling with a more…

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What is Poetry?: Helping You Define Poetry for Yourself

What is poetry? Well, it’s the oldest form of literature, a full-throated inquiry into the human experience, a means of compressing life into the fewest words, etc. All of these things are true, yet none of them convey a useful introduction to poetry. Defining this deceptive term d’arte is hard. Not because we can’t easily…

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From Our Instructors

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The 45 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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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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The body and soul of your memoir | memoir writing course

Writing About Real People

Sneak Peek: This essay is excerpted from some of the materials I’ll be sharing in my class, “The Body and Soul of Your Memoir: Shape, Focus, and Write Your Memoir” at Writers.com starting June 4. When my memoir, The Sky Begins At Your Feet: A Memoir on Cancer, Community and Coming Home to the Body,…

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Character Development

Writing with Confidence

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.