Writer Advice

Helping Writers online since 1997

Writing Advice

Summer of 2023 ~~ Writing Advice

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I asked the winners of our last contest to explain why entering contests is worthwhile. All sent excellent responses and no two are the same. There are 3 responses on the page, but at the top we have our September Writing Prompts.  “You never know who is reading your work and other paths that may

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Spring 2023 — New Writing Advice & Prompts

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“We are compelled to make sense of ourselves, our lives, and the physical and ethereal realms in which those unfold. We do so as interpreters, as storytellers.”   ~~ Ronald Chapman Writing as Spiritual Practice By Ronald Chapman Author of The Dark Side of Grace   Editor’s Note: MY TBR stack is climbing towards the

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Winter of 2023 — Writing Advice

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“I don’t need an alarm clock. My ideas wake me.”   —Ray Bradbury February Free Writing Topics:  Write about the layers of love in your life.  Write about your first love.  Write about your current love.  Write about your love for a child, a pet, or a project. Write about the love thoughts that won’t leave

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Fall 2022 ~~ Writing Advice

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“Today, I realize acceptances and those dratted rejections remain an integral part of the writing life.”   ~~ Catherine Forster NOTE:  Right now I’m adding new prompts every 4 weeks. The current ones were added on 12/05/22 and are in this color. Scroll past the top 2 articles to find them. Want me to post them

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Fall 2022 — Scintillating Starts Contest

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“You don’t lose until you quit trying.”   ~~Richard T. Brown, Jr.  2022 Scintillating Starts Opportunity Openings matter. They determine whether a potential agent will represent your book or move on. Writer Advice’s Scintillating Starts Opportunity is your chance to show how effectively you can grab and hold your readers and get feedback on what

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Summer 2022 — Writing Advice

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“…an excellent way to stand out from the crowd.”   ~~B. Lynn Goodwin   Contests for IndieBooks Why do writers enter an indie or self published book in a contest? What do they hope to gain?  Recognition. Publicity. Acknowledgment that helps you stand out from the group. Recently an agent–a fiction agent–state that my awards

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Spring 2022~~Writing Advice

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  No one can tell your story but you. I came across this article about what the Sun Magazine seeks for its Readers Write section. Everyone is eligible to tell their story. These are some of the best mini-memoirs you’ll find anywhere. If you’re not familiar, I hope you’ll take a look. What story would

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Winter of 2022 — Writing Advice

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[What] all members of the human family need and deserve.   ~~Michael Larsen Making Every Day a Holiday   Written by Michael Larsen Now retired, Michael Larsen, PhD is the co-founder of the Larsen/Pomada Literary Agency in San Francisco, California. He speaks and teaches around the country on writing, agenting and the publishing industry. In

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Fall 2021~~Writing Advice

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“Write from the heart.”   ~~B. Lynn Goodwin (and many others, I’m sure) A Smorgasbord of Writing Advice EDITOR’S NOTE: Respected San Francisco literary agent Michael Larsen is one of the judges in this year’s writing contest run by Women’s National Book Association. Submissions closed recently. Since I am the administrator I recently sent Michael

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Summer 2021 ~~ Writing Advice

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“Spread Social Media Love.”  ~~ Debra Eckerling Support, Support, Support When I read Debra Eckerling’s article, “7 Ways Authors Can Support Their Author Friends: Kindled Spirits” I knew I had to share it with you. It’s full of ways you can support others, and when you offer your health, most will reciprocate. The abbreviated version

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Spring 2021 Writing Advice

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“The only people who see the whole picture are those who step out of the frame.” ~~Salman Rushdie Writing Advice from Hillary Hauck   Hilary Hauck’s publicist approached me about reviewing her book. My stack of reading material is quite tall, but I took here up on another offer: an article about her work. Read

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