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How To Write Shop

Articles on the craft and business of writing

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Jump-Start Your Imagination with Story Starter First Lines

February 5, 2017 by Kathy Steffen 22 Comments

One way to fire up your imagination? Creative writing exercises focused on the first line of a story. Below is a list of first lines for you to use to hone your storytelling and writing skills.

Posted in: Writing Craft, Writing Prompts Tagged: amwriting, creative writing exercises, ideas, inspiration, muse, writing prompts

Finding Visual Creative Writing Prompts

January 16, 2013 by Kathy Steffen 9 Comments
visual creative writing prompts

Add aspects to your writing and story that you don’t yet know exists. Connect your inner world to inspirations from the outer world and see what brilliant “third thing” surfaces for you!

Posted in: Featured, Writing Craft, Writing Prompts Tagged: collage, creative writing prompts, ideas

Creative Writing Prompts: Family Interview Questions

November 14, 2012 by Kathy Steffen Leave a Comment
Wonderful material for your writing might be sitting right next to you.

One of the best things about the upcoming holiday season is the chance to strengthen the connection with family and friends. What more perfect time to get people talking and write down some of the details of their lives that shouldn’t be lost? Ask, listen, record, and then write.

Posted in: Writing Craft, Writing Prompts Tagged: creative writing prompts, family history, ideas, writing exercises

Writing Prompts Summer Vacation, Beyond that School Essay

July 27, 2012 by Kathy Steffen Leave a Comment
creative writing prompts summer vacation

I’m sure at some point in your school career, you got the assignment, “Write what you did for summer vacation.” What a writing prompt… “What I did for my summer vacation was…” Just typing it now makes me snooze off. But summer vacation is fun! We love summer. We love vacation. We should love writing … [Read more…]

Posted in: Writing Craft, Writing Prompts Tagged: creative writing prompts, ideas

“Write What You Know” for the Freelance Writing Market

July 20, 2012 by Bobbi Dumas Leave a Comment
Man researching in library

If you’ve been writing at all in the past century, you’ve probably heard this advice more than a few times, and it applies to every kind of writing.  In fiction, it’s easier to set up a world you’re familiar with than one you have to either research or create.  In other words, if you’re from … [Read more…]

Posted in: Featured, Finding Writing Markets, Writing Business Tagged: amwriting, freelance writing, ideas
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Save The Cat!
by Blake Snyder

A book on screenwriting that is great for novelists too! Another must have for your How To Write library.

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The Writers Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers
by Christopher Vogler

The Writer’s Journey explores the relationship between mythology and storytelling in a clear, concise style.

Want help plotting great stories that grab readers?

The Writer’s Journey is on our MUST read list.

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