Over 30 years ago, I received my bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Tennessee. Despite the passing of time, I still hold dear two items from my five-year educational journey: my framed diploma and a small book entitled “The Word: An Associated Press Guide to Good News Writing” by Rene J. Cappon. This […]
The songwriting process can be difficult, and when you’re struggling to come up with the words, you can get demotivated to carry on. Whether you’re struggling to expand your song idea or you need a fresh one, there’s always a way to deal with writer’s block. Fortunately, you don’t have to be stuck with writer’s […]
Whether you’re freelancing, blogging, or crafting fiction, writing is often a challenging task. Coping with writer’s block–or even garden-variety procrastination–can slow the progress. Here are several accountability tools for writers to help you stay on track and keep the words flowing. 1. Use Time-Tracking Tools. Commit to writing a certain number of hours each day […]
Editor Michael Woodson reflects on past writing ups and downs and lists five changes he’s making to his writing process this year. Our most recent episode of Writer’s Digest Presents was all about measuring success as writers. My colleagues and I sat down for a conversation about how we measure our individual success, what success […]
There’s nothing Hollywood loves more than existing IP—thus, the Oscars are historically adaptation-friendly. Last year, 50% of the Best Picture nominations were based on books and plays; in 2016, it was 63%. According to Adam Morgan at the Chicago Review of Books , on six separate occasions, 100% of the Best Picture nominees were based […]
‘This week in Second Saturday Stories I want to focus on an element of writing, rather than the writing itself if you’ll permit me’ Second Saturday Stories Title Image I want to make my characters jump off the page. I know many writers who share this desire. Because let’s face it, if you don’t have […]
If, despite its obvious cinematic potential, the Hollywood power brokers haven’t come a-knockin’ for your novel yet, don’t be discouraged; these things can take time. Sometimes they can take more time than you have years on this earth. Case in point: an adaptation of a 120-year-old novella by Henry James is premiering at the Berlin […]
Ken Follett’s next novel will be published on September 26, 2023. It will be titled “ The Armor of Light “ and will conclude the eight-volume Kingsbridge series that follows 1,000 years of Western civilization, from “Ethelred the Unready to the election of President Obama.” Readers will follow a group of linked families, starting in […]
Artificial intelligence is being used to cast its all-seeing eye over the written word with DeepL’s latest Write. Pitched as a rival to , the tool is able to correct spelling and grammar mistakes, rephrase words and sentences, and generally make your writing clearer. Developer DeepL, who first made waves with its AI-driven , said […]
Obsessively narrating life can get in the way of living it. But my chronicling is a source of comfort ‘I know my account of events is partial.’ Under an awning at night with the rain coming down. On the top deck of a bus traveling between parties at opposite ends of London and leaning against […]
