Writer's Digest

 With details of upcoming courses and more, here are the latest newsletters:

Overcoming writer's block can be frustrating. This week, WD brings you tips and tricks to help you get unstuck.   Writing for the Time Impoverished: How to Structure Your Writing to Make Sure You Finish Your Novel   So, you have an idea for a book? You’re not alone. Joseph Epstein wrote in the New York Times in 2002 that “81 percent of Americans feel they have a book in them—and that they should write it.” He then urged people not “to write that book ... Keep it inside you, where it belongs.”   Setting aside Epstein’s advice, it is obvious that far fewer than 81 percent of the population actually become published. Why is that? What separates professional writers from amateurs? Whatever the perceived talent of each writer, which is subjective, it is an objective fact that every published author started out as an amateur writer. The first, and perhaps most important, difference between the professional and the aspiring writer, is that the published ones finished their books. Read the full article...     More Motivation   5 Tips to Work Through Procrastination   Have you caught yourself doing anything other than sitting down to write? Procrastination and writer's block happen to every writer. Let author Clare Whitfield give you tips on how to overcome and get back to writing. Read More...   Finding Your Nonfiction Writing Niche and Understanding Why This Is So Important   Why specialize? It's a question many nonfiction authors face. Author Rick Lauber explains how focusing in on one subject can help your writing create a bigger impact—and even widen your audience. Read More...     Written in the Stars   Writer's Digest Weekly Writing Prompt   Pick a constellation of stars and write a scene or story that includes the object or person depicted in the constellation. It can be based on existing mythology surrounding the constellation or based completely on your own imagination. Read More...   Outlining Your Novel   Writer's Digest University   Writers often look upon outlines with fear and trembling. But when properly understood and correctly used, the outline is one of the most powerful weapons in a writer's arsenal. In this course, you will learn how to write an outline as you explore what type of outline is right for you, brainstorm plot ideas, and discover your characters. Read More...     From Script to Screen: Shooting the Subtext Martin Scorsese’s "Taxi Driver"   A Script Magazine Feature   It can be argued that the cinematic collaborations between Paul Schrader and Martin Scorsese rank among some of the greatest screenwriter and director duos in the history of the movies. Taxi Driver is a shining example of their offspring as a creative couple as it reflects how the writing informs the directing, and vice versa, how the directing elevates the writing. Read More...   Short Story Virtual Conference   Writer's Digest University   Writer's Digest is pleased to present an exclusive virtual conference for short story writers! On May 21-23, our Short Story Writing Virtual Conference will provide expert insights from seven award-winning and best-selling authors on the finer points of how to write a short story. Read More...   Moriah Richard Moriah Richard is an editor at Writer’s Digest with a particular interest in discussing craft and genre. As a reader, she’s most interested in horror, fantasy, and romance, although she will read just about anything with a great hook. Find Moriah on Twitter @MoriahRichard93.       Active Interest Media P.O. Box 20730 Boulder, Colorado, 80308 USA

Exclusively from Writer's Digest! Save 80% on 7 Resources      Writing a short story is a very rewarding experience for writers at any level. As with novels, they require you to identify the themes and key emotions you’d like to convey to your readers. Short stories have always had the power to captivate and make an impact while challenging writers to be concise. In this exclusive kit from Writer’s Digest, you’ll find seven proven resources designed to help you write an excellent short story. Save money while getting the help you need from a source you trust! The Kit Contains:  How to Write Short Stories and Use Them to Further Your Writing Career OnDemand Webinar From Short Story to Story Collection: How to Craft a Collection of Short Fiction That Gets Published and Sells OnDemand Webinar A Year of Writing Prompts Digital Download Training the Mind to be Receptive to Story Ideas Video Tutorial Story Goals OnDemand Webinar Story Physics: Mastering the Most Important Moments in Your Story OnDemand Webinar Marketing Short Fiction: The Art & Science of Literary Publishing Video Download $274.95 $54.99   SAVE NOW!   Active Interest Media P.O. Box 20730 Boulder, Colorado, 80308 USA

Social Media Bliss: How You Can Engage With Meaning and Without Losing Your Mind Just about every writer has a love-hate relationship with social media, and for some it serves as a serious distraction from important writing work. While social media use is not mandatory for any author, it will be a significant challenge for your career and long-term marketing efforts if you exclude it entirely from your arsenal of tools (or if you participate with a cynical attitude or sour mood). This live webinar focuses on how to take a holistic and fits-for-you approach to social media that’s based on long-term reader engagement and sound principles of online marketing. You won’t find gimmicks or short-term approaches here. Rather, the basic philosophy is that (1) your work—your writing—is always central, and (2) you have to enjoy what you’re doing on social media for it to be sustainable and to become a meaningful part of your author platform. A big challenge for every author is figuring out what social media use will be effective in cutting through the noise, without consuming huge amounts of time. This live webinar doesn’t offer a cookie-cutter answer that works for everyone, but it will show you the questions you need to ask to uncover the best solution for you. We’ll eliminate as much guesswork as possible, and focus on how to retain your authentic voice regardless of what social media site you use.   The most important question to start with (which has nothing to do with social media) How social media fits into your overall author platform How to use social media as a creative tool that adds to your writing practice Specific ways to build relationships with readers as well as influencers How and when social media can work as a hard sales channel Social media tools that can help you manage your time efficiently and much more! Unpublished writers who want to build their platform, but don’t know how social media fits into the bigger picture, or where to start Authors who wants to build their network and relationships in the writing and publishing community Authors who want to use social media more effectively Authors who believe social media is mostly a waste of their time, but also feel like they can’t afford to ignore it     May 13, 1:00 PM ET   LEARN MORE & REGISTER!   Instructor: Jane Friedman The former publisher of Writer’s Digest, Jane Friedman has been active on social media since 2006, when she started an account at Facebook (after briefly dabbling in MySpace). She has more than 200,000 followers on Twitter, as well as 12,000 Facebook followers, with active accounts on Instagram, Goodreads, and YouTube, among others.      Active Interest Media P.O. Box 20730 Boulder, Colorado, 80308 USA

types and skill levels.

Upcoming Boot Camp   Agent One-on-One: First 10 Pages Boot Camp As many writers know, agents and editors won't give your work more than ten pages or so to make an impact. If you haven't got them hooked by then, it's a safe bet you won't be asked for more material. Make sure you've got the kind of opening they're looking for!  May 20-23, 2021 HURRY, SELLS OUT FAST!   Upcoming Webinars Social Media Bliss: How You Can Engage With Meaning and Without Losing Your Mind This live webinar focuses on how to take a holistic and fits-for-you approach to social media that’s based on long-term reader engagement and sound principles of online marketing. May 13, 2021   SIGN UP NOW   Based on a True Story: How to Secure, Write and Sell Non-Fiction Screenplays & Book Proposals In this course, you'll learn what you need to know to get your true story down on the page and up on the screen. May 27, 2021 SIGN UP NOW   Featured Resources May/June 2021 Issue 40 Plot Twist Prompts for Writers     Getting Started in Writing Pitch an Article Upcoming Virtual Conference   Short Story Virtual Conference Spend the weekend learning techniques for honing your craft skills, marketing your short fiction, editing, and getting the tools you need to advance your career as a writer from seven different published authors, then (if you choose) submit up to 500 words of a short story to an editor for critique. May 21-23, 2021 LEARN MORE & REGISTER   Explore More Resources   Active Interest Media P.O. Box 20730 Boulder, Colorado, 80308 USA

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Writer's Digest online writing workshops cover every aspect of writing, from how to get started all the way to getting your project published -- all from the comfort of your home! Click here to view the full course calendar >>   Courses Starting This Week:    Getting Started in Writing  Instructor: Estelle Erasmus Have you always wanted to be a writer? Don't let doubt or fear get the best of you—take a chance and learn how to start writing a book, novel, short story, memoir, or essay. When you take this online writing workshop, you'll discover your voice, learn the basics of grammar and examine the different types of writing. No matter what type of writing you're planning on crafting—nonfiction or fiction—you'll need guidance along the way.   Short Story Fundamentals Instructor: Mark Spencer Whether you are a writing novice looking to cut your teeth or a published professional, the short story is a unique and challenging medium that offers you amazing opportunities. Also, short stories are a great way to gain publishing credentials with less time investment than it takes to develop a novel-length work. The workshop covers structure and the common pitfalls writers experience when crafting a short story.   Writing Online Content Instructor: Naveed Saleh With the continued proliferation of online and virtual media, more readers than ever before are turning to the internet for news and opinions. For instance, although the number of subscribers to print publications decreases with each passing year, there continues to be an increase in the number of digital subscribers. Ultimately, this course will teach you how to effectively write online articles of all types including news, feature articles, opinion articles, alternative story forms (listicles, charticles, Q&As, and more), and blog postings.   Pitch an Article: Write for Today's Marketplace Instructor: Estelle Erasmus In today’s competitive marketplace, it’s important to catch an editor's attention. It all starts with a pitch. No matter what kind of article you want to write, a good pitch letter will get you noticed by an assigning editor. This intensive two-week course will teach you how to craft a good pitch letter and do it well. Be ready to mine your life for ideas. Start thinking about a great spin on a topic or an unusual personal experience that you'd like to write about in class.   Read Like a Writer: Learn from the Masters Instructor: Mark Spencer This course will demonstrate that the best way to become a good writer is to study the writing of others, especially the work of the masters. Because there are no hard-and-fast rules to writing, it’s important to study what other writers have done and how they consciously make narrative decisions and meticulously select details based on audience and purpose. Clearly, before you can become a good writer, you must read like a writer. In other words, you must become a superb reader who discerns the nuances of narrative techniques and language.   Upcoming Webinars:   Social Media Bliss: How You Can Engage With Meaning and Without Losing Your Mind with Jane Friedman May 13, 1:00 PM EDT Just about every writer has a love-hate relationship with social media, and for some it serves as a serious distraction from important writing work. This class focuses on how to take a holistic and fits-for-you approach to social media that’s based on long-term reader engagement and sound principles of online marketing. Join popular WDU instructor Jane Friedman and sign up today!   Upcoming Boot Camp:   Agent One-on-One: First 10 Pages Boot Camp with Talcott Notch Literary Services May 20-23, 2021 As many writers know, agents and editors won't give your work more than ten pages or so to make an impact. If you haven't got them hooked by then, it's a safe bet you won't be asked for more material. You'll learn what keeps an agent reading, what are the most common mistakes that make them stop, and the steps you need to take to correct them. The best part is that you'll be working directly with an agent, who will provide feedback specific to your work.   Upcoming Virtual Conference:   Short Story Virtual Conference with SEVEN Award-Winning Writers May 21-23, 2021  Writer's Digest is pleased to present an exclusive virtual conference for short story writers! Spend the weekend learning techniques for honing your craft skills, marketing your short fiction, editing, and getting the tools you need to advance your career as a writer from seven different published authors, then (if you choose) submit up to 500 words of a short story to an editor for critique.     Featured May Courses:   Writing the Mystery Novel Instructor: G. Miki Hayden May 20 - June 1 Do you love reading a good mystery? Have you always wanted to write one? During the Essentials of Mystery Writing workshop, you'll have the choice of creating a brand new mystery story from scratch or working with a story you already have in progress.   Build Your Novel Scene by Scene Instructor: Mark Spencer May 27 - June 17 If you want to learn how to write a story, but aren’t quite ready yet to hunker down and write 10,000 words or so a week, this is the course for you. Build Your Novel Scene by Scene will offer you the impetus, the guidance, the support, and the deadline you need to finally stop talking, start writing, and, ultimately, complete that novel you always said you wanted to write.    Hate being tied to a schedule? Check out our affordable, Self-Paced Courses >> EXPERT INSTRUCTORS | CONVENIENT ACCESS INVALUABLE FEEDBACK   Active Interest Media P.O. Box 20730 Boulder, Colorado, 80308 USA