Should You Use a Pseudonym for Your Writing?

Should you use a pseudonym as a writer

Imagine you are a writer who has just written a book. You think it's amazing, and you're sure it's going to be a bestseller. There's just one problem: you're afraid to publish it under your real name. Maybe you're worried about how your family or friends will react, or perhaps you fear it will negatively … Continue reading Should You Use a Pseudonym for Your Writing?

Show, Don’t Tell: How to Master the Art of Writing Descriptions That Engage Your Readers

How to show and not tell in your writing

When I was a creative writing teacher, I thought about buying a stamp that said "show, don't tell." It would have made grading papers a lot faster. I would've worn out that stamp faster than anything else I've done before. And that right there is a prime example of telling, not showing! As a writer, … Continue reading Show, Don’t Tell: How to Master the Art of Writing Descriptions That Engage Your Readers

Finding Your Writing Voice: Actionable Tips for Developing Your Unique Style

How to find your writing voice

As a writer, your voice is what sets you apart from other writers. It's a mix of tangible and intangible factors your reader can point to in order to identify that you are indeed the author who wrote the piece. If you have a true voice, then your readers can instantly tell your writing from … Continue reading Finding Your Writing Voice: Actionable Tips for Developing Your Unique Style

6 Things You Must Do Every Time You Publish a Blog Post

6 things to do after you publish your blog post

Many writers and bloggers make the mistake of thinking they are done with a blog post as soon as they've written the final word, given it a quick once-over, and hit the publish button. While this can work for some bloggers who have a massive following, it certainly isn't the best approach to maximizing the … Continue reading 6 Things You Must Do Every Time You Publish a Blog Post

How to End a Short Story – Tips for a Compelling Conclusion

How to end a short story

One of the hardest things about writing a short story is figuring out the right way to bring it to a close. I've published over 200 short stories, but I have an equal number of unfinished short story ideas because I just couldn't figure out how to end them. It can be especially difficult to … Continue reading How to End a Short Story – Tips for a Compelling Conclusion

What Are Beta Readers and Why You Need Them

Why you need beta readers

Writers can be very private and protective of their work, especially when they are in the writing process. I know I used to be this way, which is probably why I got rejected so much when I first started submitting my writing to be published. I eventually started to learn my lesson. I needed to … Continue reading What Are Beta Readers and Why You Need Them

What is Flash Fiction? Everything Writers Need to Know

what is flash fiction

Flash fiction. It's here, and then it's gone in a flash. Like a bolt of lightning. Or that superhero named the Flash. If you're a short story writer or a fan of short fiction, you have probably heard of flash fiction. It's kind of like the Usain Bolt of the writing world. But defining flash … Continue reading What is Flash Fiction? Everything Writers Need to Know

5 Proven Techniques to Boost Your Writing Speed and Improve Productivity

how to write faster

I've been told I write really fast. At one point in my life, I was cranking out thousands of words per day. This is what led me to publish hundreds of short stories. This is not the case anymore, mostly because career and life circumstances prevent me from writing much today, but I am still … Continue reading 5 Proven Techniques to Boost Your Writing Speed and Improve Productivity

How And When To Use Profanity In Your Writing

should you use profanity in your writing

When I served as managing editor of the once-popular literary magazine Bartleby Snopes, I once rejected a story because of extreme overuse of profanity that rendered the piece almost incoherent. The writer was not very happy about the rejection. In fact, in his response to my rejection, he said some of the most profane things … Continue reading How And When To Use Profanity In Your Writing