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Finding the Best Creative Writing Blogs on the Internet

Regardless how many books I’ve written or sold, if I’m not still educating myself about writing, I’m stagnating.

My late mother taught me the value of life-long learning. Not only was she a piano teacher into her eighties, but she was also a piano student. 

One of the most powerful learning tools today is the internet. But you could surf through endless writing blogs before finally finding which are the best for you and worthy of your time. 

So I asked my team to research what’s out there, and we’ve compiled a short list to get you started. But you also know how to search by specifying genres and areas of interest, so don’t stop here. Our list is by no means exhaustive, and I haven’t even included all the ones I enjoy. 

Here, then, are just suggestions of a few blogs you might want to check out to start your own list of writing resources —and we list them in alphabetical order:

• Become a Writer Today

Through his blog Become a Writer Today , Bryan Collins focuses on the needs of new writers. 

A non-fiction writer, blogger, and podcaster, Bryan writes on those genres, as well as on self-publishing . He’s written two 3-book series, “Become a Better Writer Today” and “The Power of Creativity.” 

A team of writers cover the business side of writing and such topics as writer’s block , formatting, and best practices. 

• The Creative Penn

A New York Times and USA Today bestselling thriller author, Joanna Penn is behind The Creative Penn . 

She also writes books for writers—her 21 titles have sold more than a half million copies. She’s a speaker, an entrepreneur, runs Curl Up Press, and has been named one of the top 100 Creative Professionals in the UK. 

Joanna’s blog focuses on self-publishing, marketing, and writing. The Creative Penn podcast offers more than 350 episodes on writing.

• Creative Writing Now

Founded by writing teacher Nancy Strauss, Creative Writing Now offers courses, tips , prompts, and information on writing contests. Writing teachers will find lesson plans as well.  

DIY MFA serves as a do-it-yourself manual for the equivalent of a Master of Fine Arts in writing without the expense. It centers on writing with focus, reading with purpose, building your writing community, and how to discover the writing tools available online and off.

Founded by author and podcaster Gabriela Pereira, the site posts on everything from playwriting to surviving rejection, travel writing, and many other writing topics. She offers a “ writer igniter ” that generates writing prompts. 

• Jane Friedman

A must read for writers and publishers, blogger Jane Friedman is one of the leading voices in the digital age of publishing.

She has more than 20 years’ experience in the industry, publishes The Hot Sheet (a newsletter for authors), is a columnist for Publishers Weekly , a professor with The Great Courses ( How to Publish Your Book ), and wrote The Business of Being a Writer . 

Jane’s blog offers how-to’s on publishing, writing a book proposal , finding a literary agent , and many other such topics. 

• Helping Writers Become Authors

Through her website Helping Writers Become Authors , K.M. Weiland has published more than 1,200 blog posts educating writers on the ins and outs and dos and don’ts of writing and publishing. 

She offers a bi-monthly e-letter, a podcast, and a vlog. She writes historical and speculative fiction, as well as how-to books, including Outlining Your Novel and Structuring Your Novel .

• Live Write Thrive

Novelist, copyeditor, and writing coach C.S. Lakin  created Live Write Thrive to help write your novel with posts like “ The Challenges of Believability in Writing Science Fiction ” and “ The 3 Ways to Show Emotion in Your Characters .” 

Bridget and Brendan McNulty and Dagmar Timler co-founded Now Novel , a platform designed to help you craft your story . 

The blog offers information for writers at every stage, a character writing hub, productivity tips, and help creating fantasy worlds. 

• Pro Writing Aid

Pro Writing Aid is a desktop app you can use with programs like Scrivener , Word, and Google Docs. It catches grammar errors, suggests style changes, and even checks your work for plagiarism.

Their blog covers which writing apps are best, the writing process, blogging and content writing, grammar rules , and business writing. 

• Write It Sideways

Founded by Suzannah Windsor, Write It Sideways is for aspiring and emerging writers . 

A team of writers answers questions budding writers ask, and blogs on things like writer’s intuition,“Confessions of a Writing Group Virgin,” and “Here’s the Type of Hate Mail Bloggers Get.” 

• Writers Helping Writers

Authors Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi created Writers Helping Writers for new writers, seasoned writers, editors, and writing teachers. The blog offers advice on technique and strategy, as well as “Navigating the Changing Face of Book Promotion with Smart, Effective Strategies” and “ How To Stop Self-Doubt From Holding You Back From Writing .” 

• The Write Practice

Joe Bunting started The Write Practice to help writers become better through practice. 

He offers writing prompts and provides a platform for fellow writers to offer feedback on what you’ve written. 

And of course you’re always welcome to visit me at JerryJenkins.com .

Over the last half century I’ve been an editor, a publisher, a nonfiction author, and a novelist—yet I’m still learning and growing like you. I offer a 20-Step Guide on How to Write a Book , How to Develop a Great Story Idea , Find the Right Writers Group and How to Write Dialogue . 

• Time to Get to Work

The best mentoring comes from seasoned writers proven in their fields. So dive into these blog sites and commit to life-long learning. 

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10 Creative Writing Blogs to Find the Best Writing Advice

by GetPublished | Aug 13, 2019 | Writing

Each genre of writing has its difficulties⁠—nonetheless, creative writing can be a unique challenge!

Creative writing requires the author to depend on creative inspiration instead of not on real-world facts and information. The creative writer must figure out how to build characters and stories out of their imagination, which is no easy feat! That is why it can be very helpful for writers to make a practice of reading creative writing blogs and interacting with other authors to help get the creative juices flowing.

Join a Writing Community! ????

Writing can be a solitary task. Nevertheless, you’d be robbing yourself of a lot of support if you aren’t a part of a writing community.

Joining a writing company is beneficial for many reasons. For example, in-person writing groups or workshops allow you to find a support system in your local area. Additionally, web-based writing communities are a lucrative method to find diverse support.

Even more, there are a plethora of ways to get involved in online writing communities. To elaborate, interact in writers’ forums, follow writers you admire on social media, read the best creative blogs.

All in all, these are simple ways you can get involved in a writing community. And, as a result, learn from other writers, share your knowledge, and get tips to progress your creative writing career!

Get Inspired with These Best Creative Writing Blogs ????

Here are 10 creative writing blogs that you should consider reading for writing tips and support.

#1: Jane Friedman Blog

Publishing industry veteran Jane Friedman is the author of The Business of Being a Writer and The Hot Sheet. Additionally, she is the author of the Jane Friedman Blog ! Posts—some written by Friedman, others by guest bloggers—cover a wide array of helpful topics. From the nuts and bolts of writing (e.g. character building, creating context) to networking and finding a publisher, Jane Friedman’s blog will prepare you to succeed in the writing world.

#2: Writing Forward

Writing Forward is a creative writing blog that gives writers plenty to chew on! The blog includes musings like “What is poetry?” and “What makes iconic characters unforgettable?” Other blogs include in-depth grammar lessons, tips for setting writing goals and advice on avoiding clichés. To get your creativity going, there are also posts featuring storytelling exercises and writing prompts!

#3: Well-Storied

Fantasy fiction author Kristen Kieffer is the founder and author of blog Well-Storied . Well-storied is a compilation of Kieffer’s and guest author’s greatest tip for the trade. This reader-friendly blog uses bold graphics to highlight topics such as editing fiction, and writing motivation. While some posts focus on the crucial basics of writing, others get into meaningful aspects of the writing life.

#4: Peter Rey’s Blog

Author Peter Rey’s blog provides creative writing advice and reflections on writing through a more personal lens. Blog posts include a wide range of topics. For example, Ray’s pet peeves as a reader and what a recent move taught him about writing. Also, he offers practical writing advice like how many drafts are too many drafts.

#5: Writers Helping Writers

Writers Helping Writers ‘ mission is to provoke thoughtful commentary on creative writing to help you conquer common writing challenges. The blog features useful resources like its Descriptive Thesaurus Collection posts. Conflict, Character Motivation, Occupation, and so on are common topics that these posts are based around. For example, a recent Conflict Thesaurus entry on the plot point of “Taking Advice from the Wrong Person” provides dramatic examples, lists of potentially disastrous results, people who could be affected, resulting in emotions, positive outcomes, etc. It’s a great resource that essentially does your brainstorming for you!

#6: NaNoWriMo Blog

National Novel Writing Month, called NaNoWriMo by those in the know, is a popular annual event in which authors are encouraged to spend the month of November working towards the goal of writing a 50,000-word novel. The non-profit behind the event runs a great blog that features news about it and other writing programs run by NaNoWriMo, also including relevant posts on topics like how to break through writer’s block.

#7: Writer Unboxed

Get a daily dose of creative writing advice from writers like yourself at Writers Unboxed , a blog about the craft and business of fiction. From contemplative pieces on the challenges of being a writer to more technical articles like an explanation of how to revise your manuscript in Scrivener (a well-known word processing program), Writers Unboxed offers a wide range of blog posts covering many angles of the writing experience.

#8: The Muffin

WomenOnWriting.com (also known as WOW!) is a global e-zine dedicated to supporting women through the creative writing process. Its blog The Muffin, which publishes new posts daily, provides tips and inspiration to readers through engaging interviews with writers, reviews and spotlights on books authored by women, writing prompts, editing advice, and much more.

#9: Creative Writing Contests

Writing contests can give writers an excellent opportunity to get their work out into the world, and possibly earn publication and prize money. But, it can be hard to hunt down these opportunities. Fortunately, the Creative Writing Contests blog does the work for you, posting about upcoming contests in creative writing and poetry, as well as other opportunities and information about fellowships, writing residencies, and grants.

#10: Time to Write

Former television writer Jurgen Wolff (Family Ties, Benson) brings his decades of hard-earned experience to his blog Time to Write . Posts include pep talks, advice on everything from brainstorming to creating characters, and a focus on screenwriting tips and thoughts that will be especially helpful for those of you hoping to write for film or TV.

Bonus blog! ???? Gatekeeper Press Blog

Not to toot our own horn, but we think the blog that you are reading right now is worth following! The Gatekeeper Press blog digs into several issues important to writers, like the cost of publishing and what authors can expect to earn . Gatekeeper’s blog features important writer topics such as self-publishing , eBook publishing , marketing , choosing a book title , and more!

What to Do When You’re Ready to Publish Your First Book

If you need guidance on the business of writing or are thirsty for inspiration, perusing these creative writing blogs regularly can help you along in your writing process.

And, once you have completed your book, Gatekeeper Press is ready to assist with your next steps, whether that is a need for editing & proofreading services or with publishing and distribution . Visit the website to discover how Gatekeeper Press can help!

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Top 15 Creative Writing Blogs to Fuel Your Imagination

Welcome, reader! Are you an aspiring writer looking for inspiration to kickstart your creative journey? Look no further! In this article, we have curated a list of the top 15 creative writing blogs that will fuel your imagination and help you hone your writing skills. Whether you are interested in fiction, poetry, or non-fiction, these blogs offer a plethora of resources, tips, and prompts to get your creative juices flowing. Whether you need guidance, motivation, or simply want to connect with a vibrant writing community, these blogs have got you covered. So grab your favorite writing utensil, settle into a cozy spot, and get ready to explore the creative depths of these incredible blogs.

Introduction to Creative Writing Blogs

Creative writing blogs are online platforms where writers share their insights, tips, and inspiration to help others in their writing journey. These blogs have become an essential resource for aspiring authors and provide a wealth of information and resources.

What are creative writing blogs

Creative writing blogs are online platforms where writers express their creativity and share their experiences, knowledge, and advice with others who share a passion for writing. These blogs serve as a virtual meeting place for authors of various genres and styles, creating a vibrant community that encourages collaboration and learning.

Through these blogs, writers showcase their work, discuss their writing process, and offer guidance to fellow writers. They share personal anecdotes and provide valuable insights into the craft of writing. Additionally, many creative writing blogs feature writing prompts, exercises, and challenges to help writers overcome writer\’s block and spark their creativity.

Importance of creative writing blogs

Creative writing blogs play a vital role in the writing community by offering a wealth of information and resources. They provide aspiring authors with the necessary tools and knowledge to improve their writing skills and navigate the publishing world. These blogs often include detailed articles on various aspects of writing, such as character development, world-building, plot structure, and dialogue.

Moreover, creative writing blogs create a sense of community among writers. They connect individuals from different parts of the world who may not have had the opportunity to meet otherwise. Writers can interact with each other through comments and discussions, exchanging ideas, feedback, and support. This sense of community fosters collaboration and encourages writers to continue their creative journey, even in the face of challenges.

Additionally, creative writing blogs offer endless inspiration. Through interviews with successful authors, book recommendations, and writing advice, bloggers expose their readers to a wide range of literary works and techniques. These blogs serve as virtual mentors, guiding aspiring authors and exposing them to diverse writing styles and perspectives. The inspiration gained from reading these blogs can fuel creativity and motivate writers to push their boundaries.

How to use creative writing blogs

Engaging with creative writing blogs is a dynamic process that involves both reading and active participation.

By regularly reading and exploring these blogs, writers can learn new techniques, discover fresh perspectives, and stay updated with the latest trends in the writing industry. It is essential to read a variety of blogs to gain exposure to different writing styles and ideas. This exposure can broaden one\’s understanding of the craft and inspire unique approaches to writing.

Furthermore, writers should actively engage with the content by leaving comments, asking questions, and joining discussions. This interaction not only helps to build connections within the writing community but also allows writers to receive feedback and advice from experienced bloggers and fellow writers.

It is important to remember that creative writing blogs are not a one-size-fits-all solution. Each writer has different preferences and goals, so it is crucial to find blogs that resonate with individual interests and needs. Exploring and finding a handful of reliable and inspiring blogs will provide a constant source of motivation and guidance throughout the writing journey.

In conclusion, creative writing blogs offer a plethora of resources, connections, and inspiration for aspiring authors. By actively engaging with these platforms, writers can enhance their skills, learn from others, and develop a supportive network within the writing community.

Top 5 Blogs for Writing Prompts

Writing prompts are an excellent way to overcome writer\’s block and ignite your creativity. These top 5 blogs offer a wide range of writing prompts suitable for writers of all skill levels and interests.

Blog 1: \”Creative Writing Now\”

If you\’re looking for a blog that provides a variety of writing prompts catering to different genres, Creative Writing Now is the perfect choice. Whether you\’re a beginner or an experienced writer, this blog offers a plethora of prompts to spark your imagination.

From prompts that delve into the realms of fantasy and science fiction to those that focus on romance or mystery, Creative Writing Now covers it all. Their prompts are carefully curated to challenge and inspire writers, helping them explore new ideas and develop their writing skills.

Blog 2: \”The Write Practice\”

The Write Practice is a blog that lives up to its name by offering a wealth of writing prompts to help writers hone their skills and develop a regular writing practice. Their prompt-filled articles cover various topics and genres, allowing writers to experiment with different writing styles.

Whether you\’re seeking prompts for short stories, novels, or even non-fiction pieces, The Write Practice has you covered. Their prompts are designed to push writers out of their comfort zones, enabling them to explore new perspectives and expand their creative abilities.

Blog 3: \”Reedsy\”

Reedsy is not only a platform that connects writers with professional editors and publishing professionals but also a blog that offers a multitude of writing prompts, contests, and courses to inspire and motivate writers.

The writing prompts on Reedsy cover various genres and themes, providing writers with ample opportunities to challenge themselves and explore new storytelling avenues. Additionally, Reedsy\’s writing contests offer a chance for recognition and growth, as they often include valuable prizes and the opportunity to have your work reviewed by industry experts.

What sets Reedsy apart is its comprehensive collection of writing courses. These courses provide in-depth guidance and instruction, allowing writers to further develop their skills while being inspired by the prompts and resources available on the blog.

Blog 4: \”Writer\’s Digest\”

If you\’re looking for a blog that not only provides writing prompts but also offers valuable advice and resources for writers, Writer\’s Digest is a must-visit. With a rich collection of articles and prompts, this blog aims to support writers at every stage of their creative journey.

Writer\’s Digest covers a wide range of writing prompts, including those tailored for specific genres, writing exercises to overcome common challenges, and prompts for character development. Their prompts are accompanied by informative articles that delve into the craft of writing, providing writers with valuable insights and tools to improve their skills.

Blog 5: \”Now Novel\”

For writers who are working on longer projects like novels, Now Novel offers a blog that combines helpful writing prompts with guidance for the novel-writing process. Their prompts focus specifically on generating ideas, developing characters, and mapping out plotlines.

Whether you\’re stuck in the early stages of brainstorming or trying to fix a plot hole, Now Novel\’s prompts are designed to help you overcome obstacles and keep your creativity flowing. With their step-by-step guidance and support, this blog is an invaluable resource for novelists.

In summary, these top 5 blogs for writing prompts: Creative Writing Now, The Write Practice, Reedsy, Writer\’s Digest, and Now Novel, offer a treasure trove of inspiration and guidance for writers of all genres and skill levels. By exploring the writing prompts provided by these blogs, you\’ll find endless possibilities to ignite your creativity and enhance your writing skills.

Top 5 Blogs for Writing Tips and Advice

Blog 1: \”Goins Writer\”

With its insightful articles, \”Goins Writer\” is a must-read blog for any aspiring writer seeking practical tips, techniques, and advice. The blog covers a wide range of topics, from finding your unique writing voice to building an audience for your work.

Blog 2: \”The Creative Penn\”

If you\’re looking for a treasure trove of resources, \”The Creative Penn\” blog is the perfect destination. This blog offers invaluable advice on self-publishing, marketing, and the business aspects of being a writer. Whether you\’re struggling with the process of self-publishing or need guidance on effectively promoting your work, \”The Creative Penn\” has got you covered.

Blog 3: \”The Write Life\”

When it comes to gathering writing tips and advice, \”The Write Life\” blog is a go-to resource. This blog provides a wealth of articles filled with practical guidance on all aspects of writing. From freelancing and productivity to overcoming common writing challenges, \”The Write Life\” has something for every writer. No matter what stage you\’re at in your writing journey, you\’re bound to find helpful insights to improve your craft on this blog.

Top 5 Blogs for Writer\’s Inspiration

Looking for some inspiration to fuel your creativity? These top 5 blogs will provide you with endless motivation, tips, and insights to help you become a better writer. From overcoming self-doubt to broadening your horizons, these blogs cover a wide range of topics that will surely spark your imagination.

Blog 1: \”Positive Writer\”

Do you often find yourself struggling with self-doubt and fear of rejection? \”Positive Writer\” is the perfect blog for you. This uplifting and motivational platform offers a collection of articles specifically designed to help writers stay positive and overcome their writing obstacles.

With practical advice and personal anecdotes, \”Positive Writer\” tackles common writing challenges head-on and provides readers with the tools they need to conquer them. Whether you\’re facing a creative block or questioning your abilities as a writer, this blog will inspire you to keep going and remind you that your words have value.

Blog 2: \”Brain Pickings\”

If you\’re looking to broaden your horizons and gain inspiration from various fields of knowledge, \”Brain Pickings\” is the blog for you. This eclectic collection of articles delves into literature, art, and creativity, offering unique insights and perspectives that will ignite your imagination.

From in-depth book reviews to thought-provoking essays, \”Brain Pickings\” provides a wealth of knowledge that will enrich your writing. By exploring different artist’s works and ideas, you\’ll be able to approach your own writing from a fresh and insightful perspective. This blog is a treasure trove of inspiration waiting to be discovered.

Blog 3: \”Writer\’s Digest\”

Looking for practical tips, success stories, and interviews with renowned writers? \”Writer\’s Digest\” has got you covered. This well-established blog publishes a wide range of inspirational content that will push you to unlock your full writing potential.

Learn from the experiences of successful authors and discover the techniques they used to overcome their struggles. \”Writer\’s Digest\” also shares valuable writing exercises that will challenge you to step outside your comfort zone and experiment with new styles and genres. With its abundant resources, this blog is a valuable tool for any aspiring writer.

Blog 4: \”The Creative Penn\”

Writing can often feel like a solitary endeavor, but with \”The Creative Penn,\” you\’ll never feel alone. This blog, run by bestselling author Joanna Penn, offers a supportive and engaging environment for writers of all levels.

From practical advice on publishing and marketing to reflections on the creative process, \”The Creative Penn\” covers a diverse range of topics that will resonate with writers from all backgrounds. With guest posts from industry professionals and informative podcasts, this blog will keep you motivated and informed throughout your writing journey.

Blog 5: \”Goins, Writer\”

If you\’re seeking a blog that addresses both the creative and business aspects of writing, \”Goins, Writer\” is the perfect choice. Jeff Goins, a bestselling author and writing coach, offers insightful articles that delve into the art of storytelling and the strategies for building a successful writing career.

\”Goins, Writer\” provides practical advice on finding your voice, developing a sustainable writing routine, and connecting with your audience. With its emphasis on personal growth and professional development, this blog will inspire you to take your writing to new heights.

In conclusion, these top 5 blogs are a goldmine of inspiration for any writer. Whether you need a boost of motivation, a fresh perspective, or practical advice, these blogs will provide you with the tools and insights to fuel your creativity and help you reach your writing goals.

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The 12 Best Creative Writing Blogs to Master the Craft of Creative Writing

Content Marketing

April 5, 2021

Are you looking to improve your creative writing skills but overwhelmed with the seemingly endless blogging sites? There are an estimated 2 million blog posts written everyday; navigating that amount of content can be intimidating. Whether you’re a writing professional or an aspiring first-time author, whether your interest is in historical fiction or short stories, there are several great blogging options available that will cater to your specific needs.

One resource, blog.consultants500.com , is an excellent resource for finding the right blog for your project. It’sreviewed, compared, and ranked over 180 writing blogs. The finalists include handy writing guides such as JK Rowling’s 8 Rules of Writing , How to Overcome Writer’s Block: 14 Tricks That Work , and Lies Writers Believe That are Holding Them Back .

But we also have our own picks that will aid any non-fiction or fiction writer. Here are 12 creative writing blogs to help you through the writing process:

1. Writing Forward is  a creative writing blog with loads of useful information. This site is clear and easy to use. It encourages you to get outside your comfort zone with emphasis on character development, poetry tips, and more.

Frequency: Two posts/month.  writingforward.com

2. This Itch Of Writing is a blog by novelist Emma Darwin. Darwin focuses on perseverance in creative fiction and non-fiction, as well as writing your first novel. She gives valuable advice on dealing with your own inner critic and getting your work out there.

Frequency: 15 posts/year.  emmadarwin.typepad.com/thisi..

3. Writer’s Fun Zone aims to “make book writing and marketing fun instead of intimidating.” It caters to both first-time and seasoned authors of fiction and non-fiction. WFZ introduces you to aspiring and published authors who give advice on everything from character development to marketing your first novel.

Frequency: Three posts/week.  writersfunzone.com/blog

4. Creative Writing News’ goal is to “support and guide everyone who is trying to earn money from writing.” This site opens up and presents the writer with a variety of publishing opportunities from dark fantasy to comedy. CWN offers free writing workshops, literary events, writing courses, job opportunities, and more.

Frequency: Three posts/week.  creativewritingnews.com

5. WriteByNight is a writer service “dedicated to helping you achieve your creative potential.” It offers do-it-yourself resources for writers as well as professional coaching, manuscript consultation, and publishing advice in all genres.

Frequency: Two posts/month.  writebynight.net/blog

6. Write to Done ,  curated by chief editor Mary Jaksch, creates content on a range of topics, including how to become a successful blogger and finding the right literary agent for your specific needs. The site offers articles on virtual book club opportunities, tips on how to create a book outline in less than an hour, and how to write more efficiently and make more money. Plus, consultants500.com chose this site as their number one creative writing blog.

Be sure to check out https://writetodone.com/

7. Live Write Thrive , run by Susanne Lakin, offers relevant content and helpful tips for the first-time writer. Lakin is a soft place to land for aspiring writers looking for guidance and support. Blog posts on topics such as How to Launch a Book During a PandemicandHow to Write When the World has Broken Your Heart seem particularly relevant and at the core of why we write at all. https://www.livewritethrive.com/

8. Writers in the Storm has offered advice and support to writers since 2010. The blog is maintained and supported by a group of seasoned writers who aim to help new and experienced authors weather the storm of the writing world and navigate the paradigm shift in the publishing industry. They offer thoughtful and in-depth articles on subjects such as character development in the novel and Why Don’t Best Sellers Use Deep Point of View?

https://writersinthestormblog.com/  

9. Helping Writers Become Authors is authoredby K.M. Weiland, who’swon awardsfor writing guides such as Structuring Your Novel and Creating Character Arcs. Since 2007, Weiland’s site has aimed to mentor writers who have great ideas but need help organizing broader story principles. The site also offers live workshops and webinars. When you sign up for her blog, you’ll receive her free e-book, Crafting Unforgettable Characters.

https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/about/

10. Joanna Penn explores how to make money being a writer. The New York Times and USA Today best-selling author presents herself as a writer who’s made many mistakes. She aims to make the publishing process less intimidating for emerging writers through the telling of her own journey. Penn also offers resources such podcasts, DIY guides to publishing, tutorials, and everything else you need to become a successful author/entrepreneur.

https://www.thecreativepenn.com/

11. Write It Sideways , founded by Suzannah Windsor, is concise and user-friendly for aspiring writers.  With a collection of over 390 articles written by those who have gone before, Windsor offers a platform for every genre and writer. Articles explore the art of bringing love relationships to life to finding the zeitgeist of the past in historical fiction. There’s also information and advice on free courses and webinars. https://writeitsideways.com/

12. JerryJenkins.com offers the unique and experienced insights of a 21-time New York Times best-selling author. Jenkins, one of the most commercially successful writers of our time, offers three free guides that focus on areas writers typically struggle with: How to Maximize Your Time, The Ultimate Self-Editing Checklist, and 5 Online Resources Every Serious Author Needs.

These days, becoming a published author is filled with new challenges. These websites can help you target your audience and get your work noticed in an ever-changing publishing environment. Whatever your goal is, these links provide something useful for any new or seasoned writer. Good luck!

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Today’s post is an excerpt from 101 Creative Writing Exercises, a book that takes you on an adventure through the world of creative writing with exercises that offer techniques, practice, and inspiration. This exercise is from “Chapter 7: Form Poetry.” It’s called “Invention of Form.” Enjoy! Invention of Form Who came up with the sonnet… Read More

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• Writing & Editing

7 Top Writing Blogs That Every Writer Should Follow

If you want to write professionally, you should know that it is completely different than amateur writing. When you write as an amateur, you have a larger margin of error.

However, if you are writing professionally, you should be aware that your work will be displayed to the public. This means that any errors you make will be scrutinized and may have an impact on your reputation as a writer.

So, it is imperative that you gain as much knowledge as possible before you show off your work to the public. One of the best ways to do this is to read great content from creative writing blogs.

These blogs are designed specifically for writers and contain well-crafted content that will greatly improve your writing skills. So, before you begin your professional writing career, you should be aware of the best writing blogs to get advice from.

Here are the top writing blogs that every writer should follow:

1.  The Creative Penn

The Creative Penn is one of the world's most comprehensive writing blogs. Joanna Penn, a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, was the first to establish it. She has decades of writing experience, and her blog is chock-full of useful information about self-publishing, book marketing, and writing in general.

What distinguishes The Creative Penn from other writing blogs is that it not only has great articles, but also a podcast and audio about writing. Overall, The blog is a fantastic and multifaceted blog that will assist you in your book publishing journey.

2.  Jane Friedman

The Jane Friedman blog is a fantastic source of publishing and writing advice for both new and experienced writers. Jane Friedman, a veteran author with over 20 years of experience who has worked with various literary organizations over the years, founded the blog.

The content in this blog is all top-quality, and is meant to help writers improve in various facets of the writer’s journey. Whether you are thinking of publishing a book traditionally, or trying your hand at self-publishing, the Jane Friedman blog is a great resource.

3.  Helping Writers Become Authors

Helping Writers Become Authors is a fantastic resource for learning how to create great literary works. The blog was created by K.M. Weiland.

The blog is mostly made up of detailed writing tips. These writing lessons are available in a variety of formats, including articles, vlogs, and podcasts.

The articles cover everything from story structure to character creation techniques. Overall, Helping Writers Become Authors is an excellent writing resource for all writers.

4.  The Write Life

The Write Life is unique amongst writing blogs because, aside from giving great writing tips, it is a potent resource for freelance writers. Aside from teaching writers how to write properly, the site also offers detailed tips on how to earn money as a freelance writer.

It also covers various aspects of writing life, such as learning how to blog properly, book marketing, using SEO properly, and, of course, publishing a book of your very own.

The blog also offers practical content that will help writers hone their craft , and achieve a more versatile skill set in the process. The main appeal of The Write Life blog is that it teaches writers not only how to improve their writing skills but also how to make writing a viable profession.

It can be difficult to earn money as a writer, and the Write Life teaches writers how to tap into this skill. This practical and real-world view of The Write Life makes it a site to visit for new and veteran writers alike.

5.  The Jeff Goins Blog

The Jeff Goins Blog is a multifaceted blog that offers writing advice on various platforms. The site was founded by award-winning author Jeff Goins and is predominantly designed to help writers reach their true potential.

The contents of the blog are well-crafted and multi-faceted. In many ways, the blog is not just about writing; it is also about cultivating creativity in all facets of life.

All in all, the Goins Writer is a potent resource that will help you grow as a writer.

6.  Jerry Jenkins

If you want to make your writing as professional as possible, the Jerry B. Jenkins blog is a potent resource. It was founded by New York Times bestselling author Jerry B. Jenkins. He has published nearly 200 books and is the author of the bestselling Left Behind series.

The blog offers a free writing assessment and is specially designed to help writers achieve their dreams of becoming authors. The blog contains well-written content and writing courses that will help you achieve your full potential as a writer.

7.  Write to Done

The Write to Done blog is a useful resource for writers of all genres. The blog was founded by veteran author Mary Jaksch, and whether you want to write a fiction or non-fiction book, the blog is a great place to start. The content is diverse and not limited to writing tips.

It also includes articles on book promotion, time management, and staying motivated while writing. The blog also contains literary industry news and updates to further immerse you in the literary industry.

Overall, the blog is an excellent writing resource that will propel your writing career to new heights.

Starting out as a professional writer can be a difficult prospect. You will be expected to create great work for your audience. It is also expected that your work is original and free from any errors.

One of the best ways to hone your writing skills is to read great content from writing blogs. However, there are a lot of writing blogs out there and you should only take tips from the best ones.

With this short list of writing blogs, you will be able to enhance your writing skills to the highest degree.

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Blog • Perfecting your Craft

Last updated on Feb 07, 2023

The 50+ Best Writing Websites of 2024

The Internet is full of writing websites and blogs to help people reach their creative goals . If you’ve always dreamt of writing your own book, but don’t know how to get there — or if you’re in the process of writing, but feel unsure about what to do next — then it’s your lucky day! Here we have all the best writing websites of 2024 in one single place for your convenience. They’re also organized by category, and alphabetically within each of those categories, to make each one easier to find. Enjoy!

Best writing websites for writing craft and inspiration

1. Almost an Author

Offering up new content every day, Almost an Author covers a grand scope of writing topics. From genre-specific advice to emotional support on your writing journey, there's tons of useful info here for beginner and veteran writers alike.

2. Association of Writer & Writing Programs

Having just marked their 50th anniversary, AWP is one of the premier authorities on writing. The AWP website provides resources and ample opportunities for authors, teachers, and students at every point in their career. Here you’ll be able to find information about writing programs, career options, and conferences all over the world. Keep in mind, though, that access to some of these features is restricted to members only.

3. Creativity Portal

This is a wonderful hub for creative resources that has been around for a whopping nineteen years! Here you can find writing prompts , creative coaching, printable writing templates, and interviews with authors that will help nourish the right side of your brain.

4. Daily Writing Tips

As the name suggests, this site offers daily writing tips ranging from open-ended prompts and exercises to grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary. It also covers all writing levels and professions, so it doesn't matter how far along you are in your writing career — DWT is sure to help you out.

Instead of spending thousands of dollars on a master’s degree, you can get your own "DIY MFA" right here! This site (founded by Gabriela Pereira ) aims to cover everything you would learn in a graduate program, while giving you the freedom to choose your own areas of concentration and allocate your time as you please. 

6. Electric Literature

While not exactly a craft-focused website — so no straight-up writing advice or prompts — this nonprofit digital publisher showcases literature-related essays, criticism, and recommended readings. If you're looking to brush up on both literary theory and recent literary trends, Electric Lit is the place for you.

7. Fiction University

This virtual university, run by award-winning author Janice Hardy, contains tons of advice and concrete examples to help authors build a strong writing foundation. It's full of blog posts by professionals who share their own processes and techniques, providing tips not just on what you should do as a writer, but on how  to make it happen.

8. Helping Writers Become Authors

Longtime author K.M. Weiland offers writing advice that ranges from outlining and structuring to characterization and dialogue — plus all the little details in between. She updates her blog faithfully with topical posts that would pique any writer's (or non-writer's) interest.

9. Insecure Writer's Support Group

Writing is intimidating for everyone , whether you're a multi-published author or you're just starting out. That's why getting support, guidance, and motivation throughout the process is vital! On IWSG, you'll discover a wealth of information on writing, publishing, marketing, and anything else you might need to ultimately overcome your insecurities.

10. Literary Hub

LitHub boasts a superb selection of content for all things literary. Here you can get all the latest book-related news, posts on design and the craft, your daily dose of fiction, and sparkling reviews of new works. One of this site's best features is its section on literature in translation — a great resource for those who want to read books and authors from around the world.

11. LitReactor

The LitReactor blog consists of writing classes, workshops, and a myriad of posts on writing and books ( some of which are even written by us! ). There’s also an online magazine that includes interviews, criticism and analysis, and seasonally appropriate reads and recommendations.

12. LitRejections

An unfortunate occupational hazard of with writing is rejection. This is where a site like LitRejections comes into play! It offers personal stories to help discouraged writers persevere through rejection, and maintain hope and motivation as they move forward in their careers.

13. Live Write Thrive

In this website by professional writer and editor C.S. Lakin, you’ll find plenty of nuanced writing anecdotes and tips. Lakin also supplies annotated critiques that can help you prep your book for publication.

14. NaNoWriMo

Besides serving as the official information hub for NaNoWriMo , this site also lends constant support for those struggling to "win" National Novel Writing Month. Make sure to check out the NaNoWriMo forums, which are chock-full of other people's personal writing tips and strategies to get you through November — and every other month of the year — as a writer.

15. Now Novel

This comprehensive website, founded by author Bridget McNulty , is a go-to for just about every writing-related question you might have. Here you'll also find advice, courses, and even an author dashboard where you can keep track of your own writing progress.

16. Positive Writer

If you often feel uncertain about your creative abilities, this is the site for you. Bryan Hutchinson created Positive Writer to encourage and inspire all those who want to write, no matter how much experience or confidence they have.

17. ProWritingAid

ProWritingAid offers a fantastic manuscript editing software that analyzes your writing and creates reports for you to learn from! This tool also includes a thesaurus, grammar checks, style suggestions, and more — you can learn all about it on the ProWritingAid blog, or in our review of the app !

18. She Writes

A well-established writing website with a feminist bent, She Writes is "the largest online community and content site for women writers... all around the world." The site features thoughtful posts and resources to help writers on their journeys, as well as a personal She Writes blog page for every user who signs up.

19. Well-Storied

Here you can find recent articles, workbooks, tutorials, and fascinating discussions on writing. Kristine Kieffer has an extensive archive of posts as well, where you can procure information on just about any topic related to books and writing.

20. The Write Practice

Fulfilling the promise of their name, every single post on this site emphasizes putting theory into practice! There's simply no better way to become a writer than by creating a routine, and that’s exactly what The Write Practice helps facilitate.

21. Writer’s Digest

Writer's Digest is one of the most encyclopedic writing websites out there — after all, the print magazine has been around for almost a century now! Here you’ll find genre and vocation-organized articles, events and competitions, webinars, templates, tutorials, and so much more.

22. Writer Unboxed

Writer Unboxed features articles by authors and industry professionals, focused specifically on the craft and business of fiction writing.

23. The Writing Cooperative

Plain and simple, this is a group of people who want to help each other become better writers. On Writing Cooperative, you will find articles that cover just about every aspect of the writing life. They also have monthly writing challenges to keep you incentivized, and there’s even a space where you can submit your own article to the blog!

24. Writing.com

This is an absolutely all-inclusive community for writers . It’s open to all levels and provides a creative, supportive environment for all members, as well as portfolios to store and display their writing. Like most writing websites, it also includes a plethora of writing tools , contests, and rewards.

25. Catapult: Don’t Write Alone

Don’t Write Alone is a blog written by the Catapult team dedicated to helping writers grow their skills. As a publisher and magazine founded in 2005, Catapult has seen a lot of works and now they’re spilling all the details. From interviews, to craft essays, to writer lifestyle essays, Catapult covers it all.

26. Kirkus Review’s Writers’ Center

Kirkus Review is known for its prestigious $50,000 dollar annual prize and its bi-monthly issues where they critique hundreds of recently published books. But, did you know they also have a section of their website devoted to helping emerging writers grow their skills and navigate the publishing industry? They’re always up to date on the latest trends — if they aren’t creating new trends themselves.

27. Writers Write

An invaluable resource for creative writers, business writers, or bloggers, Writers Write offers over 1400 articles, courses, and workbooks to help you take your writing practice to the next level. Alongside their educational content, they offer book reviews, trivia on famous authors, and prompts. Sign up for their inspirational newsletters for regular hits of motivation that will keep you writing.

28. The Narrative Arc

Beginning as a home to Andie R. Cranford’s writing journey, The Narrative Arc is now a treasure trove of practical tips and prompts to inspire your creativity. Breakdowns of popular books are particularly handy for the budding author — but whether exploring writing for the first time or tightening the bolts on your Franken-novel, the site's ideas on craft are elegant and inspiring.

Best writing websites in the publishing industry

29. Agent Query

This database allows authors to perform in-depth searches for literary agents . You can narrow your search by genre and keywords, view agents’ full profiles, and see if they are currently accepting queries — all for free!

30. The Creative Penn

Besides being a bestselling author on various topics, Joanna Penn is also a leading voice in self-publishing . On her punnily named site, you’ll find abundant information related to writing, self-publishing, marketing, and everything else you mind need to make a living as a writer.

31. Digital Pubbing

Digital Pubbing provides industry news, interviews with indie authors, and resources for learning all about ebooks and the publishing industry. In accordance with the name, this is the perfect site for any author hoping to absorb some serious digital knowledge.

32. The Independent Publishing Magazine

We know it might seem like we're repeating ourselves, but this website really is all about publishing (both independent and traditional, despite what the name indicates). Whatever info you need about self-publishing, trad pub, or hybrid publishing , you’ll definitely be able to find it here.

33. Publishers Weekly

And if you have a specific question about the publishing world, you’ll most likely find the answer here. This weekly magazine is packed full of news, reviews, announcements, and many other resources on the industry. It has been dubbed as "the Bible of the book business" and with its extensive archive, it’s easy to see why.

34. Publishing Perspectives

Publishing Perspectives is another leading source of publishing info, specializing in industry news and topical articles. Aimed at publishers, agents , and authors alike, it features a variety of posts that cover book fairs, distribution, education, and much more.

35. Query Shark

Not sure where your query letter is up to snuff? Query Shark offers the opportunity to have your query critiqued, and to read detailed query critiques of other authors' letters, so you can get the best possible results for your book. Be warned, though, that this sharp-toothed feedback isn't for the weak of heart.

36. Writer Beware

This amazingly thorough site compiles information on schemes and scams that affect authors , especially those run through email and the Internet. It’s sponsored by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, but obviously applies to authors everywhere. If you're a fresh-faced author trying to get published, definitely check it out — it could save you from losing thousands of dollars in an elaborate scam.

37. The Darling Axe

When the industry professionals at The Darling Axe aren’t working on manuscripts, they flock to the internet to share their hot takes on the publishing industry. They also host writing contests throughout the year to build a writing community and give unpublished authors the chance to get feedback from professionals.

Best writing websites for marketing and design

38. David Gaughran

An experienced author of historical adventures, short stories, and popular books for writers , David Gaughran is one of the definitive writing experts out there. His eponymous blog contains plenty of info on marketing and self-publishing, plus workshops to help aspiring authors. And similar to Writer Beware, he's the noble opposition of online publishing scams and scammers — so if you're frustrated by these issues, you'll discover a blissfully sympathetic voice on his blog.

39. Kikolani

Focused specifically on marketing, Kikolani offers tips and strategies for bloggers who want to grow their presence and attract more readers. Here you’ll find information on brand development , social media, customer retention, and other useful tips that you can put to good use as a blogger. (If you're just getting started, though, we'd recommend this course .)

40. Kindlepreneur

Dave Chesson is — in his own words — a “digital marketing nut.” His blog has all the information you could ever need about Kindle book publishing , how to write to market, increasing your rankings on Amazon, and lots more practical tips and advice.

41. Storiad

Storiad is a marketing platform that helps authors and publishers sell books. Go here for essential information on writing apps , databases, tools, and budgeting to help you run your own publishing campaign from start to finish.

42. Writers & Artists

Part of the distinguished Bloomsbury, Writers & Artists has quite a few articles on writing and the self-publishing process. They also offer editorial services and events on many different topics, like genre-specific writing courses and how to get connected with agents .

43. Your Writer Platform

Naturally, this site is dedicated to building your very own writer platform. There are tons of tips, resources, tools, how-tos, and even individual consulting services to help you build the platform that works best for you and your marketing needs.

Best writing blogs by industry professionals

44. Goins, Writer

Bestselling author Jeff Goins created this blog to share his thoughts on writing and to inspire others to chase their creative dreams. He's especially good at breaking complex topics down into digestible bits — new writers, go here for your primers.

45. Jane Friedman

With copious experience in the publishing industry, Jane Friedman offers online classes and articles on the entire process of book publishing. She's a real goldmine of business knowledge, so keep her in mind for when you're ready to publish your book.

46. Nail Your Novel

As a bestselling former ghostwriter who now publishes under her own name, Roz Morris provides advice about writing, self-publishing, and of course, ghostwriting . If you're interested in becoming a ghostwriter, be sure to check out her courses!

47. Nathan Bransford

Nathan Bransford is a former literary agent who posts all about the inner workings of publishing, as well and information on agents and self-publishing. He also does consultations, edits, and critiques . 

48. Rachelle Gardner

Skillful agent Rachelle Gardner has negotiated over 200 contracts with over twenty publishers and helped more than 100 authors fulfill their dreams of publishing. On her blog, she offers writing, publishing, and social media coaching, along with general writing and publishing tips.

49. Kris Writes

For regular insights from a New York Times bestselling author, look no further than Kristine Kathryn Rusch's blog. On Mondays, she posts free short stories for authors to find inspiration in, and Wednesdays she posts in her “Business Musings” collection where she breaks down news from the publishing industry and offers her inside opinions. 

50. The Marginalian  

Maria Popova describes her site as “a record of my own becoming as a person — intellectually, creatively, spiritually, poetically — drawn from my extended marginalia on the search for meaning across literature, science, art, philosophy, and the various other tendrils of human thought and feeling.” She sends out a Sunday newsletter with thoughtful deconstruction of the week’s best liberal arts goings-on to help broaden her readers’ appreciation of the creative world.

51. John August

For all the screenwriters out there, John August co-hosts a weekly podcast with fellow screenwriter Craig Mazin discussing both the craft and business of screenwriting while breaking down popular movies. To help screenwriters really get a feel for the process of working with a studio, John has posted multiple versions of scripts from different stages in the production process on films and series he’s written, including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory , Big Fish , and Chernobyl .

What are some of your favorite writing websites? Let us know in the comments below!

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• Creativity Techniques

26+ Creative Writing Tips for Young Writers

So you want to be a writer? And not just any writer, you want to be a creative writer. The road to being a legendary storyteller won’t be easy, but with our creative writing tips for kids, you’ll be on the right track! Creative writing isn’t just about writing stories. You could write poems, graphic novels, song lyrics and even movie scripts. But there is one thing you’ll need and that is good creative writing skills. 

Here are over 26 tips to improve your creative writing skills :

Read a wide range of books

When it comes to creative writing, reading is essential. Reading allows you to explore the styles of other writers and gain inspiration to improve your own writing. But don’t just limit yourself to reading only popular books or your favourites. Read all sorts of books, everything from fairytales to scary stories. Take a look at comics, short stories, novels and poetry. Just fill your heads with the knowledge and wisdom of other writers and soon you’ll be just like them!

Write about real-life events

The hardest thing about creative writing is connecting emotionally with your audience. By focusing your writing on real-life events, you know that in some way or another your readers will be able to relate. And with creative writing you don’t need to use real names or details – There are certain things you can keep private while writing about the rare details. Using real-life events is also a good way to find inspiration for your stories. 

Be imaginative

Be as crazy and wild as you like with your imagination. Create your world, your own monsters , or even your own language! The more imaginative your story, the more exciting it will be to read. Remember that there are no rules on what makes a good idea in creative writing. So don’t be afraid to make stuff up!

Find your writing style

Thes best writers have a particular style about them. When you think of Roald Dahl , you know his books are going to have a sense of humour. While with Dr Seuss , you’re prepared to read some funny new words . Alternatively, when you look at R.L.Stine, you know that he is all about the horror. Think about your own writing style. Do you want to be a horror writer? Maybe someone who always writes in the first person? Will always focus your books on your culture or a particular character?

Stick to a routine

Routine is extremely important to writers. If you just write some stuff here and there, it’s likely that you’ll soon give up on writing altogether! A strict routine means that every day at a certain time you will make time to write about something, anything. Even if you’re bored or can’t think of anything, you’ll still pick up that pencil and write. Soon enough you’ll get into the habit of writing good stuff daily and this is definitely important for anyone who wants to be a professional creative writer!

Know your audience

Writing isn’t just about thinking about your own interests, it’s also about thinking about the interests of your audience. If you want to excite fellow classmates, know what they like. Do they like football , monsters or a particular video game? With that knowledge, you can create the most popular book for your target audience. A book that they can’t stop reading and will recommend to others! 

Daily Exercises

To keep your creative writing skills up to scratch it is important to keep practising every day. Even if you have no inspiration. At times when your mind is blank, you should try to use tools like writing prompts , video prompts or other ways of coming up with ideas . You could even take a look at these daily writing exercises as an example. We even created a whole list of over 100 creative writing exercises to try out when you need some inspiration or ideas. 

Work together with others

Everyone needs a little help now and then. We recommend joining a writing club or finding other classmates who are also interested in writing to improve your own creative writing skills. Together you can share ideas, tips and even write a story together! A good storytelling game to play in a group is the “ finish the story” game . 

Get feedback

Without feedback, you’ll never be able to improve your writing. Feedback, whether good or bad is important to all writers. Good feedback gives you the motivation to carry on. While bad feedback just gives you areas to improve and adapt your writing, so you can be the best! After every piece of writing always try to get feedback from it, whether it is from friends, family, teachers or an online writing community .

Enter writing competitions

The best way to improve your creative writing is by entering all sorts of writing competitions . Whether it’s a poetry competition or short story competition, competitions let you compete against other writers and even help you get useful feedback on your writing. Most competitions even have rules to structure your writing, these rules can help you prepare for the real world of writing and getting your work published. And not only that you might even win some cool prizes!

Keep a notebook

Every writer’s best friend is their notebook. Wherever you go make sure you have a notebook handy to jot down any ideas you get on the go. Inspiration can come from anywhere , so the next time you get an idea instead of forgetting about it, write it down. You never know, this idea could become a best-selling novel in the future. 

Research your ideas

So, you got a couple of ideas for short stories. The next step is to research these ideas deeper. 

Researching your ideas could involve reading books similar to your ideas or going online to learn more about a particular topic. For example, if you wanted to write a book on dragons, you would want to know everything about them in history to come up with a good, relatable storyline for your book.

Create Writing Goals

How do you know if your writing is improving over time? Simple – Just create writing goals for yourself. Examples of writing goals might include, to write 100 words every day or to write 600 words by the end of next week. Whatever your goals make sure you can measure them easily. That way you’ll know if you met them or not. You might want to take a look at these bullet journal layouts for writers to help you track the progress of your writing.

Follow your passions

Writing can be tedious and many people even give up after writing a few words. The only way you can keep that fire burning is by writing about your true passions. Whatever it is you enjoy doing or love, you could just write about those things. These are the types of things you’ll enjoy researching and already know so much about, making writing a whole lot more fun!

Don’t Settle for the first draft

You finally wrote your first story. But the writing process isn’t complete yet! Now it’s time to read your story and make the all-important edits. Editing your story is more than just fixing spelling or grammar mistakes. It’s also about criticising your own work and looking for areas of improvement. For example, is the conflict strong enough? Is your opening line exciting? How can you improve your ending?

Plan before writing

Never just jump into writing your story. Always plan first! Whether this means listing down the key scenes in your story or using a storyboard template to map out these scenes. You should have an outline of your story somewhere, which you can refer to when actually writing your story. This way you won’t make basic mistakes like not having a climax in your story which builds up to your main conflict or missing crucial characters out.

It’s strange the difference it makes to read your writing out aloud compared to reading it in your head. When reading aloud you tend to notice more mistakes in your sentences or discover paragraphs which make no sense at all. You might even want to read your story aloud to your family or a group of friends to get feedback on how your story sounds. 

Pace your story

Pacing is important. You don’t want to just start and then quickly jump into the main conflict because this will take all the excitement away from your conflict. And at the same time, you don’t want to give the solution away too early and this will make your conflict too easy for your characters to solve. The key is to gradually build up to your conflict by describing your characters and the many events that lead up to the main conflict. Then you might want to make the conflict more difficult for your characters by including more than one issue in your story to solve. 

Think about themes

Every story has a theme or moral. Some stories are about friendship, others are about the dangers of trusting strangers. And a story can even have more than one theme. The point of a theme is to give something valuable to your readers once they have finished reading your book. In other words, to give them a life lesson, they’ll never forget!

Use dialogue carefully

Dialogue is a tricky thing to get right. Your whole story should not be made up of dialogue unless you’re writing a script. Alternatively, it can be strange to include no dialogue at all in your story. The purpose of dialogue should be to move your story forward. It should also help your readers learn more about a particular character’s personality and their relationship with other characters in your book. 

One thing to avoid with dialogue is… small talk! There’s no point in writing dialogue, such as “How’s the weather?”, if your story has nothing to do with the weather. This is because it doesn’t move your story along.  For more information check out this guide on how to write dialogue in a story .

Write now, edit later

Writing is a magical process. Don’t lose that magic by focusing on editing your sentences while you’re still writing your story up. Not only could this make your story sound fragmented, but you might also forget some key ideas to include in your story or take away the imagination from your writing. When it comes to creative writing, just write and come back to editing your story later.

Ask yourself questions

Always question your writing. Once done, think about any holes in your story. Is there something the reader won’t understand or needs further describing? What if your character finds another solution to solving the conflict? How about adding a new character or removing a character from your story? There are so many questions to ask and keep asking them until you feel confident about your final piece.

Create a dedicated writing space

Some kids like writing on their beds, others at the kitchen table. While this is good for beginners, going pro with your writing might require having a dedicated writing space. Some of the basics you’ll need is a desk and comfy chair, along with writing materials like pens, pencils and notebooks. But to really create an inspiring place, you could also stick some beautiful pictures, some inspiring quotes from writers and anything else that will keep you motivated and prepared. 

Beware of flowery words

Vocabulary is good. It’s always exciting when you learn a new word that you have never heard before. But don’t go around plotting in complicated words into your story, unless it’s necessary to show a character’s personality. Most long words are not natural sounding, meaning your audience will have a hard time relating to your story if it’s full of complicated words from the dictionary like Xenophobia or Xylograph .

Create believable characters

Nobody’s perfect. And why should your story characters be any different? To create believable characters, you’ll need to give them some common flaws as well as some really cool strengths. Your character’s flaws can be used as a setback to why they can’t achieve their goals, while their strengths are the things that will help win over adversity. Just think about your own strengths and weaknesses and use them as inspirations for your storybook characters. You can use the Imagine Forest character creator to plan out your story characters. 

Show, don’t tell

You can say that someone is nice or you can show them how that person is nice. Take the following as an example, “Katie was a nice girl.” Now compare that sentence to this, “Katie spent her weekends at the retirement home, singing to the seniors and making them laugh.”. The difference between the two sentences is huge. The first one sounds boring and you don’t really know why Katie is nice. While in the second sentence, you get the sense that Katie is nice from her actions without even using the word nice in the sentence!

Make the conflict impossible

Imagine the following scenario, you are a championship boxer who has won many medals over the year and the conflict is…Well, you got a boxing match coming up. Now that doesn’t sound so exciting! In fact, most readers won’t even care about the boxer winning the match or not! 

Now imagine this scenario: You’re a poor kid from New Jersey, you barely have enough money to pay the bills. You never did any professional boxing, but you want to enter a boxing competition, so you can win and use the money to pay your bills. 

The second scenario has a bigger mountain to climb. In other words, a much harder challenge to face compared to the character in the first scenario. Giving your characters an almost impossible task or conflict is essential in good story-telling.

Write powerful scenes

Scenes help build a picture in your reader’s mind without even including any actual pictures in your story. Creating powerful scenes involves more than describing the appearance of a setting, it’s also about thinking about the smell, the sounds and what your characters are feeling while they are in a particular setting. By being descriptive with your scenes, your audience can imagine themselves being right there with characters through the hard times and good times!

There’s nothing worse than an ending which leaves the reader feeling underwhelmed. You read all the way through and then it just ends in the most typical, obvious way ever! Strong endings don’t always end on a happy ending. They can end with a sad ending or a cliff-hanger.  In fact, most stories actually leave the reader with more questions in their head, as they wonder what happens next. This then gives you the opportunity to create even more books to continue the story and keep your readers hooked for life (or at least for a very long time)! 

Over 25 creative writing tips later and you should now be ready to master the art of creative writing! The most important tip for all you creative writers out there is to be imaginative! Without a good imagination, you’ll struggle to wow your audience with your writing skills. Do you have any more creative writing tips to share? Let us know in the comments!

Marty the wizard is the master of Imagine Forest. When he's not reading a ton of books or writing some of his own tales, he loves to be surrounded by the magical creatures that live in Imagine Forest. While living in his tree house he has devoted his time to helping children around the world with their writing skills and creativity.

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2. Writing Forward

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4. The Craft of Writing

5. Novelty Revisions

6. Thanet Creative

7. Storius Magazine

8. The Creative Penn Blog

9. Creative Writing at Leicester

10. Homo Vitruvius by A. Jay Adler

11. Creative Writing News

12. Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve

13. The Novelry Blog

14. sophieduffy

15. WriteByNight

16. Firefly Creative Writing Blog

17. Write-now

18. Creative Writing Blog

19. Derbyshire Writing School Blog

20. Terribleminds

21. Peter Rey's Blog

22. Curtis Brown Creative Blog

23. Master's in Creative Writing

24. Quinn Creative

25. E.A. Deverell Creative Writing Blog

26. Margaret James Blog

27. WriteGirl Blog

28. This Itch Of Writing

29. Bloggable

30. Boston University Creative Writing Blog

31. Practical Creative Writing

32. writing bubble

33. About Writing

34. Writing in the House of Dreams

35. One Year Adventure Novel Blog

36. Mind the Dog Writing Blog

37. Jess Lourey's Writing Retreats

38. a word, if i may

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WEBSITE ESSENTIALS

How to start a writer’s blog

• Nirit Braun
• Sep 28, 2023

Starting a writer's blog is like giving your words a cozy, virtual home where they can shine. It's not just about sharing your stories and insights; it's a space where you can grow as a writer, connect with fellow wordsmiths and get your creative juices flowing.

Plus, it's an excellent way to build a portfolio and showcase your writing skills to potential clients or publishers. So, if you've been contemplating starting a blog , don't hesitate—dive into the world of blogging. Your blog can be your canvas, and the possibilities are limitless.

Benefits of starting a writer’s blog

Starting a writer's blog offers a slew of benefits for both aspiring and established writers, including:

Showcasing your writing skills: A blog serves as a living showcase of your writing abilities. Through your blog posts, you can demonstrate your command of language, style and storytelling techniques, which can attract potential readers, clients or collaborators.

Personal and professional branding: Creating a blog allows you to establish your unique writing voice and style, contributing to your personal brand as a writer. Consistency in tone and content helps readers recognize and connect with your work.

Gaining more writing practice and experience: Regularly writing and publishing blog posts provides consistent practice that can enhance your writing skills over time. It's a platform to experiment with different genres, formats and themes.

Building a professional portfolio of work: A blog provides a centralized place to showcase your best work, making it easier to share and demonstrate your capabilities to potential clients, publishers or employers.

Engaging with readers: Interacting with readers through comments and feedback helps you understand their preferences and refine your writing. This engagement can foster community and encourage your growth as a writer.

Networking opportunities: A well-managed and up-to-date blog can attract other writers, readers and industry professionals who share your interests. This networking can lead to collaborations, guest writing opportunities and more.

How to start a writer’s blog in 6 steps

Choose the right blog niche

Select the right blogging platform

Find the best name for your writer's blog

Plan and write your blog content

Promote your writer's blog

Monetize your writer's blog

01. Choose the right blog niche

Selecting a focused niche is a crucial first step in starting a writer's blog. Your chosen niche will guide your content and help you attract a specific audience interested in your writing topics. The key to a successful writing blog is to choose a niche you're passionate about—one that aligns with your expertise and resonates with your target audience.

For Kylie Goldstein, blog growth manager at Wix, there’s no better way to choose a blog niche than focusing on what you know. She believes, “Not only does the writing come more naturally but it makes it easier to tap into communities and networking opportunities if it’s a niche you know well.“ If you understand what it is to be a freelancer, tap into that expertise first.

Your chosen niche will shape your content and help you establish a unique voice in the writing community. Consider these five possible writing-related blog niches :

Creative writing techniques: Dive deep into the art of storytelling, exploring techniques, tips and exercises to enhance your readers' creative writing skills. Share insights on character development, plot structure, dialogue and world-building.

Freelance writing tips: Cater to aspiring freelance writers by providing guidance on finding clients, setting rates, managing projects and navigating the freelance writing landscape. Share practical tips for successful freelancing both how to get started and how to manage your business.

Book reviews and literary analysis: Create a blog dedicated to book reviews and literary analysis. Delve into the themes, symbolism and character arcs of popular books, offering readers a thoughtful perspective on literature.

Productivity and self-care for writers: Focus on the writer's journey, offering strategies to boost productivity, overcome writer's block and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Discuss self-care practices tailored to writers.

Publishing tips and strategies: Guide aspiring authors through the intricacies of publishing, both traditional and self-publishing. Cover topics such as querying agents, book marketing, building an author platform and navigating the publishing industry.

02. Select the right blogging platform

Choosing the right blog maker and platform is essential for setting up your writer's blog effectively. Opting for a platform that includes hosting and robust security measures ensures a hassle-free experience regardless of the type of blog you’re starting.

When starting a writer's blog, it's wise to opt for a blogging platform that offers integrated hosting and 24/7 enterprise-grade security . This ensures that your content remains accessible and secure for both you and your readers. Selecting the right platform can simplify the technical aspects of managing a blog. An all-in-one solution like Wix makes it easier for you to focus on what you know best: writing.

The overall design of your writer's blog is crucial for user experience. Choose a blog template or theme that resonates with your brand and niche. With a website builder like Wix, you can personalize your blog's design , layout and color scheme to create a cohesive and visually pleasing look.

In the same vein, branding plays a pivotal role in establishing your writer's blog as a recognizable and reputable entity. A well-defined brand identity sets the tone for your content and creates a memorable impression on your readers. Consistent branding helps build trust and encourages readers to engage with your blog.

A logo is a particularly powerful visual representation of your writer's blog. Utilizing a logo maker can help you design a professional and eye-catching logo that aligns with your blog's themes and values. Draw inspiration from this selection of blog logos .

Learn more about how to make a website and explore some of the best website builders for writers .

03. Find the best name for your writer's blog

Choosing the right blog name and domain is critical in establishing a strong online presence and fostering trust among your readers.

Your blog's name is often the first impression readers have of your content. It sets the tone for your blog's identity and communicates its focus. A well-chosen name not only captures your brand's essence and your specific writing skills but also builds awareness and credibility over time.

If you're struggling to choose a name for your writer's blog, consider using a blog name generator. Tools like this can provide creative suggestions based on keywords related to writing, your niche or your style.

Your domain name ( web address ) is a crucial part of your blog's identity. When choosing a domain name there are a number of best practices to keep in mind:

Ensure your domain name aligns with your blog's theme and writing focus. It should give readers an idea of what to expect from your content.

Keep your domain name simple, memorable and easy to spell. Avoid using complex words or overly long phrases.

If possible, incorporate your blog's name into the domain to reinforce branding consistency.

Consider including relevant keywords in your domain name to improve search engine visibility.

Numbers and hyphens can be confusing when verbally shared and may lead to misinterpretation.

After brainstorming a few potential domain names, check their availability.

Some examples of creative blog example names:

InkWordsmithHub.com

NarrativeCraftingInsights.com

PageTurnerPerspectives.com

QuillJourneyExpressions.com

04. Plan and write your blog content

Valuable and engaging content is at the heart of a successful writer's blog. Planning your blog content strategically, adhering to best practices and incorporating multimedia elements can enhance the reader experience and increase reader numbers.

You’ll want to start by developing a content calendar to organize and schedule your blog posts. Include a mix of evergreen content (timeless articles) and topical or trending pieces to keep your blog fresh and relevant.

Determine how often you'll publish new posts, whether it's weekly, biweekly or monthly. Consistency is key: readers are likely to stick around if they know you’ll be publishing regularly.

When it comes to choosing blog post topics make sure they align with your chosen niche and cater to your target audience's interests and needs. Identify common challenges or questions within your writing niche, and create posts that provide solutions or insights to these. What would you like to have known as a new writer? What topics are relevant in your specific writing field (e.g., the rise of AI and what that means for the writing profession, or changes in freelance rates)? Crafting content around current trends can position you as an authority.

Some potential article ideas for a writer's blog could be:

Mastering Dialogue: Techniques for Authentic Character Conversations

Crafting Unforgettable Opening Lines: Capturing Readers' Attention

Plot vs. Character-Driven Stories: Finding the Right Balance

Building Three-Dimensional Characters: Psychology and Motivations

The Art of Editing: Polishing Your Manuscript to Perfection

Incorporate multimedia into your blog posts including relevant images and videos to break up text, and make your posts visually appealing. You can also create infographics to present complex information in a visually digestible format. Some great ideas for videos to include are demonstrating writing techniques, conducting author interviews, or filming your book reviews.

When it comes to writing blog posts you’ll want to consider some of the following best practices:

Clear structure: Follow a logical structure with an engaging introduction, informative main content and a summary of main points.

Engaging titles : Craft attention-grabbing blog titles that convey the essence of your content and entice readers to click. Where possible, avoid click-bait titles.

Readable blog format : Use subheadings, bullet points and short paragraphs to improve readability and cater to online readers.

Word count: How long your blog post will be will depend very much on the topic, audience and distribution channel. If you’re planning to distribute it on social media you might want to keep it short and snappy.

Proofreading: Thoroughly edit and proofread your posts for grammar, spelling and coherence. Consider putting together a blog post checklist to make sure all parts of it are checked before publishing.

05. Promote your writer’s blog

Promoting your writer's blog is essential for reaching a wider audience and growing your readership. You’ll want to employ effective blog distribution strategies and use blogging tools to boost your blog's visibility and engagement across multiple platforms.

Search engine optimization (SEO): Optimize your blog posts for search engines to improve their visibility in search results. Use on-page optimization best practices as part of your blog SEO efforts, such as using relevant keywords in the article and adding meta descriptions and image alt text.

Social media promotion: Promote your blog posts on social media platforms like Facebook , Instagram and LinkedIn. Create engaging captions and use interactive content to attract a larger audience and engagement.

Email marketing: Build an email subscriber list and send regular newsletters featuring your latest blog posts. Email marketing is a direct way to connect with your readers and keep them engaged while promoting your blog .

Guest blogging: Contribute guest blogging posts to other reputable blogs in your niche. This can help you reach new audiences and establish yourself as an authority.

To understand better your writer's blog performance, you’ll want to make sure you’re tracking and analyzing your web analytics . Some important segments and metrics to look at when assessing the performance of your blog are:

Audience behavior and insights: Analytics tools provide valuable insights about your readers, including demographics, interests and behavior. Use this information to tailor your content to your audience's preferences.

Traffic sources: Understand where your blog traffic is coming from—whether it's organic search, social media, referrals or direct visits. Focus on strategies that bring the most traffic and engagement.

Most popular content: Analyze which of your blog posts are most popular within the blogosphere and why (e.g., because it generates the most traffic or the best audience behavior scores). This information can guide your future content creation.

Conversion tracking: If you have specific goals (e.g., newsletter sign-ups or eBook downloads), track how well your blog is converting visitors into subscribers or customers.

06. Monetize your writer's blog

Monetizing your blog is a career-changing step that can turn your passion for writing into a source of income. Popular strategies to make money blogging include:

Affiliate marketing: This monetization method involves promoting products or services through affiliate links. When readers make a purchase through your unique affiliate link, you earn a commission. Join affiliate programs relevant to your niche and incorporate affiliate links organically within your blog posts.

Display ads: Displaying ads on your blog can provide a steady income stream. Google AdSense is a popular choice that displays relevant ads based on your content and audience. You then earn money when readers click on these ads.

Subscription content and courses: Offer premium subscription content or online courses to monetize your expertise. Subscribers pay a recurring fee for exclusive articles, resources or courses, creating a steady income source and offering added value to your dedicated audience. Provide monthly access to writing guides, templates and author interviews—or create a comprehensive writing course to help aspiring writers improve their skills.

Tips to successfully monetize your writer's blog and start a business :

Ensure that any monetization methods align with your blog's niche and audience interests.

Disclose affiliate links and sponsored content to maintain trust with your readers.

Focus on providing valuable content; monetization should enhance, not detract from, the reader experience.

Consider combining multiple monetization methods to create a diversified income stream.

3 writer’s blog examples

Explore these writer's blog examples, each offering a unique perspective and range of content.

01. Wordsmatter Blog

For writers, by writers, this blog offers a diverse array of topics. Whether you're interested in slang words from around the world or crafting compelling copy for Google Ads, Wordsmatter has something for writers across various disciplines and industries.

02. The Poetry Pot

Dive into a personal writer's world with The Poetry Pot. This blog serves up a mix of creative content, from poetry and reviews to engaging stories that captivate readers.

03. Ella Katharine White

Author Ella White uses her blog not only as a platform to showcase her work and trilogy but also as a bridge to connect with her audience. Discover her books, engage with her literary journey and gain insights into her creative process on her writer's website.

Other types of blogs to start

How to start a finance blog

How to start a real estate blog

How to start a gaming blog

How to start a health blog

How to start a teaching blog

How to start a music blog

How to start a tech blog

How to start a mom blog

How to start a sports blog

How to start a beauty blog

How to start a lifestyle blog

How to start a poetry blog

How to start a craft blog

How to start a consulting blog

How to start a writer’s blog FAQ

How often should i publish on my blog.

Consistency matters. Set a manageable publishing schedule, whether it's weekly, biweekly or monthly. Focus on quality content over frequency.

Do I need to be a published author to start a writer's blog?

How do i engage with my readers, can i use my writer’s blog to promote my blog, do i need technical skills to start a writer's blog, how can i measure the success of my writer's blog, related posts.

21 of the best blog examples in 2024 that'll inspire your blogging journey

Blogging for beginners: 20+ tips to jumpstart your blog

How to start a blog: a complete guide

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Research: Creative Writing, History, Philosophy, Literature

• Session Length: 3-12 Months
• Cost Range: $495 - $7,995
• Application Deadline: Apply Today
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Polygence is an online mentorship program that helps students turn their passions into unique research projects. For high school students who want to showcase authentic passion on their college applications, Polygence offers the most personalized and flexible mentored research program with 1:1 mentorship from PhD-level experts. They pair intellectually curious students with PhD-level mentors to design experiments, build robots, create podcasts, write original screenplays, and publish in peer-reviewed journals in all fields from the Humanities to STEM. If you are a high school student interested in conducting original, mentor-guided research in the disciplines of creative writing, history, philosophy, literature, or another related field, then Polygence may be the perfect fit for you.

College Transitions readers can save $50 on their Polygence package!

I want to save $50 and apply to Polygence

See Real Projects Completed by Past Polygence Students in…

Creative writing.

The Towers in Which No One Ever Sleeps

Why did Serbian radios in Croatia influence the subsequent rise in nationalism?

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Philosophy of Time

How did Albert Camus respond to the German occupation of France and French colonialism in his novel The Plague?

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Core program .

Ten 1:1 meetings with an expert mentor in the student’s chosen field. The student chooses the unique project topic and outcome which could include a research paper, a prototype, or a creative piece of work.

• Cost: $2,795
• Timeline: 3-6 Months

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Core program plus 3 extra sessions at the beginning with three separate mentors who will brainstorm potential project ideas with the student.

• Cost: $3,345
• Timeline: 4-7 Months

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• Cost: $3,695
• Timeline: 5-8 Months

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Includes an exclusive mentor-selection phase, project ideation sessions, extended research and writing phase, check-ins with a project manager, unlimited writing feedback, advisory with former Princeton Valedictorian Jin Chow, plus premium showcasing and publishing support.

• Cost: $7,995 Timeline: 6-12 Months

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A great way to explore your interests alongside like-minded peers, study a pre-selected topic with a mentor over 6 weeks and create a short form research paper.

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A career and college major discovery program designed to help you gain clarity about your future. Meet with 3 mentors in 3 different subjects to help you find your path.

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Again, College Transitions readers can save $50 on their Polygence package! So be sure to sign up through the link below to lock in the discount. 

Why College Transitions decided to start promoting Polygence

Over the years, we’ve noticed an increase in the number of students/families wanting to pursue research. As we all know, it’s incredibly competitive for high school students to be selected for any type of research project/program. Colleges often draw from graduate students and current college students to assist with research (as they should), leaving high school students spending a lot of wasted effort and time searching for opportunities that often don’t exist. That’s where Polygence steps in.

Polygence matches current high school students with graduate students to guide mentored research projects, many of which go on to be published or find some other type of audience. We believe this cost is entirely reasonable, given that many summer programs can often exceed $5,000-$6,000+.

Numerous research programs similar to Polygence have popped up in recent years. Some charge in excess of $10,000-$15,000 while using aggressive sales tactics to target families, going as far as to print false information/claims on their websites. We spent a lot of time vetting Polygence, learning more about their approach and how they work with students. We were also impressed by the professionalism and dedication exhibited by their entire team, including the faculty mentors.

Sacrifice Zone: A Wild, Wonderful, and Honest Zine of West Virginia

Zines are making a comeback in the creative writing world. 

If you open Etsy on your web browser and simply type “zine” in the search bar, you’ll discover a wonderland of beautifully crafted, pocket-sized art/writing made by genuine artists and creatives. A zine exists for any niche interest now: ranging from fanzines about the 90s TV show Frasier, to literary analyses on the cross-cultural implications of fan fiction in the literary world, to carefully curated handbooks for thrift shopping, among so many others. Chances are, if you’ve ever browsed an indie bookstore or explored a local art fair, you’ve probably come across a zine in the wild! 

And if you’ve never heard of a “zine” before, you might be wondering what exactly this art form is. As defined by Purdue University, “A zine (pronounced ZEEN) is short for ‘fanzine’ and is usually a small-batch, independently published work that circulates less than 1,000 copies. Anyone can be a zinester (aka ‘someone who creates a zine’), and most people make zines for the love of creating rather than for seeking a profit. In general, a zine is a pamphlet-like publication that can include text, images, artwork, found objects, or any other creative material that helps to express the author's message” ( Purdue ).

Matt Powney, a recent graduate of West Virginia University’s MFA program in the Poetry track, has spent the last year designing and creating a zine of his own making with his partner, Kay, aptly titled Sacrifice Zone . As a creative with a deep respect for the honest nature of writing, and the importance of producing work that deconstructs the extractive nature of corporate, economical culture in West Virginia society today, producing a zine tailored to Matt’s own interests seemed like the natural way to share his work with others.

After purchasing a copy of the first issue of Sacrifice Zone in fall 2023, I knew that Matt had found a metaphorical creative goldmine for himself. The collage artwork within the first issue of Sacrifice Zone features a fractured urban/rural landscape of our West Virginia that has been literally and metaphorically gutted by Big Pharma, corporate greed, incarceration, and predatory coal companies. The kaleidoscope-esque imagery is haunting and powerful, and pairs beautifully with the crisp poetry and painfully tender creative nonfiction on the page. I had the pleasure of learning more about Sacrifice Zone from Matt in the following Q&A:

You talk a lot about your intention for creating Sacrifice Zone in the first installment, and what it means to you and your readers – would you care to share any more insight about your intention for creating this zine, and what you hope to get out of it with each installment?

Mostly, I just hope to create some level of community and discussion about prison in Appalachia, and making art in Appalachia. I just want to give people a voice and platform for their art. Both Appalachians in general and people in prison are a silenced group of people, so the more amplification they can get, the better in my eyes. My main goal for this zine is to undo stereotypes, and sharing stories is a great way to do that.

Sacrifice Zone seems like a really collaborative project! How did you go about choosing pieces for the zine, arranging them in the order they’re in, as well as the art/images that were used in the zine? Did you and Kay work together in the making of Sacrifice Zone?

Sacrifice Zone is a collaborative project. I relied on a lot of friends and mentors to have this project come together. For this first installment, I just asked a bunch of my friends for submissions - people from all over Appalachia, with different relationships to the prison system. I got the inspiration for the art and for the general vibe of the zine from Thomas Martin’s zine , Martha Stewart Mixtapes, which Kay contributes to regularly. Their zine feels alive. It is what I wanted for Sacrifice Zone, so naturally, it became a model of what I wanted the zine to look like. Knowing that Thomas uses collage art from Martha Stewart Magazine to make Martha Stewart’s Mixtapes, I started thinking about what I could use for our magazine and realized I’d thrifted stacks of the perfect magazine already -  old copies of Wonderful West Virginia.

As for selection of the specific art we used, Kay and I spent an evening going through all of the magazines and matching them to our submissions. We had a lot of fun doing it, and found images we loved that weren’t right for this issue that we are excited to use for future volumes.

You mentioned that Thomas Martin, a previous MFA student, was an influence for Sacrifice Zone . Are there any other zines or forms of media that inspired you to create your zine?

• Yes! I read Marking Time: Art in the Age of Mass Incarceration around the time I began working on this project. It is a book of art made by people in prison. It was also a huge inspiration. One of the poems I included in the zine, also called “Marking Time,” was inspired by this book.

Do you have an idea of what themes you want to cover in future installments for the zine?

Right now, we are open to any art that fits the project. Maybe in the future, we will think about themed volumes, but right now, we’d like to make as many connections as we can.

Do you have a current submission window for the next installment of Sacrifice Zone ? Or a future pub date?

• I have already received some submissions for the next installment and am still open to receiving more. We are hoping to put another one out in May, but with Kay and my first child due in early May, there could be some delay. [As of this blog post, Matt and Kay are officially parents!]

How can people purchase this zine and future zines in the series, and for how much?

Right now, I am personally selling copies. The easiest way would be to contact the instagram page, @sacrifice.zone , and a copy can be mailed to you. In the future, we hope to have an online store and to sell them through local vendors.

If you want to support Matt Powney and Sacrifice Zone , you can stay up to date by following the zine’s official Instagram page: @sacrifice.zone 

Stay tuned for more news, events, and happenings among WVU’s Creative Writing program!

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How to create a blog content strategy in 4 steps

By rhonda bradley may 16, 2024.

Who doesn’t want more traffic, quality leads, and sales to their blog? 

The answer might surprise you.

More than 60% of marketers do not have a documented blog content strategy. Yet without one, their chances of success drop dramatically.

A blog content strategy is a written plan that guides content creation, publication, and distribution. It saves you time and energy, ensures that you stay on track with your goals, and guarantees that providing value to your target audience remains a priority.

Find out how to achieve your content marketing goals faster with our step-by-step process for creating a blog strategy below.

Key elements of a blog content strategy

A blog content strategy is a roadmap that guides your blog SEO strategy, content topics, themes, writing, scheduling, and promotional efforts.

A successful blog content strategy includes:

• A detailed description of your target audience
• Crystal-clear goals and KPIs
• Keyword and topic planning
• Timeline and content calendar
• Repurposing and promotional strategy
• A plan for maintaining content quality and consistency

A thoughtfully written strategy helps you drive the right kind of traffic to your blog, provide valuable content to your readers, and generate high-quality leads (or sales) for your business.

Taking the time to document your blog content strategy gives you an edge over the competition since most of your competitors probably don’t have one. 

More than 60% of B2B and B2C marketers “wing it” without a written strategy.

These steps will help you choose the right content for your blog and form a plan to publish, promote, and improve upon your content as you grow.

Step 1: Define your target audience and marketing goals

Defining your target audience and goals gives you the information you need to conduct effective keyword research and plan content themes for your blog.

How to define your target audience:

• Conduct audience research.
• Identify your target reader.
• List your readers’ pain points.
• Learn what type of content engages your readers.

Festoon House owner Matt Little, who manages content for his company’s blog, says that audience research is the key to a successful blog strategy. “I always start by researching and understanding who our audiences are, what they are interested in, and what problems they are trying to solve.”

“Remember, content is king, but the audience is the kingdom. Cater to them, and you’ll build a loyal following.” – Matt Little, Owner, Festoon House

How to define marketing goals for your blog

Before you invest time and resources into blogging, make a prioritized list of your blog’s marketing goals.

What are the top goals for your blog ?

Let’s assume the primary objective of any business blog is to provide valuable content to a target audience. Marketing goals are a separate entity. 

👉 Marketing goals = What’s in it for you? 👈

Some of the most popular blog marketing goals are:

• Drive traffic to your website
• Generate leads
• Increase revenue
• Establish authority in your industry
• Increase brand awareness

Most blogs have several marketing goals. However, it’s important to prioritize them for your content marketing strategy . 

What KPIs should you track for blogs?

Key performance indicators (KPIs) are insights that allow you to measure progress toward your content marketing goals.

If you’re new to KPIs and analytics, here are a few tips to help you get started.

How to measure the success of your blog:

Search traffic: Impressions, traffic, SERP position, click-through rate

Leads and conversions: Conversion rate, leads generated, revenue

Reader engagement: Bounce rate, average time on page, pages per session, social shares, scroll depth, returning visitors

Step 2: Conduct SEO keyword research

Keyword research helps you optimize your blog for search engines and develop relevant and valuable content for your audience.

Here’s a 4-step process for simple SEO keyword research.

A) Brainstorm relevant phrases and topics

Make a list of the phrases and keywords you think might be a good match for your audience.

Instead of simply copying ideas from your competitors, turn to your target audience for help brainstorming keywords that will attract quality readers.

Content and SEO manager Aleksa Filipovic recommends forging your own path when it comes to developing topic ideas. His blog on Measureschool has tripled its traffic over the past two years and now has 80,000 monthly readers.

“Turn to your target audience. Create surveys, look in online groups and communities, find out what your target audience is struggling with, and be the one with the answer. That way, you’ll find topics that can be covered and have no competition yet.” – Aleksa Filipovic, Content & SEO Mgr, Measureschool

B) Conduct keyword and search intent research

Create a keyword database in Excel or Google Sheets where you will list the results of your keyword research. 

Use a keyword research tool like Google Keyword Planner or SEMRush to investigate your list of relevant words and phrases. Look for low- or medium-competition keywords with a fair or decent amount of traffic. 

When asked for her best tip on content marketing strategy, ButterflyMX Content Manager Katie Kistler stressed the importance of keyword research.

“ Using tools like Ahrefs, SEMRush, or even the Google search engine results pages to source topics and keywords that your potential customers are looking for,” she explained, “is the most reliable way to create a high-performing blog quickly. ”

C) Conduct search intent research

Before you add a keyword to your database, take a moment to ensure that your interpretation of it aligns with what searchers are looking for when they type it into Google Search.

The simplest way to do this is to drop the keyword into Google Search and view the results. 

If the results produce informational resources (such as blog articles and guides) for a similar audience, you can add the keyword to your list. For example, people searching for “red sneakers” usually want to shop for shoes, not read a blog post about them. 

If the search intent doesn’t match, take a moment to experiment with more refined keywords.

For example, a quick search on “How to wear red sneakers” produces fashion tips, which is ideal if your blog post is about red sneaker fashion.

As you choose keywords for your blog, consider your niche and try to narrow your phrases to fit a more specific audience . This will help you reach the right people and give you a better chance of ranking well on the Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs).

D) Choose the main keywords you’d like your blog to rank for

You’ll use your top keywords to create “pillar” style articles that act as a main guide for a broad topic. 

All of your other blog articles will link to one related pillar article.

This pillar content approach is not required, but it’s very helpful to your SEO strategy.

Step 3: Create a blog content calendar and timeline

Now that you’ve created a keyword database, you can begin planning your blog’s content.

A) Create a content timeline

A content timeline outlines the themes you’ll use throughout the year, such as:

• Holiday and seasonal campaigns
• Company marketing campaigns
• Upcoming events
• Content that resonates with your audience at certain times of the year

For example, the (fictitious) Red Hot Shoes company might create a timeline like this:

Month 1: February (Focus: Valentine’s Day & Comfort)

• Posts: Styling tips for creating romantic red shoe looks, gift guide featuring red shoes, history of red shoes in fashion and romance.
• Posts: Highlight red slippers, sneakers, or boots; perfect for lounging at home, tips for keeping red shoes clean and comfortable.

Month 2: March (Focus: Spring & Awareness)

• Posts: Showcase new spring shoe collections with a focus on red colors, tips for transitioning your wardrobe to spring featuring red shoes.
• Posts: Partner with influencers or customers to share stories about how red shoes boost confidence, launch a user-generated content contest featuring red shoes.

B) Create a content calendar

Content calendars help keep you and your team on track.

• Decide how often you’ll publish.
• Plan your blog posts for the next four weeks and put them in your calendar.

Here’s an example of a simple blog content calendar created with Google Sheets:

Avoid planning content more than 4-6 weeks in advance. This gives you the creative freedom to adjust after viewing your blog metrics or reacting to industry updates that could affect audience sentiment.

For example, if a major political figure suddenly goes viral for wearing red sneakers, you would need to consider how that might affect your approach to content.

Step 4: Create a blog repurposing strategy

The days of pushing out massive amounts of blog content, regardless of quality, are gone. 

Instead of forcing yourself or your team to produce volume over value, focus on publishing high-quality content at a steady pace that works well for everyone .

Then, repurpose your blog content so you can use it to the fullest extent!

High-value blog posts are packed with gems such as stories, statistics, quotes, and lists. 

You can pull these valuable snippets from your posts to create more content and promote your blog on social media and in newsletters.

11 ways to repurpose high-quality blog posts

• Social media image posts
• Social media Stories
• Social media video shorts
• Infographics
• Email newsletters

How to drive traffic to your blog

Repurposing blog posts using the tips above will handle most of the heavy lifting when it comes to driving traffic to your blog. All you need to do is share your repurposed content on social media.

5 ways to drive more traffic to your blog posts:

• Share your repurposed blog content on social media.
• Share a preview in your email newsletter.
• Set up an automated blog newsletter so that every time you publish an article, an email goes out to your newsletter subscribers to let them know about it. 
• Run social media contests and drawings that drive people to your posts.
• Partner with influencers to promote your blog.

Additionally, you can further position yourself or your company as an industry authority, which will drive more traffic to your blog.

Creating podcasts, publishing books, conducting webinars, and forming a social group/forum are excellent ways to boost authority in your industry. 

Establish standardized blog guidelines

As you develop your content marketing strategy, it’s a good idea to consider how you’ll maintain quality and consistency over time . 

Establish your brand voice and tone

Develop brand voice guidelines and determine how you’ll optimize content for your audience.

In a recent chat with Backlinko SEO Lead Leigh McKenzie , he explained that developing an authentic brand voice is key to connecting with readers .

“Backlinko’s blog strategy is focused on nailing an authentic writing voice that resonates with readers.  As we grow our team, we tap into expertise but present it conversationally – not generic fluff.  Writing in second person or first-person plural creates an inclusive, one-on-one tone connecting our authority with readers naturally.” – Leigh McKenzie, SEO Lead, Backlinko

In the YouTube Short below, Brian Dean explains some of the ways you can optimize your content for readers. 

Dean advises creating skimmable blog posts with frontloaded value to improve your reader’s experience.

How to standardize blog quality and consistency

To consistently create high-quality content, you must standardize some elements of the blogging process.

You can achieve this by creating materials such as:

• Brand manual:  Includes information that helps writers represent and promote your company and its products, such as:
• A guide to your brand and its products, including a detailed description of your target audience and readers.
• Your company’s key differentiators and primary message(s)
• A list of competitors you do not want to link to.
• Blog article checklist: A list of the formatting, processes, and elements you expect with each blog post.
• Number of CTA’s.
• The minimum number of media, statistics, quotes, and other engaging or interactive elements required in each piece.
• Headline Capitalizer
• Blog writing guidelines
• A guide to your key blog requirements, such as formatting, SEO requirements, source and linking guidelines, and AI policies.
• Blog post templates

As you develop content standards, keep in mind that providing value to your audience is top priority. 

Chief Content Marketing Officer Ben Jacobson of Inbound Junction says blog strategists should be careful not to forget their audience when planning content.

“ There are two mistakes that I see many businesses making with their blog content strategies that really get under my skin nowadays, and these two issues are related.  One is using the blog as a pure SEO play, where getting pages to rank for keywords is the only objective.  The other is using the blog as a pure product marketing platform, where convincing readers to convert is the only objective.”

The ongoing process of blog content strategy

In this guide, we’ve covered the basics of how to create a blog content strategy.

Strategy is a fluid process that ebbs and flows with time. Don’t hesitate to change or adjust it as you view its metrics and get feedback from your audience.

For a surefire way to encourage readers to return for new blog articles, encourage them to sign up for your email newsletter. 

At AWeber, we provide you with all the email marketing tools you need to effectively promote your blog in as little time as possible. 

From automated blog newsletters to templates, AI writing assistance, and automation, we make it simpler than ever for you to nurture your audience and send more traffic to your blog.

Sign up for a free AWeber account today and begin promoting your blog without delay.

Keep reading:

Rhonda Bradley

Content Marketing Writer & Consultant

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Digging Through Grief, Language, and Poetry with Ocean Vuong

In early April 2024, Ocean Vuong — poet, novelist, professor of creative writing at New York University, and the 2023–24 Avenali Chair in the Humanities — came to UC Berkeley. Sponsored by the Townsend Center for the Humanities and held at the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, the two-day event featured Vuong in conversation with UC Berkeley professor of English Cathy Park Hong and Professor of English and Townsend Center director Stephen Best .

Vuong also gave a poetry reading from his most recent book, Time Is a Mother (2023). The speakers described Vuong’s writing as everything from “a list of desires” to “an act of care.” My favorite image, however, was Vuong’s own description of poetry as “an act of digging.” 

When in conversation with Best, Vuong explained further: the reader, Vuong said, looks over the author’s shoulder, seeing the sweat “gleam on the nape of their neck” as they toil and metaphorically “dig” through the text in search of something — whether that be respite, meaning, or a particular affect. The author maintains an active role within the text; the unraveling of words and ideas mimics the motion of the author’s shovel breaking away at hard soil. Vuong expressed a desire for readers to approach his work in a similar way. Within this dynamic, the reader is more than just a witness; they get to participate in the search. As Vuong put it, “the right reader is the one who creates the text with you.” 

Written in the wake of his mother’s passing, the poems Vuong read from Time Is a Mother reflect his process of digging through grief. A personal favorite which he read, “ Not Even This ,” comes to the reader in the same way. There’s a narrative, but it’s loose. The poem begins by introducing the speaker, who is in the process of mourning. It ricochets from idea to idea, almost vignette-like, periodically settling on moments so fraught that the speaker’s anguish becomes palpable. The poem is not static in its message of grief, though — in its final turn, the speaker is reborn. The progression of the speaker’s grief from beginning to end encapsulates the ethos of the popular saying, “the only way out is through.” However, instead of locating the poem at the site of the “out,” Vuong depicts his speaker caught in the throes of the “through.”

Yet in-between the fragments of explicit grief lies evidence of Vuong grappling with themes beyond just mourning. Or rather, wrestling with these themes becomes essential to the processing of grief. He "digs" into the dynamics of language, genre, representation, and the Vietnamese-American experience  — themes that not only inform the poem but that came up repeatedly during the two-day event.

“Not Even This” displays a break from traditional genre expectations of the mourning poem. Within the piece, Vuong weaves in brief moments of linguistic levity that are in contrast with the heavy presence of grief, creating a subtle but ingenious tension. When talking with Best, Vuong likened the opening line of the poem — “Hey”  — to a kind of cruising. It's bold and loose, a refashioning of a colloquial greeting to inaugurate a poem about a son’s crippling grief. More than this, though, it’s a poetic decision that Vuong said would not have been possible to make a decade ago when he was writing his debut poetry collection, Night Sky With Exit Wounds (2016). Feeling an “obligation to form and genre” in order to prove himself as a young, non-white poet, as well as a responsibility to perform “salvage work” for his family and the Vietnamese community, Vuong shared that there were commitments which held him back as a writer. He described his debut collection as having “the right amount of craft to get out of the kitchen before it got too hot.” The casual “Hey” that opens “Not Even This” is a break from this fear: it's unorthodox, yet it signals that Vuong is experimenting with the genre expectations that dictate how death is meant to be written about. From the Lil Peep lyric reference (“the way Lil Peep says I’ll be back in the mornin’  when you know how it ends”) to the breathy repetition of “Ha” after select lines, this poem is evidence of Vuong going all in with language and tone experimentation.

Furthermore, Vuong’s attunement to the weight of language allows him to harness its malleability. He expands upon what is meant by the "weight of language" in a few lines from the poem:

In my language, the one I recall now only by closing my eyes, the word for 

love is Yêu.

And the word for weakness is Yếu .

How you say what you mean changes what you say.

Some call this prayer. I call it watch your mouth. 

Vuong meditates on how slight changes in tone can alter entire meanings, highlighting the irony that language is incredibly fickle yet also the principal form of human communication. He expanded upon this idea when talking with Best about his novel, On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous (2019). It’s an epistolary work, written as one long letter from a son to his illiterate mother. By nature of this basic formal premise, it is a novel that explores the failure of language to be an effective tool of communication. Referring to On Earth , Vuong shared with the audience that a conversation between two people is “so intimate yet so lonely,” and that within those intimate conversations, especially between a mother and her son, “there’s so much pressure on language to be understood.” Vuong explores this dynamic in “Not Even This” and many other works. 

Yet just as important as how language is expressed, Vuong explained, is how it is received. At one point, referring to On Earth , he told Hong, “I did not imply humor because it was too fraught to have a white audience laugh at my elders.” Vuong was aware that as a Vietnamese writer, the possibility of his tone being misconstrued was high. This realization, paired with the pressure he felt to “represent the Vietnamese diaspora,” meant that he understood the weight that bore down upon the capacity of his language to be received earnestly. This realization narrowed the leeway for linguistic experimentation. Even now, he said, he still reads reviews that call his work “autobiographical” despite his insistence that his work does not represent reality but is rather written with the “gesture of biography.” “As a racialized subject,” Vuong said, “I knew this would be inevitable.” 

Given the pressure society places upon authors of color to represent their communities, the topic of “representation” came up frequently during the event. Meditating on this within the poem, Vuong writes: 

Because everyone knows yellow pain, pressed into American letters, turns

Our sorrow Midas-touched. Napalm with a rainbow after glow. 

I’m trying to be real but it costs too much. 

Writing in service to a particular community will always come with the dilemma of authenticity; to be authentic in Western society means to risk one’s experiences getting mined for capital. This is why Vuong does not replicate his family members’ lives within his work, but rather crafts “contextually-true but ultimately imaginative depictions.” Still, many reviewers label his work as “autobiographical” and pigeonhole him as a representative of the Vietnamese diaspora. It’s a subtle but important observation that exposes how often the media forces non-Western writers to operate within the confines of identity, and places the unfair weight of “representation” upon them and their work. When speaking about the dangers of championing “representation,” Vuong noted that representation tends to “eliminate presence.” When a single individual gets crowned for representing their community, this tends to promote the homogenization of experiences from said community. More stories are always better than a single story, or a single representation. 

While a good portion of the event focused on Vuong’s various reflections on past works (he has three books out with a fourth one on the way), it would be unjust not to mention all the ways Vuong looks towards the future. Or rather, it's Vuong’s ability to always face the future with hope that is admirable. Part of his future-oriented mindset seems to stem from his role as an educator. It was evident during the events just how deeply Vuong holds the responsibility of teaching, describing it at one point as “showing up to the ambition of creativity.” The notion of continuously “showing up” for one’s students — finding motivation and purpose through teaching — highlights how Vuong’s role as an educator factors into his view of the future. 

Part of what is so beautiful about the ending of “Not Even This” is that it ultimately rejects the allure of passivity. The middle of the poem represents a slow sinking into indifference: “My failure was that I got used to it. I looked at us, mangled under the TIME / photographer’s shadow, and stopped thinking, Get up, get up. ” But the end, when the speaker whispers to his dead mother, “ Rose, get out of there. / Your plants are dying, ” ultimately embodies a rebound. “Enough is enough” Vuong writes; “I caved and decided it will be joy from now on.” Fearlessness snuffs out the flame of grief. When asked by Hong what “fearlessness” looks like going forward, Vuong acknowledged that the sacrifices his elders made during his childhood are the reason he gets to write today; and so, he responded, “I have no choice but to go all in.”

This is a mantra for writing, but it is also a mantra for living. Grief is quelled by making the active decision to live for a future. It’s a rejection of passive living. Sitting in BAMPFA’s Osher Theatre as Vuong read his poem out loud, I heard his shovel hit rock bottom — and it was triumphant.

Relieving Stress with Creativity Therapy

Have you ever heard of creativity therapy? Creativity therapy is the use of drawing, painting, writing, sculpting, or playing music as a form of stress relief. It is similar to art therapy, but creativity therapy is a more general term for using creativity on your own to help relieve your own stress. Similar to meditation, it teaches your mind to concentrate for long periods of time on a single thing. Not only can creativity therapy help you feel good about who you are, it gives you a space solely for yourself, during which you can express your innermost thoughts, feelings, problems, anxieties, joys, and the imagery that sits deep within your subconscious waiting to be released.

How do you do it?

You want to set aside thirty to sixty minutes each day. Choose your creative outlet. Maybe you will write in your journal, or practice an instrument, paint, draw the flowers in your garden, or dance like no one is watching. Whatever you choose, commit to this time the same as you would to a meditation time. Then sit down in a quiet place where you are unlikely to be disturbed and start creating (or dancing!) whatever you decide to do!

Is this something you do in a group setting?

You want to let your creativity therapy be a private event, just you. No matter what you’re doing, you want to promise yourself that you won’t show it to anyone for at least a month, and then you can decide. For now, just let it be for you and remember that it doesn’t have to be a “masterpiece.” It is not work to be judged, analyzed, or displayed. It is work that comes directly from your subconscious and is a process of releasing what you are holding onto, mentally, deep inside. When the month is over, look at what you have created. Do you see patterns or themes? Images and words that recur in painting, drawing, or writing are your personal themes. Sounds and movements can also have meaning for you, if you are dancing or playing music. Spend some time thinking about what these themes could mean for you.

What if you’re someone who doesn’t see themselves as a “creative” type?

Don’t think that you can’t do creativity therapy because you “aren’t creative!” That’s nonsense! Everyone is creative, some people just haven’t developed their creativity as much as others, and creativity therapy is just as helpful for those who consider themselves non-artists. Most importantly, it’s about enjoying the process! Creativity therapy is illuminating, interesting, and fun- in addition to being a great from of stress relief!

Sources: Adamson, E. (2002). The everything stress management book: Practical ways to relax, be healthy, and maintain your sanity. Adams Media Corporation.

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