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Listen to the Newest Episode of “Writer’s Digest Presents!”

How do you write what you know? By writing fiction based on your life. This doesn’t mean writing memoir or simply changing the names of the people in your life: It could be a passing comment you hear at the bus stop, or someone’s missing shoe you notice in the street, or it could even just be a feeling from a time in your life..the list goes on and on!

In this episode of “Writer’s Digest Presents,” editor Michael Woodson sits down with author and literary agent Jessica Berg about how to write fiction based on your life, how you can find inspiration everywhere, how to mine your life for story ideas in real time, and more.

Listen to “Writer’s Digest Presents” wherever you stream podcasts, or click here to continue.

Your Story #135: Voting Is Now Open!

Out of more than 100 entries, WD editors chose 6 finalists who wrote drabbles—a short story of exactly 100 words—based on the photo prompt above.

Vote for your favorite using the comments section at the bottom of this page.

Your Story #136: Now Open For Entries!

Write the opening line to a story based on this photo prompt. You can be poignant, funny, witty, etc.; it is, after all, your story.

Click here to submit your story.

Join Us In England!

Writer’s Digest is heading across the pond to England with literary agent, Amy Collins this September! This unique trip is part literary tour and part retreat with an experienced literary agent and Writer’s Digest editor. Get inspired in the land of literary giants like Shakespeare and Dickens, Austen and the Brontës, Smith and Ishiguro. Pack your bags and favorite writing notebook for a trip of a lifetime. Space is limited.

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The post Real Books Recommended by a Real Person appeared first on Writer's Digest.

Today’s film audiences are more sophisticated than ever before. That’s why a screenwriter’s visual language needs to raise the bar even higher by elevating the stunning imagery that showcases their script’s narrative storyline. This webinar will enlighten the process of creating compelling visuals utilizing the written word, making every slug line, descriptive action, and even line of dialogue as visually evocative as possible. Equally important, this webinar will share the tricks of the screen trade in how a writer can conceptualize storylines so full of energy and vitality the reader will want to keep turning the script page.

This live webinar will also cover how to visually describe not only characters, but the worlds they inhabit in exciting and engaging prose. The instructor will illustrate how to create friction and conflict to visualize a story’s dramatic stakes, including strategies on how to escalate the tension for an ultimately satisfying third-act climax. Finally, several film franchise properties will be highlighted to show how their distinct and unique cinematic universes were created.

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If you want more online education, see the full list of WDU courses here.

Listen to the newest episode of “Writer’s Digest Presents” now!

In this episode of “Writer’s Digest Presents,” content editor Michael Woodson chats with author Hilary Leichter, author of Temporary and Terrace Story, about ignoring craft rules, not thinking about your readers, and when to ask yourself what you’re afraid of.

Join Writer’s Digest on the London and Bath Writing Retreat!

Join Writer’s Digest and fellow writers on the writing retreat of a lifetime to the country of literary giants like Shakespeare and Dickens, Austen and the Brontës, Smith and Ishiguro.

Itinerary

At A Glance

• Friday, September 12: Arrive in London and the Hotel RIU Plaza London Victoria. Group Dinner.
• Saturday, September 13: British Library, Blue Circle walking tour in Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia. Group dinner.
• Sunday, September 14: Sherlock Holmes Museum, tour of Regent’s Park plus writing time. Group dinner and evening performance at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.
• Monday, September 15: Westminster Abbey tour (including Poet’s Corner). Trafalgar Square with tour of the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery. Time to explore Cecil Court (aka Bookseller’s Lane). Group dinner.
• Tuesday, September 16: Travel to Chawton for a tour of the Jane Austen House Museum and Chawton House Library. Picnic lunch in Chawton House Garden. Continue to town of Bath and Bailbrook House Hotel. Group dinner.
• Wednesday, September 17: Tour of Jane Austen Centre. Dedicated writing time at Bailbrook House. Group dinner.
• Thursday, September 18: Dedicated writing time at Bailbrook House. Group dinner.
• Friday, September 19: Free time to explore and/or write in Bath. Travel to London and Hotel RIU Plaza London. Group dinner.
• Saturday, September 20: Travel to airport on your own and departure, or continue your travels on your own.

Click here to learn more and to register today.

Click here for more information from literary agent Amy Collins.

Click here for England-inspired book recommendations from managing editor Moriah Richard.

The post Show Don’t Tell: A Visual Guide to Cinematic Storytelling appeared first on Writer's Digest.

(Getting Started In Screenwriting: A Chat With Script Magazine’s Sadie Dean)

In this episode of “Writer’s Digest Presents,” content editor Michael Woodson chats with author Hilary Leichter, author of Temporary and Terrace Story, about ignoring craft rules, not thinking about your readers, and when to ask yourself what you’re afraid of.

About the Author

Hilary Leichter is the author of the novels Temporary and Terrace Story. She has been a finalist for The Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, the New York Public Library Young Lions Fiction Prize, and her work in Harper’s Magazine won the 2021 National Magazine Award in Fiction. Terrace Story has been named a best book of 2023 by Time Magazine, The New Yorker, The LA Times, Publishers Weekly, and other publications. Hilary teaches at Columbia University and lives in Brooklyn, NY.

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From the Episode

“I have something controversial to say, which is that I don’t think about my readers at all. And I mean that from a place of deep, deep respect. I think that for any book, the only two people that exist on the page are the author and the reader. The characters are not characters. They’re words. There’s no one in a book. There’s just text and paper. If we’re talking about fiction, there’s no one with real feelings. There’s no one with real experiences. The only real with a capital R people are me and whoever is on the other side reading it. And I don’t want the reader to be thinking about me. I want then to be thinking about the book. And so, for the same reason, I don’t think about the reader. And what that looks like in terms of writing is making every decision about what the experience of reading the book would be for a person, but not thinking about the person who’s reading it. And frankly, not thinking about if anyone will ever read it. If it’s liberating for anyone listening to not care about the reader, but to love them. That’s how I feel.”

“I think there is an idea that we are suppose to write about what we know and write about the world that we live in. But the world we live in is constantly changing. And the person you are when your book comes out is five people past the person you were when you wrote it. I think my books are always kind of this arrow shot into the future. I’m always thinking about things that I don’t have or haven’t experienced or am wondering about.”

“I think if you’re worrying about craft rules, or if you’re worrying about anything that isn’t in the world of the thing you’re writing, then I think it’s worth sitting back and asking yourself what you’re afraid of. I think when those voices come in—like, Oh, I can’t write this, or I can’t write something this short, or I can’t write something this long, or This is took much like this other thing that already exists, or anything like that, that’s not really about the thing. you’re writing. I think it’s a signal that youa re circling the red-hot center of whatever you’re writing, and it’s terrifying you. Shifting to like, Well, what am I so afraid of putting on the page? Then the answer to that question is what your book is about a lot of the time.”

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The post The Art of Writing Whatever You Want: A Chat With Hilary Leichter appeared first on Writer's Digest.

There are lots of classes about writing funny; this one is about what funny is – its mechanics, its principles. And while comedy people certainly vary in their ability to articulate those principles, they all take them seriously and refer to them constantly (“Call-back’s too soon”; “Set-up’s got too many words”).

This webinar has no direct instruction but rather takes a deep dive into the comedy principles which are, in fact, the basic principles of every art form: tension and resolution, pattern disruption, misdirection and surprise. And we’ll see how these principles achieve their effects by looking at examples ranging from Buster Keaton to Richard Pryor to Amy Schumer.

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If you want more online education, see the full list of WDU courses here. 

Listen to the newest episode of the “Writer’s Digest Presents” Podcast!

In the fourth season premiere of the “Writer’s Digest Presents” podcast, content editor Michael Woodson chats with Script magazine’s editor-in-chief Sadie Dean on how to get started in screenwriting.

Only A Few Spots Left: Join Writer’s Digest in Italy in 2025!

Writers from around the world and throughout the centuries have found inspiration from the beauty of Florence and the surrounding Tuscan countryside. Now, you can be one of them! Join Writer’s Digest in Florence and Tuscany this fall for the most awe-inspiring writing retreat available!

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Watch more than 400 expert writing tutorials!

With a growing catalog of instructional writing videos available instantly, we have writing instruction on everything from improving your craft to getting published and finding an audience. New videos are added every month!

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(How to Start Podcasting: A Checklist for Writers.)

The simplicity of this format meant that early creators had maximum time and brain space left over for researching and writing great episodes. Podcasters I work with have mentioned that they miss the ‘authenticity’ of the early days of podcasting, before they had to worry so much about production and social media. In recent years, podcasting has gone mainstream and audiences now expect higher production value as a standard. Currently, most top creators (but not all) have added video to their podcasts, and new podcasts in 2024 typically launched with video.

Podcasting and social media platforms have begun promoting and favoring video over audio-only formats, putting immense pressure on podcasters to adapt. This new pressure lands on top of existing pressures and learning curves that writers experience when adapting from written word to podcasting. Despite insistence from platforms, networks, and advertisers, I feel strongly that video is not a good fit for every podcast. It can be an incredible tool for some but can end up being an awkward, cumbersome, and non-additive choice for others.

When is video a helpful addition?

Including Extra Media:

Many podcasts could greatly benefit from launching a YouTube channel that complements their audio content with documentary-style images and infographics. This approach provides listeners with context and depth, making complex subjects more digestible. 

For example, History Hit seamlessly combines expert commentary and interviews with visuals that include historical sites and relevant diagrams. This enriches the storytelling experience and caters to diverse learning preferences. 

Many audio-only podcasts prompt listeners to visit their social media accounts to see images or diagrams referenced in the episodes, but not every listener is going to take the time to search Instagram. By adding photos or clips directly into the episode, podcasters can create a more seamless experience.

Para-social Connection:

Whether it’s our favorite book characters, TV characters, or the podcasters we listen to every week, we tend to get the feeling that we know these people or characters. We become so familiar with their personalities and lives that it can almost feel like they are our friends even though we have never met. 

In other words, we develop a para-social connection. Para-social connections foster deep loyalty in the listener and often create a desire to share beloved podcasts with our real life friends. Para-social connections are certainly created in audio-only podcasts, but adding visuals can amplify the effect. 

The space you record in, clothing or costumes, facial expressions and gestures all provide the audience with subtle but important information, giving them a greater feeling of knowing the hosts and guests. Celebrity interviews, for example, thrive on this format. The same can also be true of non-celebrity podcasters because to a dedicated audience, a small-time podcaster can feel like a celebrity.

Understanding how the target audience best connects with content they enjoy can help podcasters determine if video is a good choice for them.

Secondary Skills:

Some podcasters combine storytelling with a secondary, sometimes unrelated, skill that adds visual interest. Bailey Sarian’s Murder Mystery & Makeup is a great example. 

Sarian starts her episodes with a fresh face, and as she tells a murder mystery story, she applies her makeup so that by the end she has a completed, trendy makeup look. Viewers are drawn not only by the intriguing narratives but also by the makeup artistry. This format allows Sarian to engage a broader audience – those looking for mystery stories and those interested in makeup videos. 

Not all writers would want to apply makeup on camera while telling a story, but the concept of performing a secondary skill is an interesting (albeit risky) strategy decision. For those who are seeking Sarian’s storytelling but not the makeup looks, she also releases a podcast called Dark History in both video and audio-only formats.

When is video an unnecessary hassle?

If one or some combination of the above applies to your podcast, then video may be a good choice for you. It’s important to remember that adding video is adding another layer of storytelling to the podcast. If video does not enhance the storytelling or further engage the audience then I don’t feel it is necessary or a good idea. 

To bring it back to the literary world, not every novel should be adapted into a film, and not every novel needs to have pictures, maps or family trees included. I advise my podcasting clients to carefully weigh the pros and cons of adding video partly to avoid unnecessary expenses but also to prevent burnout that can come from working in a medium that doesn’t serve your work well. Here are a few things to consider:

Multi-tasking Listeners:

Visual content requires more of your audience’s attention, which can sometimes be a turnoff. Many people still prefer to listen while doing other things like commuting, working out, or household chores. This is especially true for audiences over the age of 30. 

For this reason, I feel it’s important that podcasters who choose to add video also provide listeners with an audio-only version, and that the audio makes sense without video or images.

Authenticity and Imagination:

Some listeners appreciate the lower production nature of audio-only podcasts, and find that high production podcasts can feel less authentic. Writers who podcast may find that their storytelling shines through more effectively in an audio format where they are free from concerns about how they appear on camera. 

There is also greater potential to engage the imaginations of your listeners when there are no visual elements. I think we’ve all had a movie depiction of a book character replace what we’d imagined on our own while reading.

Simplified Production:

Producing a podcast solely in audio can significantly streamline the publishing process. Without the need for video editing or camera setups, creators can concentrate on researching and writing high-quality episodes and maintaining a consistent release schedule. This approach allows podcasters to prioritize their content quality and strategy, and engage with their audience more frequently without getting weighed down by complex production requirements.

After working on podcasts with a broad range of creators and writers, I feel that there is one key advantage to adding video to your podcast. If you record a video of your podcast, then you have the ability to release clips on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, and other platforms. Social clips have been the number one way that my clients have launched themselves out of obscurity without the help of a major network. In order to drive audience growth, it’s important for listeners to be able to share podcast clips with their own social media network, many of whom will likely be interested in the same kinds of content.

If video isn’t for you, there is a fairly easy workaround to this issue. Some of my clients have opted to record their podcast as both video and audio, but they only use the video for social clips. These podcasts are released as audio-only, but in order to have a social media presence these creators film their recording and choose key moments to turn into social clips. In these cases, social clips are the only video that exist from the podcast. This takes the pressure off of performing for the camera the entire episode and also reduces the time and cost of production as there is no full-length video that needs to be edited, just a few 30- to 90-second clips.

The post Does My Podcast Need Video? appeared first on Writer's Digest.

Our WDU Historical Fiction Virtual Conference will provide expert insights from bestselling historical fiction authors Kimberly Brock, Ryan C. Coleman, James Wade, Susan Meissner, Amanda Churchill, Trisha R. Thomas, and Sharon Short. Spend the weekend learning techniques for honing your craft, then optionally receive a personalized critique of your query letter or pitch for a magazine/web article from a participating literary agent.

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If you want more online education, see the full list of WDU courses here.

Order The Writer’s Yearbook 2025 While Supplies Last!

The 2025 Writer’s Yearbook, presented by Writer’s Digest, is a comprehensive resource for writers who need a boost to finish the year on a strong note or start planning their new years’ writing goals. Featuring the top websites and markets for writers, plus articles on freelancing, creativity, writing book-length works, and attracting an agent, this special publication has something for any writer looking to get their work published.

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Listen to the Newest Episode of “Writer’s Digest Presents” Now!

Our latest episode of “Writer’s Digest Presents” just went live, and it’s all about what fight scenes and action can tell you about your characters! Listen to editor-in-chief Amy Jones and editor Michael Woodson chat with trained fighter and author Carla Hoch now!

The post Expert Insights Into Writing Historical Fiction appeared first on Writer's Digest.

(Transition From Self Publishing to Traditional Publishing: A Chat With Zenda Walker)

In this episode of “Writer’s Digest Presents,” trained fighter and author Carla Hoch shares all of her knowledge about writing fight scenes—why writing fight scenes is a good writing skill to have, how fight scenes can reveal character, and more.

About Carla Hoch

Carla Hoch is the award-winning blogger of FightWrite® and author of the Writer’s Digest book Fight Write: How to Write Believable Fight Scenes. She is a WDU instructor who regularly teaches on the craft of writing fight scenes, action, and violence as well as the mechanics of fighting for writers. Carla is a world champion jiujitsu player and has experience in almost a dozen fighting styles. She lives and trains outside Houston, Texas.

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The post How Fight Scenes Can Reveal Character appeared first on Writer's Digest.

You’ll take an in-depth look at Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird as well as more contemporary novels such as Alice Sebold’s The Lovely Bones and Elizabeth Strout’s Olive Kitteridge. When you take this course, you will learn invaluable tips on writing a book and receive detailed instruction through weekly lessons and writing assignments.

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Only One Month Left to Register for the Writer’s Digest Annual Conference!

Writer’s Digest Annual Conference is excited to meet in person this October in the home town of Writer’s Digest!

Writer’s Digest Annual Conference offers everything you need to advance your writing career creatively and professionally. Gain invaluable tips to improve your craft, explore publishing options and learn how to establish a sustainable career—all while being inspired by successful authors and your fellow attendees. It’s all brought to you by Writer’s Digest, the experts at nurturing and developing writers at every stage of their career for over 100 years.

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Get to Know This Year’s Keynote Speaker Steven Rowley!

New York Times-bestselling author Steven Rowley joins us in Cincinnati this October as the Annual Conference keynote speaker.

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Catch Up On “Writer’s Digest Presents” Episodes Now!

The post How To Finish a Draft in 12 Weeks appeared first on Writer's Digest.

(5 Different Types of Podcasts for Writers to Try.)

The average American listens to eight podcasts a week, mostly for entertainment, learning, and diversion—many people enjoy playing their favorite podcasts in the background while engaged in other activities.

According to a 2023 PEW Research Center Survey, 29% of listeners tune in to “stay up to date about current events,” but only one in five listen to podcasts affiliated with actual news organizations. Many claim they enjoy podcasts that offer unique content and hard-to-find perspectives.

The journalism podcasts listed here are independent ventures created by industry professionals, come in a range of formats and styles, and cover different aspects of journalism. They offer commentary on the news media, discuss journalism in history, explore the process of news gathering, and present interviews with working journalists on how they conduct investigations.

5 Great Journalism Podcasts for Writers

Here are five of those valuable, enjoyable, and informative journalism themed podcasts that made the list.

1. The Sharyl Attkisson Podcast

The Sharyl Attkisson Podcast offers insightful, high-quality, in-depth interviews and discussions on news stories, current events, and journalism practices. Recent episodes cover surveillance in the classroom, bias and censorship in the news industry, and how some politicians dodge or even ‘direct’ interviews with the media.

Sharyl Attkisson is a nonpartisan investigative journalist, five-time Emmy Award winner, and recipient of the Edward R. Murrow award for investigative reporting. She’s written three bestselling books: Slanted, The Smear, and Stonewalled. She also hosts the Sunday morning national TV news program Full Measure with Sharyl Attkisson.

2. It’s All Journalism

In this weekly podcast, host Michael O’Connell talks to professional journalists about their work, the changing state of digital media, and the latest journalism trends. Past episodes have explored how newsrooms can restore audience trust and how digital video is becoming the go-to platform for delivering local news.

As well as hosting and producing It’s All Journalism, O’Connell is also a field editor with Patch.com in the Washington, D.C., area and produces the Better News podcast for the American Press Institute.

3. Journalism History

This educational podcast delves into the history of mass media in the U.S. and explores unique stories and events from the past. Journalism History was founded in 2018 and is a collaboration between the AEJMC History Division and the Journalism History journal.

The series has covered some fascinating subjects and stories, from journalists in film and an exploration of the early days of television news, to abolitionists’ investigative reporting.

The production team consists of three professional media historians, Teri Finneman, who researches media coverage of women in politics, Nick Hirshon, an expert in the history of New York sports, and Ken Ward, who specializes in the journalism history of the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains.

Unfortunately, the podcast is ending its six-year run in December 2024 and is included in this list because of the content’s historical and societal value. It’s vital that we know how journalism, as an industry and craft, has developed over the decades. We also need to hear these insightful stories from the past.

*****

The Writer’s Digest Guide to Journalism is a practical, informative, and well-researched introduction to journalism and its best practices, with actionable advice, tips, techniques, explanations, and anecdotes straight from the field. In this digital guide, writers will learn how to write an effective news piece, skills need to be an effective journalist, outlets for publishing journalism, journalism associations, and so much more. Both inspirational and pragmatic, The Writer’s Digest Guide to Journalism is packed with valuable resources for aspiring journalists.

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*****

4. The Tip Off

The Tip Off is a powerful and gripping UK-based podcast that takes listeners behind-the-scenes of investigative reporting. Told by the journalists involved, we learn about the work that goes into finding and producing a great story and how the process unfolds, from leads and complications, to the ‘tip-offs.’ Investigative journalism takes time, effort, energy, and resources, as well as patience and perseverance. This well-produced podcast is worth a listen if you’re interested in how research is conducted, how leads are pursued by different journalists, the type of stories they tackle, and the wrongdoing exposed.

Maeve McClenaghan, creator, producer, and host of The Tip Off, is a multi-award-winning journalist, an investigative correspondent for the Guardian, and previously worked for the Bureau of Investigative Journalism. She is the author of No Fixed Abode, published by Picador in 2020.

5. The Freelance Journalist 5 Minute Talkshow

This is an entertaining, educational, and informative interview style podcast designed exclusively for freelance journalists and video producers. It’s short and to the point, lasting only 5 minutes. Host Carlos P. Beltran tackles a range of practical topics affecting freelancers, including what it takes to be a freelancer, how to respond if you’re asked to do work for free, and what gear you need to get started as a videographer. He interviews freelancers stationed all over the world, working in various journalistic mediums and genres.

Although short in length, the podcast is packed with useful information and advice that’s easy to absorb. There are also some gems that stick with you. In the Gear episode, guest Neil Brandvold, a photojournalist and filmmaker based in Washington, D.C., reminds listeners that content is king. Rather than agonize over things like what gear to purchase, he advises us to simply focus on telling a good story. Wise words indeed.

Carlos P. Beltran is an award-winning freelance journalist and video producer covering profile and human-interest stories for National Geographic, Discovery Digital Networks, AJ+, The New York Post, The Atlantic, Univision, Fusion, and ABC News.

______________________________

Resources:

• https://whatsthebigdata.com/podcasts-statistics/#
• https://www.pewresearch.org/journalism/2023/04/18/podcasts-as-a-source-of-news-and-information/

The post 5 Great Journalism Podcasts for Writers appeared first on Writer's Digest.

When you take this online writing course, you’ll discover your voice, learn the basics of grammar and examine the different types of writing. No matter what type of writing you’re planning on crafting—nonfiction or fiction—you’ll need guidance along the way.

During this course, you can expect to take an in-depth look at Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published by Estelle Erasmus. Draw upon advice from published authors and start your writing career today.

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If you want more online education, see the full list of WDU courses here.

Register for the 2024 Writer’s Digest Annual Conference!

Writer’s Digest Annual Conference is excited to meet in person this October in the home town of Writer’s Digest!

Writer’s Digest Annual Conference offers everything you need to advance your writing career creatively and professionally. Gain invaluable tips to improve your craft, explore publishing options and learn how to establish a sustainable career—all while being inspired by successful authors and your fellow attendees. It’s all brought to you by Writer’s Digest, the experts at nurturing and developing writers at every stage of their career for over 100 years.

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Listen to the Newest Episode of Writer’s Digest Presents!

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