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Inaugural poet Richard Blanco speaks about his writing process
Poet Richard Blanco, chosen to recite a poem written for today’s second inauguration of President Barack Obama, views writing as a discovery process. Poets should not take up a pen to write if he or...
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Take Will Smith’s advice and defy the writing enemy
Do you have a piece of writing that you’re afraid to share with the world? You must push beyond the fear, says actor Will Smith. The ANA Alliance for Family Entertainment, James Lassiter and Will Smith...
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Is your favorite book on this 2012 top 10 list of challenged books?
As long as books have been published, they’ve also been banned for one reason or another. This week, the American Library Association (ALA) released its annual State of America’s Libraries Report,...
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Four contests to energize your writing life
One good way to inject some energy into your writing is by entering contests. Sending out your work helps create focus and momentum and if you win, cash and publishing credits aren’t bad either. Here...
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Winner of the weirdest book title of the year
For all our readers waiting to learn the winner of the Diagram Prize for Oddest Book Title of the Year, the suspense is over. The 2012 winner is Goblinproofing One’s Chicken Coop: And Other Practical...
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Three top tips for children and young adult writers
Are you writing for children and young adults? Success may be yours with the right mix of plot and writing finesse. The Greenhouse Literary Agency, which specializes in children and YA writing, lists...
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Use Camp NaNoWriMo to reach your writing goal this month
Want to write a novel in the month of July? Well, now you can thanks to Camp NaNoWriMo. Based on November’s National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), Camp NaNoWriMo provides the online support,...
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Chicago library scene of surprise marriage proposal
You would expect these things to happen at a library: books checked out, classes taught, children’s story hour, and a book sale. But how about a marriage proposal? That’s what Jason Methner did to...
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Energize your writing by entering a contest
Writing is its own reward, but it’s good to submit to contests to see how your work rates. It can give energy and focus to your writing, and if your submission wins, you might catch the eye of an...
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Young People’s literature gets a boost from the National Book Foundation
For the first time in its history, the National Book Foundation has announced the 2013 Young People’s Literature Longlist for the National Book Award. This is the first time the National Book...
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Write a postcard to spread global understanding
The written word is a powerful way to increase empathy and understanding on a global scale. Writers can be activists in many ways. One of those opportunities is through a program started by Peace Corps...
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The Bad Sex Scene Award: how NOT to get nominated
London’s “Literary Review” has just announced its winners for the 2013 Bad Sex Award—Britain’s most dreaded literary prize. The prize is meant to “draw attention to the crude, badly written, often...
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Polish your prose and enter a writing contest
Sending your writing out into the world is a good way to get recognition for all your hard work. My blogging partner Carol Despeaux should know. She was notified in December that she’d won 7th place in...
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How to find writerly inspiration while eating a burrito
The minute I finally learned to read, I was hooked on words. I was like a staggering lost child who had crawled out of the Mohave desert and couldn’t stop gulping water from the first faucet I found. I...
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