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The Law of Attraction for Writers Podcast, Episode 1, Frequency
Everything you want as a writer exists at a certain frequency. The question is — are you a match for it? In this episode, Suzanne Lieurance and Simon Rose introduce the foundation of the Law of Attraction for Writers — the idea that your thoughts, emotions, and energy all operate at a frequency, and that…
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The Law of Attraction for Writers Podcast
If you’re looking to boost your creativity, stay motivated, and attract opportunities, be sure to listen to the podcast. The Law of Attraction for Writers Podcast, hosted by author and Law of Attraction coach for writers Suzanne Lieurance and children’s author Simon Rose blends timeless Law of Attraction principles with actionable writing tips, giving listeners…
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Why Some Writers Make Progress and Others Stay Stuck
by Suzanne Lieurance Many writers have the talent to succeed. They have ideas. They have notebooks full of story concepts. They have writing books on their shelves and courses on their computers. Yet year after year, they still struggle to finish what they start. Meanwhile, other writers seem to make steady progress. They finish manuscripts,…
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How to Find the Right Publications for Your Work
by Suzanne Lieurance One of the most common reasons writers don’t submit isn’t that they don’t want to. It’s that they don’t know where to send their work — and the research feels overwhelming before it even begins. The literary market is large and varied, and no writer is expected to know all of it….
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What to Do When Your Writing Feels Too Personal to Share
by Suzanne Lieurance Some writing is easy to share. The essay about craft, the piece about your neighborhood, the story that borrows only loosely from life. You finish it, you send it out, and the vulnerability is manageable. And then there’s the other kind. The piece that holds something real — a loss, a relationship,…
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How to Build a Submission Habit That Actually Sticks
by Suzanne Lieurance Most writers who want to submit more don’t have a motivation problem. They have a system problem. They wait until a piece feels finished enough, then spend a few scattered hours researching markets, then lose momentum and move on to something else. The submission never goes out. Or it goes out once…
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The Difference Between a Writing Platform and a Writing Presence
by Suzanne Lieurance If the word “platform” makes you feel tired before you’ve even started, you’re not alone. Platform has become one of the most loaded words in the writing world. It conjures follower counts and posting schedules and the exhausting sense that you need to be everywhere at once, performing your writerly self for…
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How to Talk About Your Writing Without Feeling Like You’re Bragging
by Suzanne Lieurance One of the quietest visibility blocks writers face has nothing to do with submitting or publishing. It happens much earlier, in ordinary conversation, when someone asks what you’re working on and you immediately downplay it. “Oh, just a little project.” “Nothing serious yet.” “I’ve been playing around with an idea.” Sound familiar?…
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Two Books, Two Chats — June is Going to Be a Big Month for Readers
by Suzanne Lieurance June has five Mondays, and we’re making the most of them. There was no Writers’ Book Chat in May — Memorial Day fell on our last Monday of the month, so we gave ourselves the holiday. But June more than makes up for it. With five Mondays on the calendar, we’re fitting…
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How to Write a Writer Bio That Actually Sounds Like You
by Suzanne Lieurance Most writer bios are technically accurate and completely forgettable. They list credentials in the safest possible order, use language that could belong to anyone, and leave the reader with a vague sense of a writer rather than a specific one. If you’ve ever written a bio and then felt vaguely embarrassed reading…
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Why Writers Hide (And How to Stop)
by Suzanne Lieurance Most writers don’t think of themselves as hiding. They think of themselves as waiting — for the right moment, the right draft, the right level of confidence that will finally make it safe to share their work. But waiting and hiding are usually the same thing in different clothes. The Reasons Writers…
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Our June Writing Challenge: Let Yourself Be Seen
by Suzanne Lieurance Each month we feature a writing challenge that is the theme for the entire month and all our content is based on that theme. Each monthly theme builds on the previous one, so be sure to look back at each theme for this year, no matter when you are reading this. You can…
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What Happens After You Grow as a Writer
by Suzanne Lieurance Something changes after you expand as a writer. Not just in what you produce. But in how you see yourself. The Internal Shift You stop thinking: “I’m trying to write more.” And start realizing: “This is what I do now.” That shift is quiet. But it’s powerful. What Becomes Possible When your…
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How to Maintain Your Writing Momentum and Capacity
by Suzanne Lieurance Expanding your writing capacity is one thing. Holding it is another. Many writers grow for a short time, then slowly return to where they started. Not because they failed. But because they didn’t stabilize the new level. Why Writers Slip Back After a period of growth, it’s easy to relax. To take…
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When Writing More Starts to Feel Easy
by Suzanne Lieurance At the beginning of the month, writing more probably felt like a stretch. You had to think about it. You had to stay a little longer on purpose. You had to remind yourself not to stop too soon. But did you start to notice a change? The Shift You Might Not Expect…
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The Hidden Skill Behind Writing More Consistently
by Suzanne Lieurance Many writers want to be more consistent. They try to write every day. They set goals. They create plans. But consistency still feels out of reach. What Most Writers Think They Need Discipline. Motivation. More time. But those aren’t the real issue. The Hidden Skill The skill behind consistency is focus. Not…
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Why Writing More Starts with Staying Longer
by Suzanne Lieurance Many writers focus on writing more. More words. More pages. More output. But they skip the step that makes that possible. Staying longer. The Real Starting Point Writing more doesn’t begin with output. It begins with time. If you leave the page too quickly, your writing stays limited. Not because you can’t…
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How Writers Increase Word Count Naturally Over Time
by Suzanne Lieurance You want to increase your word count. You set a goal. You aim higher. You try to push yourself to produce more. And sometimes it works—for a while. But it rarely lasts. Why Word Count Goals Don’t Always Stick The problem isn’t the goal. It’s the gap between what you’re asking yourself…
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The Difference Between the Right Word and the Almost Right Word
Why specificity is the secret — whether you’re writing country lyrics or a children’s picture book by Suzanne Lieurance “The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.” — Mark Twain Mark Twain wasn’t being poetic for the sake of it. He was being…
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What to Do When You Feel Like Stopping Your Writing Session
by Suzanne Lieurance There’s a moment that arrives in almost every writing session. You’ve been at it for a while. Things were flowing — or at least moving. And then, quietly, something changes. The words come a little slower. Your attention starts drifting. And stopping begins to feel not just okay, but obvious. So you…
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How to Write More Without Feeling Drained
by Suzanne Lieurance You decide today is the day you’re going to write more. And for a while, it works. The words come. You push through. You feel productive. Then the next day, something feels off. Writing that used to feel easy now feels like effort. And by day three, you’re back to where you…
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How to Increase Your Writing Time Without Resistance
by Suzanne Lieurance You sit down to write. Things are going well. Words are coming. You’re in it. And then — almost without warning — something shifts. The flow slows. Your attention starts drifting toward other things. And stopping begins to feel like the obvious next move. So you stop. But here’s what most writers…
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How Trying a New Type of Writing Can Expand Your Creativity
What Turning My Old Poems into Country Songs Taught Me About Creative Growth by Suzanne Lieurance Many writers unknowingly place limits on their own creativity. Not because they lack ideas. Not because they are untalented. But because they become deeply identified with one type of writing. You may have spent years writing novels, children’s books,…
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Pushing vs Expanding: A Better Way to Improve Writing Productivity
by Suzanne Lieurance How do you improve your writing productivity? Well, many writers think the answer is to push harder. Write longer. Write faster. Force more words onto the page. But that approach rarely lasts. What Pushing Looks Like Pushing feels like effort. You sit down and try to: • Override resistance • Ignore fatigue…
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How to Know Your Current Writing Capacity
by Suzanne Lieurance Before you can expand your writing capacity, you need to see it clearly. Many writers skip this step. They try to do more without knowing where they are. What Capacity Looks Like Your current writing capacity shows up in: • How long you naturally write • Where your focus starts to drift…
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Why Many Writers Hit a Limit (and Stay There)
by Suzanne Lieurance Many writers don’t realize they’ve hit a limit. They just notice that their writing stays the same. Same amount of time. Same output. Same stopping point. And over time, that begins to feel normal. But it isn’t fixed. It’s learned. The Invisible Ceiling Most writers have an unspoken idea of how much…
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My Love Affair with Reliable Resources
by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of poetry, fiction and the Modern History Press’s acclaimed HowToDoItFrugally Series of book for writers I fell in love with reliable resources when I became a staff writer for my high school newspaper and realized the acquisition of a deep love for that concept surpassed my original attraction for my high…
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May Writing Challenge: Build Your Creative Capacity as a Writer
by Suzanne Lieurance Last month, you practiced something simple. You returned to the page. Again and again. And if you stayed with it, something shifted. Writing became less of a question and more of a given. Now we build on that. May Writing Challenge Theme: Creative Capacity This month’s May Writing Challenge is about expanding…
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What One Month of Devotion to Your Writing Can Do
by Suzanne Lieurance A month ago, you chose devotion and you might wonder what one month of devotion to your writing can do. Maybe you didn’t even use the word “devotion.” Maybe you just decided to show up more consistently, to take your writing time more seriously, to stop treating your creative life as the…
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The Writing Life You Actually Want — and How to Build It
by Suzanne Lieurance Most writers have a picture in their mind of what their ideal writing life looks like. Maybe it’s mornings at a quiet desk before the house wakes up. Maybe it’s a dedicated writing day each week, completely uninterrupted. Maybe it’s a finished book in hand, or a steady creative practice that feels…
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How to Finish the Writing Project You’ve Been Devoted to This Month
by Suzanne Lieurance You’ve shown up all month. Now it’s time to finish the writing project you’ve been devoted to. April has been a month of devotion — of choosing your writing life on purpose, of showing up even when it was hard, of building a practice that belongs to you. And if you’ve been…
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How to Avoid Writer Burnout
by Suzanne Lieurance If you’re wondering how to avoid writer burnout, the answer might surprise you — it’s not about pushing harder or finding better systems. It’s about giving yourself permission to rest, and understanding that rest is part of the work itself. There’s a pressure in creative life to always be producing. To have…
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Writing From Fear vs. Devotion: How to Know Which One Is Driving You
by Suzanne Lieurance If you’ve ever sat down to write and wondered why it felt so different from the last time, you may have experienced the gap between writing from fear vs. devotion — and learning to tell the difference can change everything about your relationship with your writing. Writing from devotion feels like coming…
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What to Do When Life Gets in the Way of Writing
by Suzanne Lieurance There are times when life gets in the way of writing — and everything around you seems to conspire against the work you love. The demands are real: a family member who needs you, a job that’s spilling into every hour, a home that won’t stop requiring attention. These aren’t excuses. They’re…
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Writer’s Block Isn’t What You Think
by Suzanne Lieurance Writer’s block is one of those things every writer dreads — and almost every writer misunderstands. You sit down to write. The document is open. The time is yours. And nothing comes. Or worse — something comes, but it feels wrong, and you delete it, and an hour disappears. You call it…
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The One Thing Devoted Writers Do That Others Don’t
by Suzanne Lieurance Okay, so can you guess what the one thing is that devoted writers do that other writers don’t do? It’s probably not what you might think. It’s not waking up early. It’s not writing every single day without exception. It’s not having a perfect writing space or a rigid word count goal….
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Why Devotion Looks Different for Every Writer
by Suzanne Lieurance There is no single picture of what a devoted writer looks like. Some devoted writers are up at five in the morning, coffee in hand, words on the page before the rest of the house stirs. Others write in stolen pockets of time — twenty minutes at lunch, thirty minutes after the…
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How to Begin Again — Starting Fresh With Your Writing Each Week
by Suzanne Lieurance Every week is a new invitation. It doesn’t matter what happened last week — how much you wrote or didn’t write, how many times you sat down or walked away. When a new week begins, you get to begin too. That’s not a consolation prize. That’s the practice. Beginning again is not…
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Can You Really Write a Book on Your Phone?
by Suzanne Lieurance You can write anywhere now. That’s one of the best things about being a writer today. You’re not tied to a desk, a schedule, or even a computer. You’ve got a full writing studio in your pocket. And yet… that doesn’t mean your phone is the best place to write a book….
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Why Passion is Overrated – and What Actually Keeps You Writing
by Suzanne Lieurance Writers are told, over and over, to follow their passion. Write what you love. Find the project that sets your soul on fire. Let your excitement carry you to the finish line. This advice is well-meaning. It’s also only useful for the first two weeks of any project. After that, the passion…
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The Ritual That Has Nothing to Do With Writing
by Suzanne Lieurance Ask most writers about their pre-writing rituals and they’ll tell you about routines that make sense: the fresh cup of coffee, the desk cleared of clutter, the timer set for a focused session. All of that is fine. But some of the most powerful rituals devoted writers use have nothing to do…
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Devotion to the Work Isn’t What You Think
by Suzanne Lieurance Does this sound like you? You want to be more consistent with your writing. You want to finish what you start. You want to feel like writing is just part of your life… instead of something you keep trying to get back to. So you tell yourself you need to be more…
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Our April Writing Challenge: Devotion to the Work
by Suzanne Lieurance Each month we feature a writing challenge that is the theme for the entire month and all our content is based on that theme. Each monthly theme builds on the previous one, so be sure to look back at each theme for this year, no matter when you are reading this. You…
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How to Read Your Energy Before You Write — and Match Your Session to What You Have
by Suzanne Lieurance Most writing advice treats sessions as interchangeable. Show up, open the document, write. But writers who finish know something that advice rarely acknowledges: not all writing energy is the same, and what you can do well today depends almost entirely on what you’re bringing to the page. Learning to read your energy…
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What the Writing Life Actually Looks Like From the Outside
by Suzanne Lieurance There’s a lot of writing advice about how to feel like a writer. Less about what it looks like when you actually are one — not from the inside, but from the outside. The observable version. The decisions other people notice. Because living like a writer isn’t just an internal shift. It…
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How to Recommit to a Writing Project You’ve Been Avoiding
by Suzanne Lieurance You know the project. It’s the one that lives in a folder you don’t open. The one you think about when you’re falling asleep. The one you’ve told yourself you’ll get back to — soon, when things settle down, when you feel ready. You already know you’re going to finish it. You…
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What to Do When You’ve Lost the Thread of Your Story
by Suzanne Lieurance Yikes! Does this sound like you? You were moving. You had momentum. And then something happened — life intervened, the chapter got hard, or you just put the manuscript down for a day that turned into a week that turned into a month. Now you open the file and it feels like…
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How to Build Writing Momentum That Actually Lasts
by Suzanne Lieurance Writing momentum is one of those things that feels obvious when you have it and impossible when you don’t. When you’re in it, sessions flow. One day leads naturally to the next. The project feels alive. And then something interrupts. A busy week, an illness, a difficult chapter. The momentum breaks. And…
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What It Really Means to Live Like a Writer — Not Just Write Like One
by Suzanne Lieurance There’s a version of the writing life that looks good on paper. The word counts are happening. You show up, you log the session, the project inches forward. And then there’s the version that’s harder to measure—where writing isn’t just what you do but who you are. Your whole life is shaped…
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The Exact Moment Starters and Finishers Diverge — and What to Do There
by Suzanne Lieurance The difference between writers who finish and writers who don’t isn’t visible at the beginning of a project. In those early weeks, everyone looks the same — energized, committed, full of ideas. The divergence happens later, at a specific moment that almost every writer will recognize. It’s the moment the excitement fades….
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How Your Writer Identity Shapes What You Create — and Whether You Finish
by Suzanne Lieurance There’s a question most writers never think to ask when they’re stuck. Not “What should I write next?” or “How do I fix this scene?” but something quieter and more fundamental: “Who do I believe I am?” Because what you believe about yourself as a writer shapes everything — how you show…
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Why Done Is Always Better Than Perfect for Writers
by Suzanne Lieurance Every writer knows that perfectionism is the enemy of finishing. It’s practically a cliché at this point. And yet knowing this doesn’t seem to stop it. You start a chapter feeling good. A few paragraphs in, you read back what you’ve written and something tightens. It’s not quite right. You go back…
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The Behaviors That Reveal You Haven’t Truly Decided to Finish
by Suzanne Lieurance Most writers believe they’ve decided to finish their book. They’d tell you so confidently. But beliefs and decisions are different things, and your behavior usually knows which one you actually have. The gap between intending to finish and truly deciding to finish shows up in small, specific ways. Once you know what…
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Why You Keep Getting Stuck at the Same Place in Every Project
by Suzanne Lieurance If you’ve started more than one writing project, you may have noticed something uncomfortable. The place where you stall tends to look the same. Different story, different characters, different year — but the same wall. This isn’t bad luck. It’s a pattern. And patterns have causes you can identify. Understanding where and…
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Why Showing Up Consistently Matters More Than Writing a Lot
by Suzanne Lieurance There’s a version of the writing life that looks impressive from the outside. Marathon sessions. Thousands of words in a single sitting. The writer who disappears for a weekend and emerges with three chapters. That version is real for some people. But for most writers, it’s not sustainable — and chasing it…
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How to Write When You Don’t Feel Like It
by Suzanne Lieurance There’s a version of writing advice that says: just push through. Sit down, ignore how you feel, and write anyway. That advice isn’t wrong, exactly. But it skips over something important. How you feel when you don’t want to write usually has something to tell you — and if you learn to…
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The Simple End-of-Session Habit That Makes Starting Again Easy
by Suzanne Lieurance Most writers put a lot of thought into how they begin a writing session. They set up their space, make their coffee, find the right playlist. They have rituals for getting in. What they rarely think about is how they get out. And that’s where a lot of momentum quietly dies. The…
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Why Choosing One Writing Project at a Time Changes Everything
by Suzanne Lieurance You probably have more than one writing project going right now. Maybe three. Maybe five. Maybe a folder full of ideas you keep meaning to get back to, plus the novel you’ve been working on for two years, plus the essay you started last month that felt urgent at the time. And…
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Our March Writing Challenge: Become a Writer Who Finishes
March is not about starting something new. It’s about becoming the kind of writer who finishes. Many writers live in the beginning. New ideas. Fresh notebooks. Clean documents. That early rush of possibility.But finished work is created by a different identity — and that’s the identity we’re stepping into this month. This challenge is designed…
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Should You Rewrite Your Manuscript After Every Rejection?
You’ve been at this long enough to know that rejection is part of the process. You’ve built up a certain resilience — the ability to read a “not for me” and move on without spiraling. That’s hard-won, and it matters. But here’s a trap that even seasoned querying writers fall into: treating every piece of…
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Our February Writing Challenge
Strengthen the Identity You Stepped Into January was about becoming. You began living as your future-writer-self. You showed up differently. You made small, intentional choices that aligned with the writer you’re becoming. February is about stabilizing that identity. Because once you’ve stepped into a new way of being, the next step isn’t to push harder—it’s…
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More Creative Writing Prompts for January
Here are seven fresh prompts for the week ahead. Use them one at a time to write a short scene or story each day, or combine several prompts to tell a larger story. Monday’s Prompt: The Message That Wasn’t Meant for You You receive a handwritten note tucked inside a library book. It’s clearly personal,…
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How to Create a Smart Marketing Budget (Without Going Overboard)
by Suzanne Lieurance When you sit down to write, you don’t just start typing and hope it works out. You pause. You look at the page. You revise. You decide what stays and what goes. Your marketing budget deserves the same care. Before you spend a single dollar promoting your books, courses, coaching, or content,…
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Our January Writing Challenge: Live as Your Future-Writer-Self
by Suzanne Lieurance January is the perfect time to reset—not by piling on goals or pressure, but by gently stepping into who you’re becoming. This year, I’m inviting you to try something different. Instead of setting a long list of writing resolutions, our January writing challenge is about living as your future-writer-self—starting now. Not someday….
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More Creative Writing Prompts
Here are 7 fresh, holiday-flavored writing prompts for the week ahead. Monday’s Prompt — The Gift No One Expected A character receives a gift that clearly wasn’t meant for them. It’s beautifully wrapped, expensive, and carries a message that doesn’t make sense. Write the moment they decide whether to keep it, return it, or open…
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Our December Writing Challenge
Every month we feature a different writing challenge. Here’s our challenge for December. The One-Hour-a-Day December Writing Challenge December is busy, but you can still move your writing forward in just one focused hour a day. This challenge is simple: Every day in December, set aside one hour just for your writing. No multitasking. No…
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Creative Writing Prompts for Thanksgiving Week
Here are seven brand-new, realistic writing prompts for Thanksgiving week, each one tied to gratitude, family dynamics, memory, and the quiet emotional turns this holiday tends to bring out. Monday’s Prompt – The Empty Chair At the Thanksgiving table, there’s an empty chair this year — someone moved away, passed away, or simply isn’t speaking…
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Realistic Writing Prompts for the Week
Here are seven fresh, realistic writing prompts for the week ahead — written with grounded emotion and real-world depth to get you thinking, feeling, and creating. Monday’s Prompt: The Unsent Letter Your character writes a letter they’ll never send — maybe to an old friend, a parent, or even themselves from years ago. What do…
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Children as Heroes in Your Children’s Fiction
by Simon Rose In your children’s science fiction or fantasy novel, even if the setting is in a different time period, in outer space, or in a world completely unlike our own, it’s imperative that the young characters in the story overcome their adversaries through their own efforts and find solutions to the problems and…
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More Creative Writing Prompts
Here are seven brand-new, realistic writing prompts for next week — grounded in ordinary life, quiet tension, and small but powerful shifts in emotion and perspective. Monday’s Prompt – The Late Apology Your character finally decides to apologize for something that happened years ago — a friendship that ended badly, a lie, a betrayal. Write…
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How to Handle a Manuscript Critique Without Losing Your Spark
by Suzanne Lieurance Getting feedback on your manuscript can feel like stepping into cold water—you know it’ll be good for you, but it still makes you gasp. Every writer dreams of hearing that their story is brilliant and ready for the world. But a real critique usually contains suggestions, questions, and challenges—and those can sting….
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November Writing Challenge
If you want to become a professional writer (meaning, you’ll eventually get paid for writing), then the most important habit you need to develop is the habit of writing on a regular basis. That doesn’t mean you need to write everyday. But once you start writing regularly, you’ll probably find that you are writing everyday or at least most days. With that in mind, here is this month’s writing challenge.
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The Week’s Creative Writing Prompts
Here are 7 fresh creative writing prompts for the week ahead. Monday’s Prompt – The Voice Behind the Wall Your character hears a faint voice through a wall in their apartment building. It doesn’t sound like a neighbor—and it seems to know things it shouldn’t. Tuesday’s Prompt – The Raincoat Left Behind At a coffee…
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More Writing Tips from Simon Rose
Here are some more tips from Simon Rose to help you with your writing. You can also find great advice in The Children’s Writer’s Guide, The Children’s Writer’s Guide 2, and The Time Traveler’s Guide. Realistic Settings Any novelist, whether they’re writing for children or adults, must invent a completely imagined world and the creation…
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Try This Week’s Creative Writing Prompts to Create a New Story or Two
Here are 7 fresh creative writing prompts for the week ahead—designed to inspire grounded, character-driven stories with a spark of surprise or emotional depth. Monday’s Prompt – The Group Text Your character is added to a group chat with four strangers. No one knows who started it, and none of them are willing to leave….
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Avoid Preaching If You Write for Kids
Here is another tip from Simon Rose to help you with your writing. You can also find great advice in The Children’s Writer’s Guide, The Children’s Writer’s Guide 2, and The Time Traveler’s Guide. While your novel may very well contain a moral or theme that you’d really like to get across, don’t be tempted…
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More New Creative Writing Prompts
Here are 7 fresh creative writing prompts for realistic fiction, one for each day of the week. These are grounded in everyday life but invite emotional depth, personal conflict, and character growth. Monday’s Prompt – The Misdelivered Meal A takeout order shows up at your character’s door, but they didn’t place it. The receipt has…
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More October Writing Prompts
Monday’s Prompt – The Season That Skipped Your character wakes up and realizes autumn has vanished. One day it was crisp and golden, the next it’s full winter. No one else notices. What happened to the season—and why are they the only one who remembers it? Tuesday’s Prompt – The Elevator That Lied In a…
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Writing Older
Here are some more tips from Simon Rose to help you with your writing. You can also find great advice in The Children’s Writer’s Guide, The Children’s Writer’s Guide 2, and The Time Traveler’s Guide. How Old Should Your Characters Be? In novels for young readers, children generally prefer not to follow the adventures of…
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Law of Attraction Challenges
by Suzanne Lieurance Utilizing the law of attraction to become a successful writer presents several challenges, often related to how you interpret and apply this law. Here are some of the biggest challenges you might face as a writer: Understanding the Law of Attraction. The law of attraction is based on the idea that positive…
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Write a Christmas Romance – Our October Writing Challenge
This month’s challenge is to write a short Christmas romance to market next month – just in time for the holidays!
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10 Questions Writers Can Ask to Break Free from Limiting Beliefs
by Suzanne Lieurance As writers, we often don’t realize how much our limiting beliefs shape the way we approach the page. These limiting beliefs for writers—like “I’m not good enough,” “no one will read this,” or “I’ll never get published”—can quietly hold us back for years. They keep us stuck in self-doubt, afraid to share…
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New Writing Prompts for the Week
Here are 7 fresh creative writing prompts for the week. Each one offers a unique setup designed to stir the imagination and get words flowing. Use one prompt each day this week, or combine several prompts to make one interesting and, perhaps, unuusal story. Monday’s Prompt – The Mailbox in the Lake A rusted mailbox…
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Try These New Creative Writing Prompts
Here are 7 brand-new creative writing prompts for the week ahead. Each one is designed to spark curiosity, forward motion, and imaginative world-building. Monday’s Prompt – The Stolen Silence Suddenly, the world is never quiet. A soft hum underlies everything, and no one can figure out where it’s coming from—except your character, who remembers the…
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Simon Rose Releases Two New YA Fantasy Novels in The Order of Excalibur Series
World War II history collides with Arthurian legend in two gripping new adventures. Author Simon Rose announces the release of two new young adult fantasy novels in his Order of Excalibur series: The Order of Excalibur – The Ring of Fate and The Order of Excalibur – Reich Britannia. Set against the backdrop of World War II and a parallel Britain on…
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More September Writing Prompts
Here are 7 fresh creative writing prompts for the second week of September grounded, intriguing, and designed to get you moving into fall with momentum and imagination. Monday’s Prompt – The Harvest Shift Every year on the same September night, one field in town grows wild overnight—different crops, different colors, different energy. This year, your…
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Daily Writing Prompt – Writing Challenge for September
Get ready for our Daily Writing Prompt Challenge! Every month we feature a different writing challenge here at writebythesea.com. The writing challenge for September is a Daily Writing Prompt Challenge. Every weekday (you can take the weekends off) until September 30th, look for a new writing prompt here, along with a photo prompt. Use the prompt to start writing a short story, a poem, or even a song. Wait…there’s more.
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Creative Writing Prompts for the Start of September
Here are 7 fresh and original creative writing prompts to help you start off the month of September. Monday’s Prompt – When the Sky Turned Red One morning, the sky shifts from blue to a deep, glowing red—and no one knows why. Your character is the only one who isn’t surprised. What secret are they…
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Blog Tours as Marketing Tools
The following is an excerpt from The Children’s Writer’s Guide 2. Touring in person is a great way to get you and your books noticed. You can also do this online with a blog tour. It’s best to choose another author who writes in the same genre, or for the same age group, as you…
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End of August Creative Writing Prompts
Here are 7 new creative writing prompts for the final week of August. Monday’s Prompt – The Library Card Your character finds an old library card tucked inside a used book. When they visit the library listed on the card, they discover it doesn’t exist—at least not in this world. Tuesday’s Prompt – Rain That…
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Your Book’s Back Cover – A Story in One Paragraph
The following is an excerpt from The Children’s Writer Guide 2. While the cover on the front of the book is very important, authors shouldn’t neglect the back cover. This is also a very important part of the process when it comes to attracting potential buyers and readers. The title and the cover will grab…
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More Creative Writing Prompts
Get in a little writing practice this week with these new creative prompts. Monday’s Prompt – The Island of Lost Ideas What if all the story ideas you’ve ever abandoned ended up somewhere? Describe the moment your main character lands on that island—and meets one of yours. Tuesday’s Prompt – Window Number Four At the…
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Write a Children’s Story with One of This Week’s Creative Writing Prompts
Here are 7 fresh, child-friendly creative writing prompts for the coming week—each one designed to spark an imaginative story for kids. Monday’s Prompt – The Library’s Secret Door While returning books, your character finds a hidden door between two tall shelves. It leads to a part of the library no one else seems to know…
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Editing Issues
The following is an excerpt from The Children’s Writer’s Guide 2. It’s difficult to edit your own work during the writing process, well before your book is seen by someone else. Most writers spend a lot of time on their project, conduct significant amounts of research, and set time aside to realize their dream of…
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Creative Writing Prompts for the First Week of August
Here are 7 fresh creative writing prompts for the first week of August—designed to spark imagination during the dog days of summer. Monday’s Prompt – The August List Your character finds a handwritten list titled “Before Summer Ends” pinned to a community bulletin board. One item has been crossed off every day. The last item…
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Writing Challenge for August – Cooking Up a Short Story
Cooking up a short story can be fun! Join us for this challenge and cook up a new short story in four weeks.
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Creating a Beginning
The following is an excerpt from The Children’s Writer’s Guide. Many writers work very hard at creating a beginning right at the outset of their project. It certainly seems logical to start at the beginning, but in my own experience, the opening page or pages are usually the last things that are written. Once the…
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More Summer Writing Prompts to End July and Start August
Here are 7 fresh prompts for the final week of July rolling into the first week of August. Monday’s Prompt – The Last July Sunset On the very last evening of July, your character watches the sunset and makes a bold decision that sets the rest of their life in motion. Tuesday’s Prompt – Night…
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Heat Up Your Writing This Week!
Here are seven fresh prompts for the coming week, each tied to the heat and vibe of July. Monday’s Prompt – The Last Fan In a sweltering city where all the stores have sold out of fans, your character stumbles upon the very last one. But someone else wants it just as badly—for reasons that…
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Starting a Story
Following up on my article from a few weeks ago, you might even want to conduct your own personal “what if” exercises with a few story starter ideas. For example, what kind of a story might you able to conjure up from some of these random sentences? “He turned the corner and couldn’t believe it…
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Your Words Deserve Better Than the Delete Key – Set Up a Writer’s Scraps File
Let’s talk about something that happens to every writer, whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been at this for years. You’re deep in your story, everything’s flowing, and then you hit a paragraph that just… doesn’t work. Maybe it’s beautiful writing, maybe it’s a great character moment, but it slows down your scene or…
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Who Do You Think You Are?
Suzanne has been my writing coach for nearly five years. I thought it was a bit indulgent of me to hire a writing coach. “Who the heck are you to get yourself a coach?” I asked myself oh-so-many times before I contacted Suzanne. Who the heck am I, indeed. I still ask myself that question….
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Hot July Writing Prompts
Hot enough for you? Here are 7 new creative writing prompts inspired by the heat of July. Monday’s Prompt – Firecracker Sky Your character has always hated the Fourth of July crowds, but this year, something—or someone—makes them stay out under the fireworks. What changes everything? Tuesday’s Prompt – Heatwave Secrets During an unbearable July…
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Stories From Your Ideas
The following is an excerpt from The Children’s Writer’s Guide. On several occasions, I’ve had part of the story but haven’t been able to put my finger on some element that would make the plot work really well. Then one day, something comes to me out of the blue, perhaps from an overheard conversation or…
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Writing Prompts for Today
Get in a little writing practice every day this week with these fun, creative writing prompts. Monday’s Prompt – The Midnight Parade At exactly midnight, a parade of glowing creatures marches silently down your street. No one else sees it—except your main character. What happens when they decide to follow? Tuesday’s Prompt – The Lighthouse…
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Tips for Speculative Fiction
The following is an excerpt from The Children’s Writer’s Guide. As a writer, I often find myself wondering, “What if?” This can in itself lead to many story ideas, some of which may end up being more developed than others. What if you received a letter informing you of your acceptance into a school for wizards?…
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Genre Fiction Writing Prompts
Here are 7 fresh genre fiction writing prompts. Each one is designed to kick off a story with a clear genre direction. Monday’s Prompt – Sci-Fi When the world’s largest tech company accidentally sends a test AI into the past instead of the future, a 1980s arcade employee discovers the truth—right after the AI asks…
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Turning Ideas Into Stories
The following is an excerpt from The Children’s Writer’s Guide. For a writer, having ideas is the easy part. If all that was needed were a good idea, everyone would be a writer. What takes time, dedication and effort is turning ideas into stories. You may have the general premise, but your story must be able…
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More Summer Writing Prompts
Try any or all of these prompts for a little creative writing practice this week. Monday’s Prompt – The Ice Cream Van A familiar jingle echoes down the street, but no one else seems to hear it. When your character follows the sound, they find an old-fashioned ice cream truck parked by a vacant lot—and…
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June Summer Writing Prompts
Here are 7 brand-new creative writing prompts for the week of Monday, June 16, with a mix of grounded realism, summer atmosphere, and a touch of magic or mystery to keep things fresh and engaging. Monday, June 16 – The Sand Dollar A child finds a perfect sand dollar on the beach. When they flip…
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Rewrite a Familiar Story
The following is an excerpt from The Children’s Writer’s Guide. If you don’t feel as if you can create your own story from scratch, why not use someone else’s? This is not an endorsement of plagiarism, but rather a suggestion to rewrite the ending to a story you are very familiar with. This could be…
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New Creative Writing Prompts for the Week
Here are 7 new creative writing prompts for the second week of June, with a mix of grounded reality and just a touch of fantasy or sci-fi where it adds intrigue. Happy writing! Monday’s Prompt: The Town That Changed Overnight You wake up to find the layout of your small town has completely shifted. Streets…
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The Role of Uncertainty in Manifesting Your Writing Dreams
Seeing beauty in uncertainty is one of the most powerful mindset shifts you can make if you want to manifest the writing life (or any life) of your dreams. Here’s why it works: When you’re manifesting, you’re holding a vision for something that hasn’t yet arrived. That means there’s always going to be a stretch…
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Write a Novel in July – The Fun Way!
What if you stopped thinking about writing a book… …and actually finished one this summer? No pressure. No perfection. Just four weeks of fun, focus, and writing momentum with other writers doing the same wild thing you are—writing a full novel in a single month. Welcome to the Write a Book in a Month – July Challenge Here’s…
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Alternate History – as a Genre
by Simon Rose, Contributing Editor (this post is an excerpt from Simon’s book The Children’s Writer’s Guide) The genre of alternate history is fascinating, imagining history unfolding in a radically different way, resulting in utterly different timelines, landmark events, and notable personalities. What if England had fallen to the Spanish Armada in 1588? Perhaps Napoleon…
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Creative Writing Prompts for the First Week of June
Here are 7 fresh creative writing prompts for the first week of June—one for each day, grounded in real life with a hint of possibility and seasonal spark. Monday’s Prompt: The Greenhouse Key A recently retired school teacher finds an old key taped under a bench at the local botanical garden. It’s not labeled. It…
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June Writing & Creativity Challenge – Start an Art Journal
As a writer, sometimes it’s nice to switch things up a bit and do something creative BESIDES writing. With that in mind, this month’s writing and creativity challenge is to start an art journal.
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Creative Writing Prompts to End the Month of May
Here are 7 fresh, creative, and realistic prompts to carry you through the final week of May—designed to spark curiosity, character, and a little fun. Monday’s Prompt: The Memorial Day Mix-Up Your character shows up for a Memorial Day gathering—food, flags, the usual—only to realize they’re at the wrong event. Instead of turning around, they…
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How to Create a Writing Retreat at Home: Ocean Vibes Without Leaving the House
Sometimes the best way to get back into flow with your writing isn’t to push harder—it’s to step back, reset, and make space. That’s where a writing retreat can work wonders. But what if you can’t get away to the beach, the mountains, or even a local Airbnb? No problem. You can create a deeply…
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Your Story Synopsis
The following is an excerpt from The Children’s Writer’s Guide 2. Writing a synopsis of your story isn’t a bad idea, since this will invariably tell you whether or not your book is any good. For your website, Amazon profile description, or back cover description, you’ll need to compose a compelling marketing piece about the…
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Creative Writing Prompts for the Week
Here’s a fresh and fun batch of realistic writing prompts for another week of May—light, engaging, and full of possibility. Monday’s Prompt: The Lawn Chair Line-Up Your character drives past a long row of empty lawn chairs lining the street early in the morning. No one’s around yet. They stop to ask someone what’s going…
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Creating Characters Readers Want to Read About
The following is an excerpt from The Children’s Writer’s Guide 2. In terms of characters, you need to make sure that they don’t spend too much time alone throughout the story. They can certainly spend time in their own thoughts or even talk to themselves aloud. Yet if they’re doing this too often, they need…
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Light-Hearted Creative Writing Prompts
Here are 7 brand-new, realistic, and fun writing prompts to spark your creativity for the middle of May. These lean into curiosity, humor, and everyday storytelling. Monday’s Prompt: The Group Text Spiral Your character gets added to a group text by mistake—and decides to stay quiet and just watch. But then they recognize someone in the…
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Tips for Writing Descriptions
The following is an excerpt from The Children’s Writer’s Guide 2. Long descriptive paragraphs are something that many writers struggle to control when writing their stories. Often there seems to be no option but to describe a scene in great detail, but sometimes you end up with almost a page or even more of…
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Mother’s Day Writing Prompts
Mother’s Day is coming up, so here are some creative writing prompts to inspire you to write about Mom’s big day. Monday’s Prompt: The Gift That Wasn’t Write a story about a grown child who forgets Mother’s Day—again. But this year, instead of being upset, the mother has a quiet secret of her own that…
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Where Do Ideas Come From?
The following is an excerpt from The Children’s Writer’s Guide. One of the most common questions asked of authors, whether from children during school visits or in interviews, is “Where do you get your ideas?” In so many ways, ideas are all around us – in newspapers, magazines, pictures, photographs, other books whether fiction or…
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May Writing Challenge
by Suzanne Lieurance Every month we feature a different writing challenge here at writebythesea®. This month’s challenge is all about great opening lines. To take part in the challenge, first join our private Facebook group for creative writers here. Once you’re in the group, scroll down till you get to the May challenge, where you’ll…
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Creative Writing Prompts to End the Month
Here are 7 realistic, quiet transformation prompts to help you end the month writing. These focus on subtle, meaningful changes that build up under the surface. Monday’s Prompt: The Book They Almost Returned At the last minute, your character decides not to return a library book or sell an old favorite. Flipping through it again,…
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Create Something from Nothing
The following is an excerpt from The Children’s Writer’s Guide. If you drive to work, you probably don’t normally notice the things you pass each day, such as company names and logos, advertising billboards, road signs and so on. Yet these things too can provide a starting point for your writing. As an exercise, choose…
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New Creative Writing Prompts for the Week
This week’s prompts focus on everyday moments, turning points, and the small decisions that ripple outward. Monday’s Prompt: The Grocery List Your character finds an old grocery list tucked inside a coat pocket—written in someone else’s handwriting. The items spark a memory, a regret, or maybe a phone call they’ve been avoiding. Tuesday’s Prompt: The…
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Inspiration in Daily Life
The following is an excerpt from The Children’s Writer’s Guide. Activities unrelated to writing can often unlock your inspiration, whether you’re doing laundry, walking the dog, tidying the house, mowing the lawn or doing the dishes. It’s surprising how even the most mundane tasks can launch you on the road to your next story. Consider…
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A Few Guidelines for Writing a Children’s Counting Book
Writing a children’s counting book requires a mix of simple storytelling, engaging visuals, and a strong educational foundation. Here are the key guidelines to follow: #1. Choose a Clear Counting Structure. – Decide on the number range (e.g., 1–10, 1–20, or skip counting like 2s, 5s, 10s). – Consider whether you want to count up…
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Easter Writing Prompts
Here’s a set of 7 grounded, realistic writing prompts themed around Easter week. These stories focus on the emotional undercurrents, traditions, tensions, and quiet transformations that often surface during this time of year. Monday’s Prompt: The Empty Pew Your character returns to their childhood church for the first time in years. Everything looks the same—except…
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An Exercise to Get a Story Moving
The following is an excerpt from The Children’s Writer’s Guide. Even if you’re determined to work on your writing and have set time aside for it, there will be days when nothing seems to work to get you started. An interesting exercise to get a story moving is to use a collection of random objects…
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Writing Prompts for Realistic Stories
Here’s a grounded, realistic set of prompts for the week. These focus on everyday people in relatable situations, with room for emotional depth and character-driven storytelling. Monday’s Prompt: The Resignation Letter Your character writes a resignation letter they never intend to send—just to get some feelings out. But someone accidentally delivers it, and now they…
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April Writing Challenge – Learn How to Write for Magazines
by Suzanne Lieurance Each month we offer a different writing challenge designed to help you start taking small, consistent actions so you become the writer you’ve always wanted to be. Many of these challenges will also help you if you’re an author and want to build your readership. This month’s challenge is all about learning how…
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Free Writing: Creating the Spark
The following is an excerpt from The Children’s Writer’s Guide. Free writing, sometimes referred to as stream-of-consciousness writing, involves writing continuously for a set period of time. Spelling, grammar, punctuation, and even a topic are largely irrelevant. Although the process may appear to result in mostly unusable material, it can help writers get to grips…
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New Creative Writing Prompts about Second Chances and Alternate Paths
Each of this week’s writing prompts explores a life that could’ve gone differently—and what happens when your character gets a taste of that “other” version of reality. Happy writing! Monday’s Prompt: The Do-Over Clause Your character signs a contract without reading the fine print. Turns out, it grants them one do-over of any day in…
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Make the Most of the 2nd Quarter of 2025
Here we are—second quarter of the year. The buzz of January is long gone, and maybe some of your writing goals have drifted into the background. That’s okay. This is your reset button. This second quarter is the sweet spot—enough time left to make real progress, but close enough to the year’s end to start…
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Stay True to the Times in Your Time Travel Stories
The following is an excerpt from The Time Traveler’s Guide. When writing time travel stories, anachronisms need to be avoided. Fictional characters in the medieval period or in World War II obviously can’t carry cell phones, check their email, or talk about TV shows. However, characters also can’t have political views that aren’t in keeping with…
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Story Starters for a Little Creative Writing This Week
Use these new story starters for a little creative writing practice this week. Monday’s Prompt: The Time Auction In a near-future society, time is the only currency. People auction off minutes, hours, even years of their lives to get what they need. Your character attends a high-stakes auction and makes a desperate bid that changes…
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Write What You Know
The following is an excerpt from The Children’s Writer’s Guide 2. In terms of writing and publishing trends, even though the height of the Harry Potter phenomenon is now long gone, there doesn’t seem to be any shortage of books with similar fantasy themes. I’m in bookstores in Calgary conducting signings on a regular basis…
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More Creative Writing Prompts for March
Try these prompts for a little writing practice this week. Monday’s Prompt: The First Sign of Spring A character stumbles upon the first undeniable sign that winter is ending. It could be something obvious—like a crocus pushing through the snow—or something unexpected, like an ancient ritual that only happens when the seasons change. What does…
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Writing Time Travel Stories
The following is an excerpt from The Time Traveler’s Guide. Creating Your Time Machine There are over five thousand recorded years of history to serve as an inspiration for writers in many different genres. Time travel adventures and historical fiction stories show no signs of waning in popularity, but to be believable to the reader, even…
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Your Author Brand
An author brand is the unique identity, message, and style that defines you as a writer and sets you apart from others. It’s the combination of your writing voice, themes, values, and the emotional connection readers have with your work. Your author brand includes: Your Writing Style & Genre – The tone, themes, and types…
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This Week’s Creative Writing Prompts
Here are some creative writing prompts to help you get a little writing practice every day this week. Monday’s Prompt – The Word That Disappeared One morning, you wake up and realize there’s a word no one can say anymore. Not in books, not in conversations, not even in memories. It’s just…gone. But you remember…
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Settings and Historical Eras
The following is an excerpt from The Time Traveler’s Guide by Simon Rose. Time travel stories involving journeys into the past generally feature eras that readers will be familiar with. The world in which the story takes place, as well as the actual timeline of events in the story, whether used as part of the…
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Creative Writing Prompts for the First Week of March
Use these creative writing prompts for a little writing practice this week. Monday’s Prompt – The Letter That Changed Everything You open your mailbox (or inbox) and find a letter you never expected. The sender? Someone from your past—or maybe even your future. What does it say? How does it shift your entire reality? Write…
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March Writing Challenge
We hope you will accept our March writing challenge. Every month we offer a new writing challenge here at writebythesea.com. This month we are challenging you to remain grateful every day, even in the midst of these trying times.
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Time Travel in Fiction
The following is an excerpt from The Time Traveler’s Guide by Simon Rose Time travel is defined as taking place when there is movement between specific points in time. This is achieved in the same way that objects and living things move through space. In fiction, this kind of travel is made possible by the…
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Creative Writing Prompts for the Final Week of February
This week’s prompts are designed to spark your creativity by using the unique atmosphere of late February as a backdrop for unexpected events and personal revelations. Monday’s Prompt: Winter’s Hidden Farewell Imagine a night in the final week of February when winter whispers its secrets. Write about a character who discovers a strange ritual that…
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The Importance of Editing and Revising
It’s virtually impossible to overemphasize the importance of editing and revising to authors, whether they’re published or not. The proliferation of personal home pages and blogs online in recent years has resulted in countless creative outlets for the aspiring writer, but these pages all too often can be filled with sloppy writing. Good editing and…
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This Week’s Creative Writing Prompts
Here are seven fresh and fun writing prompts for the week. Monday’s Prompt – The Forgotten Door You move into a new house and discover a door that no one else can see. When you step through, everything is slightly… off. Write about what happens next. Tuesday’s Prompt – The Secret Ingredient A mysterious cookbook…
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The Curse of Writer’s Block
by Simon Rose, Contributing Editor (this post is an excerpt from Simon’s book The Children’s Writer’s Guide) Writer’s block is usually defined as the temporary loss of ability to begin or continue writing, usually due to lack of creativity and inspiration. Let’s assume that the hypothetical writer in question is in good physical condition, since…
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Valentine’s Day
Enjoy diving into these Valentine’s Day prompts throughout the week! Monday’s Prompt: The Letter That Arrived Too Late You find a love letter tucked inside an old book at a secondhand shop. It’s addressed to someone who never read it. The date? February 14th… 50 years ago. What happens next? Tuesday’s Prompt: The Accidental Valentine…
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The Importance of Book Covers
by Simon Rose, Contributing Editor (this post is an excerpt from Simon’s book The Children’s Writer’s Guide) People always say that you can’t judge a book by it’s cover but while it’s true that the content may be great even if the cover is bad, the chances of anyone discovering that diminish if the cover…
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New Creative Writing Prompts for the Week
Start February off right with this week’s writing prompts. Happy writing! Monday’s Prompt: The Forgotten Season A secret, hidden season exists between winter and spring—one that only a few people can perceive. Describe what this season looks like, feels like, and how it affects those who experience it. Tuesday’s Prompt: The List That Changed Everything…
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New Creative Writing Prompts for the Week
Here are 7 creative writing prompts to spark your fiction writing for the week ahead. Monday’s Prompt: The Lost Map Your protagonist discovers a centuries-old map hidden in an antique book. The map leads to a place that shouldn’t exist according to current geography. What happens when they follow it? Tuesday’s Prompt: The Secret Door…
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Winter Weather Creative Writing Prompts
This week’s creative writing prompts are all about dealing with severe winter weather. Monday’s Prompt: The Blizzard’s Gift A freak snowstorm blankets your small town overnight, leaving behind an impossible, glowing artifact in the center of the town square. As the temperature drops further, you realize the artifact holds the key to surviving the winter—but…
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Hooking the Reader
The following is an excerpt from The Children’s Writer’s Guide. You have a great title, fabulous cover art and a back cover synopsis that really intrigues the readers. However, how do you ensure that they don’t read the first page of your book then put it down, never to pick it up again? Think about how…
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New Year’s Resolutions – Creative Writing Prompts
This week’s creative writing prompts are about sticking to New Year’s resolutions. Monday’s Prompt: The Resolution Contract Your protagonist discovers a mysterious document labeled “Resolution Contract” on New Year’s Day. The fine print states that any resolution they make must be completed, or there will be dire consequences. What resolutions do they choose, and how…
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This Week’s Creative Writing Prompts – A Fresh Start
by Suzanne Lieurance This week’s creative writing prompts are all about fresh starts for the New Year. Monday’s Prompt: Rewrite Your Narrative Imagine the story of your life is a book. As the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, you’re given the chance to rewrite the first chapter of this year. What new themes,…
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January Writing Challenge
Every month, you’ll find a new writing challenge here. This month is the perfect time to figure out what you want to accomplish as a writer in 2022 and what it will take to reach that goal.
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New Year’s Writing Prompts
by Suzanne Lieurance Use these 7 creative writing prompts to ring in the New Year this week! Monday’s Prompt: The Letter to Your Future Self Imagine it’s New Year’s Eve, one year from today. Write a letter from your future self, reflecting on the challenges, victories, and surprises of the past year. What unexpected twist…
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End of the Year Creative Writing Prompts
by Suzanne Lieurance This week’s creative writing prompts are all about the end of the year. Happy New Year and Happy Writing! Monday’s Prompt:The Clock Strikes Midnight A mysterious stranger offers you a chance to rewrite the events of the past year before the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve. But there’s a catch—you…
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Creative Writing Prompts about Santa
by Suzanne Lieurance This week’s prompts are all about Santa and Christmas. Enjoy! Monday’s Prompt: Santa’s Secret Job Santa’s legendary toy-delivering gig is only his side hustle. Write about his real, top-secret job that’s even more magical—and possibly more dangerous. Tuesday’s Prompt: The Day Santa Lost His Magic Hat It’s Christmas Eve, and Santa realizes…
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Manifestation for Writers E-course
Are you ready to stop dreaming about success and start living it? Imagine this: You’re writing with confidence, inspiration flows effortlessly, and the opportunities you’ve been hoping for start showing up. Whether you want to finish that book, land your first client, or finally feel good about your writing journey—this is your moment. With Manifestation…
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Christmas Vacation Creative Writing Prompts
by Suzanne Lieurance Have a little creative writing fun with these new prompts about Christmas vacation. Monday’s Prompt: The Unexpected Guest Your character’s family Christmas vacation in a cozy mountain cabin takes an unexpected turn when a mysterious stranger shows up during a blizzard. Who are they, and what secret are they hiding? Tuesday’s Prompt:…
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End of the Year Sale: Transform Your Writing in 2025 ✨
Are you ready to make 2025 your breakthrough year as a writer? Then you don’t want to miss this! Now through the end of the month (or until all spaces are filled), get 12 monthly coaching calls at an incredible 1/3 off! Here’s What You’ll Get in 2025: – 12 months of personalized coaching (one…
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People Plotting and Finding Characters
by Simon Rose, Contributing Editor (this post is an excerpt from Simon’s book The Children’s Writer’s Guide 2) Let’s imagine that you’ve thought of a great premise for a story and even crafted a general plot. You then need to develop some characters to inhabit the world you’re intending to create. So where do ideas…
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New Creative Writing Prompts for Advent
by Suzanne Lieurance Get in the holiday spirit with these new creative writing prompts for Advent. Monday’s Prompt: The First Light A young girl discovers a mysterious candle on her doorstep that, when lit, reveals glimpses of the past, present, and future. As the first day of Advent begins, she must decide whose future she’ll…
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Microfiction Challenge for December
Each month we present a new writing challenge to help you write on a regular basis and improve your writing. This month’s challenge is to write at least a few pieces of Microfiction.
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Thanksgiving Writing Prompts
by Suzanne Lieurance Here are 7 fresh and creative writing prompts centered around Thanksgiving to spark your imagination: Monday’s Prompt: A Dish with a Wish A family discovers that the new recipe they tried for Thanksgiving has magical properties. Each bite grants the eater a single wish—but there’s a twist: the wishes are granted in…
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Why Writers Need a Tribe to Thrive
by Suzanne Lieurance When it comes to writing, the image of a solitary author toiling away in a quiet room is iconic—but let’s bust that myth wide open. Sure, writing often requires focus and introspection, but the truth is, you don’t have to—and shouldn’t—go it alone. Community support can be the secret ingredient that propels…
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This Week’s Creative Writing Prompts
by Suzanne Lieurance Sure! Here are 7 fresh and unique creative writing prompts for the week. Use one or more of these prompts this week to get in some writing practice. Monday’s Prompt: The Last Message Your character finds an old phone with a half-written text message drafted on it. The message is directed at…
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7 Simple Ways to Calm Your Busy Writer’s Mind and Get Back to Your Flow
by Suzanne Lieurance If you’re anything like most writers, your brain is always buzzing with ideas, to-do lists, self-doubt, and that endless inner monologue. But here’s the thing: when your mind is cluttered, it’s hard to hear your creative voice. That’s why learning to quiet your thoughts isn’t just a nice idea—it’s essential for your…
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Master Reflective Thinking to Supercharge Your Writing Progress
by Suzanne Lieurance How many times have you felt stuck in your writing life because of recurring issues? Maybe it’s the same plot hole you keep falling into or a familiar habit of procrastination that pops up just when you’re on a roll. Now, imagine if you only had to learn that lesson once —…
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Affirmation Reflections
by Suzanne Lieurance When it comes to your writing journey—or any path you’re on—it’s easy to get caught up in the struggle, the self-doubt, and the seemingly endless setbacks. You want that clarity, that assurance that you’re heading in the right direction. But what if you embraced a different mindset? What if, instead of questioning…
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The Hidden Practices That Help Writers Manifest Success
by Suzanne Lieurance When it comes to the Law of Attraction, I often recommend visualization and affirmations to help any writer reach their writing goals. And yes, those are powerful tools. But there’s a deeper layer that often gets overlooked—a quieter, more consistent practice that sets the stage for real change. I’m talking about meditation,…
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How Digital Marketing Can Supercharge Your Freelance Writing Business
by Suzanne Lieurance If you’re a freelance writer looking to attract more clients, build your reputation, and boost your income, it’s time to get serious about digital marketing. The internet isn’t just a place to share your latest blog post; it’s the key to showcasing your expertise, expanding your network, and landing better-paying gigs. Here’s…
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Creative Writing Prompts for the Week
by Suzanne Lieurance These prompts are designed to lean into the mysterious, atmospheric vibe of November. Have fun exploring these story ideas! Monday’s Prompt: November’s Secret Parade Late one night in November, you hear the sound of music outside your window. When you look out, you see a parade of people in old-fashioned clothing, their…
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How to Write Dynamic Dialogue
by Simon Rose, Contributing Editor (this post is an excerpt from Simon’s book The Children’s Writer’s Guide) Dialogue is an essential part of every story. It moves the plot forward and builds characterization. Dialogue not only livens up a scene, but the way the characters talk to each other can reveal many things about the…
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What’s Stopping You from Taking Action to Reach Your Writing Goals?
by Suzanne Lieurance Do you want to write a novel? Or start a freelance writing business? Or start writing for magazines? If you’d like to take any of these writing paths but you can’t seem to get started, let’s take a look at some of the possible reasons for this. There are so many reasons…
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Taking Inspired Action with Confidence
by Suzanne Lieurance There’s a certain kind of magic that comes when you know what to do next. In a world buzzing with “how-to” guides, advice, and opinions, that moment of clarity can feel like you’ve just struck gold. For writers, this is where inspired action steps in. When you’re clear about your next move,…
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The Power of Keeping a Project Journal
by Suzanne Lieurance Ever feel like your writing projects start off with a bang, only to lose steam halfway through? Or maybe you’ve found yourself drowning in scattered ideas, wondering how to piece it all together. A project journal could be your secret weapon—not just for getting organized, but for boosting creativity, overcoming blocks, and…
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Magic in Stories for Younger Readers
by Simon Rose, Contributing Editor (this post is an excerpt from Simon’s book The Children’s Writer’s Guide) Magic plays a big part in children’s lives as they grow up. Santa Claus is a very familiar figure to millions of children, along with all the magical things associated with Christmas. This magic is something many children…
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This Thing Called You by Ernest Holmes
by Suzanne Lieurance Here is one of my favorite books about metaphysical principles, with my explanation of why this book is so important for writers. This Thing Called You by Ernest Holmes is more than just a book; it’s a call to recognize the power that lies within every person. Holmes, the founder of the…
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This Week’s Creative Writing Prompts
by Suzanne Lieurance Here are seven creative writing prompts centered around voting in the presidential election: Monday’s Prompt: The Secret Ballot Enclave Write a story where, in a future dystopian society, a secret enclave exists where citizens can vote anonymously to change the direction of their country. Only a select few know of its existence,…
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An Interview with Simon Rose, Author of An Untimely Death
by Suzanne Lieurance Recently, I interviewed author Simon Rose, who has published nineteen novels for children and young adults, eight guides for writers, more than a hundred nonfiction books, and many articles on a wide variety of topics. In the interview, we’re looking at his latest novel for young adults, An Untimely Death. Suzanne Lieurance:…
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Transform Your Writing Career
by Suzanne Lieurance If you feel like you’re spinning your wheels in your writing career, you’re not alone. Maybe you’re stuck in the same patterns, feeling like no matter how hard you work, you just can’t break through to that next level. Here’s the thing: transforming your writing career doesn’t have to mean working harder…
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Some Sweet Creative Writing Prompts for the Week
by Suzanne Lieurance Just for fun, here are seven new creative writing prompts centered around Halloween candy: Monday’s Prompt: The Candy Code Every Halloween, a mysterious candy appears in children’s trick-or-treat bags—a candy that no one bought or handed out. Rumor has it, each wrapper holds a hidden code that, when deciphered, reveals a secret…
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How to Get Started With Your Writing
by Simon Rose, Contributing Editor (this post is an excerpt from Simon’s book The Children’s Writer’s Guide) Getting Started There appears to be an endless number of sites on the web offering advice on writing, concerning where to get ideas, character development, point of view, working in different genres, story structure, the editing process, how…
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Manifest Writing Success with These Law of Attraction Journaling Techniques
by Suzanne Lieurance You’ve probably heard it before—journaling is a powerful tool for writers. But if you’re just using your journal to jot down ideas or vent frustrations, you’re missing out on one of the most transformative tools for manifesting writing success. The Law of Attraction is all about aligning your thoughts, feelings, and actions…
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How to Harness the Power of the Law of Attraction to Sell More Books
by Suzanne Lieurance You’ve written a book. The hard work is done… or is it? Now, it’s all about getting your book into readers’ hands. The truth is, selling books can feel like an uphill battle, especially with so many others vying for readers’ attention. But what if I told you that selling more books…
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How to Attract More Writing Opportunities Using the LOA
by Suzanne Lieurance Ready to attract more writing opportunities? Landing the right writing opportunities can feel like finding a needle in a haystack. Whether you’re hoping to publish your first novel, secure a steady flow of freelance clients, or get noticed in the literary world, it can seem like everyone else has a secret formula…
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Manifest Your Next Bestseller: How Writers Can Use the Law of Attraction
by Suzanne Lieurance Do you have that one story inside of you—the one you know is meant to be a bestseller? The problem is, getting it out and into the world feels like climbing a mountain. Here’s the thing: you don’t need to work harder; you need to align your energy with your goal. That’s…
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Unlock Your Creative Flow with This Law of Attraction Technique for Writers
by Suzanne Lieurance Let’s be real: nothing’s more frustrating than sitting down to write and feeling stuck. You stare at the blank screen, your mind goes blank, and the frustration kicks in. Sound familiar? If you’re struggling to tap into your creative flow, you’re not alone. But guess what? There’s a way out. The Law…
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Creative Writing Prompts for the Week
by Suzanne Lieurance Here are 7 creative writing prompts about the weather getting cooler. These prompts encourage rich sensory details and character-driven stories inspired by the changing seasons. Monday’s Prompt: First Frost’s Whisper The morning greets you with a thin layer of frost on the ground. Write about a character who stumbles upon a mysterious…
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10 Powerful Law of Attraction Tips Every Writer Needs to Know
by Suzanne Lieurance Ever feel stuck in your writing, unsure of what’s next? I’ve been there. But let me tell you something—if you’re not consciously using the Law of Attraction, you’re leaving so much potential on the table. Whether you’re battling writer’s block, chasing down motivation, or just trying to bring more opportunities your way,…
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This Week’s Creative Writing Prompts
by Suzanne Lieurance Try these new creative writing prompts based on stormy weather: Monday’s Prompt – The Tempest’s Secret A fierce storm uncovers a buried object on the shore, setting the protagonist on an unexpected adventure. What does the storm reveal, and how does it change their life? Tuesday’s Prompt – Thunder in the Library…
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This Week’s Creative Writing Prompts
by Suzanne Lieurance Halloween is still a few weeks away, but use these prompts to get into the “spirit” of things right now. These prompts should help spark a spooky story filled with Halloween magic and mystery! Monday’s Prompt – The Haunted Keepsake You find an old, dusty locket at a Halloween flea market. Inside,…
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Affirmation Cards for Writers: Your Daily Boost of Creativity and Confidence
Are you a writer looking for daily inspiration? Need a boost of creativity and confidence to keep the words flowing? We’ve got something special just for you! 31 Affirmation Cards for Writers – a beautiful set of printable affirmation cards that combine empowering messages with stunning coastal illustrations. Perfect for those moments when you…
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This Week’s Creative Writing Prompts
by Suzanne Lieurance Here are seven writing prompts based on people recovering from a recent hurricane: Monday’s Prompt: A Family Rebuilds A young couple and their toddler return to their home after a devastating hurricane. With limited resources and nowhere else to go, they must rebuild their lives from scratch. As they clear debris, they…
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Daily Writing Prompt Challenge – Day 19
Here’s today’s photo prompt and text prompt for Day 19 of this month’s Daily Writing Prompt Challenge.
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Daily Writing Prompt Challenge – Day 18
Here’s today’s photo prompt and text prompt for Day 18 of this month’s Daily Writing Prompt Challenge.
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Daily Writing Prompt Challenge – Day 17
Here’s the daily writing prompt with photo prompt for Day 17 of this month’s Daily Writing Prompt Challenge.
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Daily Writing Prompt Challenge – Day 16
Here’s today’s writing prompt with a photo prompt.
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Daily Writing Prompt Challenge – Day 15
Creative writing prompt with photo prompt for Day 15 of our Daily Writing Prompt Challenge.
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New Creative Writing Prompts about the Time Change in Autumn
by Suzanne Lieurance Here are 7 new creative writing prompts that explore themes of time, mystery, and transformation, all tied to the changing season. Monday’s Prompt: The Lost Hour As the clocks fall back, a mysterious hour emerges where time seems to stop. During this suspended moment, one person discovers a secret about their past…
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Is Your Personal Algorithm Keeping You From Writing Success?
by Suzanne Lieurance What is an algorithm? In simple terms, an algorithm is a set of rules or a process used to solve problems or make decisions. It’s like a recipe that consistently produces the same results when you follow the same steps. Have you ever wondered why certain things keep happening in your life?…
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Daily Writing Prompt Challenge – Day 14
Writing prompt with photo prompt for Day 14 of our Daily Writing Prompt Challenge.
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Daily Writing Prompt Challenge – Day 13
Today’s text prompt with photo prompt for our Daily Writing Prompt Challenge.
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Daily Writing Prompt Challenge – Day 12
Here’s today’s photo prompt and text prompt for Day 12 of this month’s Daily Writing Prompt Challenge.
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Daily Writing Prompt Challenge – Day 11
Here’s today’s written prompt with photo for Day 11 of our Daily Writing Prompt Challenge.
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New Creative Writing Prompts for the Week
by Suzanne Lieurance Try these new writing prompts this week: Monday’s Prompt: The Forgotten Diary You stumble upon an old diary hidden in your attic. As you read it, you realize it predicts events from the future—some of which have already come true. What happens next? Tuesday’s Prompt: The Mirror’s Reflection Every time you look…
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Daily Writing Prompt Challenge – Day 10
Take part in this month’s writing challenge. Simply respond to each daily prompt with at least 3 sentences.
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Daily Writing Prompt Challenge – Day 9
Take part in this month’s writing challenge. Simply respond to each daily prompt with at least 3 sentences.
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What You Can Learn about Writing from Virginia Woolf
by Suzanne Lieurance Virginia Woolf’s work is packed with lessons that can elevate your writing game. Here are 10 takeaways we can all learn from her: Takeaway #1. Stream of Consciousness as a Writing Tool Woolf was a master at showing the inner workings of her characters’ minds. By using stream of consciousness, she created…
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Daily Writing Prompt Challenge – Day 8
Take part in this month’s writing challenge. Simply respond to today’s prompt in at least 3 sentences.
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Daily Writing Prompt Challenge – Day 7
Take part in this month’s writing challenge. Simply respond to each daily prompt with at least 3 sentences.
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This Week’s Creative Writing Prompts
by Suzanne Lieurance This week’s creative writing prompts are all centered around the fall harvest season. Enjoy! Monday’s Prompt: The Hidden Orchard While wandering through an abandoned farm during the fall harvest, a young girl discovers an orchard of fruit trees that bear strange, glowing fruit. Each fruit holds a memory, but the memories aren’t…
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Daily Writing Prompt Challenge – Day 6
Use today’s writing prompt and photo prompt to start a story in just 3 sentences. Do this for each daily prompt this month and win a prize.
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Daily Writing Prompt Challenge – Day 5
Use today’s writing prompt and photo prompt to start a new short story!
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Daily Writing Prompt Challenge – Day 4
Here’s today’s photo prompt and text prompt for this month’s Daily Writing Prompt Challenge.
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How to Be Ready to Receive the Writer’s Life You Want
by Suzanne Lieurance According to the Law of Attraction, receiving is as vital as asking or believing. It’s the step where your dreams meet reality, where your efforts align with your desires. As a writer, embracing the art of receiving means being open to success, opportunities, and inspiration—without self-sabotage or hesitation. Here’s how you can…
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Daily Writing Prompt for Today: Challenge – Day 3
by Suzanne Lieurance Here’s today’s photo prompt and text prompt for this month’s Daily Writing Prompt Challenge. Today’s Writing Prompt Darren stood on the patio waiting for Laura. When she finally came out he pointed to the cat and said, “Your cat looks hungry.” Laura frowned. “I don’t have a cat.” ****************************************** More Prompts: Click…
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Daily Writing Prompt Challenge – Day 2
Our September writing challenge is a Daily Writing Prompt challenge. Check back her every weekday in September for a new writing prompt.
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Is Self-doubt Making You Talk Yourself Out of Success?
Find out if self-doubt is keeping you from the success you really want.
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This Week’s Creative Writing Prompts
by Suzanne Lieurance Here are seven new creative writing prompts inspired by the month of September or you can accept this month’s daily writing prompt challenge and respond to a different prompt every weekday this month. Monday’s Prompt – September Twilight As the days grow shorter and the nights cooler, a small town’s mysterious old…
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This Week’s Creative Writing Prompts
by Suzanne Lieurance This week’s creative writing prompts all involve ocean cruises. Have fun with them! Monday’s Prompt – The Ghost Ship Cruise You board a luxurious cruise ship that promises a week of adventure on the high seas. On the first night, a thick fog rolls in, and you discover that some passengers have…
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10 Lessons to Learn about Writing from Reading the Works of Margaret Atwood
by Suzanne Lieurance Most writers love to read. And much can be learned about writing from reading. One of my favorite authors is Margaret Atwood. Let’s take a look at 10 valuable lessons about writing we can learn from reading her work. Lesson #1. The Power of Blending Genres Atwood is known for her ability…
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How to Write the Climax of a Short Story – Lesson 4, Cooking Up a Short Story
Up to this point, you’ve been creating rising action for your story to keep readers reading because they’ve wanted to find out what happens next. This rising action now leads to the story climax, or the most exciting part of your story. Find out how to write the climax to your story.
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Trade Fiction Versus Commercial Fiction – Are They The Same?
by Suzanne Lieurance When it comes to understanding trade fiction versus commercial fiction, it’s easy to get confused—they’re often used interchangeably, but there’s a subtle difference that’s worth noting. What is Trade Fiction? Trade fiction is essentially any book you’d find in a bookstore or online, aimed at a general audience. It’s a broad category…
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This Week’s Creative Writing Prompts
by Suzanne Lieurance This week’s creative writing prompts are all about returning to school after the summer. These will be particularly fun if you’re a young student, but if you’re an adult who hasn’t been to School for some time, write from the point of view of a young person. Back to School Creative Writing…
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Cooking Up a Short Story – Lesson 3 – Great Middle of a Story
Follow this tips to write a great short story middle in lesson 3 of our Cooking Up a Short Story Challenge.
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This Week’s Creative Writing Prompts
by Suzanne Lieurance It’s hurricane season here in the USA, so let’s use the subject of hurricanes as the basis for some new creative writing prompts this week. Monday’s Prompt – The Sentient Storm A hurricane with a mind of its own forms off the coast and begins to communicate with the people in its…
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Pacing Techniques for Your Fiction
by Suzanne Lieurance Pacing in a novel refers to the speed at which the story unfolds and how quickly the reader moves through the narrative. Effective pacing keeps readers engaged and ensures the story progresses smoothly. Here are some techniques for controlling the pace in your novel: Techniques for Pacing #1. Sentence and Paragraph Length…
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What is Point of View?
by Suzanne Lieurance In fiction, point of view (POV) is the perspective from which a story is told. The main types of POV are first person, second person, and third person, each with its own advantages and limitations. Let’s take a closer look at each of these. #1. First Person Point of View Definition: When…
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This Week’s Creative Writing Prompts
by Suzanne Lieurance Here are some new creative writing prompts for the first week of August. Monday’s Prompt A mysterious summer carnival arrives in your small town overnight. Write about the strange attractions and the secrets they hold. Tuesday’s Prompt During a scorching August heatwave, a hidden underground lake is discovered in your backyard. Describe…
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How to Write a Story Opening – Week 2 of Cooking Up a Short Story Challenge
Welcome to Week 2 – Lesson 2 of our Cooking Up a Short Story Challenge. Every Monday for 4 weeks I’ll have a new lesson and assignment here to help you write a new short story by the end of the month. Last Monday’s lesson was about all the elements or “ingredients” you need to…
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Fantasy and Magical Realism Explained
by Suzanne Lieurance I’m sure you’re familiar with the fantasy genre but you might not know much about magical realism. In this post, we’ll take a look at each of these genres and then the differences between the two. So, what is fantasy? The fantasy genre is a category of speculative fiction characterized by magical…
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This Week’s Creative Writing Prompts
by Suzanne Lieurance This week’s creative writing prompts are all based on the summer Olympics taking place in Paris. Enjoy! Monday’s Prompt – The Secret Keeper During the Olympics, a Parisian journalist stumbles upon a scandal involving a famous athlete. As they dig deeper, they must decide between exposing the truth or protecting the athlete’s…
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What is Speculative Fiction?
by Suzanne Lieurance Speculative fiction is a broad category that covers genres pushing the boundaries of reality with imaginative and futuristic concepts. It dives into “what if” scenarios that step outside the realm of the possible. Here are some key genres within speculative fiction: Science Fiction Think futuristic tech, space adventures, time travel, aliens, and…
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Understanding the Differences Between Genre Fiction and Literary Fiction
by Suzanne Lieurance The distinction between genre fiction and literary fiction often sparks debate among readers, writers, and critics. While both forms offer valuable contributions to the literary world, they cater to different tastes and serve distinct purposes. First, let me define genre fiction and give some examples. Genre Fiction Definition and Characteristics Genre fiction,…
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Memoir Tropes
by Suzanne Lieurance Note: If you haven’t read my post, What a Memoir Is and What It Isn’t, you might want to read that first. Memoirs often employ various tropes to engage readers and convey their stories effectively. Here are some common ones. You might want to consider one of these if you want to…
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This Week’s Creative Writing Prompts
by Suzanne Lieurance Here are 7 creative writing prompts for the week based on summer foods, cooking, and eating out at restaurants in summer: Monday’s Prompt – Summer Feast Competition Write about a small coastal town that hosts an annual summer cooking competition. Chefs from all over gather to showcase their best summer dishes using…
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What is a Memoir?
by Suzanne Lieurance I’ve coached many writers to write a memoir, and sometimes they start out unsure about what a memoir actually is and what it isn’t. They tend to confuse memoir with autobiography. Here’s how I would define memoir by what it is and what it isn’t. What a Memoir Is #1. A Personal…
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The Unreliable Narrator
by Suzanne Lieurance Unreliable Narrators – Their Roles in Fiction An “unreliable narrator” in fiction refers to a character who tells the story but whose credibility has been compromised. This means the narrator’s account of events may not accurately reflect reality, either because of deliberate deception, self-deception, a flawed perspective, or some other distortion. The…
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New Creative Writing Contest
by Suzanne Lieurance On Monday (July 22nd) we’re starting a 5-Day Short-Short Creative Writing Contest on our private Facebook group page, and I hope you’ll enter the contest every day, or at least one day, next week. Each weekday next week, I’ll have a new writing prompt, and to enter the contest, simply respond to…
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What is a trope?
by Suzanne Lieurance Maybe you’ve heard the term “trope” before but aren’t clear about what a trope is. So, what is a trope? Well, in fiction, a “trope” refers to a common theme, motif, or device that is recognizable and frequently used within a particular genre or across various genres. Tropes are established patterns or…
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Pay Attention to Your Instincts & Your Inner Voice
by Suzanne Lieurance This is the final post of my 7-day series about ways to tap into your subconscious. Sometimes tapping your subconscious mind is difficult and requires you learn new methods of self-awareness like those discussed in my previous 6 posts. Sometimes it is absurdly simple. As in, all you need to do is…
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Tap into Your Subconscious with a Creative Hobby
by Suzanne Lieurance This post is for Day 6 of my 7-day special series about ways to tap into the subconscious mind. The subconscious is extremely complex and often not very direct. This means that tapping into it—and the power it holds—often requires approaching it from the rear or side. One of the best ways…
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This Week’s Creative Writing Prompts
by Suzanne Lieurance It may be hard to believe but midsummer is almost here, and with that in mind, here are this week’s creative writing prompts: Monday’s Prompt – The Enchanted Forest On the longest day of the year, a group of friends ventures into a legendary forest said to come alive with magic every…
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Why Write Rhyming Stories
by Melissa Abramovitz Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house… Twinkle twinkle, little star… Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep… Most of us can recite at least the first stanza of each of these well-known poems/rhymes, even if we have not heard or spoken the words for many years. There’s something…
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The Power of Journaling to Tap into Your Subconscious Mind
by Suzanne Lieurance Today is Day 5 of my 7-day special series about how to tap into your subconscious mind. Each day for 7 days, I’m posting a different method for connecting with your subconscious, and in this post I’d like to explain one of my favorite ways to tap into my subconscious. I hope…
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Try Daydream Visualization to Tap into Your Subconscious
by Suzanne Lieurance Previous posts here have explained visualization as a technique to help you achieve your goals and dreams. Deliberate visualizations are often used for the purpose of motivating you and training your subconscious mind to believe you can reach your goals and help you do it. When you use visualizations that way, what…
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Use Free Association to Tap into Your Subconscious Mind
by Suzanne Lieurance It’s so important for writers to be able to connect with their subconscious, so every day this week, I’ll have a post about one way to do so. Today’s method is called Free Association. Free association is a common technique used to access the innermost thoughts of your subconscious mind. These are…
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Meditate to Tap into Your Subconscious Mind
by Suzanne Lieurance Did you know that meditation is one of the best, if not the best known, methods of tapping into your subconscious mind? It is primarily used for that purpose, in fact, and has been for thousands of years because it works so well. There are many forms of meditation. The most common,…
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Using Affirmations to Tap into Your Subconscious Mind
by Suzanne Lieurance You might think that your conscious mind is what is running your life. But actually, it’s your subconscious mind, and that’s why it’s important to learn how to tap into your subconscious mind so you can change any of the beliefs it has that are not serving you. One of the best…
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This Week’s Creative Writing Prompts
by Suzanne Lieurance This week we’re moving farther into the second half of 2024. This is a great time for some personal reflection, so I have some nonfiction writing prompts to help you do that. But don’t worry. If you’re looking for prompts that help you start on some new fiction, I have 7 prompts…
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Develop Self-Discipline as a Writer
by Suzanne Lieurance Becoming a disciplined writer involves developing habits and strategies that keep you productive and focused. Here are some steps to help you achieve that: Step 1. Set Clear Goals. Establish both short-term and long-term writing goals. Make sure your goals are specific and measurable, such as writing 500 words a day or…
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Finding Your Author Voice
by Suzanne Lieurance First of all, you don’t really “find” your author voice. You develop it. And developing your unique voice in writing (your author voice) involves self-discovery, practice, and refinement. Begin by reading widely and critically. Explore various genres and authors to understand different voices and styles. Analyze what you like and dislike in…
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Parkinson’s Law & Writing
by Suzanne Lieurance Ever heard of Parkinson’s Law? Many writers haven’t. Parkinson’s Law simply states that “work expands to fill the time available for its completion.” If you’re a writer, you need to leverage this principle, so you aren’t spending more time than you need to on any of your writing projects. Here are some…
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The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art Announces The 2024 Carle Honors Honorees
And A Special Celebration of Marlo Thomas and the 50th Anniversary of The Picture Book, Free to Be . . . You and Me Amherst, MA (June 24, 2024) – The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, an international champion for picture book art, and its creators, has announced the 2024 Carle Honors Honorees….
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This Week’s Creative Writing Prompts – July 4th and Summer Vacations
by Suzanne Lieurance This is Independence Day week for those of us in the United States, so here are seven different creative writing prompts about July 4th and summer vacations: July 4th & Summer Vacations Monday’s Prompt – Fireworks and Friendship Write a story about a group of friends who plan the ultimate July 4th…
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July Writing Challenge
Our July Writing Challenge is about freedom. We all value freedom. But the concept of freedom is a bit different for everyone.
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A Short Introduction to Manifestation – for Writers
by Suzanne Lieurance To manifest generally means to bring something into reality through belief, intention, and inspired action. In other words, you focus your thoughts and energy on what you want to achieve, thereby attracting it into your life. You may think the biggest part of manifestation for writers is writing, yet writers face so…
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This Week’s Creative Writing Prompts – Summer Heatwave
by Suzanne Lieurance With summer heat in full force across most of the Northern Hemisphere, this week’s writing prompts should give you some fun, meaningful writing practice. Choose one prompt each day, or combine two or more prompts to create a story you can develop more fully over the week. Summer Heat Waves Monday’s Prompt…
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Some of the Best Children’s Picture Books Published in 2024 (so Far)
by Suzanne Lieurance 2024 is half over in a few days, and here are some of the best children’s picture books published so far this year. If you’re writing children’s picture books yourself, reading these will help you keep up with the current market, so you know what editors have been looking for in the…
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Writing Your First Novel – One Writer’s Story
by Suzanne Lieurance Writing a novel can be both an exciting and daunting task, but there are several strategies to make the process more enjoyable and less intimidating. Here’s what one author did to make the process less scary and more fun. Alex’s Journey to Becoming a Novelist Once upon a time, there was an…
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Writing Prompts about Summer Weather
by Suzanne Lieurance In summer, we see all sorts of weather, from intense heat to tornadoes, hurricanes, and droughts. This week’s creative writing prompts are all based on summer weather. Use one prompt each day for some, fun, daily writing practice. Summer Weather Writing Prompts Monday’s Prompt – A Summer Storm Describe the experience of…
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Throughlines in Middle Grade Novels & Tips for Creating Throughlines
by Suzanne Lieurance A throughline in any novel refers to the main thread or storyline that holds the various elements of the story together and gives it coherence and direction. Essentially, the throughline is what makes the story feel like a unified whole rather than a series of disconnected events. Here are Some Examples of…
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Author Voice vs. Character Voice – What’s the Difference?
by Suzanne Lieurance Writers are told to develop their author voice, then they are told their characters must have strong voices. It can all get a bit confusing, yet the difference between author voice and character voice is important in literature. What is Author Voice? The author’s voice is the unique style, tone, and perspective…
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What is Onomatopoeia?
by Suzanne Lieurance Onomatopoeia is a literary device where words phonetically imitate, resemble, or suggest the sound that they describe. These words evoke the actual sound associated with the object or action they refer to, creating a more immersive and vivid experience for the reader or listener. Examples of Onomatopoeia Animal Sounds: Woof: The dog…
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How to Create Fresh Similes and Metaphors
by Suzanne Lieurance Editors hate seeing the same tired, old similes and metaphors. They are trite and indicate the writer has been lazy instead of coming up with new ideas. Creating fresh similes and metaphors can add depth and originality to your writing and please editors and readers alike. Here are some tips to help…
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What is a Throughline?
by Suzanne Lieurance A throughline refers to a consistent thread or element that runs through the narrative, tying together various elements of the story. It can be an object, a character’s goal or motivation, a recurring event, or an overarching plot element. Here are some common types of throughlines with examples: #1. Character Throughline This…
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Common Dialogue Mistakes
by Suzanne Lieurance When writing dialogue, there are several common mistakes to avoid if you want to make sure your dialogue is engaging, believable, and effective. Here are some key pitfalls to watch out for: #1. Overuse of Exposition Avoid using dialogue to dump information or backstory. Let the dialogue flow naturally and reveal information…
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How to Write Dialogue – Easy Tips
by Suzanne Lieurance Dialogue is a big part of any novel or short story, but the dialogue must ring true and serve to move the story foreward in order for it to be effective. Here are some simple tips for creating effective dialogue: #1. Keep it Natural. Write how people actually speak. Avoid overly formal…
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New Story Starters for the Week
by Suzanne Lieurance Summer officially begins later this month, so here are seven writing prompts about the start of summer—one for each day this week: #1. The Enchanted Lake. As the summer solstice approaches, a hidden lake in your town begins to glow with an otherworldly light. Legend has it that the lake reveals secrets…
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What Are Character Arcs?
by Suzanne Lieurance Character arcs show how a character changes or stays the same throughout a story. These changes can be positive, negative, or static, depending on how the story’s events affect the character from start to finish. Here are the three basic types of character arcs: 1. Positive Arc (Transformational Arc). This is where…
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What is a Story Arc and How Can Interesting Arcs Be Created?
by Suzanne Lieurance Many new writers ask, “What is a story arc?” That’s easy to answer. A story arc is simply the way a story develops and changes over time. It includes the events and stages characters go through, usually starting with a beginning, followed by development, a climax, and a resolution. Story arcs can…
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Here’s How to Create Sensory Details in Your Fiction
by Suzanne Lieurance If you write fiction, you probably know that one way to make your stories come alive for your readers is to include plenty of sensory details. But, that is often easier said than done, so here are some ways to create a variety of sensory details in your stories. Sight #1. Create…
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This Week’s Creative Writing Prompts
by Suzanne Lieurance Enjoy a little creative writing every day this week with these new creative writing prompts – one for each day this week. Prompt #1. The Unexpected Journey You find an old map in your attic that leads to a hidden world beneath your city. Describe your journey and what you discover. Prompt…
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12 Strategies to Overcome Resistance So You Get Your Writing Done
by Suzanne Lieurance Overcoming resistance and staying productive as a writer can be challenging, but there are several strategies you can use to get your writing done: 1. Establish a Routine. Set aside dedicated time each day or week for writing and treat it like any other important appointment. Consistency is key to building momentum…
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How Do You “Show” Conflict and Emotion in a Story?
by Suzanne Lieurance Emotion and conflict are the lifeblood of storytelling. By “showing” these two story elements you can elevate your fiction from mere words on a page to a powerful, resonant experience for the reader. So, how do you “show” emotion and conflict? By doing the following: #1. Create Vivid Characters. Characters are the…
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Manifest Your Writing Dreams!
by Suzanne Lieurance If you’re having trouble manifesting your writing dreams, it probably isn’t due to lack of talent or writing skill. Instead, you’re facing other mental challenges. Here are some common hurdles you might face when you’re trying to make your writing and publishing dreams come true: Negative Thoughts – AKA Limiting Beliefs These…
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How to Set Up a Regular Writing Practice
by Suzanne Lieurance If you read my previous post—The Benefits of Writing Every Day—you know why it’s important to write on a consistent basis, whether that’s every day or simply several times each week. Now, here’s a step-by-step guide for setting up a regular writing practice: Step #1. Schedule Your Writing Time. Treat your writing…
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Be a Persistent Writer to Reach Your Goals
by Suzanne Lieurance If you’re a writer, you can often face various challenges that can lead you to give up before reaching your writing goals. Here are some of the most common challenges and tips for overcoming them to be a persistent writer and reach your writing goals: Challenge #1. Lack of Motivation Writing can…
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Writing a Novel and Now You’re Stuck?
by Suzanne Lieurance If you’re trying to write a novel but you’ve come to a point where you don’t know what happens next, don’t worry. Here are several strategies to help you keep moving forward with your story. Try some of these: #1. Work on Character Development. Focus on your characters. Delve deeper into their…
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Great Opening Lines – How to Grab Readers from the Start
Do you recognize any of these great opening lines?
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How to Find Time to Write When You Have a Full Time Job
by Suzanne Lieurance If you want to become a professional writer, it’s important to start a regular writing practice. Yet, this can be difficult if you have a regular day job right now but you’re hoping to eventually transition into full time (or even part time) writing. However, with some planning and dedication, it’s entirely…
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How to Avoid Shiny Object Syndrome and Stay Focused on Your Writing Goals
by Suzanne Lieurance Are you suffering from shiny object syndrome? You know what I’m talking about. You tend to be easily distracted by new, exciting, or novel things. You find yourself constantly chasing after the next big idea or opportunity without fully committing to or following through with your current writing projects or goals. In…
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How to Use Affirmations to Reprogram Your Subconscious and Change Your Beliefs, Behaviors, & Emotions—So You Reach Your Writing Goals
by Suzanne Lieurance While the conscious mind is certainly important in our everyday lives as writers, it’s the subconscious mind that’s actually running the show. You may not realize it, but your subconscious mind could be sabotaging your writing success and needs to be reprogrammed to accept new beliefs. One way to reprogram your subconscious…
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Is Your Mindset Holding You Back from the Writing Life of Your Dreams?
by Suzanne Lieurance Do you ever daydream about living your ultimate writer’s life? You know, the life where you’re cranking out bestsellers from a cozy cabin in the woods or your favorite beach, or tapping away at your laptop in a bustling café, fueled by endless cups of coffee and inspiration? Yeah, that dream. But…
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The Law of Attraction for Writers and Writing Success
by Suzanne Lieurance The Secret, a book by Rhonda Byrne, probably doesn’t immediately come to mind when you think about writing a book or building a writing career. But it should. Because the Law of Attraction has everything to do with whether you become the writer you want to be… or stay stuck wishing you…
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Start a Manifestation Journal
If you wish to become a successful writer, journaling about your future can be a powerful tool for manifesting that future and the writing life of your dreams. For that reason, create your own Manifestation Journal. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started journaling about your future, plus some journaling prompts to use…
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Creative Writing Story: This Week’s Writing Prompts
Here are some creative writing prompts from writer Joan Leotta for your daily writing practice in April. 1. It’s raining so hard. So hard I think the seeds I planted yesterday are floating away. So much for April showers bringing May flowers. Not in my garden. 2. The phone rang at five. Again at six….
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5 Benefits of Writing Prompts
Writing prompts might seem like just a fun writing exercise, but there are actually many benefits of writing prompts. Here are just 5 of the many benefits you’ll enjoy if add these to your writing routine.
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10 Benefits of Taking Part in Our Writing Challenges
by Suzanne Lieurance Throughout the year, we offer numerous writing challenges at writebythesea.com and at two of our private Facebook groups. Whether you’re a beginning writer or someone who has been widely published, you can reap numerous benefits from taking part in these challenges. Here are just 10 of those benefits: Benefit #1. Our Challenges…
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8 Reasons You Should Try Writing Flash Fiction
by Suzanne Lieurance If you want to write fiction but have very limited time for writing, you might try flash fiction. Flash fiction, also known as micro fiction or short-short stories, has benefits for both readers and writers, such as: Benefit #1. It’s Quick to Read. Flash fiction stories are short and concise, making them…
