Writer’s Digest - Literary Fiction

With a body of work spanning five decades, a Pulitzer Prize and membership in the Academy of Arts and Letters, Anne Tyler is a testament to the best kind of longevity—and the purity of the written word.

by Jessica Strawser
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Thomas Steinbeck: Like Father, Like Son

Thomas Steinbeck on his debut story collection, the craft of writing, and growing up Steinbeck.

by Jessica Strawser
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Creating Characters:
4 Simple Exercises

Here are 4 simple exercises to help you invent characters for your fiction.

by Nancy Kress
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How to Weave in Backstory to Reveal Character

Creating characters’ backstories before you start writing is crucial because you’ll want to determine each one’s past experiences and the repercussions these experiences will have on your story before you begin. Here's a close look at the different ways you can introduce backstory.

by Rachel Ballon
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A Checklist for Developing Your Hero and Heroine

Answer the following questions for each of your main characters to help figure out how each one fits in your novel.

by Leigh Michaels
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7 Ways to Develop an Affordable Marketing Plan

You’ve gained admission to the publishing world. But now you have to stand out to an entirely new group: your audience.

by M.J. Rose Read more

The WD Interview:
John Updike

“We’re past the age of heroes and hero kings. If we can’t make up stories about ordinary people, who can we make them up about?”--John Updike Read more

Library Thing's
'Dead People's Books'

Any sane writer with a rare chance to tour a literary hero’s estate is going to sneak a hungry peek at the bookshelves. In few other places—among the polished chairs, antique vases and other stuffy artifacts—can you find such an authentic portal into the writing mind. Read more

2 Simple Blogging Exercises

Lessons and tips for working on specific aspects of your writing.
—From WD's Writer's Workbook section Read more

Your Novel Blueprint

Turn your dream novel into a reality by taking some tips from the worksite and using this Story Plan Checklist.

by Karen S. Wiesner Read more

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