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Writing Tips

100 Words of Advice from Ellen Elder, Poetry Editor

I always advise students to be wary of workshopping a poem like a checklist. Still, there are keys to a successful poem: arresting images, attention to metaphorical and sensual language, a wariness of abstraction, an awareness of sound and form, effective line breaks and an unpredictable ending. But what writers of poetry often overlook is […]

Blog Editor |  February 20, 2023 | | Blog |  3 Comments

100 Words of Advice from Holly Rizzuto Palker, Profiles Editor

Observe. Listen. There is value in every writer’s words, seasoned or novice. There aren’t stupid questions so ask them. Knowledge equals growth. Act on the afforded understanding, follow the path, and seize the opportunities even if they differ from your vision. Be humble. Accept all work offered because it leads to more opportunities. Write at […]

Blog Editor |  October 24, 2022 | | Blog |  One Comments

100 Words of Advice from Rhonda Havig, Newsletter Editor

When I struggle with writing, I say to myself: write from where you are. It’s a reminder to accept where I am in my writing life and let go of frustration over not being somewhere — or someone — else. When you feel the same way, think about where you are and be there. Feeling […]

Blog Editor |  September 23, 2022 | | Blog |  No comments

100 Words of Advice from Jenny Bartoy, Managing Editor

A friend recently asked me how to make disjointed memories come together when writing about her grandmother, who died when my friend was twenty. “What question are you trying to answer about your grandmother?” I asked. When crafting creative nonfiction, it’s common to begin with vivid glimpses of memory that compel us to the page. […]

Blog Editor & Jenny Bartoy |  August 22, 2022 | | Blog |  No comments

100 Words of Writing Advice from Tracy Stewart, Managing Editor

Take a digital writing detox every so often. Using pen and paper forces you to slow down, to consider the words you are using. It’s an act of mindfulness in our busy, instant, electronic world—no distracting notifications jump from a page. Pen and paper are markers of time, memory makers and re-connectors. Remember how they […]

Blog Editor |  July 24, 2022 | | Blog |  No comments

100 Words of Writing Advice from Brianna Avenia-Tapper, Profiles Editor

Words matter. Story matters. Your story matters. Tell yourself this exactly 8,214 times a day.  Be willing to write poorly. Expect to write poorly.  When you think you have a decent draft, take a break. Then, go back and try to cut the word count by half. Even if you don’t keep the cuts, this […]

Blog Editor |  June 14, 2022 | | Blog |  No comments

100 Words of Writing Advice from Kimberly Lee, Literary Reflections Editor

“Try to recapture that childlike state, when you wrote just for the sake of it, without concern for whether anyone outside of yourself will like it, publish it, or favorably review it. Write down every little idea that comes to you, no matter how silly it may seem, even if you don’t know what you […]

Blog Editor |  March 28, 2022 | | Blog |  No comments

100 Words of Writing Advice from Rudri Bhatt Patel, Reviews Editor

“Look to the blank page as an unconditional hug. The white, empty space will embrace you if you commit to the page. Write when you don’t feel like it. That will help you produce your best work. Let the words simmer and then return to the page again. Revise. Get feedback from trusted colleagues. Submit. […]

Blog Editor |  January 31, 2022 | | Blog |  No comments

100 Words of Writing Advice from Andrea Lani, Senior Editor and Literary Reflections Editor

“When inspiration strikes, stop everything and write. But don’t wait for inspiration, and learn to hold ideas, words, whole paragraphs in your head, just in case. Make, beg, or steal time–from your job, your hobbies, your sleep–and write, whether it’s fifteen minutes a day or an hour once a week; find the time and use […]

Blog Editor |  January 21, 2022 | | Blog |  One Comments

100 Words of Writing Advice from Amanda Fields, Senior Editor

“I’m the worst with writing advice. A masochist, at best. Hard on myself. Critical. But I do, maybe, have some advice: be slow and deliberate. Let ideas stew. Nobody’s waiting! You’re waiting for yourself to connect disparate threads. The result might be gorgeously horrific or inspiring, whatever your purpose. Give yourself that time to think, […]

Blog Editor |  December 20, 2021 | | Blog |  One Comments

100 Words of Writing Advice from Libby Maxey, Senior Editor and Poetry Editor

“Read extensively, but write the poems only you could write. Talk with other writers, even if they’re dead. Know your purpose and hold it close. Think of the obvious, then think of something better. Make friends with metaphor. Take your poem to a metaphor’s house and stay. Follow when the metaphor goes out; see what […]

Blog Editor |  November 22, 2021 | | Blog |  No comments

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