Writing Resources | Writing Forward

What If? Writing Exercises for Fiction Writers

This post contains affiliate links. Good fiction includes many different elements: believable characters, realistic dialogue, and a compelling plot. Every decent story has a beginning, middle, and end. Intriguing tales are built around conflict and are rich with themes and symbols. And those are just the basics. It can be pretty overwhelming. Fiction writing is…Read More

Writing Resources: Zen in the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury

This post contains affiliate links. Ray Bradbury’s Zen in the Art of Writing, a collection of essays on writing and creativity, is infused with unparalleled joy and passion for the craft of writing. It’s an easy, relaxing read that imparts unique insight to boost your writing habits and keep ideas flowing freely and naturally. “You must stay…Read More

Writing Resources: The Pocket Muse

This post contains affiliate links. We writers can’t be inspired every day. Sometimes we get burned out. Our ideas seem unappealing. We find ourselves grappling with an idea that’s incomplete or we might be seeking lots of small ideas for a big project. But inspiration isn’t on call; we can’t expect it to be there…Read More

Writing Resources: Stephen King On Writing

Today I’m bringing back a post that’s been sitting in the archives for a while. Stephen King’s On Writing is one of the most important books ever written on the craft of writing, one of the few texts that all writers should experience, regardless of your preferred form or genre. This post has been updated…Read More

Writing Resources: The Practice of Poetry

This post contains affiliate links. When it comes to writing resources, there are some special books out there that will help make you a better reader and a more well-rounded writer. Some academics argue that poetry is an intellectual pursuit, but that’s only partially true. Poetry is also artistic and emotional. Anyone can enjoy poetry,…Read More

A Messy, Liberating Guide to Journal Writing

This post contains affiliate links. You should see my journal. It’s a cacophony of words and images, scribbles, doodles, and scraps of ideas tucked between the pages. It’s sort of a mess, and I like it that way. I know some writers are diligent about keeping their journals pristine. The pages are crisp, the lines…Read More

Writing Resources: Perrine’s Sound and Sense

This post contains affiliate links. This is one of my favorite writing resources of all time. It is subtitled “An Introduction to Poetry,” but it’s full of concepts that can benefit any form of writing. Whether you write fiction, articles, essays, or blog posts, Perrine’s Sound and Sense will enhance the way you perceive and use language…Read More

Get Poemcrazy!

This post contains affiliate links. Part memoir, filled with poetry exercises and activities, and sprinkled with poems, Poemcrazy is sure to inspire anyone who wants to delve deeper into the art of writing poetry and the lifestyle of a poet. Poemcrazy is a delicious read with bite-sized chapters that give you a creative boost and a…Read More

Writing Resources: Bird by Bird

This post contains affiliate links. Bird by Bird is a classic book on writing. You’ll hear about it in writer circles, at workshops, and it will appear on book lists by some of your favorite authors. This book had been sitting on my to-read list for years by the time I got around to reading…Read More

The Writer’s Journey: A Must-Read for Storytellers

This post contains affiliate links. If you read only one book on storytelling, make it The Writer’s Journey by Christopher Vogler. Over the years, I’ve read a lot of books on writing fiction. Many have been helpful, but some have left me feeling disappointed, especially those that promise their methods will result in a successful…Read More