Writing Inspiration

What is the role of the writer? Prophet? High priest of art? Court jester? Or witness to the real world? Looking back on her own childhood and writing career, Margaret Atwood examines the metaphors which writers of fiction and poetry have used to explain - or excuse! - their activities, looking at what costumes they have assumed, what roles they have chosen to play. In her final chapter she takes up the challenge of the title: if a writer is to be seen as "gifted", who is doing the giving and what are the terms of the gift?

Theme—the mysterious cousin of plot and character. Too often viewed as abstract rather than actionable, theme is frequently misunderstood and left to chance. Some writers even insist theme should not be purposefully implemented. This is unfortunate, because in many ways theme is story. Theme is the heart, the meaning, the point. Nothing that important should be overlooked. Powerful themes are never incidental. They emerge from the conjunction of strong plots and resonant character arcs.

The first novel-writing guide from the best-selling Save the Cat! story-structure series, which reveals the 15 essential plot points needed to make any novel a success. Novelist Jessica Brody presents a comprehensive story-structure guide for novelists that applies the famed Save the Cat!...

Fairy-tale master Gail Carson, the bestselling author of Ella Enchanted, guides writers of all ages on how to develop their craft, with practical advice and heartfelt encouragement. In Writing Magic, Newbery Honor author Gail Carson Levine shares her tricks of the trade. She shows how you can...

Travel journalist Kate Wills wasn’t expecting to be divorced after less than a year of marriage, or to be forced to restart a life that had seemed so stable for so long. Luckily, her job as a writer offered her the perfect opportunity to escape from it all. But this time, with no deadlines to hit or all-expenses-paid trips to absorb in a few days before churning out copy for a travel magazine, her jet-setting felt different. There were no photographers working alongside her or assistants booking her flights. For the first time ever, Kate was traveling alone.

Whether your idea of travel at its finest is trekking through Europe with a backpack, a map and a foreign-language dictionary; road-tripping across America in a fully loaded RV; or cruising the Caribbean aboard a luxury liner, Chicken Soup for the Traveler’s Soul celebrates the people you’ll meet, the lands you’ll discover and the lessons you’ll learn. Like traveling itself, the stories in this book will take you on a journey of adventure, insight, and discovery. Through the real-life experiences of others, you’ll see that regardless of the destination, it is the journey that provides the fondest memories.

In 1994, an idealistic first-year teacher in Long Beach, California, named Erin Gruwell confronted a room of “unteachable, at-risk” students. She had intercepted a note with an ugly racial caricature and angrily declared that this was precisely the sort of thing that led to the Holocaust. She was met by uncomprehending looks - none of her students had heard of one of the defining moments of the 20th century. So she rebooted her entire curriculum, using treasured books such as Anne Frank’s diary as her guide to combat intolerance and misunderstanding.

For 50 years, writers at every stage of their careers have turned to the literary nonprofit organization Poets & Writers and its award-winning magazine for resources to foster their professional development, from writing prompts and tips on technique to informative interviews with published authors, literary agents, and editors. But never before has Poets & Writers marshalled its 50 years’ worth of knowledge to create an authoritative guide for writers that answers every imaginable question about craft and career - until now.

A refreshing solution to unlocking creativity that challenges the conventional mindset rooted in a hustle and comparison culture through the ancient practice of mindfulness. Drawing on over two hundred studies that reveal how mindfulness calms the mind, enhances focus, reduces anxiety, and...

A new collection of critical and personal essays on the writing life, from National Book Award—winning and New York Times bestselling author Joyce Carol Oates. “Why do we write?” With this question, Joyce Carol Oates, in this new collection of seminal essays and criticism, begins an...

This is the book that guides you on your journey to becoming a successful self-help author. It gives you everything you need to write, publish, and promote a book that does justice to your ideas and expertise.

Revealing how the ancient spiritual tradition known as the Kabbalah can be applied to the art of writing, award-winning author Sherri Mandell presents a mystical system for developing creativity and harnessing divine inspiration in your storytelling and other written works. Sharing insight from her own spiritual journey and her years of teaching writing, Mandell explains how the characteristics of the 10 sefirot can be used to think about and develop writing in a profound way and give you the power to grow as a person and a writer.

What If Your Worst Nightmare Could Become Your Greatest Novel? Some of the most legendary books were born from nightmares—visions that blurred the line between fear and creativity. Dream Inspiration in Books takes you deep into the subconscious of literary legends, revealing how their darkest dreams shaped unforgettable stories. From Mary Shelley's Frankenstein to H. P. Lovecraft’s The Call of Cthulhu, Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and Stephen King’s The Shining and Misery, this audiobook uncovers the eerie origins of these iconic works.

Stunning poetry introduce a new generation to the beloved literary icon Toni Morrison, by New York Times bestselling author Andrea Davis Pinkney and Caldecott Honor winner Daniel Minter. From imaginative child to visionary storyteller, Toni Morrison was a fiercely inspiring writer that...

A collection of previously published inspirational and humorous short stories with positive and feel-good takeaway messages. Reflections of everyday life, each story is an easy and quick listen, but you will not want to pause this audiobook! In "Angels on Ice", the author shares inspirational lessons gleaned from surviving a near-death experience at age seven. Stories of home life, like "Freezer Bra" and "Reverse Engineering", are sure to tickle your funny bone and elicit chuckles!

The Children’s Fire forges a trail into Britain’s wild and ancient Celtic past. In the winter of 2009 Mac Macartney walked from his birthplace in England across Wales to the island of Anglesey, once the spiritual epicenter of Late Iron Age Britain, navigating by the sun and the stars, with no map, compass, stove, or tent, and in the coldest winter for many years. The Children’s Fire records that journey, and seeks to lay bare the aching loss of knowing and understanding sacredness as it applies to everything ordinary that brings joy to the human heart.

Jane Austen is one of the most beloved writers in the English literary canon. Her novels changed the landscape of fiction forever, and her writing remains as fresh, entertaining and witty as the day her books were first published. Now, with this illuminating and entertaining new book, you can learn Jane Austen's methods, tips and tricks - and how to live well as a writer. The Jane Austen Writers' Club explores the techniques of plotting and characterisation through to dialogue and suspense.

Travel shapes our identity, from ancient spiritual journeys to the modern movement of people across the globe. In his latest book, Douglas J. Brouwer, a pastor, scholar and lifelong traveler, invites listeners to reflect on the profound, transformative power of travel in all its forms. With over 40 years of pastoral ministry in the U.S. and Europe, Doug shares personal stories from his own life, from childhood road trips to leading mission teams, study tours, and pilgrimages.

Discover the story of young James Baldwin in this ode to the legendary writer and the power of the written word—with exquisite prose from acclaimed poet Quartez Harris. The first time Jimmy read a book the words clung to him like glitter... Before James Baldwin was a celebrated novelist...

I'll share the specific process I use to write articles, from initial concept to final publication, including the step-by-step details. If this topic interests you, hopefully you’ll gain some insights that will help you improve your craft of writing. I don't write the way I was taught in school, nor do I write like many people would expect. I can’t guarantee that my approach will work for you, but there’s no doubt that it works well for me. Obviously I write a lot, and I like to think I've gotten pretty good at it.