How to Avoid Clichés in Writing

how to avoid writing cliches

I hope this isn’t unoriginal, but reading clichés in writing make me feel like I’ve woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Really, clichés in writing are a dime a dozen. It’s language that, quite frankly, is dead as a doornail. I hope I’m not beating a dead horse. Clichés are everywhere. They’re common parts of the…

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How to Write a Compelling Story

originality in writing | calder mobile

What makes a story interesting? Hasn’t every original idea already been taken? Trying to write an interesting story seems impossible when so many books have been written, and if you’re at the start of your literary career (or trying to start your next book!), you might be daunted by the task of originality. In other…

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How to Read Prose: Close Reading Strategies for Prose Writers

close reading strategies how to read prose

In this article, we’ll give you strategies to begin reading prose like a writer. We’ll discuss applying close reading strategies to prose: that is, to anything that isn’t written in verse, from short stories to novels to memoirs and more. This article is third in our series on how to read like a writer—in other…

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Concise Writing: How to Omit Needless Words

how to write concisely

This article is all about concise writing, summed up in the timeless phrase “Omit needless words.” We’ll examine some of the best advice on writing concisely, define what concise writing is and isn’t, and describe 11 writing habits that encourage concision. “Omit Needless Words” and The Elements of Style In 1920, William Strunk Jr. published…

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10 Important Literary Devices in Prose: Examples & Analysis

literary devices in prose

Any writer looking to master the art of storytelling will want to learn the literary devices in prose. Fiction and nonfiction writers rely on these devices to bring their stories to life, impact their readers, and uncover the core truths of life. You can, too, with mastery over the different literary devices!  If you’re not…

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112 Common Literary Devices: Definitions, Examples, and Exercises

common literary devices

Common literary devices, such as metaphors and similes, are the building blocks of literature, and what make literature so enchanting. Language evolves through the literary devices in poetry and prose; the different types of figurative language make literature spark in different ways. Consider this your crash course in common literary devices. Whether you’re studying for…

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Online Fiction Writing Courses: 8 Things to Know

Online fiction writing course

Online fiction writing courses can wholly transform your writing journey—if you come into the course with the right mindset. Online fiction writing workshops can build community and fine-tune your craft, but you might not know how to make the most of your fiction writing classes. How do you make online fiction writing courses work for…

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24 of the Best Journals Accepting Short Story Submissions

best journals for short story submissions

Which journals are accepting short story submissions right now? There are tons of fiction journals out there looking for stories like yours, and finding where to submit short stories can leave you with too many options. We recently covered the best journals to submit poetry to, so let’s do the same for fiction. These are…

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How to Write a Story Outline

writing a story outline

The story outline is a great bridge between your story idea and a polished work of fiction. When you’re not sure how to start writing a story idea you might have, working on an outline will save you time and frustration, while also generating new ideas. Some writers balk at the idea of using a…

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What is Autobiographical Fiction? An Introduction to the Genre

writing autobiographical fiction

At some point along your fiction journey, you may have considered writing autobiographical fiction—perhaps writing an autobiographical novel, or a shorter work based on your life experience. Many famous authors have turned their life stories into compelling works of prose, from Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield to Sherman Alexie’s The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time…

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