The Tale of the Traveling Chicken: Learning the Art of Fiction With a Joke
A prolific fiction writer and teacher explores the possibilities beyond the punch line of an age-old question.
Department: The Literary Life
The Time Is Now: Writing Prompts and Exercises
Connect with nature, delve into dystopia, and reflect on a relationship with a guardian—three prompts to get you writing.
Some Room to Breathe: In Praise of Quiet Books
A defense of books that whisper in an increasingly noisy world.
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The Time Is Now: Writing Prompts and Exercises
Shape-shifting poems, reimagining fairy tales, and envisioning an exhibition—three prompts to get you writing, plus our suggested reading: A Primer for Poets & Readers of Poetry by Gregory Orr.
On the Trail: Rejection and Revival in Joshua Tree
A memoirist hikes through rejection during a do-it-yourself retreat in the California desert.
Piano Lessons: Do Writers Need a Teacher or a Coach?
A former writing teacher explores the best methods for encouraging new talent.
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Why We Write: Redemption Song
A writer and editor reflects on her work as both creative impulse and ancestral redemption.
The Time Is Now: Writing Prompts and Exercises
Get deep into the fabric of a poem, strike a subversive tone in a holiday story, or ruminate on a relationship ritual—three prompts to get you writing in the new year. For more, check out our weekly online writing prompts.
You Are Not Alone: Finding a Group of One’s Own
Writing groups can provide community, accountability, and a fresh perspective on your work. One writer shares advice and insight on how to start and maintain a writing group that lasts.
The Darkness Within: In Praise of the Unlikable
How important is it for characters to be likeable? A look at a controversial question, and how literature’s darker actors can pose useful lessons about both the craft of writing and ourselves.
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