Advice

Mark Twain: The Man Who Lived, Laughed, and Witnessed America’s Transformations
Have you ever wondered what it was like to grow up along the Mississippi River during a time when America was transforming faster than anyone could imagine? Meet Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain—a boy from a small Missouri town who rose from modest beginnings to become one of the greatest storytellers the world has ever known. Twain didn’t just write stories; he captured the soul of a nation, observing both its humor and its heartbreak with a sharp, unforgettable voice.
By Haroon Pashaabout 21 hours ago in Writers
I (Nearly) Used Amazon's Free ISBN. Here's Why That Was (And Wasn't) A Mistake.
When you publish on Amazon, you have two choices: Use Amazon's free ISBN, or buy your own for $125. I went to choose the free option. Why spend $125 when Amazon offers it for nothing? That's a no-brainer, right?!
By Ellen Francesa day ago in Writers
Alone in the Jungle
The canopy is so dense that it suffocates all light. I am slashing through the dense boscage to get to the light, but I don’t know which way to go, or if I will ever get out of the forest. This jungle feels often filled with peril, and lonely. I came to this tangle of vines, underbrush, and unknown unfamiliar territory, with a dream, a goal, a determination. I planned and still plan to reach the end of the primeval and reach the inner sanctum of a place that is not easily traversed. I am a writer, and I want to write as a career.
By Alexandra Grant2 days ago in Writers
Going Back A Bit
Introduction When I was unable to publish, I started going back to find stories that I could repurpose, but then I saw old pieces that I thought were still excellent but had very little interaction from other Vocal creators. So I had a thought....
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred 3 days ago in Writers
Making Your Prologues Worth Reading
Prologues are not popular. A lot of readers actually refuse to read them, and skip right over them like a short wall: These readers have found that prologues are pretty much a waste of time, and so there’s no reason to read them. Too many writers use the prologue to catch people up, introduce characters with little payoff, or just show off that they can write; these are poor reasons to have a prologue. While the prologue can do a lot of work for your story, it needs to be done with some finesse.
By Jamais Jochim3 days ago in Writers
letters never meant to be sent
Some words live inside us for years. They sit quietly in the heart, waiting for a moment that never comes. Not every feeling finds its way into conversation. That is where letters never meant to be sent begin — as private conversations with ourselves.
By shaoor afridi3 days ago in Writers
Should You Publish Wide or KDP Select? I Chose Wrong.
One of the first decisions you make when self-publishing is whether to use KDP Select. This means you're faced with a dilemma: Amazon exclusivity, where your book is only available on Amazon, or publish widely across every self-publishing platform.
By Ellen Frances3 days ago in Writers
The Hidden Mistakes Most People Make When Buying Beauty Products
Walk into any beauty store or scroll through social media, and you’ll be overwhelmed with promises. “Instant glow.” “Flawless skin.”
By Brian Hen3 days ago in Writers
Concrete Floor Polishing: A Smart and Stylish Flooring Solution for Modern Spaces
Flooring plays a much bigger role in our spaces than we often realize. It shapes the atmosphere of a room, affects maintenance efforts, and determines how well a space performs over time. In recent years, polished concrete has quietly transformed from an industrial necessity into a modern design statement.
By sammmy4 days ago in Writers
Show Me Your Prose!. Content Warning.
I’ve caught the unofficial challenge bug again, and I have a lot of devious ideas (like my Cthulu’s Challenge: poetry in pig latin, but I’ll probably save that one for next Christmas or some other time when the sweetness gets a bit too cloying for my tastes.
By Harper Lewis4 days ago in Writers
This Writing Trend Is Making Teenagers Rich in the US
A quiet revolution is happening across the United States. It’s not in Silicon Valley boardrooms or Wall Street trading floors. It’s happening in bedrooms, dorm rooms, and coffee shops, where teenagers are typing on laptops and smartphones and earning money that many adults only dream about.
By Sathish Kumar 5 days ago in Writers
How I Write When I Only Have 30 Minutes
Most days, I don't have two hours to write. I don't have an hour, and some days I barely have 30 minutes. Between everything else I need to do in my writing business, life, obligations, and being human, pure writing time gets compressed.
By Ellen Frances5 days ago in Writers