Help! For Writers

Beware of buzzwords and 9 other tips for cutting clichés

Over the next few months, Poynter will publish shortened versions of 21 chapters of the…

Choose a main character and 9 other ideas for starting a story

Over the next few months, Poynter will publish shortened versions of 21 chapters of the…

Let your lead be a flashlight and 9 other ideas for focusing a story

Leads can shine a light for you and your readers to see what's coming next.…

10 ways to mine that mountain of material in your notebook.

‘Save string’ and 9 other things to do when your work habits are disorganized

There's a story in there somewhere. (Deposit Photos) Over the next few months, Poynter will…

‘Talk to Shirley’ and 9 other tips for reporting and research

When do you have enough? (Deposit Photos) Over the next few months, Poynter will publish…

Help! For Writers: 10 things to do when you can’t think of anything to write

I have written five books – all published by Little, Brown – in the last…

Chat Replay: Which Books Can Make Me a Better Writer?

The question of what writers read, and how they read, kept coming up in the…

Chat Replay: How Do I Find a Structure For My Writing?

In St. Petersburg, Fla., we have a famous landmark and tourist site called The Pier.…

Chat Replay: How Do I Speed Up My Writing Process?

My writing problem? I am so slow.Not all of us can be fast writers, but…

Chat Replay: What Are the Best Ways to Give My Story a Strong Beginning?

"Well begun," said Mary Poppins, "is half done."Many experienced writers feel that way about the…

Chat Replay: How Do I Find a Focus For My Writing?

When I think about "focus" as the central act of the writing process, I am…

Chat Replay: How Do I Write to an Appropriate Length?

There are a few standard ways in which reporters and writers are rewarded for their…

Chat Replay: What Are the Best Ways to Expand Your Vocabulary?

I know so many writers who begin to question themselves when they encounter another writer…

Chat Replay: How Do I Decide When I’m Done With My Reporting and Research?

One of the hardest things to do is to figure out when it's time to…