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Spring was once more in the world. As she sang to herself in the faraway woodlands her voice reached even the ears of the city, weary with the long winter. Daffodils flowered at the entrances to the Subway, furniture removing vans blocked the side streets, children clustered like blossoms on the doorsteps, the open cars were running, and the cry of the "cash clo'" man was once more heard in the land.

Yes, it was the spring, and the city dreamed wistfully of lilacs and the dewy piping of birds...

25 Writing Tips From Famous Writers

Learning from someone with experience can be invaluable. Experienced individuals can offer practical insights, share lessons learned, and provide guidance that you might not find in textbooks. They can also help you avoid common pitfalls and speed up your understanding of a subject.

We gathered 25 proven writing tips from bestselling authors from today and the past.

1. “If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it.” -Elmore Leonard

Steinbeck and Leonard offer...

Ed had always been a practical man, when he saw something was wrong he tried to correct it. Then one day he saw it hanging in the town square.

Five o'clock Ed Loyce washed up, tossed on his hat and coat, got his car out and headed across town toward his TV sales store. He was tired. His back and shoulders ached from digging dirt out of the basement and wheeling it into the backyard. But for a forty-year-old man he had done okay. Janet could get a new vase with the money he had saved; and he...

What is figurative language?

Figurative language is a literary tool that allows writers to express ideas in creative and imaginative ways. Here’s how various forms of figurative speech differ from one another.

The types of figurative language

Simile

A simile is a figure of speech that directly compares two different things, often highlighting a particular quality or characteristic they share. This comparison is usually marked by the use of the words "like" or "as."

Example: "Her smile was like...

Pixar unveils its secret to success

Pixar's 22 Rules of Storytelling are a collection of guidelines initially shared by former Pixar storyboard artist Emma Coats. These rules provide insights into the storytelling process employed by Pixar to create compelling narratives.

Pixar's 22 rules every storyteller should follow

1. You admire a character for trying more than for their successes.

2. You gotta keep in mind what’s interesting to you as an audience, not what’s fun to do as a writer. They can...

What are onomatopoeia words, and why are they important for writers

Onomatopoeia refers to words that phonetically mimic or resemble the sounds they describe. These words are commonly used in literature and everyday speech to create a vivid auditory experience, making descriptions more expressive and lively. Such words evoke the actual sounds they represent, adding dynamism and engagement to the language.

Here are a few examples of onomatopoeia:

Big list of onomatopoeia words

achoo

agh

ahem

argh

baa...

Creating memorable characters

Characters act as vessels that transport readers into new worlds and experiences. Crafting memorable characters is a crucial task for any author, and one effective way to achieve this is by giving them distinctive quirks, mannerisms, gestures, and habits. These small yet important details breathe life into characters, making them relatable, engaging, and unforgettable.

What are character quirks?

Character quirks are unique traits or behaviors that set individuals...

Reader note

Reader note: This article contains presumptive interpretations of the books of Daniel and Revelation and should not be considered a definitive or literal interpretation of the visions that God provided us. It is important to recognize that our goal is not to dissect every detail of these visions, but to understand the underlying message well enough to connect the pieces when the events become clear.

Could Donald Trump be the Antichrist?

Throughout history, many have believed that a...

What makes a good book?

In Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury wrote, “There must be something in books, things we can't imagine, to make a woman stay in a burning house; there must be something there. You don't stay for nothing.” But what makes a book worth burning alive for? A good book weaves various elements to engage and resonate with its audience. Below are some key components that often contribute to a book's success:

1. Compelling Storytelling: A strong narrative that captures the reader's...

Overview of Mickey7

In an era marked by cultural division, political polarization, and widespread mental health issues, Mickey7 serves as a metaphorical lens through which we can examine and question our sense of worth and the direction of our society. Written by Edward Ashton, Mickey7 is a science fiction novel that explores the boundaries of human identity and survival while examining themes of immortality, the ethics of cloning, and what it means to be truly human.

Edward Ashton's dazzling...

A lifetime of work consolidated into books and collections

I have been writing in some form or another since my teenage years, but it wasn’t until the rise of the Internet that I began creating and maintaining extensive bodies of work. Around 1995, I launched a website for children featuring science articles and nearly a hundred science experiments. Shortly afterward, the site gained recognition as one of the top 10 science websites by The Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose. I followed up...