As writers, we don’t have to be told to sit down and write. It’s what we do and what we enjoy doing. But asking kids to write can be a whole different story, especially during the summer season when school's out. If they don’t have to write, why would they want to? Actually, there are plenty of reasons. Writing during the summer is a great way for kids to practice their skills without being graded or judged. It’s a chance to write about topics they enjoy and explore their cre

Valentine’s Day is all about love, sweets, roses—and writing ideas. What better way to prepare for the upcoming holiday than to write about something reminiscent of it? These Valentine’s Day writing ideas won’t just inspire and uplift you; they’ll help set you up for a sale. So head to your computer and get your creativity—and heart—flowing: Valentine’s Day History For history buffs, Valentine’s Day is more than a holiday; it marks an important day in history. Check out this

There are no set-in-stone rules on writing holiday recipes, but you’ll want to keep a few things in mind before you get started: Make Your Holiday Recipe Coherent Recipes aren’t the place to get creative with words, especially at holiday time. Cooks and bakers want to know one thing: how to make your holiday treat just like you did. The more straightforward you are, the better for them. Write your holiday recipe using easy language, a step-by-step format, and short, succinct

Do you write to live or live to write? It's a question I see pop up on writing websites and blogs from time to time. And it's a hard one to answer. If you say you write to live, that implies that money is your endgame, and I’m fairly certain that money doesn’t top the list of reasons why most writers write. For one thing, money in this business is often sporadic, unscheduled, and uncertain. To depend on money regularly is just plain risky. Now, money certainly has a spot on t

When writers look for places to submit their work, they often choose markets that request a query letter first. Submitting a query letter definitely has benefits for writers. It saves time and the effort of writing a piece, which is especially helpful if you don’t get positive feedback from the editor. If you do get a green light, you might also get better direction on how to write your story. Plus, most writing markets prefer a query letter, so it’s a practice that comes wit

Here are a few of the ways I plan to “write” in August. Try these out for yourself. You might be surprised at how much you’ll achieve this month—without creating a single draft. Read helpful books. Learn something from another writer by adding a writing book to your summer reading list. Consider one of these noteworthy recommendations:  Why We Write: 20 Acclaimed Authors on How and Why They Do What They Do (Meredith Maran), Good Prose: The Art of Nonfiction (Kidder and Todd),

Can’t get motivated to write? Maybe you need a change of scenery. Truth is, sitting at a desk all day can get old. Of course, it may be more practical to write where everything you need—your computer, writing resources, files, phone, etc.—is at your fingertips. But do you really need all those things to write all the time? Sometimes, a pen and paper or even just a new environment will do the trick. I can think of several places I like to write besides at my desk. One is the p