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Most Recent Articles

 

Who Keeps Journals?

References and an Exercise for Expanding Your Journaling

2010-09-09

The Working Writer

by Sheila Bender

 

To Keep Our Senses Open

Writing About Loved Ones We Have Died

2010-09-02

Instructional Exercises

by Sheila Bender

 

The Practice of Productivity

An Excerpt from The Writer's Portable Mentor

2010-08-26

The Working Writer

by Priscilla Long

 

"My Mother the Queen"

First Place Winner, Writing It Real's Spring 2010 Contest

2010-08-19

Gallery

by Maria McLeish

 

"Release," A Poem by Kristin Henry

Second Place Winner, Spring Writing It Real Contest

2010-08-12

Gallery

by Kristin Henry

 

Searching for Mother in the Cochise Stronghold

Third Place Winner, Spring 2010 Writing It Real Contest

2010-08-05

Gallery

by Martha Sarkissian

 

A Need to Write

Two Essays and Commentary from Beckie A. Miller

2010-07-29

Gallery

by Beckie A. Miller, Sheila Bender

 

Tethered

Writing Grief

2010-07-22

Gallery

by Cora Goss-Grubbs

 

Inside the Writing of A New Theology: Turning to Poetry In A Time of Grief

An Interview with Sheila Bender

2010-07-15

From Our Correspondents

by Leslie Wake, Sheila Bender

 

"In The Fragments" by Sindee Ernst

Writing It Real Winter No-Contest Contest First Place Winner

2010-07-08

Revisions Diary

by Sindee Ernst, Sheila Bender

 

The Cheetah The Spider and Me by Gloria Orlando Ives

Second Place Winner Winter 2010 WIR No-Contest Contest

2010-07-01

Revisions Diary

by Gloria Orlando Ives, Sheila Bender

 

He Was Surprised And So Was I by Meg Hannah House

Writing It Real's Winter 2010 No-Contest Contest 3rd Place Winner

2010-06-24

Revisions Diary

by Meg Hanna House, Sheila Bender

 

Write an Ending Your Readers Will Savor

It's a vital dessert to the main meal

2010-06-17

The Working Writer

by Bharti Kirchner

 

Getting to First-Person Writing

His Take: Ross Anderson, Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalist

2010-06-10

From Our Correspondents

by Ross Anderson, Sheila Bender

 

Writing From Historic Journeys

Return to the Klondike!

2010-06-03

From Our Correspondents

by Ross Anderson

 

Writing Gritty Characters

A Quirky How-To

2010-05-26

From Our Correspondents

by Harmoni McGlothlin

 

Interview with Harmoni McGlothlin

Founding Editor of Notes and Grace Notes, A Resource for Writers

2010-05-20

From Our Correspondents

by Harmoni McGlothlin, Sheila Bender

 

E-Reading

How to do it comfortably

2010-05-13

Reading for Writing

by Kurt VanderSluis

 

Instant Literary Pleasure

25 Websites to Read

2010-05-06

Reading for Writing

by Sheila Bender

 

Interview with Memoirist Melissa Hart

Author of Gringa: A Contradictory Girlhood Explains Her Process

2010-04-29

From Our Correspondents

by Melissa Hart, Sheila Bender

 

Small Things Hold Great Meaning

Write a poem before you know it

2010-04-22

Instructional Exercises

by Sheila Bender, Raul Gallardo

 

What is Poetry?

A Synopsis

2010-04-15

Publisher's Essay

by Sheila Bender

 

To Delight in the Feel and Taste of Words in My Mouth

One poet's practice -- an inspiration

2010-04-08

Gallery

by William Mawhinney

 

Using Lyric Techniques in Your Writing: Part Four

Giving Attention to Sentence Construction and to Locution

2010-04-01

Instructional Exercises

by Sheila Bender

 

Using Lyric Techniques in Your Writing, Part Three

A Review of Onomatopoeia, Alliteration, and Rhyme

2010-03-25

Instructional Exercises

by Sheila Bender

 

Using Lyric Techniques in Your Writing, Part Two

More Lessons from the Pros on Repetition

2010-03-18

Instructional Exercises

by Sheila Bender

 

Using Lyric Techniques in Your Writing, Part One

Using Repetition to Create Music

2010-03-11

Instructional Exercises

by Sheila Bender

 

The Craft of Fiction, Part Nine

Setting the Tone of Your Story

2010-03-04

Instructional Exercises

by Sheila Bender

 

The Craft of Fiction, Part Eight

Working on Subplots

2010-02-25

Instructional Exercises

by Sheila Bender

 

The Craft of Fiction, Part Seven

Building Scenes

2010-02-17

Instructional Exercises

by Sheila Bender

 

The Craft of Fiction, Part Six

Writing Good Dialog

2010-02-11

Instructional Exercises

by Sheila Bender

 

The Craft of Fiction, Part Five

On Building Strong Characters

2010-02-04

Instructional Exercises

by Sheila Bender

 

The Craft of Fiction, Part Four

On Point of View

2010-01-28

Instructional Exercises

by Sheila Bender

 

The Craft of Fiction Writing, Part Three

On Plot

2010-01-21

Instructional Exercises

by Sheila Bender

 

The Craft of Fiction, Part Two

Beginning to Explore Your Protagonist

2010-01-14

Instructional Exercises

by Sheila Bender

 

The Craft of Fiction, Part One

Exploring Premise and Timeline

2010-01-07

Instructional Exercises

by Sheila Bender

 

What is Creative Writing?

The genres in which writers embrace subjectivity

2009-12-31

Publisher's Essay

by Sheila Bender

 

Five Principles to Write By

And An Example That Adheres to Them

2009-12-24

From Our Correspondents

by Joel M. Vance

 

Journaling to Wake Up Your Dream Machine

It's Good for Your Writing When You Catch Your Dreams

2009-12-17

From Our Correspondents

by Joan Mazza, M.S., Sheila Bender

 

The Annual Christmas Dress Shopping Trip

Honorable Mention Essay by Karen B. Call

2009-12-10

Revisions Diary

by Karen B. Call, Sheila Bender

 

Tenderness and Meat Loaf

Honorable Mention Essay by Jack Shea

2009-12-03

Revisions Diary

by Jack Shea, Sheila Bender

 

The Berry Patch

Third Place Winner WIR Fall 2009 No-Contest Contest

2009-11-26

Revisions Diary

by Joyce Deming, Sheila Bender

 

Porch Swings

Writing It Real Fall 2009 Second Place Contest Winner

2009-11-19

Revisions Diary

by Lisa Morris Kee, Sheila Bender

 

Julie Barker's First Place Essay "Overturned"

And the reader response that helped her continue shaping

2009-11-12

Revisions Diary

by Julie Barker, Sheila Bender

 

Interview with Libertary.com

Publisher Kenneth Shear and Managing Editor Alice Porter

2009-11-05

From Our Correspondents

by Kenneth Shear, Alice Porter, Sheila Bender

 

Insight at the Intersection of Past and Present

An Exercise Based on Betsy Howell's Acoustic Shadows

2009-10-29

Instructional Exercises

by Sheila Bender

 

Finding One's Way Through Writing

An Interview with Betsy Howell, Author of Acoustic Shadows: Men at War and a Daughter Who Remembers Them

2009-10-21

From Our Correspondents

by Betsy Howell, Sheila Bender

 

Retracing Her Great-Great-Grandfather's Footsteps

An Excerpt from Acoustic Shadows: Men at War and a Daughter Who Remembers Them

2009-10-15

Gallery

by Betsy Howell

 

2000 Words or 2:00

An interview with Meg Waite Clayton by B. Lynn Goodwin

2009-10-08

From Our Correspondents

by B. Lynn Goodwin, Meg Waite Clayton

 

First

From the opening of A New Theology: Turning to Poetry in a Time of Grief

2009-10-01

Gallery

by Sheila Bender

 

Los Tulares: The Place of the Rushes

Writing on Place

2009-09-24

Gallery

by Eileen Apperson

 

Writing About Place

A Life Project Launched in Graduate School

2009-09-17

Writing Makes a Difference

by Eileen Apperson, Sheila Bender

 

A Quiet Ache

An Essay About Fathers and Daughters

2009-09-10

Gallery

by Sandra Hurtes

 

Pursuing the Dream of Publishing Personal Essays

An Interview with Author Sandra Hurtes

2009-09-03

From Our Correspondents

by Sandra Hurtes, Sheila Bender

 

The Greatest Block of All

On the Hard Work of Being Lucky

2009-08-27

The Working Writer

by Jo Parfitt

 

Our Baby, Not Yours

An Essay from the Editor of Eye of My Heart

2009-08-20

Gallery

by Barbara Graham

 

Conversation on Creating and Supporting an Anthology of Essays by Many Contributors

Talking with Barbara Graham on Eye of My Heart

2009-08-13

From Our Correspondents

by Barbara Graham, Sheila Bender

 

Exactly How to Write the Narrative Essay

Character, Problem, Struggle, Epiphany, Resolution

2009-08-05

The Working Writer

by Adair Lara

 

Making Poetry From the Prose of Our Daily Lives

Suggestions on How

2009-07-30

From Our Correspondents

by Kathy Lockwood, Sheila Bender

 

Writing in Style

An Excerpt from Fearless Confessions

2009-07-23

Gallery

by Sue William Silverman

 

Fearless Confessions: A Writer's Guide to Memoir

An interview on memoir writing and instruction from Sue William Silverman

2009-07-16

From Our Correspondents

by Sue William Silverman, Sheila Bender

 

Ordinary Genius

An Exchange on Understanding Poetry

2009-07-09

From Our Correspondents

by Kathy Lockwood, Sheila Bender

 

Indexing: Who Does It and How?

Words on an Unsung Writing Specialty

2009-07-02

From Our Correspondents

by Katherine Jensen, Sheila Bender

 

Chapter 4 of Off Kilter

Writing From a Child's Perspective

2009-06-25

Gallery

by Linda Wisniewski

 

An Interview with Linda C. Wisniewski

Making a Collection of Essays into Memoir

2009-06-18

From Our Correspondents

by Linda C. Wisniewski, Sheila Bender

 

"Walking to School" by Nancy Kane

Sheila's Three-Step Response on our Spring 2009 Third Place Winner

2009-06-11

Revisions Diary

by Nancy Kane, Sheila Bender

 

Excerpt from Wounding's Grace: Confessions of an Extraordinary Heart

Second Place Winner in our Spring 2009 No-Contest Contest

2009-06-04

Gallery

by Mary Oak

 

The Hershey Bar Incident

Spring '09 Writing It Real Contest First Place Winner

2009-05-28

Gallery

by Kathy Krause

 

What the Moment Can Hold

From her book Safekeeping: Some True Stories from a Life

2009-05-21

Gallery

by Abigail Thomas

 

Getting Started Writing Memoir

Discussion and Exercises

2009-05-14

From Our Correspondents

by Abigail Thomas

 

On Writing Early Readers

Interview with Children's Book Writer Caroline Arnold

2009-05-07

From Our Correspondents

by Caroline Arnold, Sheila Bender

 

An Introduction that Puts Argument to Work

Another Lesson from Non-fiction Author Elaine Partnow

2009-04-30

Gallery

by Elaine Partnow

 

Words of Introduction Outline a Book

From The Complete Idiot's Guide to Your True Age

2009-04-23

Gallery

by Elaine Partnow

 

Elaine Partnow, Author, Actor, Playwright

One woman's story of her writing career

2009-04-16

From Our Correspondents

by Elaine Partnow

 

Creating Voice in Poetry and Prose

A look at voice through the elements of craft

2009-04-09

The Working Writer

by Michael Sowder

 

Working with Mentors, Both Near and Far

A Creative Writing Student in the Process of Finding Her Way

2009-04-02

The Working Writer

by Kathy Lockwood, Sheila Bender

 

Build Your Writing Life

Believe in It and Start More Writing Now!

2009-03-26

The Working Writer

by Sheila Bender

 

Pep Talk and Tips on Submitting Screenplays

Interview with Writer and Entertainment Industry Professional Chantelle Osman

2009-03-19

From Our Correspondents

by Chantelle Osman, Sheila Bender

 

"The Blue Hornet" by Nicki Jack

Third Place Winner Winter, 2009 No-Contest Contest

2009-03-12

Gallery

by Nicki Jack

 

Second Place Winner Winter 2008

"White Bird Morning" by Mai Lon Gittelsohn

2009-03-06

Gallery

by Mai Lon Gittelsohn

 

The Legend of the White Zucchini, An Essay by Mardi Link

First Place Winner, Winter, 2009 No-Contest Contest

2009-02-26

Gallery

by Mardi Link

 

The Conversation Itself

Jack Heffron on Interviewing and a Sample of One He Wrote

2009-02-19

From Our Correspondents

by Jack Heffron, Sheila Bender

 

Embarkation: A Poem by Meg Files

Journeys and Collaborations

2009-02-12

Reading for Writing

by Sheila Bender

 

Sometimes Writing is a Matter of Memory and Resolve

An Interview with Jack Heffron

2009-02-05

From Our Correspondents

by Jack Heffron, Sheila Bender

 

Confessions of a Writing Teacher

Working Alone and Working Together

2009-01-29

From Our Correspondents

by Meg Files

 

A Personal Essay Waiting to Be Written

The Letter You Wanted to Receive (or to Write)

2009-01-22

Instructional Exercises

by Sheila Bender

 

How to Overcome Writing Procrastination

Just Say NO to Not Writing!

2009-01-15

Instructional Exercises

by Sheila Bender

 

An Essay and a Poem

Recently published work by Katrina Hays

2009-01-08

Gallery

by Katrina Hays

 

Interview with Writer Katrina Hays

How to Benefit Your Writing Life Away from Your Desk

2009-01-01

From Our Correspondents

by Katrina Hays, Sheila Bender

 

Interview with Margaret D. McGee

Author of Sacred Attention: A Spiritual Practice for Finding God in the Moment

2008-12-25

From Our Correspondents

by Margaret D. McGee, Sheila Bender

 

Finding the Sacred Through Careful Attention

The gift of Margaret D. McGee's Narratives, Reflections and Practices

2008-12-18

Reading for Writing

by Sheila Bender

 

A Writing Lesson from the Journaling Ideas of Author David Mas Masumoto

Inspiration From The Writer's Journal: 40 Writers and Their Journals

2008-12-11

Instructional Exercises

by Sheila Bender

 

What Writers’ Workshops Need

One Attendee’s Random Gripes and Suggestions

2008-12-04

From Our Correspondents

by William C. Blome, Sheila Bender

 

Fallow Time

An Essay by Barbara Stahura

2008-11-27

Gallery

by Barbara Stahura

 

Interview with the Author of What I Thought I Knew

Barbara Stahura on her first collection of personal essays

2008-11-20

From Our Correspondents

by Barbara Stahura, Sheila Bender

 

The Enneagram and Me: Writing Is My Spiritual Practice

The Place of Writing in My Life; The Place of Teaching

2008-11-13

Publisher's Essay

by

 

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