CREATIVE WRITING BLOG

Where we're going there are no rules.

JOIN OUR CREATIVE COMMUNITY

Creative

A woman editing a book with a pen in pop art style.

4 min read

A Guide to Editing Anthologies

In literary curation, the role of an editor often emerges unexpectedly, as if destiny itself bestows this mantle upon one's shoulders. Such was the...

READ NOW
A woman peering over the top of a book in pop art style.

3 min read

Learn from Mistakes: Overlooking Banned Books in Writing

Making mistakes is an integral part of the writing journey. Each misstep presents an opportunity to learn and grow. A lot of writers make one crucial...

READ NOW
A woman reading a poetry book in pop-art style.

3 min read

Explore the Rich Tapestry of Poetry: A Dive into Poetic Forms

Poetry, as an expressive art form, embraces a vast array of structures and styles. Delving into the world of poetic forms reveals a fascinating...

READ NOW
Four-panel pop-art style of four women, one in each panel, with various expressions of surprise on their faces.

3 min read

Unwanted Exits and Narrative Shifts: Crafting Compelling Fiction

In fiction writing, the art of keeping readers engaged is a delicate dance. Unwanted exits and narrative shifts are pivotal in shaping the reader's...

READ NOW
creative writing process

2 min read

Creative Writing Process: Prewriting, Writing, and Rewriting

As writers, we aspire to reach the “perfect” final draft for whichever project we have in mind. We want to produce works of art that take readers...

READ NOW
touch the grass

1 min read

Touch the Grass: A Screenwriter's Unexpected Muse

It's common to jest at the admonishment "touch grass," usually a jibe at those seemingly too digitalized.

READ NOW
gen z

4 min read

A Guide to Grammar for the Gen Z Squad

Gen Z, also known as those who came into the world from 1997 to 2012 (stretching to 2015 because, as we'll dive into with their linguistic quirks,...

READ NOW
eulogies

1 min read

The Argument for Personal Eulogies and What Yours Should Include

In a world where the certainties are death and taxes, the tradition has been to leave the final words about us to others. Typically, these eulogies...

READ NOW
how to read as a writer

3 min read

How to Read as a Writer

So, you've crafted your story, but it feels like something is amiss. The pacing in the middle might be off, or perhaps the climax isn't as impactful...

READ NOW
Woman with soda bottle, pop art style

3 min read

Brands Gen Z Love: Content Creator & Marketer Insights

Social scientists are always studying how different generations interact with society. It’s valuable to consider how certain age groups impact...

READ NOW
dystopian writing

3 min read

Dystopian Writing Prompts to Ignite Your Imagination

Dystopian literature enjoyed a surge in popularity a few years ago with series like The Hunger Games. Though the genre witnessed a decline, it's...

READ NOW
thriller

5 min read

Discovering Thriller Story Ideas

Thrillers are the masterclass in suspense, tension, and surprises, captivating readers with every page turn. If you aim to craft the next...

READ NOW
bizarro fiction

3 min read

Bizarro Fiction 101: Beyond the Weird for Weird's Sake

Bizarro Fiction, a relatively new genre often likened to the cult section in your video store, has been a niche of literary experimentation.

READ NOW
assonance

2 min read

Assonance: Definition and Creative Writing Techniques

If you aspire to craft better prose, immerse yourself in poetry.

READ NOW
verbal irony

4 min read

Examples of Verbal Irony

Verbal irony, often mistaken, is an element that likely permeates your speech without your conscious awareness.

READ NOW
Pop-art image of woman with green hair in glasses, looking like she just experienced an internal revelation.

2 min read

Character Awareness: Revelation in Storytelling

In storytelling, the contrast between a character's understanding and that of others, including the audience, is a potent narrative device. This...

READ NOW

3 min read

8 Innovative Ways to Incorporate the Dinkus in Your Literary Works

Dinkus. What a word, right? While it may sound close to an insult levied by a particular character on Strangers Things, we're talking about a term...

READ NOW
A romantic couple (man and woman) looking at one another while filled with angst, in pop art style.

3 min read

Craft Angst: Embrace the Challenge

There's an undeniable allure to mastering the art of writing about angst. It's a popular theme, especially among young to middle-aged readers, and it...

READ NOW
Pop art style image of woman with brown hair in a science fiction scene.

3 min read

Navigate the Enigmatic Realm of Slipstream Fiction

Ah, slipstream fiction. Much like speculative fiction, it lives in that nebulous territory between literary fiction, science fiction, and fantasy....

READ NOW
kick off events

2 min read

Kick-off Events

In writing fiction, or even performance art, it's essential to understand the role of a kick-off event – that opening scene that sets the stage for...

READ NOW
song and color

4 min read

Every Song Has a Color

Every song has a color – and an emotion – attached to it. Researchers have explored the world of music-to-color associations for years. We know that...

READ NOW
houseplant

2 min read

Unearthly Chronicles: Writing 'The Diary of a Sentient Houseplant

Creative writing has always been a realm of endless possibilities, and sometimes, the most captivating stories sprout from the most unexpected seeds...

READ NOW
taxonomy

2 min read

Unlocking the Power of Taxonomy

Nope. Not stuffed animals. We're talking about taxonomy.

READ NOW
cryptic crossword clues

2 min read

Cryptic Crossword Clues and Creative Writing

Cryptic crosswords are the enigmatic gems of the puzzling world, where words become intricate puzzles waiting to be unraveled. But have you ever...

READ NOW
ai poetry

2 min read

Write Like a Robot: Exploring the Art of AI-Generated Poetry

In a world increasingly dominated by technology, it's not surprising that artificial intelligence (AI) has found its way into the realm of creative...

READ NOW
weird worlds

2 min read

Whispers of the Unusual: Channeling the Weird into Words

In a world filled with mundane musings and ordinary narratives, there exists a realm of creativity that thrives on the strange, the bizarre, and the...

READ NOW
A person walking in through wilderness pop art style.

4 min read

Navigating the Wilderness of Writer's Block: Tips and Techniques

Time passes slowly as you find yourself staring at a blank screen. It takes everything within to not bang your head against the keyboard and scream....

READ NOW
surreal story

2 min read

Surreal Serendipities: Finding the Extraordinary in Everyday Coincidences

Let's pause and explore the enchanting world of serendipity, where chance encounters and seemingly trivial coincidences lead to extraordinary...

READ NOW
minotaur pop art style

3 min read

Conversations with the Minotaur and Other Enigmatic Beings

Deep within the recesses of myth and legend lies a realm where reality and imagination intertwine. In "Whispers of the Labyrinth: Conversations with...

READ NOW
no gravity pop art style

3 min read

Adventures in a World Where Gravity is Optional

In a world where imagination knows no bounds, the concept of altering the very fabric of nature's laws becomes a playground for creativity.

READ NOW
inkscapes of the mind

2 min read

Inkscapes of the Mind: Painting Dreams and Memories with Words

Human imagination is a powerful tool that allows us to conjure up vivid images, emotions, and sensations. Just as an artist wields a brush to paint...

READ NOW
Two men laughing pop art style

3 min read

Writing Humor: The Art of Making Readers Laugh

“I’ve got 99 problems, I feel bad for ya son…I’ve 99 problems but my humor ain't one!” As I write those words, all that I can think about is how...

READ NOW
cute alien pop art style

2 min read

Exploring the Quirky Universe of Nathan Pyle's Strange Planet

Nathan Pyle's "Strange Planet" series of books and comics has taken the world by storm, offering a fresh and innovative perspective on the mundane...

READ NOW
A woman using a megaphone pop art style

4 min read

Discovering Your Writing Style: Embracing Your Unique Voice

It is amazing how your mind works – a prompt comes up and instantly we are transported to a specific place and time. For me, when this subject of...

READ NOW
imaginary friend pop art style

2 min read

Did You Have Imaginary Friends?

Imagination is a wondrous force that has the ability to create entire worlds and characters from the depths of our minds. It's a tool we often...

READ NOW
alien pop art style

3 min read

Alien Advice Column

Welcome to an Extraterrestrial Expedition of Imagination!

READ NOW
girl pop art style

2 min read

Metaphor Mania: Crafting Short Stories Based on Everyday Idioms

Metaphors are the spices of language, enriching our communication by infusing it with vivid imagery and underlying meanings.

READ NOW
word bubble pop art style

3 min read

The Diction Dictionary: Crafting Neologisms

Language is a remarkable tool for expressing emotions, yet there are moments when words fall short, failing to capture the nuances of complex...

READ NOW
Book on table, pop-art style

4 min read

Writing Creative Non-fiction from the Heart

At Hire a Writer, we have “Two Things Tuesday.” Every Tuesday, Joy comes up with a prompt that requires all of us to answer two things. I look...

READ NOW
elephant in a bathtub pop art style

4 min read

Surrealist Storytelling: A Journey Beyond Reality

Behold, fellow adventurers of the eccentric! Let us embark on a kaleidoscopic escapade into the mesmerizing labyrinth of surrealist storytelling—a...

READ NOW
man in a mask pop art style

2 min read

Exploring Atypical Writing Styles

Writing is a canvas for artistic expression, and just as there are countless ways to paint a picture, there are a myriad of writing styles that...

READ NOW
clown pop art style

4 min read

Absurd Writing Prompts: Embrace the Ridiculous

As professional writers, we often find ourselves seeking inspiration and unique ideas to spark our creativity.

READ NOW
man sitting in front of a large moon pop art style

2 min read

A Journey Through the Different Types of Poetry: Styles and Famous Poets

Poetry is a diverse and expressive art form that has captivated audiences for centuries. From classical sonnets to contemporary free verse, poets...

READ NOW
the flash pop art style

2 min read

Exploring Flash Fiction: Crafting Powerful Stories in a Limited Word Count

Flash fiction is a unique and dynamic form of storytelling that challenges writers to craft compelling narratives in a concise and limited word...

READ NOW
symbols in a grid pop art style

2 min read

Incorporating Symbolism: Adding Deeper Layers to Your Narrative

Symbolism is the art of imbuing objects, characters, or events with deeper meanings beyond their literal representations.

READ NOW
The Power of Emotion in Content Marketing

2 min read

The Power of Emotion in Content Marketing

Humans connect through our emotions–we share our excitement, our happiness, our heartbreak and nostalgia. This is how we bond with our family and...

READ NOW
Why I Use Humor In Writing

2 min read

Why I Use Humor In Writing

Pick a pun, any pun. If it is witty and leveraged correctly, humor can be a fantastic tool in copywriting. Humor can help you stand out in an...

READ NOW
Writing Techniques to Connect With Teenagers

3 min read

Writing Techniques to Connect With Teenagers

One of the many challenges that writers face is writing to a variety of different audiences and demographics. What appeals to a group of boomers...

READ NOW
A Music Producer's Perspective on Writing

3 min read

A Music Producer's Perspective on Writing

Music and writing share many similarities.

READ NOW
Tender Hysteria: The Healing Power of Angry Art

2 min read

Tender Hysteria: The Healing Power of Angry Art

I am not an angry person. But I love making angry art.

READ NOW
Infusing Pop Culture References In Your Copywriting

3 min read

Infusing Pop Culture References In Your Copywriting

Who doesn’t love a good pop culture reference? The idea of a single statement transporting you to a specific time and place, generating an emotional...

READ NOW
The Power of Creative Constraints

4 min read

The Power of Creative Constraints

Walls and walls of tennis shoes.

READ NOW
Metaphors: Turn Your Copywriting Up To 11

2 min read

Metaphors: Turn Your Copywriting Up To 11

The use of metaphors came up during a conversation earlier this month, and the topic sparks debate among the copywriting community. There are those...

READ NOW
Writing Copy People Care About

3 min read

Writing Copy People Care About

Think about the last time you did the research for a potential purchase. Let’s say you needed a new washing machine or vacuum cleaner and were...

READ NOW
Writing Through a Different Lens

3 min read

Writing Through a Different Lens

My first copywriting job out of college was an utter disaster. I was hired because I had several neuroscience journal articles published in grad...

READ NOW
Life Beyond the Shitty First Draft: A Review of Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

2 min read

Life Beyond the Shitty First Draft: A Review of Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

"Thirty years ago my older brother, who was ten years old at the time, was trying to get a report on birds written that he'd had three months to...

READ NOW
Forever a Fantasy Reader

3 min read

Forever a Fantasy Reader

As a child, I was shy. That’s probably an understatement - I was more of a hermit. My mom couldn’t drop me off at a friend’s birthday party without...

READ NOW
When Writing is Hard: A Review of Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

3 min read

When Writing is Hard: A Review of Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

When I was 19 years old, I was standing in the foyer of my grandmother’s house when my dad called me over. He patted the seat next to him on the...

READ NOW
Scrape the Cookie (When to Ditch Your Draft and Start Over)

3 min read

Scrape the Cookie (When to Ditch Your Draft and Start Over)

My favorite show in the whole wide world is the Great British Bake Off. Because I geek out over Bake Off, following the bakers is like 90% of my...

READ NOW
Taking a Step Back

2 min read

Taking a Step Back

Just like athletes need to train physically, copywriters train mentally. Being someone who enjoys both physical and mental workouts, I discovered a...

READ NOW
How to Create a Copy Wireframe

2 min read

How to Create a Copy Wireframe

Copy wireframes are one of my most frequently used tools as a professional copywriter. If you are writing websites, they are crazy valuable. They...

READ NOW
4 Ways Media Literacy Can Make You a Better Human

3 min read

4 Ways Media Literacy Can Make You a Better Human

The mere mention of literary criticism—or “lit crit” as my high school English teacher insisted on calling it—is enough to shift the average person...

READ NOW
7 Books About Creative Writing Every Aspiring Writer Should Read

3 min read

7 Books About Creative Writing Every Aspiring Writer Should Read

They say the best writers are readers, and while there are endless learning opportunities to be gleaned from reading novels and poems, there’s no...

READ NOW
What Can You Do as a Creative Writer?

3 min read

What Can You Do as a Creative Writer?

Usually, when people hear about creative writers, they think of poets and novelists, but there are actually a lot of careers for those who excel in...

READ NOW
Writing Exercises for Creativity

4 min read

Writing Exercises for Creativity

Writers have to be creative on demand. To succeed in this inherently creative profession, it’s important to practice!

READ NOW
Finding Clarity in Copy: 4 Lessons I Learned from Creative Writing

4 min read

Finding Clarity in Copy: 4 Lessons I Learned from Creative Writing

I was a precocious talker, speaking early and often. My incessant ramblings weren’t about anything in particular. Mostly, I just described what I...

READ NOW
Tips for Using Metaphors in Copy

3 min read

Tips for Using Metaphors in Copy

Copy and poetry don’t have a lot in common. In fact, they might be more disparate in purpose than any other two types of writing. While copy...

READ NOW
5 Fiction Genres to Inspire Your Copywriting

3 min read

5 Fiction Genres to Inspire Your Copywriting

If you’re in the business of selling a product or service to an audience, you already know stellar communication is key. From the “about” page on...

READ NOW
4 Poetic Devices That Can Improve Marketing Copy

3 min read

4 Poetic Devices That Can Improve Marketing Copy

Trying to freshen up your marketing copy? You may want to borrow a few things from poetry. OK, if you’re a professional copywriter, now’s your chance...

READ NOW
Language Alive: The Magic of Sensory Writing

3 min read

Language Alive: The Magic of Sensory Writing

Sensory writing sparks a reaction, adding bursts of flavor to copy that might otherwise lull readers into a slumber. Sensory language engages the...

READ NOW
Toward the Ineffable: How Musical Analysis Enhances Creative Writing

4 min read

Toward the Ineffable: How Musical Analysis Enhances Creative Writing

Certain concepts and sentiments elude linguistic capture. That’s why we have words like “ineffable,”’ “indescribable” and “inexpressible” — to...

READ NOW
Writing with Emotion: How to Convey Passion Without Melodrama

4 min read

Writing with Emotion: How to Convey Passion Without Melodrama

As writers, our primary charge is to elucidate whatever the topic demands, whether story, concept, process or application. However, clarity is not...

READ NOW