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Writing

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...

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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....

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afrofuturism

2 min read

Commentary on "How hip-hop uses Afrofuturism to take listeners on journeys of empowerment"

As hip-hop celebrates its 50th anniversary, it's only natural to ponder the genre's future. However, for many hip-hop artists, the future has always...

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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...

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kill the cat

1 min read

Save the Cat! Plot Beats

Okay, so when it comes to storytelling, we've got this thing called a "story beat," and it turns out there are two different flavors to it,...

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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...

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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...

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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....

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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...

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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.

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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...

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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...

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tv pop art style

5 min read

Lessons for Writers from Iconic Sitcoms

You know why you love sitcoms? Writers. Writers make sitcoms worth watching (and the world go round, but that's obviously our biased opinion).

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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...

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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...

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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...

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bigfoot pop art style

5 min read

A Literary Exploration of Urban Legends

Urban legends, those chilling tales whispered in hushed tones around campfires and shared in late-night conversations, have a peculiar way of...

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alien pop art style

3 min read

Alien Advice Column

Welcome to an Extraterrestrial Expedition of Imagination!

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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.

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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.

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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...

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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...

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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.

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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...

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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...

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A Music Producer's Perspective on Writing

3 min read

A Music Producer's Perspective on Writing

Music and writing share many similarities.

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The Power of Creative Constraints

4 min read

The Power of Creative Constraints

Walls and walls of tennis shoes.

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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!

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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