With NaNoWriMo looming ever nearer, I would like to hear your best tips, tricks, habits, and techniques for staying chained to the keyboard. [more inside]
posted by BitterOldPunk on Oct 22, 2009 - 26 answers

Do you know of any excellent writing courses in London? [more inside]
posted by King_Wang on Jul 14, 2009 - 3 answers

How often are the stories of a comic, novel, play, TV series, movie, or song conceived by the writer's friend, relative, acquaintance, neighbor, mailman, dog, etc? [more inside]
posted by TheSecretDecoderRing on May 28, 2009 - 14 answers

Anyone know any active writing forums they would recommend? [more inside]
posted by Ugh on Apr 12, 2009 - 5 answers

Are there any reasonably well-known (or even famous) writers who are truly multi-genre? [more inside]
posted by wackybrit on Nov 10, 2008 - 54 answers

I have a web site. I want to write a book based on the topic. I have publishers/agents asking to talk to me, but I don't know if I'm ready. For one thing, I'm not convinced traditional publication is best — I'm intrigued by self-publishing and e-books. I'm looking for general advice: What are the pros and cons of each method? It seems that unless I'm lucky, traditional publishing offers the lowest dollar return. But are there other, intangible benefits I'm missing? Exposure? Having somebody who knows what they're doing guide me along? And how do I approach a discussion with agents/publishers so as to get the best deal? [more inside]
posted by jdroth on Jan 7, 2008 - 13 answers

I'm looking for recommendations on best places to write in Venice, CA. Mostly in the realm of coffee shops or writer-friendly cafes, libraries, or anything else that comes to mind. [more inside]
posted by np312 on Jan 7, 2007 - 4 answers

Is there a social networking site for writers? [more inside]
posted by kingtaj on Jan 2, 2007 - 13 answers

I'm looking for books dealing with writers and alcohol, or writers writing about alcohol. I own four books on the subject: The Thirsty Muse: Alcohol and the American Writer Alcohol and the Writer A Drinking Companion: Alcohol and Writers' Lives The Muse in the Bottle: Great Writers on the Joy of Drinking
posted by Gnostic Novelist on Sep 11, 2006 - 21 answers

Famous Writing Habits? I come across sites dealing with a few here and there but there is no great collection I can find. Common examples: Hemingway's habit/belief of 500 words per day, Faulkner drinking whiskey whilst writing, Balzac drinking 10+ espressos a day, Thomas Wolfe's habit of writing standing up and his prolixity (so much so that Max Perkins had to substantially edit his work). Certain writers lived philosophies on first drafts/revisions, words/hours per day, etc etc. I have no problem locating famous quotes, but I'm more interested in info about actual behaviors. Hope that sounds right. Thank You in advance.
posted by Gnostic Novelist on Aug 13, 2006 - 27 answers

Does anyone know of spaces (offices/cafes/whatever) geared specifically to writers? I know of theOffice in Santa Monica. Any others you know of? Links? Also, if you've frequented such a place, what were your impressions? If you're a writer, what would get you into such a place? [more inside]
posted by Manhasset on Aug 1, 2006 - 13 answers

How to (tactfully and successfully) get some major names to look at some of my writing? Of course there is [more inside]
posted by exlotuseater on Jul 18, 2006 - 18 answers

Thesis writers block: So I have until thursday to get a first draft of the discussion section of my thesis written. I've been working on it for the past few weeks at a snail's pace. I showed my advisor what I had come up with last week and surprisingly enough, he was ok with it. My problem is I just simply cannot muster up the motivation to get any more work done on this. [more inside]
posted by garethspor on Feb 20, 2006 - 24 answers

Tell a wannabe fiction writer where to find support online. [more inside]
posted by shallowcenter on Nov 6, 2005 - 9 answers

Looking for good, free online writers' forums to try and promote a magazine project I'm working on. Where on the web do poets and short story writers tend to congregate, and how can I reach that audience (preferably without spending any money)?
posted by BackwardsCity on Jan 11, 2005 - 3 answers

In a variation on the first question I posted to AskMe, I'm looking for a resource that'd help me find local, actually-meet-and-talk-to-people writing groups. My searching skills are apparently flaccid and small. I mean, I live in a freaking college town, I should be innundated with such activities. And yet no luck. Any ideas on where I might find these elusive groups?
posted by billybunny on Nov 10, 2004 - 6 answers

Does anyone have any good techniques for beating writer's block? [more inside]
posted by COBRA! on Nov 10, 2004 - 28 answers

Do we have any travel writers in the house? Is it really the life of glamour and ease that thetravelwriterslife.com claims?

Since I suspect it's not as easy as one might suppose after digesting that page, I have more questions: Can you tell me what it's like? How you got started? What kind of money you pull in? [more inside]
posted by Irontom on Jun 15, 2004 - 9 answers

OK, I'm trying to write my latest masterpiece, and I'm doing everything but... Any tips on writing routines? Not blocked, as such. Plain lazy is a definite possibility. But seriously, anybody have a fail-safe way to get up in the morning and get going?
posted by klaatu on Apr 14, 2004 - 21 answers