Writers write, right? They spend their days drafting, rewriting, and finalizing and their nights dreaming about perfectly crafted sentences and what’s next. But what writers may not realize is if they go too long without a break, they’ll show signs of their dedication with a writer’s callus.
If you prefer writing outlines and drafts by hand, you may have experienced a writer’s callus before. Also known as nerd bump or writer’s bump, these calluses are caused by repeated use of a writing utensil.
Disclaimer: This is a writing blog and we do not offer professional medical advice. If you’re dealing with writer’s callus or some other condition please consult your doctor for the best course of treatment.
What is a writer’s callus?
According to Healthline, “writer’s callus is an area of accumulated dead skin cells that form as a result of repeated friction against your finger.” If you primarily type rather than use a pen or pencil, this type of callus may not be a problem. However, if you do find yourself writing longform for stretches of time, then this is something to watch for!
Think of a writer’s callus as similar to a blister forming on your foot after wearing new shoes for a while. Your skin isn’t used to the friction and as a protection measure, your body forms a blister. A writer’s callus forms on your hand for the same reason—your body is protecting that part of your hand from damage by forming a bump.
Where can writer’s calluses occur?
Musicians who play stringed instruments often experience calluses on their hands. Guitarists and violinists frequently build calluses where their fingers press against the strings.
If you engage in strength training, you can probably feel the calluses on the soft skin on the underside of your knuckles where you regularly grip your weights.
A writer’s callus can occur on your hand wherever your writing utensil rubs repeatedly. Where the callus appears depends on how you hold your writing utensil. Some people hold their pen or pencil between their index and middle finger while others rest it against their ring finger.
How to prevent a writer’s callus
There are many ways you can work to prevent a writer’s callus before it starts. Here are a few common suggestions to try.
Wear gloves while writing
Lightweight cotton gloves add a layer between your pen and your hand, reducing the friction created from writing. People often wear gloves while raking leaves or lifting weights for this reason, so why not try it for writing as well?
Take short breaks
Short breaks are helpful for many reasons, and one reason is it gives your hands a break. While it’s easy to get into the zone and not want to break the spell, it’s a good idea to take regular breaks to move around, stretch, refill your drink, and then get back to work.
Treat writing like a job
If you don’t yet write full time, try to treat it as if you do. Think about how a day job works—you have regular breaks scheduled throughout the shift, a lunch break, and a quitting time. There’s space between working and not working. There are two full days off each week. Having a schedule for writing (with planned breaks and time off) can also help in preventing calluses from forming.
Set aside your favorite pen
Drastic, I know. Most of us have a favorite writing utensil. Whether it’s a pen we think makes our handwriting look better, or a type of ink that doesn’t smear (I’m talking to you, lefties!), writers are notorious for keeping favorites close. However, switching up the type of pen you’re using to write throughout the day can actually help slow or prevent the form of calluses. Just something to consider.
Mix it up
If you’re on deadline or have high daily word count goals, then it may be prudent to plan for many writing methods. For example, plan to write freehand for your first block of writing, use speak-to-text software for your second block, typing into a computer for your third block, etc.
Keep in mind that your callus has formed because your body is trying to protect the skin underneath it from the pressure of your pen. If you are going to continue writing by hand then you may want to keep the callus until you’re ready to take a longer break.
I say, if you have a writer’s callus then wear it as a badge of honor! It shows that you’re dedicated to your craft.
Commitment to a dream is often the difference between seeing that dream come to fruition, or watching that dream remain dormant. If it takes a few calluses to push your dream into reality, it’s well worth it.
Happy writing, and don’t forget to change up your routine every now and then!
You’ve finally gotten over the hump of telling people you’re a writer—and suddenly you’re re-thinking how awesome it is to talk to people about this lifestyle. But there are some things only writers understand about the writing life.
Think about it. Any time you bring up your writing, you’re met with predictable, annoying responses, showing the ignorance of everyone you know to the intricacies of the writing life.
Here are some of the things I’d love to shout from the rooftops to non-writers. And some advice for educating your own loved ones in a less-dramatic fashion.
1. Everyone has an idea for a novel or screenplay
As soon as you tell someone you’re a writer, they’re excited to tell you about the novel or screenplay they’ve “been working on.” Dig a little deeper, and you realize they’ve had this idea since high school. I always feel a little disrespected when someone brings up their story like we have something in common. Do they think my job is just me wistfully going about my day with big ideas?
If you find yourself cornered by someone else’s half-baked dreams, try to steer the conversation toward the reality of your career and lifestyle to help them understand that you’re more than fantastical ideas. Explain what your day really looks like, and the deadlines and commitments that drive your work toward the finish line.
2. I’m a professional writer, not a hobbyist
It drives me crazy when someone replies to my declaration of my profession with, “Oh, yeah, I love writing, too.” Writing is writing. But writing for fun in your free time is not writing for a living, and it’s offensive that they don’t see what I do differently.
Tactfully pointing this out in polite conversation isn’t easy; it can pretty quickly paint you as condescending. But you can slide the distinction in there while still accepting their perceived common ground. Try saying something like, “I’ve always loved it, too. It was a lot of work to make the jump to freelancing, where it feels a lot more like a job than fun sometimes.”
3. Blogging is real writing and a real job
When you say, honestly, that you make your living blogging, they make that face. Maybe it’s just for a second, but it’s unmistakable: They’ve pinned you for a fraud, not a real writer. Or, worse, they say it out loud, “Oh! I didn’t know you could be paid for THAT.”
Thankfully, this misconception is fairly simple to clear up. Just provide a description of the work you do—the types of companies you blog for, the kind of knowledge you have to possess, etc.—and you can effectively re-frame blogging as a legitimate career option in their once-ignorant minds.
4. My work is worth paying for, just like yours
Obviously, the old, “Would you ask a doctor to work for free?” argument isn’t getting through to some of your friends, because they’re constantly asking you to “take a look” at something they’ve written, offer feedback, edit, toss around ideas. It’s uncomfortable. They think your professional-level consultation is just a conversation between friends.
When a friend approaches you with a writing-related request, say, “Sure, I’d love to help you out. No charge this time!” Mentioning money casually reminds them you’re a professional, and helps you avoid the slippery slope that turns innocent conversations into dozens of unbilled work hours.
5. I’m working right now—so, no, I can’t do the laundry, chat, or run errands
You’re in the middle of a quiet, productive writing sesh, and your spouse/roommate/neighbor/etc. appears in the doorway and just starts chatting. Or, worse, they hit you with a honey-do list as they whisk off to the office, out the door before your cry of, “But I’m working!” can even leave your mouth.
Even if writing isn’t a money-maker for you, you deserve the freedom to take it seriously. (Click to tweet this idea!) When the people in your life don’t value your writing time, you have to take control of it. Claim your space—whether you get a whole office, or a corner of the living room — and explain to everyone that when you’re there, you’re working. Stick to it, and don’t be afraid to ask someone to leave you alone.
6. I’m not responsible for my significant other’s writing needs—unless they hire me to help them
This seems to be a gendered issue, but maybe only because I’m a cis female. If you’re the writer in a relationship, people will assume you take care of the writing needs of your husband’s “real” job. What’s that about?
If someone hits you with that question: “So, do you edit all his memos?” *condescending wink* kindly explain that he has colleagues and employees responsible for such things. You’re too busy with your own work, and your partner probably couldn’t afford your services. *payback wink*
Have you ever wondered how writing residencies could impact your writing career?
There’s a ton of advice out there about how to carve out moments in your day to create time to write: wake up an hour early, write in 10-minute intervals to get something down, write during your lunch break at work; the list seems endless.
In between juggling work and home life, writers are left to daydream about spending time in a quiet colony or residency, where creative solitude is the only objective.
You deserve more than just a few stolen moments, and that’s what residencies are for!
Plus, many of them aren’t too competitive, so you’re more likely to get accepted.
Our founder, Alexis Grant, enjoyed three highly productive residencies at The Hambidge Center for the Creative Arts & Sciences.
“Don’t make the mistake of only applying to the super-competitive residencies, especially if you’re an unpublished author. There are so many wonderful residencies and colonies to choose from.” —Alexis Grant
Looking for a writing residency? Here are 32 to consider
We’ve rounded up several dozen high-quality writers residencies you might want to apply for. We start with those in the United States and later cover international opportunities.
While some of these are quite selective, others are less competitive or more open with their admission policies. (And if you’re still hungry for more opportunities, we also have posts on writing retreats, writers grants and writing fellowships.)
Here are some writing residencies to consider.
1. Willapa Bay AiR
I’m so amazed by the detail of thought that went into every single aspect of planning the residency program—from cottages designed for comfort and productivity (and nature!) to the community spirit that permeates everything; from generous and well-crafted food to the nurture of the artist within and without. I came with projects in mind, and I was able to do most of what I hoped to do. But beyond the work itself and beyond the experiences of exploration and community, I became a better, more dedicated, more committed artist at Willapa Bay. —Barbara Presnell, writer
Launched in 2014, the Willapa Bay AiR residency program combines the opportunity for solitude with the opportunity for daily community that fosters creative endeavor.
It’s located in Southwestern Washington and offers month-long residencies to emerging and established artists of all types. Lodging, meals and workspace are provided to six residents per month from April 1 through October 28. Expect a $30 application fee—and a $100 refundable deposit to confirm your residency if you’re admitted. (You’ll get it back as soon as you arrive!)
Applications are accepted from June 15 to August 31 each year.
2. Millay Colony for the Arts
For the last couple of years, a number of writers we call the FUEGO group has gathered at Millay for a few precious days of writing retreat and fellowship. What a privilege to work in such idyllic surroundings. Millay has been a feast and a sanctuary for us all. For a few days, we are able to be completely absorbed in our craft and leave feeling refreshed and emboldened toward what we need to accomplish as writers. Thank you for this golden raft of paradise. —Sarah Gambito, poet
This small artist’s colony occupies the former estate of Edna St. Vincent Millay in upstate New York, offering two-week and month-long residencies to six or seven artists between the months of May and October.
Unlike many other residencies, the Millay Colony for the Arts doesn’t emphasize social events or speakers, instead preferring for you to focus on producing your art. There are no costs, and food is included. You can also apply for a virtual residency or a group residency if you’re collaborating with partners.
Check the website for application deadlines and note there’s a $45 application fee. If you’re invited to attend, you’ll also be charged a nonrefundable $100 deposit.
3. Ucross Foundation
At Ucross I learned that I am capable of focusing deeply for long periods of time. I love to write. I don’t think I would have said that before this trip. —Edan Lepucki, novelist
A favorite among writers (including alumni Annie Proulx!), the Uncross Foundation is a colony is located on a 20,000-acre working cattle ranch in Wyoming.
It serves 100 artists per year, with up to 10 people in residence at any one time—typically four writers, four visual artists, and two composers. Lunches are delivered to your door, while dinners are eaten together in a group; towels, linens, and weekly housekeeping is provided. Residencies last two to six weeks and are free of charge.
Please note, there’s a $40 nonrefundable application fee. Visit the application page for updated deadlines.
4. Jentel
The month’s end is a time I am not looking forward to because with the space itself being gorgeous and comfy, the food being good, the people being wonderful, and me being productive. I can see myself dreaming of this place once I leave. —Jennifer Baker, fiction writer
Sitting just eight miles away from UCross is Jentel, which hosts month-long residencies year-round on a cattle ranch with spectacular views of the Big Horn Mountains. The program accepts both established and emerging artists, offering dedicated individuals a supportive environment to further their creative development.
Though food isn’t included, they do provide a $400 weekly stipend to help with the costs of your trip. Applicants must be over the age of 25.
Deadlines are January and September 15 each year. Expect a $30 application fee.
5. Virginia Center for the Creative Arts
There was something magical about being in such a supportive and beautiful environment, having a different place (studio) to go to every day with the deliberate purpose of writing, and being inspired by the serious work ethic of all the other artists. —Penny Harter, poet
This selective residency offers two attractive locations: one in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and another in France, open to those who’ve already completed a domestic VCCA residency. Artists of all types are accepted. Residencies are offered year-round and last from two weeks to two months, with 25 artists in residence at one time. You’ll receive private quarters and, in the case of the Virginia residency, three meals per day—and are asked to contribute what you can, up to their $150 per-day cost to host you. (Residents at the French location will receive one community dinner per week and are required to pay at least $70 per day.)
The standard application fee is $30, and deadlines are January, May and September 15.
(TWL Founder Alexis Grant attended this residency, and noted its lovely setting!)
6. Rockvale Writers’ Colony
My time at RWC allowed me to work in a beautiful setting without distraction. In one wonderful week, I was able to complete what would have normally have taken me a month. Grateful to have a place like this close to home. —Sheba Karim, writer
Tucked away on 65 acres of beautiful countryside in College Grove, Tennessee, Rockvale Writers’ Colony is a new residency open to writers of all backgrounds and genres. Spacious and private accommodations are provided in either a 160-year-old farmhouse or a 150-year-old cabin, both of which have been outfitted inside with modern amenities.
Residencies run for one, two, three or four weeks at a time, and residents pay $425 per week. However, mini-residencies lasting one to three nights are also available for $100 per night. While you’ll be responsible for making most of your own meals, you’ll be given ample pantry and refrigerator space stocked with spices, oils, condiments, coffee, and tea available for everyone to share.
Applications are accepted year-round and require a $30 fee.
7. Omi International Arts Center
The international character of [Omi] sharpens your perspective on what it means to be a writer outside the U.S.A. in the 21st century… As for the writing, my main reason for being here, it went sailing along, with only a few days when the anchor dragged. —Alfred Corn, writer
Writers Omi welcomes published writers of all types for residencies of one week to two months. Located on 300 acres overlooking the Catskill Mountains in upstate New York, they offer full room and board to about 10 writers at a time and frequently host dinner guests from the New York City publishing community.
There is no application fee and no fee to attend, but selected residents are responsible for funding their own travel. Check the website for application deadlines.
8. Norton Island Residency
I can’t imagine a more creative environment than Norton Island. Every day poses a fresh and authentic encounter with nature, fellow artists, and one’s self. Long stretches of solitude are balanced with moments of raucous camaraderie. It is a place for clear thinking, and dreamy starry nights. The kind of experience I live for, and as a theatre artist, the kind of experience I hope to create. —Phil Atlakson, playwright
The Norton Island Residency for Writers and Artists is 10-day residency is located on a 150-acre island (primarily consisting of spruce forests) off the coast of Maine and offers a rustic and outdoorsy experience each summer for a flat fee of $150.
When we say “outdoorsy,” we mean it, so get ready: WiFi is limited, cabins lack running water, cellular signal is spotty, and the program reminds you to “Watch out for wildlife—most of it amazing, some of it icky, all of it harmless.”
There’s a $45 tax-deductible application fee, and any additional expenses for room and board will be covered by the residency.
9. Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts
I think the facility at KHN could not be more ideally suited for an artist residency program. I felt like I was staying in a very comfortable private home and I had everything that I needed to do my work, and having the private bathroom and spacious kitchen was wonderful.—Gary Peter, fiction writer
Located in Nebraska City, Nebraska, the KHN Center offers more than 50 residencies per year to established and emerging writers, visual artists and composers. If accepted, you’ll receive free housing for stays of two to eight weeks and a $100 stipend per week to cover food.
There’s a $35 application fee. Plan ahead to meet the March 1 and September 1 deadlines.
10. Blue Mountain Center
I quickly found myself being as productive as I’ve ever been. And it was the best kind of productivity, too: the relaxed, fulfilling kind—not the over-caffeinated, deadline-driven, better-get-this-done-quick kind. The idyllic setting, the stimulating conversation of interesting writers and artists (who shared ideas and techniques), and above all the extended time away from the pressures of ‘normal life’ proved remarkably conducive to good writing. —Scott Stossel, editor
Creative and non-fiction writers, activists, and artists of all disciplines, go off the grid in the heart of the Adirondacks. This artist’s community at Blue Mountain Center offers three different month-long sessions in the summer and early fall, including free room and board. Cell phones aren’t welcome, though you’ll be able to access its phone booth and computer room with ethernet plug-ins (no WiFi here!) 24 hours a day.
The annual application deadline is February 1. Expect a $25 application fee.
11. Mineral School
I still look back on my two weeks in Mineral as the most productive ‘six months’ I’ve ever had. —Janine Kovac, memoirist
With sweeping western Washington views of Mineral Lake and Mount Rainier, it would be hard not to produce great work at the Mineral School residency, held in a renovated 1947 elementary school building.
Open to writers of poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction and screenplays, the program provides lodging, studio space and meals for two weeks at the price of $900—plus, presentations by guest writers and artists and opportunities for public presentation are included as well. Limited fellowships are available.
12. Vermont Studio Center
This place really captures the essence of “sanctuary.” Coming off of a very demanding working mom schedule, it was a gift to have the time to hit the reset button and get to the creative work that I’ve been meaning to devote more attention to. — Monica Ong, visual artist and poet
Another favorite is the largest international artists’ and writers’ residency program in the United States, hosting more than 50 visual artists and writers each month in the heart of Northern Vermont.
While writers give the Artist & Writer Residency at Vermont Studio Center high marks, it’s not cheap. For the complete program, you’ll pay $12,000 for a four-week residency. However, fellowships, grants and work-exchange programs are available to help reduce your cost—in some cases, all the way down to nothing.
During your stay, you’re provided a private bedroom, 24-hour access to a private studio space, 20 hot meals per week, plus round-the-clock fresh fruit, hot and cold beverages, and breakfast cereal.
The application fee is $25. Fellowship deadlines are February 15, June 15 and October 1, rolling applications are accepted year-round and are eligible for financial aid, but will not be considered for a fellowship.
13. Anne LaBastille Memorial Writers Residency at The Adirondack Center
I had expected that the quiet Adirondack location would inspire my writing, and it certainly did, but even more inspiration came from my fellow writers.… During those two enchanted weeks at Twitchell Lake I revised one short story, wrote a new one, and did a complete overhaul on a Young Adult novel that I’ve been working on for years. —Noah Stetzer, writer
The two-week residency at The Adirondack Center is offered to six writers annually in October at a beautiful lodge in the Adirondacks. Along with indoor and outdoor writing space, you’ll also enjoy communal meals and fireside chats with an intimate community of writers, as well as a single room with a private bath.
Be advised that disconnecting from reality won’t be optional—there’s not much cell phone coverage at this location. (All the better for your concentration!) There’s no cost to the residency (beside transportation to and from Twitchell Lake) and staff will prepare and serve dinners all week.
The staff is amazing. I feel incredibly well-cared for and very fortunate to have had this opportunity to work in such a calm and peaceful environment. —Yvonne Dutchover, fiction writer
If you’re looking for a short residency on the East Coast, look no further. Wildacres offers one- and two-week residencies from April through October. You’ll stay in one of three cabins on their property in the mountains of North Carolina. Meals are served in the main lodge, where you’ll interact with other residents, guests, and staff—but you can also eat in your quarters if you’re knee-deep in work.
There is a $20 application fee but no cost if accepted.
15. The Writer’s Colony at Dairy Hollow
The full impact of a stay at the Writers’ Colony is hard to measure in immediate terms—for writers, everything is an influence. My stay at Dairy Hollow will appear in different forms throughout my career as a writer. —Nikki Kalio, writer and photographer
Open year-round, The Writer’s Colony at Dairy Hollow in Arkansas hosts dozens of writers each year for residencies ranging from one week to three months. If accepted, you’ll receive either a subsidized general residency or a fully-funded fellowship.
Actual costs of the residencies are about $125 per night, but non-fellowship residents contribute a flat $85 per night as well as a one-time $25 cleaning fee—these rates include all food for meals and weeknight dinners prepared by a chef/housekeeper.
The publisher of an independent press had helped screen residency applicants, and before I could even travel to Red Wing to begin my month-long stay there, she reached out by email to compliment me on my writing sample and inquire about my novel-in-progress.… She agreed to recommend me to a handful of agents, one of whom took me on as a client a week later. —Stephan Eirik Clark, fiction writer
Based in the scenic river city of Red Wing, Minnesota, the Anderson Center offers two-to four-week residencies to approximately 35 writers and scholars from May through October, which also happens to be the most beautiful months of the year up there.
Residents are provided lodging, studio space, and weeknight dinners, but prepare their own breakfasts, lunches, and weekend eats (but the chef shops for your groceries!). Both emerging and established artists from around the world are encouraged to apply, and there’s no application fee.
Each year, the application opens in early September and closes on January 9.
17. Fine Arts Work Center
These have been the best two years of my life as a writer. No matter where I’m traveling to or what gig I’m going to do, knowing that I’ve had this home to come back to and work in has been invaluable. I think the FAWC is the most densely populated, interdisciplinary group of talent I’ve ever been a part of. —Jerriod Avant, poet
A well-established fellowship program that’s been offering residencies since the 1960s, the Fine Arts Work Center residency is pretty darn selective—but a great gig if you can land it.
Each year, 10 writers and 10 visual artists are offered a seven-month stay (October 1 to April 30 annually) in its Provincetown, Massachusetts facilities, including lodging, studio space, and a $1,000 monthly stipend.
Writing fellowship applications are due December 1 annually, and has a $50 fee which can’t be waived for any reason. But boy, if you make it in, you’ll be among exceptional company—alumni of this program have gone on to win virtually every major national award in their respective fields, including the Pulitzer and Pollock-Krasner prizes.
18. Hedgebrook
I had no book when I was accepted to Hedgebrook in 1995. I’d published poems in a few journals but that was all…. Fast forward 18 years. The stay at Hedgebrook changed my life in several important ways. — Susan Rich, poet
While the Hedgebrook residency is pretty well-known, we wanted to include it on this list because it’s only for women, and only for writers.
Featuring six handcrafted cottages located on Whidbey Island, outside of Seattle, approximately 40 women attend each year to immerse themselves in free residencies of two to six weeks in length that run from February through October.
19. The Hambidge Center for the Creative Arts & Sciences
You know that saying, “I can hear myself think?” At this writer’s colony, I can. I can hear the words and phrases bouncing around in my head, begging me to put them down on paper…I can get to the heart of what I’m here to do: Create. —The Write Life founder Alexis Grant
Lasting from two to eight weeks, The Hambidge Center residencies are located on 600 acres in the mountains of north Georgia, so get ready to explore miles of nature trails, meadows, waterfalls, a swimming hole and an abundance of wildflowers.
For food and lodging, you’ll pay $250 per week—a fraction of the total $1,500 cost to the program. Limited fellowships are available primarily for first-time residents, which waive the fees and provide a $700 weekly stipend.
Deadlines are January, April, and September 15; the application fee is $30.
20. Kerouac Project
The poems typed under the sloping roof of the Kerouac House became my first volume of poetry. The process of bringing them down from the walls where I’d taped them and watching them become “Short Houses With Wide Porches” remains one of the great memories of my life. —Christopher Watkins, poet
This residency allows writers to spend three months typing away in the Orlando cottage where literary legend Jack Kerouac wrote his acclaimed Dharma Bums. The Kerouac Project offers four residencies a year, and residents are expected to spend their time on their project, participate in a Welcome Potluck Dinner at the start of their residency, and read from their work at the end. (Other events and workshops are available if a resident is interested.) Participants also receive a $1,000 food stipend.
The application period opens on January 1 of each year, and remains open for approximately 10 weeks. Expect a $35 application fee.
21. The Mastheads
“Finding the time to devote yourself to your own work as completely as I’ve been able to do here—it’s nearly impossible in day to day life. The problem isn’t merely finding the hours; I have those. But during this month-long residency, the hours accrue, you’re able to find more of yourself, and maybe there’s more of you to find.” —Justin Boening, poet
Located in the heart of the Berkshire Mountains, The Mastheads is an experimental writers’ residency centered around five sculptural-architectural writing studios installed throughout the city of Pittsfield. Each July, five writers are offered exclusive use of one of the studios, a $900 stipend, housing, travel reimbursement, and a room in a communal house in downtown Pittsfield. Residents find community in the other writers, and solitude in the studios.
Applications are free and open to writers of all genres.
22. Djerassi Resident Artists Program
I found the Djerassi Program Artists Ranch to be hallowed ground. There was something in the vastness of the ranch that increased my spirit. There was something in the quiet that amplified my inner whispers. There was something in my meanderings that released the ties that bound me. —Nathan Yungerberg, writer
How would you like to spend four or five weeks at this residency located on a 583-acre ranch in the Santa Cruz Mountains? From mid-March to mid-November each year, more than 70 emerging and mid-career artists are welcomed to the Djerassi Resident Artist Program to take advantage of “uninterrupted time for work, reflection, and collegial interaction in a setting of great natural beauty,” all at no cost to the artist!
The program provides transportation to and from San Francisco International Airport and all dinners are provided by a chef, but ingredients for all other meals are provided. There’s a $45 application fee.
23. The Edith Wharton Writers-in-Residence Program
Each March, three women—who identify as poets, fiction or creative nonfiction writers—are awarded the Edith Wharton residency that offers two and three week retreats at the famous writer’s former Georgian revival mansion in Lenox, Massachusetts.
Selected writers will receive a $1,000 stipend, work space at The Mount, and nearby (but offsite) lodging for the entirety of their residency—but you’re on your own for transportation to and from The Mount. While there, your main responsibility is to spend time developing your creative work, but you’ll have to be available for local media requests and one public panel discussion with fellow participants.
24. Write On
Three weeks have flashed by in a kind of dream. I’ve so appreciated the opportunity to put my writing first all this time and to settle into deep engagement and reflection and reading. Often I would wrestle with a section all day and a solution would come to me overnight or on waking–something that almost never happens in my “normal” life. Thank you WODC for making this wonderful, nurturing space for writers. I felt cherished, supported, blessed by your generosity and hard work. —Catherine Jagoe, poet and essayist
At the Write On, Door County residency in Wisconsin, emerging and established writers in any contemporary literary genre will receive a private bedroom and bathroom, and access to The Coop, the writing studio of the late writer Norbert Blei.
Writers are responsible for their own food and travel, but in exchange for lodging, a community service project has to be completed—usually, a public writing workshop, but other opportunities are possible. Residencies last for one week to one one month, and applications are accepted year-round, though writers are encouraged to submit applications eight months prior to their desired residency date.
There is a $40 application fee.
25. The Prairie Ronde Artist Residency
The Prairie Ronde Artist Residency is located in historic Vicksburg, Michigan, near Kalamazoo. The residency offers one resident (three times a year) a stipend of $2,000 for four to seven weeks, housing, studio space, a $500 travel grant, and even the use of a car!
Artists are encouraged to utilize the area’s creative community, donate a piece of work to the residency’s collection as well as propose a community “give back”—like a workshop or open studio days.
Deadlines are every December, March and June 15, and applications don’t require a fee.
There’s little more inspiring than jazz, strong cocktails and beignets in a culturally rich neighborhood close to the French Quarter. If you want to do some hard work in the Big Easy, consider applying for the New Orleans Writers’ Residency.
If accepted, you’ll spend four weeks in a historic house with six other writers—each writer will share a room with two others during their stay. Better yet, the program offers daily continental breakfasts as well as a $200 weekly stipend for food and living expenses, and up to $350 for airfare. Expect a $25 application fee.
International writing residencies
26. Gullkistan (Iceland)
As much as I love New York, I wanted to spend a month in a setting that couldn’t be more different—I wanted sublime natural beauty, peace and quiet, relaxation and simplicity—a reset button for myself. Gullkistan was an ideal answer. —Ben Valentine, writer
Located in Iceland’s Laugarvatn Valley, Gullkistan is a quiet getaway for all sorts of artists, scholars, and writers and includes a peaceful setting with mountains, woods, and creeks. The minimum stay is one month, but they may be able to work out a shorter stay for people who are interested.
Fees vary based on accommodation preference, starting at 850 Euros. Applications are accepted all year round, and no application fee is required.
27. Camargo Foundation (France)
Inspiration came from my magnificent view of the Mediterranean sea, that ever-changing body of water—silvered over with sunlight in the morning, Aegean blue in the afternoon, black as ink on nights without a moon—and from the space, silence, and freedom of self-direction the fellowship affords. —Amina Gautier, fiction writer
Imagine waking up each morning on the southern coast of France, with nothing on your to-do list but write, write, write. If you’re one of the 18 writers that land one of these six- to eleven-week residencies through the Camargo Foundation in Cassis, it could be a reality—one that includes transportation, lodging, and a $250 USD weekly stipend.
The call for applications for residencies encompasses writers across all disciplines.
28. Arteles Creative Center (Finland)
Located in the Finnish countryside, Arteles are one- to two-month themed residencies held at various intervals year-round and house between 11 and 14 artists per month.
Food is not provided, but participants enjoy a traditional Finnish wood-burning sauna and have access to fully-equipped kitchens, meditation sessions, as well as a car, a rowing boat and bicycles. The program also encourages participants to (voluntarily) take a break from their cellphones and have them stored in the office—less talking, more writing!
Costs vary based on the residency in question, and financial support is available to help those who otherwise wouldn’t be able to attend. There’s no application fee, but you must be at least 23 years old to apply.
29. La Napoule Art Foundation (France)
The La Napoule Art Foundation hosts several different residency programs each year at the Château de La Napoule, located just outside Cannes, France. It’s open to both emerging and established interdisciplinary artists, and attendees are housed in private rooms in the recently renovated Villa Marguerite, each with a sea or garden view and a private bathroom. Breakfast and many weekday evening meals are provided and often held in the Château’s gothic dining room—plus, a $1,000 stipend is provided for all other needs.
Application fees vary based on the specific residency you choose, but are around $30.
30. Red Gate Residency (China)
The Red Gate community is so engaged and I formed lifelong friendships with some of the fellow residents and the other artists living in Feijiacun. It is an excellent introduction to the art community in Beijing. Red Gate Gallery is doing vital and honorable work in China connecting Chinese and international artists together and supporting the art industry. A highly recommended and very unique experience. —Tiyan Baker, photographer
Live and work in Beijing, China with the Red Gate Residency, which provides residencies year-round between one and six months. Red Gate will help you get involved in the local art scene and cover your airport pickup, local phone line and a welcome dinner. However, participants are expected to pay their own living expenses during the program or seek funding and grants from artist organizations in their home country.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and no application fee is required.
31. Studio Faire (France)
Studio Faire is a creative salve, a haven where residents are gifted space and time and beautiful surroundings in which to let their craft flourish.… Ultimately, Studio Faire gave me the opportunity to step away from the demands of my day-to-day life and wholly focus on editing my book. An epiphany or two struck me while I worked there—it must be all the good creative vibes seeping out of the walls from past residents. —Krystal Sutherland, writer
Studio Faire is based in an 1830s mansion house, in a small town in South West France. It provides residencies for up to three writers and artists at a time. Rooms are spacious and mature gardens offer private, shaded space for work and play. Residencies are self-directed and self-catering, and run from March to the end of October, lasting from two to four weeks.
Studio Faire offers its residents a change of pace and the space to explore new ideas, create a new body of work or develop an existing project.
Fees vary based on length of stay, with a two-week residency costing 1300 Euros. Applications are accepted year-round, with deadlines falling at least three months before the date you’d like to start your residency. No application fee.
My time in Chapala was pivotal for me as a writer. You can’t understand the effect Chapala has until you arrive. Its splashes of color, rhythms and scenic beauty will inspire you. Scribbling away at Café Paris, locals ambling by, a cool glass of beer sweating on the table…. I felt like Hemingway. This residency gave all that to me and more. It is a gift I continue to cherish; a feeling I look back on when in need of encouragement, inspiration, and motivation. —Sean Hammer, writer and painter
The 360 Xochi Quetzal Artist and Writer’s Residency Program (pronounced So-chi Ket-zal) is located on Lake Chapala, the largest lake in Mexico and where residents will be inspired by the natural beauty, history and culture of this special part of central Mexico.
This residency offers four live/work spaces for one to six months to two (maybe three) writers who need an opportunity to finish a manuscript, prepare for a show, collect their thoughts, or plan new work. Residents are responsible for travel to and from Mexico as well as daily meals, though food is inexpensive in Mexico and typically costs about $20 USD per week.
Costs for lodging vary based on what you choose, and applications (no fee!) are accepted on a rolling basis year-round.
This is an updated version of a story that was previously updated by Farrah Daniel. We update our posts as often as possible to ensure they’re useful for our readers.
Have you ever considered putting together a DIY writing retreat? It’s not as difficult as it may first sound!
Raise your hand if you’d love some uninterrupted writing time—a chance to focus fully on your work without the demands of everyday life. You’re not alone.
Unfortunately, for many, these opportunities are nothing but daydreams. The cost of travel is prohibitive for many writers, and taking two or three weeks (or more) off from work can be nearly impossible, especially if you’re writing on the side of a full-time job.
But no matter whether you’re a full-time, part-time or any-moment-of-spare-time writer, you can take time away to write, right now.
How? Create a do-it-yourself writing retreat.
Why you should take a DIY writing retreat
Making your own time and space to write is a shortcut to many of the benefits of attending a writing residency or retreat. Although a DIY writing retreat doesn’t have the prestige factor of places like Jentel and Hedgebrook, you’ll still find immense value in setting aside a few whole days to write.
Here are five reasons you should take yourself on a writing retreat:
1. You want time to write
Maybe the day-to-day hustle is getting in the way: you just can’t drop everything and write.
It’s hard to separate out time for your writing! A writing retreat gives you at least a few hours of quiet, peaceful writing time. It can help you build your writing stamina and even jump-start a daily writing plan, which you can take back to your regular life.
2. You need structure
If you schedule your writing retreat ahead of time, down to the hour, you won’t have time to think about what you “should” be doing. You’ll be doing it.
3. You don’t know what to write
Just finished a project and not sure what to try next? A writing retreat will force you to pick a direction — any direction — and just write.
Try using prompts or test out a totally new genre or style. If you’ve just finished the first draft of a mystery novel, try writing a children’s picture book. Focused on blogging? Write the first few chapters of that memoir you’ve been thinking about.
4. You’ve had a project sitting on the back burner for far too long
Going on a writing retreat will force you to set goals and work towards them. It gives you the headspace to take a good hard look at your project and finally get down to brass tacks. You have to make progress, because that project is all you’re going to focus on for the length of your retreat.
5. You’ve always wanted to feel like a real writer
Want to know who goes on writing retreats? Writers!
How to create a DIY writing retreat
Taking yourself on a writing retreat doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be as simple as kicking your family out of the house for an afternoon and writing at the kitchen table. But to truly get into the retreat mindset, you’re going to need a few things:
A change of scenery: Try to go somewhere new, even if it’s just your garage. Giving yourself a break from your usual routine will put you in the right frame of mind to explore
A goal: Don’t just say “I’m going to write.” You need a specific, measurable goal. Do you want to just get words on the page? Give yourself a page or word count to hit. Do you want to finish a project? Break it down and aim to finish next step—a chapter, scene or article
A plan: Don’t pretend you will write for four hours straight, everyone needs a snack! Write out a schedule for yourself, including coffee breaks and time to relax
Plan ahead to avoid distractions
The hardest thing for many people is disconnecting. If you know you’ll be distracted by email, leave your phone in the car and turn off your computer’s Wi-Fi.
If you’re worried you’ll want to run errands, head to a new town. Don’t go somewhere where you’ll run into neighbors; instead of the local coffee shop, try a coffee shop in a different neighborhood or the library at your local community college.
Once you’ve found a writing hideout, write your goal on a piece of paper and tape it above your writing space or in your notebook. If you’re in a coffee shop or another noisy place, put on headphones or retreat to a quieter corner.
Remember to take breaks
After you’ve spent about an hour writing, give yourself a short break outside your writing space. Don’t think about how much you’ve done or how far you are toward your goal. Instead, enjoy the chance to dedicate time to writing. After your break, head back to your writing space for another hour or so. If you’re feeling good, feel free to write more! If not, try freewriting for a few minutes to loosen up.
If you have more time—a whole day or weekend—take time off in the afternoon to go on an adventure. Take a run or a hike, or visit a museum. Taking a break can inspire new ideas, not to mention renewed enthusiasm for writing.
Celebrate your retreat, however long it is
If two or three hours is all that you can take, great! Open a fresh page in your notebook or computer and spend a few minutes reflecting on what you accomplished.
Did you like your retreat? Did you feel stumped? What could you do next time to make it easier for you to write: go some place quieter (or noisier), bring a pen and notebook instead of a computer, write with a buddy? Jot down a few notes on your experience and make a quick plan for your next retreat.
Remember, you don’t need a lot of time or money to write. You just need a few hours and a plan.
When when you find yourself with a big, time-consuming writing project to pursue, your love of words alone might not pay the bills. That’s when writing grants can swoop in to save the day (and your budget).
If you find you enjoy writing grant applications, grant writing for others can be a lucrative niche as well.
Check out these 20 writing grants
Writing grants for women, poets and more
Ready to apply for money to fund your writing?Here are 20 great writing grants for creatives based in the United States.
1. Leeway Foundation Art and Change Grants
These grants of up to $2,500 are available to women and transgender artists and cultural producers based in Greater Philadelphia, whose work emphasizes social change. That means, “social change must be integral to the ideas, beliefs and goals that are woven throughout your [writing] and your process of creating and sharing your art,” and should positively engage the community.
Keep in mind that one key to success for this grant is securing a “Change Partner”: an individual, business, or organization that is connected to your work, and who will endorse your project.
If you are at least 18 years old and live in Bucks, Camden, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery or Philadelphia counties, you are eligible to apply. However, full-time art students are not eligible. All genres are welcome. Applications must be received by the biannual deadlines, and you can only apply once per grant cycle.
If you are a resident of Washington state, 18 years or older and not currently enrolled in a graduate or undergraduate degree program, this is the grant for you.
The Grants for Artists Project (GAP) awards up to $1,500 annually to 50+ practicing literary and visual artists. Grant money can support the “development, completion or presentation of new work.”
The organization also connects artists to an array of services, including career development, legal support, residencies and continuing education—just to name a few. Keep your eye out for the details here.
3. Bard College Fiction Prize
This writer-in-residence award is an amazing opportunity for an emerging writer under the age of 39 to devote a semester to a fiction project.
The recipient is required to give one public lecture on the campus and to informally meet with Bard students, but the rest of the time is dedicated to their writing project. Besides a sizable $30,000 cash award, the winning writer also gets to be a writer in residence at Bard College for one semester.
Check this page to learn about upcoming deadlines. The application process is very straightforward; no lengthy FAQ pages here.
Applicants should have published at least one book, three copies of which must be submitted with a cover letter explaining their next project and their C.V.
4. Arts Writers Grant Program
If contemporary visual art is your writing area of expertise, you’re in luck. This writing grant funds writers who are passionate and knowledgeable about contemporary art and whose work will broaden the arts writing audience.
Both emerging and established writers can apply for a grant ranging from $15,000 to $50,000 in one of three project types: articles, books and short-form writing. Keep your eye out for the application period to reopen in Spring.
Arizona writers who want to “advance their artistic practice, expand their creative horizons and deepen the impact of their work” may want to try their luck with this grant, which will be awarded to up to 30 artists across all disciplines this year. The grant’s amount goes up to $5,000 depending on funding.
Applicants whose projects emphasize the “new”—new techniques, new strategies, new ways of engaging communities—are primed for success. Writers should also explicitly state in their applications how their project will impact not just their own artistic practices, but also benefit the larger Arizona community.
The application has numerous demanding parts, so be sure to give yourself time to delve into the guidelines. Learn more here.
6. Kansas City Inspiration Grant
Kansas City writers in the metropolitan area may be awarded between $1,000 and $2,500 for professional development and other budding projects. The regional arts council notes that the highest priority for the grant is to fund projects that significantly advance career development or an artist’s capacity to complete their work—not to fund “business as usual.”
A full proposal, which includes up to six samples of work, is only submitted after an applicant passes this initial phase.
Note that if you request more than $1,500 for your project, matching funds may be required.
As with most other state arts council-based grants, this Rhode Island grant is available to writers who ultimately plan to share their work with the public through a reading, performance or another open event. The emphasis on public value is strong with the RI Arts Council, so this grant will best serve socially-minded writing projects.
Individual applicants can request up to $3,000, but be mindful that grants may be only partially funded. If your request is especially sizeable you might consider providing proof that other organizations or individuals have financially invested in your project.
North Carolina writers at any stage in their careers are invited to apply for writing grants to fund new or existing projects, with statewide awards ranging from $300 to $5,000. (Grant amounts vary by region.)
Application procedures and deadlines vary depending on your county, so make sure you reach out to the office designated on this page for specific regional details. The guidelines are fairly open-ended, which is good news for writers who want to use the funds for a variety of professional development needs.
9. Awesome Foundation Grant
This grant is as awesome as it sounds.
Winners receive $1,000 with “no strings attached” to pursue their incredible projects, and the foundation and its donors have no say in the finished project.
Chapters of the foundation organized by region or subject review applications and select the grantees. The process is almost unsettlingly simple, but don’t be deterred—this really is a great opportunity.
Check the website for specific information about the application requirements and deadlines for your chapter.
10. The Regional Arts Commission’sArtist Support Grant
This grant, funded by the Regional Arts Commission, provides “direct funds for an individual artist’s projects, needs, or creative opportunities in all artistic disciplines.” The grant ranges from $500 to $3,000 and can be used for project completion, conference fees, rental space, materials, and any other resources that contribute to an artists’ development.
You’ll be eligible for this grant if you’re 19 years or older, a resident of St. Louis City or County and have been for at least one year, and if you’ve created and presented or performed original work to the public.
Since 2001, this annual writing grant of $5,000 has been awarded to an author of children’s or YA fiction. “It has been developed to help writers whose work is of high literary caliber and assist a writer at a crucial moment in their career to complete a novel-in-progress.”
To ensure total impartiality of the judging process, your submitted novel-in-progress will be judged blindly, so be sure not to put your name anywhere on your manuscript.
Among other requirements, eligible applicants should have published at least one children’s or YA fiction novel, and it must have been published by a U.S. trade publisher.
If you’re a writer over the age of 50 and your work has yet to be traditionally published in the children’s literature field, this one is all yours.
Karen and Philip Cushman and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) established this grant for writers in 2013. Cushman considered herself a late bloomer, as her first children’s book wasn’t published until she was 53. This grant is meant to celebrate and encourage writers just like her.
Recipients receive $500 and free tuition to an SCBWI conference anywhere in the world. Plus, the requirements are a breeze: you must be a member of SCBWI and an unpublished writer of 50 years of age or older. Submissions re-open each year on March 1.
13. Massachusetts Artist Fellowship
Artists in Massachusetts specializing in various disciplines can apply to receive a $1,500 award, funded by the Mass Cultural Council, which considers “the work of individual artists to be an essential part of our vital communities.”
The fellowship is only open to artists who are 18 years or older and have been a resident of Massachusetts for at least two years. You must also be prepared to present original work; no interpretations or translations, please.
Although the program has a rolling application process, please note all new applications for Cultural District designation are paused until FY26 as program is internally reviewed and redesigned.
14. C.D. Wright Prize for Poetry
In honor of C.D. Wright’s legacy, The Arkansas International seeks “to award innovative poetry that ‘lives freely and variously and fully engaged with others and the world.’”
Any poet writing in English is eligible to submit, so long as they have not yet published a first book. U.S. citizenship is not a restriction of eligibility. The winner receives $1000 and publication in the Arkansas International. Recent judges have included Hanif Abdurraqib and Shane McCrae.
Submissions open annually at the start of June and close at the end of August.
15. The George A. and Eliza Gardner Howard Foundation Fellowship
If you need to set aside some time to focus on your writing, this opportunity might be what you’re looking for.
Administered by Brown University, this fellowship was created with the intention to “provide artists, scholars, and writers with time to complete their work.” Previous fellowships awarded $35,000 to nine mid-career individuals in the fields of Creative Nonfiction and History.
You’ll be eligible if you’ve achieved recognition for one major project, and if you can answer “yes” to these questions.
16. The Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence
This award is “nationally recognized in its role of enhancing the visibility of emerging African-American fiction writers while also expanding the audience for this literature.” The $15,000 cash prize will support the writer as he/she focuses on writing.
To be eligible, you’ll need to be an African-American U.S. citizen with a published work of fiction, and you should be willing to attend the award ceremony in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. During your stay, participation in community engagement and educational outreach activities are also expected.
Designed to elevate greater Northwest Arkansas artists, Artists 360 provides $7,500 grants “to support creative projects, learning opportunities to develop entrepreneurship skills and build sustainable creative practices, and connections to a dynamic regional artist network.” The four artistic disciplines accepted are visual arts, performing arts, literary arts and traditional arts.
To be eligible, be an artist with an active and current artistic practice, have specialized training in your field, and show you’ve succeeded in the arts through high-quality work and/or contributions to the field.
Writers in the upstate New York State region—Fulton, Montgomery or Saratoga counties, specifically—this grant is for you. Funded by the Saratoga Arts, the Artist Grant focuses on individual artist work to enhance career development, skills and broaden exposure, “while fostering creative, resourceful and inspiring connections between artists and a community.”
Grants of $2,500 will be awarded to artists to create new work and share their creative process with the community. Funding can support art-related supplies and materials needed for the execution of the program, artist fees and other outreach costs.
To assist children’s book writers and illustrators in the completion of a specific project currently not under contract. Given in the categories of Picture Book Text, Chapter Books/Early Readers, Middle Grade, Young Adult Fiction, Nonfiction, and Underrepresented Fiction or Nonfiction.
The SCBWI Work-In-Progress (WIP) Award assists children’s book writers and illustrators in the publication of a specific project currently not under contract. One winner per category will be selected. SCBWI reserves the right not to confer this award in any given year.
While most of think of filler words as using “um” or “uh” in speeches, there are lots of other extras we put in our writing.
These extras can distract from your main message and make your writing come off as less serious.
Keep in mind, the type of writing you do changes what words are appropriate, and what are considered extra.
For example, academic essays will have a more elevated writing style than most social media posts. However, there’s almost always something you can cut.
This article reviews basics of filler words: what they are, why they don’t work, and how to avoid them.
What are filler words?
Filler words are words in speech or written text that could be eliminated and are there to take up space.
In speech this sounds like:
Um
Uh
Er
Ah
Like
OK
Yeah
Right
You know
Writers often use filler words when they are unsure of what they have to say or want to hit a certain word count.
Most of us don’t realize how often we use filler words. I’ve been writing for years and I’m certain there are many in this article! It’s a hard habit to break, especially when you have a lot of writing to do and not a lot of extra time.
Depending on your writing style, some filler words make sense to keep. But more often, you can self-edit to make your writing stronger. At first it may be difficult to identify what is style and what is filler, but if you aim to cut the fluff, you’ll be on the right track.
What’s the difference between filler words in writing and in speech?
For the most part, filler words are the same in both writing and speech. It’s more common to use filler words in creative writing and casual speech.
If you are creating a proposal or a formal presentation, you will want to make sure you focus on cutting unnecessary words so your piece looks and sounds professional.
Why avoid using extra words in your writing?
Filler words are bad because they confuse readers and dilute your writing. If you have too much filler people may think your writing is padded and not enjoy the reading experience.
In particular, if you are doing any kind of persuasive writing, it’s important to avoid fluffy or flowery language because it can bury your message.
There is an argument for using filler words in creative writing or poetry, but for most types of writing, it communicates best when it’s clear, concise, and direct.
Hot take: some creative writers could benefit from learning how to shorten their sentences!
Examples of filler words
This is a brief overview of filler word examples. Keep in mind that each example below is not guaranteed to be a filler word—it depends on the sentence itself and what is being said. This is especially true for character dialogue.
One way to test if a word is filler is if you can remove it and the sentence still holds the same meaning.
Filler Words
Really
Very
Highly
Just
Like
As you know
However
Finally
In conclusion
You know
You see
Right
In my opinion
I guess
I mean
Seriously
Literally
Totally
However
As mentioned
Filler words take up space and make sentences wordy.
4 ways to improve your writing
Here are four ways to avoid using filler words to improve your writing.
1. Start with a brain dump
Before you worry too much about filler words, start by freewriting until everything in your head is on the page.
Write, then edit. (You can’t edit a blank page!)
Your first draft should be judgement-free so you can let your ideas flow. That way you have something to work with when it is time to edit.
2. Cut every sentence in half
This is a guideline rather than a rule. Sometimes cutting won’t make sense.
Pushing yourself to remove unnecessary words is a good and challenging practice. You might be surprised at how clear your writing becomes when you remove what’s extra.
3. Decide what’s filler and what’s essential
Some words like “in addition” or “however” can be important transition words. Every sentence is unique and sometimes what’s filler in one is essential in the other. If you’re not sure, try reading your sentence aloud with and without the word in question. Your ears will know what’s best!
4. Use an editing tool
Using writing and editing tools such as Hemingway app can help you decide how to cut your writing without losing its essence.
There are a lot of tools available, out there, but that one is a popular one for writers since it edits work based on the short sentence style of Ernest Hemingway.
If you’re a writer, you might find yourself completely at a loss when someone asks you what you want for a gift. Writers can be difficult to shop for and it can be hard to find gifts for aspiring writers.
There are a few obvious choices (and we’ll talk about those), but when it comes to writing, there’s really not a whole lot of material required—you need a pen and paper. Maybe a computer, if typing is your jam. Maybe a keyboard, if you want to be fancy about it.
Gifts for aspiring writers
If you want to show your love to an aspiring writer with a stellar gift that signals your support—that can be tricky. Especially because so much of writing is deeply personal, and so much of the specifics can vary when it comes to genre.
So, what do you get for the aspiring writer in your life? Or if you are the writer in someone’s life, what do you ask for?
Here are a few ideas to get the gift-giving wheels turning.
Writing software
While it’s possible to make do with a notebook or free software like Google Docs, there are many other software options available for writers looking to optimize the experience of writing itself.
These writing softwares help keep work organized by providing places to categorize information.
Writing software will also make it easy for to format, whether it’s a novel, a book proposal, or some other type of complex document.
Here are a few software options that aspiring writers will love:
It might seem too obvious to get a writer a journal, but writers can never have enough notebooks.
Here are a few options to consider:
Spiral-bound single-subject college-ruled notebooks | You don’t have to spend a ton of money to get a writer a good notebook. A few simple college-ruled notebooks like this will definitely be useful, and you can find them almost anywhere. These are great to add to a writer bundle along with a scented candle or tea sampler!
Leuchtturm1917 Ruled Notebook | For a more luxurious writing experience, you can’t go wrong with a hardcover notebook like this. The ruled option is great, but if your aspiring writer has big handwriting or generally prefers to have more creative freedom with their work, the dotted version of this notebook might be better for them
Rediform Chemistry Lab Notebook | These simple college-ruled notebooks have numbered pages, which is perfect for an organized writer. They’re conveniently sized and perfect for jotting down whatever comes to mind—these are perfect to carry around all day
Leonard Notebook from Bull & Stash | If you’re looking for something more high-end that your writer can use forever, opt for a notebook with a quality cover and refillable pages. The refills mean that writers can order fresh paper (which is much less expensive than replacing the entire journal) and keep using the original cover
Aspiring writers are often hungry for writing guidance, and they’re often (obviously) huge fans of reading. So what could be better than a book about how to write?
On Writing by Stephen King | This is often pointed to as the book about writing, and if you’ve read no other book about the craft, you’ve probably read this one. It was assigned in my creative writing seminar course in college. Stephen King shares advice from a long, complicated career, and even if you’re not a writer, it’s a fascinating read
Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lammott | This book is praised as a thoroughly honest guide to not only writing itself, but the lifestyle which accompanies writing. If you want a guide that’s truthful about the process and also offers insight from someone who’s been doing this for a long time, look no further.
Writers are famously fussy, as much as they might try to deny it, and you’d be hard-pressed to find many writers who don’t have rituals surrounding their work. And central to many writers’ process is a cozy beverage—this might be a cocktail, a cup of something warm, or a can of their favorite soda.
If you want to help out the writer in your life and you want to get them something writing adjacent, here are some suggestions:
DIY Hot Cocoa Mix | You can get your writer a big tin of delicious hot cocoa mix from the store and it will be warmly, gratefully received. But if you want to go the extra mile, try making a hot cocoa mix from scratch! I recommend including this in that bundle idea I mentioned earlier—put this in a basket with a scented candle and a nice notebook and you’ve got a writer kit!
Tea Sampler and Infuser | Does your aspiring writer love tea? Many of them do. If you don’t know what kind of tea they love, you can’t go wrong with a sampler (and, of course, a cute infuser to keep them company while they’re working on their next masterpiece)
Awesome Coffee Club | You’d be hard-pressed to find a writer who doesn’t have a mild-to-severe caffeine problem, or at least a deep love of coffee. The Awesome Coffee Club, founded by the Green brothers, offers delicious coffee that’s ethically sourced. Here’s the quote from their site: “Sourcing partners work directly with small farmers’ collectives to ensure that your coffee is not only good for the growers but also farmed with a focus on regenerative agriculture.” If your aspiring writer is a nerdfighter or person who generally cares about ethical consumption of delicious coffee, send a bag of coffee to them for Christmas
Writing utensils
Like notebooks, this might seem like a no-brainer, but again, writers do require endless writing supplies. If you’re lucky enough to know what your writer’s favorite kind of pen or pencil is for everyday use, order them a big box so they never run dry. If you’re not sure, don’t worry, there are options.
Sharpie S-Gel Retractable Gel Pen | For an affordable, everyday pen, you can’t go wrong with the S-Gel. I use these all the time and don’t personally notice a lot of bleeding like I do with other gel pens. The writing is incredibly smooth, the pen is comfortable to hold—you can’t go wrong
Parker Jotter Stainless Steel CT Pen | At $20, this is your perfect mid-range pen. You can get ballpoint and gel versions of it, and the all-metal classic design makes it look just as luxurious as it feels to write with
rOtring 600 Ballpoint Pen or Mechanical Pencil | Another great budget option is this ballpoint pen, lauded for its durability, smooth design, and, of course, smooth writing. If your writer prefers pencils to pens, try the rOtring mechanical pencil for an upgraded writing experience. Reviewers say that the color wears off, revealing the brass underneath, and this lends it sort of a worn-in, personal detail
Most writers are readers and if you know enough about their taste in books to pick up a specific book from your local bookstore, that’s great! If not, there’s no need to fret—you can still give them the gift of a wonderful new book.
Check out your local bookstore and get them a gift card. You can also get them an Amazon gift card if your city doesn’t have a local bookstore, but local bookstores have that personal, special touch that writers love. Not only are you giving them the chance to buy whatever book they want, but you’re giving them the chance to wander through a bookstore for an afternoon.
This is a great gift on its own, or make it a bundle with some cocoa mix, a journal, and new pens.
Online writing courses
Books about writing and online content about writing are great places for writers to get information about guidance on their craft, but the fact is, many writers are desperate for personalized feedback. Even if you’re one of the lucky few writers who has a loved one willing to read your work, the chances of that loved one having professional-grade feedback are slim to none.
Writing courses offer writers the chance to actually get professional feedback on their work. They can be a total game-changer, and the advice they get in these courses can help them for the rest of their lives.
No big deal!
Here’s a few online courses for beginning writers. Check out the Coursera descriptions linked below for more information about pricing, time to complete, and information about for whom the classes are intended.
If you are looking for Christian writing work, you’re on the cusp of joining a writing niche that is in no way small.
The faith economy’s annual worth is $1.2 trillion. Much of this is due to writing. Christian writers contribute to the writing world in many ways, a few of which are via personal blogs, journalism, and writing faith-based books.
Contributing to Christian publications can be a fulfilling way to use your talents. In addition, if you’re hoping to transition out of your traditional 9-5 job, there are specific ways you can pursue full-time Christian writing work. In this article, I first define Christian writing work and then dive into five concrete steps you can take to get started.
Christian Writing Work Defined
Christian writing work centers on writing, drafting, and editing Christian copy for online or print publication. Whether you naturally gravitate toward online journalism or writing faith-based books, if you want to jump into Christian writing work, there is a place for you.
It takes writers of all backgrounds and talents to create a well-rounded market. In fact, there are many names you may recognize that make a living in Christian writing and whose work spans a plethora of genres and writing styles.
You may know Jerry B. Jenkins’ name from his well-known series, Left Behind. Katelyn Beaty is also a Christian writer, but she steers clear of fiction, taking a more journalistic approach. John Piper’s Christian writing work spans the continents in both book and digital form.
So wherever you find yourself, below are five ways you can get a foot in the door of Christian writing work.
6 Options To Get Started
Breaking into any industry can feel intimidating, especially if you don’t know where to start. The good news is there are many different roads you can take to begin Christian writing work. No one option is better than another, it simply depends on what’s best for you and your writing goals.
1. Freelancing
Freelancing is a great first step into Christian writing work due to its availability to writers at various stages in their journey. If you are first starting out, you may want to create a simple website and list your services. This way, when you query potential clients, your website adds legitimacy to your request.
Christian writing work may feel difficult to get into, but once you send your first query, you’ve taken that first step. Freelancing is an extremely nonthreatening way to test the waters.
2. Start Your Own Blog
In an era of influencers, blogging is another opportunity to make a dent with Christian writing work. Sadie Robertson Huff (Duck Dynasty) is a celebrity influencer who uses blogging to reach her audience. Sarah Young (Jesus Calling) includes a blog on her author website.
You don’t need to have sold 30 million copies of your book to start a blog, however. In fact, both Sadie and Sarah lacked a writing platform earlier on. While you can always query established bloggers and ask to guest blog, starting your own blog is a way to get started in Christian writing work. This low investment with potential for high influence is a nearly fail-proof way to get started.
Don’t forget to blog regularly, whether a month or once a week, so your growing audience knows what to expect from you. As your audience list grows, your opportunity to monetize your blog will increase as well.
3. Submitting to Paid Publications
Billy Graham started the vision behind the now well-known magazine, Christianity Today. This publication allows freelancers to query ideas, and if accepted, pays them for their article. There are many more paid publications you can check into as you pursue Christian writing work, and here are a few tips for doing so:
Query simultaneously
Send you best ideas
Include a few important credentials
Be brief but efficient
Track your progress
A simple Excel spreadsheet or even a good notebook can help you document the responses you receive and the dates you queried which publications.
4. Writing A Faith Book
Sharing your story or writing on faith-based topics is another great way to get into Christian writing work. You can choose to traditionally publish or self-publish your book and even launch a speaking career if your book does well.
Authors often use books as the launching pad for their career, pulling quotes for social media, specific topics for speaking events, and even building entire online courses to go with the book.
5. Christian Journalism
For those with a more journalistic mindset, Christian journalism can be an exciting niche to tap into. You can offer your work in book form with the help of a publisher of Christian books, host a podcast, or craft research articles on the current topics in Christianity.
There are so many ways to use journalism in Christian writing work, and many people are paving the way forward in this area. If you have a background in journalism or are currently studying this writing form, you may want to explore the possibilities in this niche.
6. Working With Authors
With millions of books published annually you can rest assured that ghost writers and editors are needed. Working with authors provides writers with a unique look at individual stories, provides a behind-the-curtain glimpse at authors’ lives, and can add credibility to their own Christian writing work.
If you are interested in working with an author, whether editing their manuscript or helping them write it, you can start in a few ways:
Sit down with an editor and ask for advice
Look for editing jobs at Christian publishing houses
Add this service to your website and begin freelance editing
Working with authors is one way many well-established writers got into the business, and is a opportunity you can benefit from as well.
Your New Day Job in Christian Writing Work
Getting into Christian writing work is an exciting prospect. If you are a person of faith, pursuing this type of work is not only a helpful transition into a new career path, but distinctly fulfilling as well.
Here comes the hard part. How do you take the above opportunities and translate them into steps you can take today? Below are a few possibilities that you can pursue with little time investment and zero financial investment:
Build a free website with a template
Email Christian writers in your network asking for advice
Remember that just like any career shift, solidifying yourself in the industry takes time. Use your credentials to establish your credibility and keep in mind that slow and steady, over time, can yield great results.
Before I leave you to get started, here is a simple mindset tip to focus on as you begin your journey: Treat your pursuit of Christian writing work like the day job you one day want it to be. Prioritize it, give it your all, and pursue it relentlessly. Best wishes out there!
Regarded as one of the greatest writers of all time, it is no wonder that Ernest Hemingway has not only a catalogue of great books he has written, but also individual quotes that are considered great too.
Today, we’ll be sharing 26 of the greatest Ernest Hemingway quotes, ranging from his takes on writing and literature to life death.
26 of the greatest Ernest Hemingway quotes
On Writing and Literature
“There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.”
Writing is a raw and cathartic process that demands emotional investment.
“The first draft of anything is shit”
The initial version of any creative work is often imperfect and requires refinement.
“All good books are alike in that they are truer than if they had really happened and after you finish reading one you will feel that all that happened to you and afterwards it all belongs to you; the good and the bad, the ecstasy, the remorse, and sorrow, the people and the places and how the weather was.”
Great literature captures universal truths, resonating with readers as authentic experiences.
On Life and Experience
“The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places.”
Adversity is a common experience, but resilience and strength can emerge from hardships.
“Courage is grace under pressure.”
True bravery is displayed in maintaining composure and dignity during challenging moments.
“But life isn’t hard to manage when you’ve nothing to lose.”
When faced with minimal stakes, life becomes more manageable.
“The only thing that could spoil a day was people. People were always the limiters of happiness except for the very few that were as good as spring itself.”
Human interactions can be both a source of happiness and a potential hindrance to it.
On Love and Relationships
“The most painful thing is losing yourself in the process of loving someone too much, and forgetting that you are special too.”
Overcommitment in love can lead to self-neglect and personal loss.
“When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen.”
True understanding requires active and thorough listening.
On War and Conflict
“Never think that war, no matter how necessary, nor how justified, is not a crime.”
War, even when deemed necessary, is inherently destructive and carries moral implications.
“In modern war you will die like a dog for no good reason.”
The harsh realities of modern warfare often involve senseless and unjustifiable deaths.
“War is not won by victory.”
The consequences of war extend beyond the immediate triumphs or defeats.
On Death and Existence
“Every man’s life ends the same way. It is only the details of how he lived and how he died that distinguish one man from another.”
Death is inevitable, and one’s legacy is shaped by how they lived..
“The world is a fine place and worth fighting for and I hate very much to leave it.”
Despite the hardships, life is precious and worth preserving.
On Truth and Honesty
“All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know.”
The essence of good writing lies in capturing a single, authentic thought.
“Never go on trips with anyone you do not love.”
Traveling with loved ones enhances the experience and creates lasting memories.
On Nature and the Outdoors
“He was an old man who fished alone in a skiff in the Gulf Stream and he had gone eighty four days now without taking a fish.”
The loneliness and determination of the old man in “The Old Man and the Sea” reflect the human spirit.
“I never knew of a morning in Africa when I woke up that I was not happy.”
Africa holds a special place in Hemingway’s heart, evoking consistent joy.
On Art and Creativity
“An artist is a creature driven by demons. He doesn’t know why they chose him and he’s usually too busy to wonder why.”
Creativity often stems from a relentless inner drive or passion.
On Friendship
“There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man, true nobility is being superior to your former self.”
True nobility lies in personal growth and self-improvement, not in comparison with others.
“The best way to find out if you can trust somebody, is to trust them.”
Building trust involves taking the initial step of trusting others.
On Time and Simplicity
“Time is the least thing we have of.”
Time is a limited and precious resource.
“Simplicity is the most difficult thing to secure in this world; it is the last limit of experience and the last effort of genius.”
Achieving simplicity in expression or lifestyle is a challenging but worthwhile endeavor.
“My aim is to put down on paper what I see and what I feel in the best and simplest way.”
Writing should aim to convey genuine thoughts and emotions in the simplest manner.
On Discipline
“There is no rule on how to write. Sometimes it comes easily and perfectly; sometimes it’s like drilling a rock and then blasting it out with charges.”
Writing has no fixed rules; it can be a diverse and individualized process.
“I learned never to empty the well of my writing, but always to stop when there was still something there in the deep part of the well, and let it refill at night from the springs that fed it.”
Preserve creativity by stopping before exhaustion and allowing inspiration to replenish.
When you know how to tell stories and how to hold attention, it can make you a better freelance writer.
The Hero’s Journey is a great storytelling framework that should be a part of your writing arsenal so you can master the art of writing for an audience. While you will not always use this framework, there are elements of it you can sprinkle into your writing to make it even stronger.
It is one thing just to write for clients and churn out good, high-quality content, but knowing what holds the attention of readers and inspires them to stay hooked on every word will keep your career alive for a long time.
In this article, we will be diving into what The Hero’s Journey is, the basics you need to know, how you can use it in your overall writing, and a brief primer on some other storytelling frameworks you can use if you want to break outside of this method.
Storytelling is an essential part of human communication and connection. No matter how much SEO and other marketing tools out there continue to take presence, the heart of good writing will always revolve around stories we read and share.
Storytelling allows us to convey complex ideas, emotions, and experiences in a relatable and engaging manner, making information more accessible and memorable.
Through stories, we can empathize with characters, share wisdom, pass down traditions, and inspire change, fostering a sense of unity and understanding among individuals and communities.
Depending on the type of writing you do, you can also use it to create fascinating ads, compelling blog posts, and shareable social media posts.
There are few downsides to learning the basics of storytelling so you can bring it into your writing. It is often something you will have to practice on your own so you can improve your skills in this area. It can also help to read fascinating and famous stories that use various methods so you can understand how they work.
Why Should Freelance Writers Know How To Tell Stories?
It is no secret that making it as a freelance writer is not always a walk in the park. When you are a freelance writer, you are battling thousands of other writers out there for a chance to make it.
While there is an abundance of work to be passed around, there is still something to be said for having tools at your disposal to make you a better freelance writers than other writers out there.
One of those tools is being able to tell stories that captivate and holds readers attention. One of the great storytelling frameworks is The Hero’s Journey. While you might not be able to tell the whole journey in everything you write, the summary you mainly need to know is that everyone loves a hero’s victory story.
That could even translate to you telling the story of a local business in your area and the business owner’s challenges as they had to get their business growing.
The Hero’s Journey is simply a framework for you to use to be able to tell a captivating story, and it is one we have used all throughout history to tell important stories over and over.
What Is The Hero’s Journey?
The Hero’s Journey is a narrative framework and storytelling pattern that was popularized by Joseph Campbell, a scholar of mythology and comparative religion, in his book The Hero with a Thousand Faces which was originally published in 1949.
Campbell’s work explored common themes and structures in myths, legends, and religious stories from various cultures around the world.
What Are The Steps In The Hero’s Journey?
If you want the detailed version of this journey, you will want to read his book that is mentioned above. It is a much longer approach and analyzation of each of the steps along the path.
Here is the short summary of The Hero’s Journey path:
The Ordinary World: The hero begins in a familiar and ordinary environment, which may be mundane or even oppressive.
Call to Adventure: Something disrupts the hero’s ordinary life and presents a challenge or opportunity. This is the initial call to action that sets the hero on a new path.
Refusal of the Call: The hero may initially resist the call to adventure, often due to fear, doubt, or a sense of inadequacy.
Meeting the Mentor: The hero encounters a mentor or guide who provides advice, training, or supernatural assistance to help them on their journey.
Crossing the Threshold: The hero decides to leave the ordinary world and enters a new, unknown, and often dangerous realm.
Tests, Allies, and Enemies: The hero faces a series of trials, meets allies and enemies, and undergoes personal growth and transformation.
Approach to the Inmost Cave: The hero approaches a central challenge, often a symbol of their ultimate goal or the villain they must confront.
Ordeal: The hero faces a major obstacle or battle, which is a critical and often life-threatening test.
Reward (Seizing the Sword): After overcoming the ordeal, the hero reaps a reward, which may be a physical object, knowledge, or personal growth.
The Road Back: The hero begins the journey back to the ordinary world, often facing new challenges or pursuing the final confrontation with the antagonist.
Resurrection: The hero faces a final, often life-or-death, ordeal that represents the climax of the story. This can involve a confrontation with the main antagonist.
Return with the Elixir: The hero returns to the ordinary world with the knowledge, experience, or object gained during the journey, which can bring transformation and positive change to their life or community.
Examples of The Hero’s Journey
We will not spend too much time diving into these stories and explaining what they are about, because that could be a whole article in and of itself. However, here are a few stories that embody The Hero’s Journey storytelling formula:
The Lord Of The Rings
Harry Potter
The Lion King
The Matrix
The Odyssey
Writing The Anti-Hero’s Journey
An alternative take to The Hero’s Journey is to create the Anti-Hero’s Journey. There is not a particular framework to follow here, but if you have found that The Hero’s Journey is old, tired, and done too many times already you could challenge yourself to create the opposite story.
What about the story of someone who did all the wrong steps along the way? Who didn’t follow the traditional path? What about someone who failed along the way and never recovered?
There are a few different angles you could choose to take if you want to rebel against this type of framework.
Other Storytelling Frameworks
Other storytelling frameworks all writers should know:
The Story Cycle framework
The 3-act structure framework
The Pixar framework
The StoryBrand framework
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