The Novelist's Survival Kit

How Not to Write Your Novel
You can doom your debut from the start with these 7 (tongue-in-cheek) strategies for flailing, and failing-or, you can do just the opposite. by James Scott Bell

6 Secrets to Creating and Sustaining Suspense
No matter what you write, keep your readers captivated with these no-fail techniques. by Steven James

Put Your Novel on the Map
Regardless of your experience or how far along you are in your book, creating a story map can be a vital technique to guide you to your goal. by Nancy Ellen Dodd

Namedropping
What's in a character's name? Everything. Here's how to master the neglected art of moniker-making. by Elizabeth Sims

Tried & True: Timeless Novel Advice
Digging around the Writer's Digest archives proves it: While fad advice in the writing world comes and goes, some wisdom is so novel that it's withstood the test of time. Culled from 91 years of WD articles, interviews and essays, here are 23 of our favorite nuggets of enduring advice and inspiration. compiled by Kristen Grace

The WD Interview: Diana Gabaldon
From her genre-defying hit series to her mind-boggling writing process, nothing about Diana Gabaldon has ever fit neatly into a box. And that's just how she likes it. by Zachary Petit

WRITER'S WORKBOOK: Supporting Characters

Understanding the Minor Characters' Role
by Orson Scott Card

Crafting Effective Supporting Characters
by Hallie Ephron

Putting Your Supporting Cast to Work
by Joseph Bates

INKWELL
Sneaking in the Back Door:
A first-time author offers 4 strategies to connect with editors and sell your manuscript—without an agent.
by Diane Kelly

PLUS:

• Is Your Partner a Shadow Writer?
  
• 5-Minute Memoir: Cars for Words
  
• Poetic Asides: Hay(na)ku
  
• Top Shelf

COLUMNS
Ask the Agent: Betsy Lerner of Dunow, Carlson & Lerner Literary Agency
by Kara Gebhart Uhl

Breaking In: Debut Author Spotlight
by Chuck Sambuchino

Questions & Quandaries: Non-AAR Agents; Sample Chapters; First Rights
by Brian A. Klems

Your Story: First Things First, Contest #35

Standout Markets: CBAY Books; Flaunt; The American Scholar
by Tiffany Luckey

Conference Scene: Events for literary, horror and children's writers
by Linda Formichelli

Reject a Hit: Jurassic Park spoof-rejected by Matthew Lauser


PLUS:

• CONTRIBUTORS
  
• EDITOR'S LETTER
  
• ONLINE EXCLUSIVES
  
• READER MAIL