About Authors
Authors turn ideas, observations, research, memory, imagination, and language into texts. Writing can be solitary, but publishing is usually collaborative, involving editors, designers, fact-checkers, agents, translators, and others.
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Ideas
Authors find ideas in experience, history, questions, news, research, dreams, and other stories.
Learn MoreResearch
Many kinds of writing require research.
Learn MoreDrafting
A first draft is a working version, not a finished product.
Learn MoreRevision
Revision changes structure and meaning, not just spelling.
Learn MoreEditing
Editors help make writing clearer and stronger.
Learn MoreVoice
Voice is the distinctive feeling of a writer's language.
Learn MorePublication
Publishing turns a manuscript into a book or public text.
Learn MoreWriting Careers
Authors often combine writing with other work.
Learn MoreIdeas
An idea is only a starting point. Writing develops the idea through choices about character, structure, voice, evidence, and detail.
Research
Historical fiction, nonfiction, science fiction, mysteries, and even fantasy can depend on accurate background knowledge.
Drafting
Writers often discover the real shape of a piece while drafting. Sections may be added, moved, cut, or rewritten.
Revision
An author may reorder scenes, strengthen a character's motivation, clarify an argument, replace weak images, or cut entire chapters.
Editing
Developmental editors focus on big-picture structure, while copy editors focus more on consistency, grammar, facts, and style.
Voice
Sentence length, word choice, humor, rhythm, viewpoint, detail, and attitude all contribute.
Publication
Traditional publishing, independent publishing, magazines, websites, and digital platforms use different processes.
Writing Careers
Teaching, journalism, editing, research, speaking, screenwriting, technical writing, and many other careers use professional writing skills.