Welcome

Welcome to TODAY YOU WILL WRITE, a weekly newsletter of writing encouragement. Whether you are deep in a project but can’t find the ending, languishing in the messy middle, or have always wanted to start a book, but don’t know where to begin, this newsletter is for you. Think your idea might suck? Your words don’t flow? Your story is a mess? Write it anyway. I’ve come to understand, after writing two novels and dozens of creative nonfiction pieces, that one way over those struggles is by writing and reading through them. Today we will write.

A few posts well-loved by readers include one on symmetrical endings, another about vignette novels, and 5 tips for writing a book draft in a month.

You can upgrade to get additional writing exercises and craft content and an annual bibliomancy designed for you.

Either way, I’m so happy you are here.

You can also check out my Bookshop site for an ongoing list of books I’ve discussed on TODAY YOU WILL WRITE.

What Paid Subscribers Say

Easily the best source of regular writing advice and encouragement I’ve come across since getting my MFA (and maybe including that!). —JN

I’m inspired by your passion and, even though I belong to two writing groups, I live on a remote area in the north and so write mostly alone. I need, and welcome, the discipline. —ES

I’m a fan and fellow novelist (and mom). These letters are very helpful and inspirational. Thank you! —ED

Who am I?

I am the author of the award-winning and best-selling books Beheld (Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year, NYT Notable Book of the Year) and The Wives of Los Alamos (Finalist for the PEN/Bingham Prize). My essays on topics including girlhood, homeland, writing historical fiction, narrative haunting, and loss have been featured in Granta, The Guardian, The New York Times, The Literary Hub, and many other places. I am also an associate professor at Miami University, where I teach in the MFA and BA programs in English and creative writing.