The Word Cave

What Happens When You Actually Put Writing First?

reflections on a Paris fellowship

Oct 7 • 

Lilly Dancyger

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September 2025

The “20k-Word Rule” of Drafting

I’ve started and restarted my novel draft from the beginning six times now. This is the “wrong” way to write a first draft, I know.

Sep 3 • 

Lilly Dancyger

186

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August 2025

What Does it Mean to Be “Present” on the Page?

Ask Lilly: a new writing advice column

Aug 20 • 

Lilly Dancyger

39

13

Ask Me Anything

Fun fact: I’ve wanted an advice column of my very own since I first learned what they were as a little kid.

Aug 12 • 

Lilly Dancyger

17

7

July 2025

Surprise! New book deal!

I’ve been secretly working on a novella-length essay about dance and chronic pain—called Ballet Will Heal Me—that I’m thrilled to say will be published…

Jul 31 • 

Lilly Dancyger

133

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Museum Pages: Botticelli, AI, and Missing the Point

I’ve worried that the intensity of my outrage might make me sound less reasonable. But you know what? I’m both pissed off and correct.

Jul 10 • 

Lilly Dancyger

88

44

May 2025

Sarah Snook’s Dorian Gray and Achieving the Impossible in Art

I have a pet theory that whatever makes a creative project feel impossible is also the key to how to make it great.

May 28 • 

Lilly Dancyger

29

5

A year of First Love (including the funniest negative reviews)

plus the return of the Essay Collection Incubator!

May 7 • 

Lilly Dancyger

36

11

February 2025

What Is a Novel?

on backstory as “research”

Feb 24 • 

Lilly Dancyger

28

10

January 2025

Etty Hillesum and bountifulness—even now

I do believe that we can save each other’s lives with stories and poems and books. I really do. But Etty reminded me that we don’t have to do all that…

Jan 24 • 

Lilly Dancyger

44

7

I want to read your manuscript!

Exciting announcement: I’m taking new editorial clients for the first time in over a year!

Jan 7 • 

Lilly Dancyger

25

7

December 2024

Museum Pages: Frida Kahlo and the Artist’s Body

on making art while in pain

Dec 18, 2024 • 

Lilly Dancyger

73

25