Writers are a fortunate bunch, because we have access to tons of helpful information without ever leaving our homes. I recommend these useful resources.
BOOKS ON WRITING AND EDITING
Chicago Manual of Style by University of Chicago Press Staff
Edit Yourself: A Manual for Everyone Who Works With Words by Bruce Ross-Larson
Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn From Actors by Brandilyn Collins
On Writing Romance: How to Craft a Novel That Sells by Leigh Michaels
Plot & Structure by James Scott Bell
Story: Substance, Structure, Style and the Principles of Screenwriting by Robert McKee
Technical Editing (4th Edition) by Carolyn D. Rude
The Writer’s Guide to Crafting Stories for Children by Nancy Lamb
Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass
Writing the Christian Romance by Gail Gaymer Martin
WRITING CONFERENCES
American Christian Fiction Writers annual conference
Big Sur Writers’ Workshops, writing for adults and children
Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference
Romance Writers of America national and regional conferences
Society of Book Writers and Illustrators national and regional conferences
WRITING WEB SITES
Advanced Fiction Writing, Randy Ingermanson’s innovative newsletter for writers
Christian Authors Network Web site, where you can also sign up for daily book excerpts e-mailed to your inbox, and subscribe to a monthly e-newsletter
Institute of Children’s Literature site for writers of children’s literature
Right-Writing.com, literary agent Terry Whalin’s place for writers
Writer’s First Aid, Kristi Holl’s blog filled with practical tips and encouragement for writers
WRITING TIPS
Writing is a tough, often lonely business—but there are great rewards. Here are some tips to help keep you going:
- Take your writing seriously. Consider yourself a professional writer working for a writing business, and treat yourself like the CEO. If you don’t take your writing seriously, you can’t blame other people for treating it like a pastime.
- Write every day. Set aside the best time of your day to write, and set a goal of finishing a word count, a page count, or an amount of time each day. Some days you’ll finish only one page or write for only 15 minutes. No problem—what’s important is that you make writing a part of every day.
- Form a teachable heart. A closed fist can’t receive a reward, and neither can a closed heart receive a blessing. Most advice you’re given as a writer is to help you grow. Be willing to humble yourself to the advice and wisdom of others, and you will grow as a writer.
- Go to conferences. Conferences are where you meet your people—other writers who “get” you. Plan to talk not only to editors and agents, but to other writers. They become your best friends, confidants, allies, and colleagues along your journey.
- Join a writers’ group that encourages and challenges you. Or form one of your own.
- Get involved in a critique group, if you have the time. Not everyone has the time to critique other members’ work and write their own stories, hold down jobs, and take care of their families. But if you can make the time for an in-person or online critique group with people whose abilities you admire and advice you trust, your writing will improve by leaps and bounds.
- Keep learning. Attend writing classes in person or online, read (and read and read) authors who write what you write and those who write very differently from you, get to know your local librarians and booksellers, and don’t forget to write.
FREE STUFF FOR WRITERS
Congratulations for reading this far on my Web site! Please help yourself to these free resources. (You’ll need the latest version of Adobe® Reader® to read them. If you don’t have this free software, visit the Adobe® web site to get it.)
Polishing Your Prose
Sowing Seeds in Clay
Tiny Tips
