Writing Resources

Over the years, I’ve managed to gather a few resources that have helped me and others. These resources include websites and their respective social media, books, associations, conferences, book festivals, organizations like NaNoWriMo, and more. My hope is that some of these will help you as writers in your creative process. I also recommend taking creative writing classes, whether in the form of workshops at your library or taking a few from your local college.

Now, as it is, this is not a comprehensive, be all, end all list. I will most likely update this list as I stumble upon new sources or are given suggestions, so check back often to see more!

NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month. This event, while available for help and activities year-long, primarily takes place in November. Authors are challenged to write 50,000 words of their novels from November 1^st through November 30^th. Aided by camps, both online and at physical locations, motivational e-mails, and advice from fellow authors, this event is a great way to get started on writing your novel.

• Website: http://nanowrimo.org
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nanowrimo
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/nanowrimo
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/lettersandlightvideo
• Tumblr: http://blog.nanowrimo.org/

There are a large variety of online resources for writers, both aspiring and veterans. Most offer advice, tips, tricks, prompts, and guidelines. Whenever you have a question about plot, character development, sending query letters to agents or publishers, worldbuilding, and more, these sites are here to help. If you follow them on social media, you also get a nice community where writing memes are shared and discussions take place with fellow authors and book lovers just like yourself!

1. The Well Written Woman: A blog for and written by women writers. Articles are featured on their main website, while prompts and such are posted on their social media.
   • Website: http://thewellwrittenwoman.com/
   • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewellwrittenwoman
   • Tumblr: http://thewellwrittenwoman.tumblr.com/
   • Twitter: https://twitter.com/WrittenWoman/status/491324585879801857
2. Writer’s Digest: A comprehensive guide to all things writing. Find agents, editors, publishers, and more. Learn the latest tips and tricks. Use their prompts. Literally everything in the writing world is at your fingertips.
   • Website: http://www.writersdigest.com/
   • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/writersdigest
   • Twitter: https://twitter.com/WritersDigest
   • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/WritersDigest/featured
3. Poets & Writers: Another comprehensive list, notably containing a directory of journals you can submit your writing to.
   • Website: http://www.pw.org/
   • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/poetsandwriters
   • Twitter: https://twitter.com/poetswritersinc
   • Tumblr: http://poetsandwriters.tumblr.com/
4. Writers Beware: A site to help new and old authors avoid scams and traps when it comes to the writing world and publishing industry.
   • Website: http://www.sfwa.org/other-resources/for-authors/writer-beware/
   • Blog: http://accrispin.blogspot.com/
   • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WriterBeware
5. Association of Writers & Writing Programs: A neat organization that features a magazine with articles and work from fellow authors.
   • Website: https://www.awpwriter.org/magazine_media
   • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AWPWriter?fref=nf
   • Twitter: https://twitter.com/awpwriter
6. New Pages: Reviews and information about the writing world.
   • Website: http://www.newpages.com/
   • Twitter: https://twitter.com/newpages
   • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewPages
   • Blog: http://newpagesblog.blogspot.com/
7. Every Writer’s Resource: Tips, guides, and helpful lists.
   • Website: http://www.everywritersresource.com/
   • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Every-Writers-Resource/32771552139?ref=bookmarks
   • Twitter: https://twitter.com/everywriter
8. Shelf Awareness: The latest news about new books and the book industry.
   • Website: http://www.shelf-awareness.com/
   • Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShelfAwareness
   • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shelfawareness
9. Grammarly: Check your grammar and entertain yourself with grammar memes and discussions.
   • Website: http://www.grammarly.com/
   • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grammarly
   • Twitter: https://twitter.com/Grammarly
10. Writer’s Relief: an author's submission service; we help writers make targeted, professional submissions to literary agents & editors.
    • Website: http://writersrelief.com/
    • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/writersrelief
    • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm1YZ0TWDdhmdmm89dDN_rg
    • Tumblr: http://writersrelief.tumblr.com/
    • Twitter: https://twitter.com/writersrelief

If you’re as addicted to Tumblr as I am, you’ll want to follow these blogs. They offer daily prompts, take questions and give responses from published authors, and provide other resources for authors.

1. The Writers Digest: This blog may or may not be affiliated with Writer’s Digest, but offers helpful tips and tricks on writing.
2. Character & Writing Help: Character critiques, answering questions, and writing articles about fiction writing. Askbox is open every Wednesday!
3. The Writing Box: News, reviews, resources, and advice for writers.
4. Bookish: Discover smarter book recommendations, original book lists and articles, and great deals on hundreds of thousands of books for every reader.
5. WriteWorld: A writing help blog dedicated to serving our fellow writers through education and inspiration. (Check out their list of writing blogs they follow for more.)

If you’re looking to publish your short stories, poems, or essays, then find some journals. These sometimes offer contests, the ability to publish a chapbook, or accept works for regular publication (either online or in print format). Note that there are a lot of databases for journals from all over the world where you can submit your writing.

1. FLARE: The Flagler Review (I was on the editorial staff for two semesters while in college, and have seen a lot of growth from this journal as time went on!)
   • Website: http://theflaglerreview.com/
   • Tumblr: http://the-flare-posts.tumblr.com/
   • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Flagler-Review/196468190449475
   • Duotrope: https://duotrope.com/listing/7665
2. Poets & Writers List: http://www.pw.org/literary_magazines
3. Every Writer’s Resource List: http://www.everywritersresource.com/literarymagazines/

For those who are old school (or just really love have hard copies on hand) here are some writing books to add to your library. These books offer advice on writing from the perspective of publishers, authors, and editors.

1. Bastards, Bullies, and Bitches by Jessica Morrell: Learn how to write anti-heroes, bad boys, and villains in this colorful and informative book.
2. On Writing by Stephen King: Writing advice from the legend himself.
3. 3. Getting Your Book Published for Dummies: The ‘Dummies’ Guide to publishing.
4. The Writer’s Chronicle: Produced by the Association of Writers & Writing Programs, this magazine features articles and writings from fellow authors.
5. Schools: A Niche Market for Authors by Jane R. Wood: Learn how to market your children’s books to schools.
6. Writing Books for Fun, Fame, & Fortune by Rik Feeney: Advice and tips on how to write your first book.

Whether you’re published or still working on your manuscript, attending conferences and book festivals offers a wealth of knowledge for your process. Joining associations is also helpful, because they provide support and help you out as a writer. These are just a few I’m personally aware of or have attended.

1. Florida Authors & Publishers Association (FAPA): Dedicated to providing the highest quality of information, resources, and professional development to members and others interested in the writing and publishing profession in the state of Florida.
   • Website: http://www.floridapublishersassociation.com/
2. The Florida Heritage Book Festival (FHBF): Offering author presentations, panel discussions, book signings, and a Writers Conference focusing on both the craft and the business of writing.
   • Website: http://www.fhbookfest.com/
   • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flheritagebookfest
3. Popular/American Culture Association in the South (PCAS): Offers an opportunity for the coming together of scholars from colleges, universities, community colleges, and the general public, who have something worthwhile to say on matters involving mass society.
   • Website: http://www.pcasacas.org/
4. Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association (PCA/ACA): A group of scholars and enthusiasts who study popular culture; offering a venue to come together and share ideas and interests about the field or about a particular subject within the field.
   • Website: http://pcaaca.org/
   • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pcaaca
5. List of conferences worldwide:
   • http://www.conferencealerts.com/topic-listing?topic=Literature
   • http://www.newpages.com/writing-conferences/

Something that is important to remember about this entire process is you never stop learning. There are always new resources, new books, interviews, tips, tricks, and more to help you improve your writing. Essentially, the old saying ‘practice makes perfect’ applies here. While no one’s writing is ever ideally perfect, you can achieve a lot through constantly writing and stretching your style. Try new things. If a resource or prompt talks about something you’ve never done before, try it out just to see what it does for you.

What are some resources you guys have encountered and would like to share? Comment below or message me your favorite resources to be added to this list!