Help for Struggling Writers
When we write, we begin by writing for ourselves. Our focus tends to be on the writing process itself and how to accomplish our goals. You might wonder how a busy parent or grandparent finds time to write a book. Other common questions include the following: Should I outline first or plunge right in and organize later? Should I write my middle-grade novel in first-person POV or third? What are some self-editing strategies?
Once we’ve completed a draft, we often shift our attention to our prospective readers. Our questions might look more like these: Who will want to read what we’ve written? How will it be received? How can we ensure that our writing secures a publisher and an audience? And if we can’t find a publisher, how much does it cost to self-publish?
The links below should help you find answers to at least some of these questions.
Still Struggling?
Are you in delete-and-start-over mode? Seattle Editing’s coaching services might be exactly what you need to get started. Call us at 206-784-7070 or email [email protected]. Or, if you’re ready for an assessment or developmental editing (or any other level of editing), please fill out the sample edit form below to get started.
Request a Free Sample Edit/Estimate
Podcasts:
Blogs:
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- LitReactor
- Rewrite, Reword, Rework—Rebecca Miller’s blog
- SlushPile Hell
Websites:
Books:
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- On Writing by Stephen King
- Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
- Write, Publish, Repeat by Sean Platt and Johnny B. Truant
- Writing Tools by Roy Peter Clark
- The 90-day Novel by Alan Watt
- Characters & Viewpoint by Orson Scott Card
- Story Physics by Larry Brooks
- The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White
- Smashwords Book Marketing Guide by Mark Coker
- Writing Fiction by Janet Burroway
- Writing for Story by Jonathan Franklin
- Save the Cat by Blake Snyder
Tools:
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- Scrivener
- yWriter—Novel-writing software
- WikidPad
- Ommwriter
- LibreOffice Writer
- CeltX
- Quoll Writer
- FocusWriter
- Hemingway App
Self-Publishing:
Craft:
Sell Your Stuff:
Useful Links:
- https://rewriterewordrework.wordpress.com/resources/
- quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl—Grammar guide
- https://debbieohi.com/—For children’s book authors and illustrators
- adventuresinagentland.blogspot.com—A literary agent’s blog
- querytracker.net—Search for an agent or publisher and track your query letters
- thrillerwriters.org—International thriller writing. Must apply for free to join community
- scbwi.org—The Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators.
- https://www.writingclasses.com/toolbox/articles/six-tips-for-writing-young-adult-novels—For writers of young adult fiction
- sfwa.org—Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
- https://litreactor.com/columns/how-to-write-horror—For writers of horror fiction
- https://www.jungleredwriters.com/—For crime fiction writers
- https://mysterywriters.org/—For mystery writers
- rwa.org—For romance writers.
- thrillerwriters.org—International thriller writing.
- https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/transitions/—For using transitions correctly