Links & Resources for WritersWrite every day. It's easier to keep a patient on life support
than to resurrect the dead. Don’t be a writer unless you have to. If you have to, well, then--it takes a lot of work to be any good at it. Even then, there are no guarantees. Enjoy the process. If you want to be a writer, I think you have to enjoy the process of writing. We all want our literary “children” to be successful, but don’t write for the money. There are easier, more reliable ways of making money. Most writers will never make a living at it. But if you love the process of writing, of getting down the words, of sieving out those that don’t belong, of sharing your stories with even a small circle, then the success you have is the chocolate syrup on the sundae. Read widely. I think writers should read widely, especially in their genre. Learn the basics. Rules are made to be broken, but you don’t want your work discounted because of punctuation, spelling, and point of view issues. Most of us wouldn’t think of becoming an auto mechanic without some kind of training or apprenticeship. People confuse the physical skill of writing or keyboarding with the mental piece. Because most of us learned the physical skill in elementary school, we think no further instruction is needed. Find a good critique group. That is my number one recommendation. This has made a huge difference in my writing. It’s not enough to hand your work off to a spouse or friend who will tell you it’s terrific. That doesn’t make you better. Critique, done right, is a gift. Where do you find a critique group? Critique groups are often housed in libraries or bookstores. Sometimes they grow out of writing workshops. Some national writing organizations (like the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) have local chapters with critique groups. Or post a note in a library or bookstore and form your own. Never forget that the reader is always boss. If a reader says, “I don’t get it,” your job is not to explain why it has to be the way it is. Your job is to fix it. Learn the rules of critique in order to make the most of it. Below are some documents that I've put together to cover the questions that I receive from aspiring writers. Have questions about how to get started in writing for children or teens? Click here to download "Getting Started in Writing for Children and Teens," a guide I developed that includes lots of sources and resources for learning more about craft and publishing. There are lots of links in there, so if any of them go belly-up, please email me to let me know! Here are some of my thoughts about the importance of having an agent. Want to read more about the craft of writing? Try these books.
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Useful Links for WritersOf course, the kinds of links that are useful to you will depend on what you’re writing. But here are some of my favorites. I often answer writers' questions on my blog, Writing Organizations Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association of America Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators The Authors’ Guild Author link Information About Agents http://www.agentquery.com a searchable list of agents who represent a wide range of works http://www.sfwa.org/beware/agents.html tips for avoiding fraudulent agents http://www.sfwa.org/beware list of agents whose clients have complained to SFWA http://www.sfwa.org/2009/07/sfwa-model-author-agent-contract/ model agent contract http://www.aar-online.org Association of Authors’ Representatives includes list of members and suggested questions for an agent you are considering. AAR members must meet standards including adherence to a code of conduct and a minimum number of sales. http://www.fictionaddiction.net/agents.html A list of literary agents. Agents can post their own information, so do your research. http://scbwi.org SCBWI offers a listing of agents to its members. If you write for children, it’s well worth joining. General Information The Purple Crayon Write4Kids is the web site of the Children’s
Book Insider, a subscription service, but includes lots of free
articles and info. Homework for Aspiring Writers Great Advice for Teenage Writers from John Scalzi Award-winning Ohio author and teacher Scott Lax's Advice for Serious Writers Lisa Firke at HitThoseKeys.com specializes in web site development for authors and illustrators Markets Ralan’s Webstravaganza WritersMarket.com Other Authors Children's and Young Adult Author Cynthia Leitich Smith
Critique
Links Longridge Writers Group Turkey City Lexicon http://www.fictionfactor.com/articles/critiquing.html Tips for the actual process of critiquing James Patrick Kelly’s article on Writing Workshops DISCLAIMER: I have no affiliation with any of the external web sites listed here. I don’t guarantee nor take responsibility for the quality, accuracy, and legitimacy of any of the content published on these web sites. |
