Resources for Writers
In my experience, readers are often aspiring writers, too. Here are references and resources to assist in your writer’s journey whether you are aspiring novelist or multi-published author.
Books:
Break Into Fiction, by Mary Buckham and Dianna Love.These easy-to-understand templates guide the new writer through building a novel and show more experienced writers how to deepen a plot and take a first draft to the next level.
Scene and Structure, by Jack M. Bickham. A student of Dwight Swain, Bickham presents the basics of crafting your story and your scenes.
Plot & Structure, by James Scott Bell. Specific techniques and exercises to help you craft your plot into a winning story.
Writing the Breakout Novel and Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook, by Donald Maass. Invaluable tools even without attending one of Mr. Maass’ workshops. Filled with techniques and exercises to help you craft a break-out or break-in novel.
Fire in Fiction, by Donald Maass. The pages of Maass’s third book are packed with examples, exercises, and techniques to help you craft compelling stories with “Passion and Purpose.”
Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, by Renni Browne and Dave King. A must have to teach yourself to self-edit and turn that first draft into a marketable novel.
Writing the Christian Romance, by Gail Gaymer Martin.Detailed step-by-step instructions and examples on how to write an inspirational Christian romance.
Getting Into Character, by Brandilyn Collins. A how-to using the method acting theory to make your story characters three dimensional.
Believable Characters: Creating with Enneagrams, by Laurie Schnebly. Complete how-to guide for using enneagrams to identify heroic traits and fatal (or not-so-fatal) flaws that will bring these characters into conflict.
Blogs:
Blogs contain fresh, current information on the writing market and trends. Below are links to several blogs I read on a regular basis:
Inspiration:
A writer’s life requires inspiration and perseverance. The following books inspire me.
The Right to Write: An Invitation and Initiation into the Writing Life, by Julia Cameron. An inspiring challenge to just keep writing.
Bird by Bird, by Anne Lamott. A funny, helpful book about what it is to be a writer. This book tells it like it is in a very entertaining way.
Organizations:
- American Christian Fiction Writers
- Novelists Inc (NINC)
- Romance Writers of America
- Mystery Writers of America
- Society of Childrens’ Book Writers and Illustrators
- International Thriller Writers
- Authors Guild
- Sisters in Crime Inc
- Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
- Horror Writers Association
Lastly, I’ll leave you with some quotes that have inspired me. If you have others, click here to let me know. I’ll add them to the list.
“Write even when you don’t want to, don’t much like what you’re writing, and aren’t writing particularly well.”
— Agatha Christie
“Perseverance is trying 19 times and succeeding on the 20th.”
— Julie Andrews
“Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again more intelligently.”
— Henry Ford
“Eventually you’re going to reach the point where just one more attempt, one more effort will bring real success. What a shame it would be to give up just as you reached that point.
You do not know what the next effort will bring because the future is not based on the past. That feeling of wanting to give up is based solely on the past, which really doesn’t matter any more. What matters now is where you’re headed, not where you’ve been. And when you view it from that perspective, giving up is simply not an option.”
— Ralph Marston
Resources for Readers
Today’s reader has so many choices of what to read. Here are some sources to help you decide and some events and activities where you can meet your favorite authors.
Websites designed with Readers in Mind:
E-Reader News Today – site for Kindle FREE books and daily deals that include top authors to debut ones and all genres
Fresh Fiction – for author spotlights, monthly contests, and a preview of books every day
GoodReads – for books, reviews, and author giveaways of all genres
InDtale Magazine – for all the latest news on Indie books and their authors
LitLovers – a website with ideas for your local book club
Pixel of Ink – another great site for getting Kindle daily deals
Quaantum Readers – Special program where your reading groups/book clubs can enter for drawings to win 8 books—personalized—by a NYT, USA Today, Award-winning, Multi-published or Debut Author of all genres. Enter once and your group stays in the drawing continually.
Annual Reader Events & Activities
Authors After Dark – author and reader event held in Savannah, GA
Brenda Novak’s Annual Diabetes Auction – on-line auction held every year in May that includes items any reader would want from books to meeting their favorite author in person.
Heart of Dixie Annual Reader’s Luncheon – author and reader event held in Birmingham, AL
Southern Magic Reader Luncheon – author and reader event in Birmingham, AL
Thrillerfest – in New York every summer for thriller/suspense/mystery fans
RomCon – held annually for romance fans to meet their favorite authors
RT Booklovers Convention – a combination event held annually in different cities for readers, author fans, and aspiring writers
RWA Literacy Signing – book signing event in different cities each year that hosts 500 plus authors of romance signing their NYT and USA Today best sellers, award winning or debut novels