(by 1 person)
Where To Learn How To Write Novels
I've spent hundreds, if not thousands of dollars as well as uncountable hours in the pursuit of the ultimate knowledge that would take me from being a wanna be to being a writer. There is no such "ultimate knowledge", but there is great information out there. This lens is a compilation of what I've found most useful. It's a work in progress, just as I am.
Need A Push?
- NaNoWriMo
- National Novel Writing Month- Think you can write 50,000 words in 30 days? People are doing it every year in the month of November. They even have a laptop loaner program for writers who don't have a computer of their own (which is only good during NaNoWriMo).
- National Novel Writing Year
- Do you find that writing a "novel in a month" is just too much for you? There's a new group for writing a novel in a year. Great for people who need a little push, but not so good for procrastinators.
- Book In A Week
- I just read about this site in Writer's Digest's 101 Best Websites For Writers. Their motto is BIC HOK TAM. No, that's some form of Klingon- it stands for Butt In Chair, Hands On Keyboard, Typing Away Madly.
You may think that writing a novel in a week is impossible, but many NaNoWriMo participants say that they complete most of their projects during the final week of November. Part of that may be due to a late Thanksgiving holiday, but mostly it's just the pressure of a deadline rushing straight towards you.
NaNoWriMo
For those of you who don't know, NaNoWriMo is National Novel Writing Month. Click the link for more information.
Where You Can Read NaNo Books As They're Written
- My NaNoWriMo Novel
- You take a pinch of Rabbitania, a dash of Serial Scrubber, and whisk briskly with a cup of Service Manuels.
Have you guessed? It's going to be intentionally bad! - David N Wilson's The Ledger
- Author David N Wilson is taking advantage of the month of November to start his novel The Ledger. You have to register to read, but registration is free.
Books I Recommend
I've read each of these (except Elements of Style) recently, and can personally recommend each one.
Plot & Structure starts off a little dry, but soon gets into some wonderful techniques that are as motivational as No Plot? No Problem!'s pep talks.
On Writing is possibly the most famous and one of the most revered books on writing. When you see the struggles Stephen King went through on his path to celebrity, it helps you to see that genius isn't so much talent, as it is the work you're willing to put into it. Of course, it's also packed with advice, but for the writer who feels they don't have much to offer the world? It's invaluable.
Your First Novel deals more with the publishing side than with the actual writing side of the process. It's written by a professional author, and co-authored by a professional agent. It gives great tips on the writing process, as well as how to make your work salable.
The Elements of Style is an invaluable tool for writers. Much as a dictionary and thesaurus help your writing to not become stale, The Elements of Style will help you to not go overboard with the fancy words and similes. Plus, it'll help you over those horrid grammar bumps, making your writing easy to follow, but not stiff.
On Writing by Stephen King
You don't have to be a fan of Stephen King's books more...0 points
Your First Novel: An Author Agent Team Share the Keys to Achieving Your Dream by Ann Rittenberg, Laura Whitcomb
A great book on writing with the perspectives of b more...0 points
The Elements of Style Illustrated by William Strunk Jr., E.B. White
A tiny book that carries a big punch. You may not more...0 points
Plot & Structure: (Techniques And Exercises For Crafting A Plot That Grips Readers From Start To Finish) (Write Great Fiction) by James Scott Bell
The second book in the Write Great Fiction series, more...0 points
* Easy-to-understand techniques on every aspect of plotting and structure, from brainstorming story ideas to building scenes, and from using subplots to crafting knock-out endings
* Engaging exercises, perfect for...
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The No Plot? No Problem! Novel-Writing Kit by Chris Baty
Aspiring novelists don't need an MFA in creative w more...0 points
Includes:
48-page booklet
31 Daily Noveling Briefs recommended allowances of writing advi...
Novel Writing Magazines I Recommend
Honestly, Writer's Digest takes a lot of flack for reproducing the same subjects in different articles, but I still find it to be one of the most useful tools out there.
Why? Because it's motivational. After reading a few of the articles in this magazine, I feel like I can do anything! That it's not as hard as I'm making it out to be. And, sometimes, there's really good information offered up.
Now that they only offer 6 issues a year instead of the previous 12, I believe that the quality of their articles and references has doubled.
Writers Digest
After a year or two of subscription you'll start t more...0 points
Podcasts
- The Secrets
- Presented by Michael A Stackpole who writes sci-fi and fantasy, as well as a number of best selling Star Wars novels. One of the best podcasts on writing that I've found so far.
- American Writer
- I'd say this is my second favorite podcast on writing.
- Holly Lisle On Writing
- A podcast on writing presented by a prolific author. Her website hosts tons of articles on how to write, as well as a shop of books she's written on writing- targetted to specific problems such as developing a culture or language for your novel.
Novelists On Video
Helpful Websites
- Inspired Author
- A comprehensive and still growing website for the dedicated writer.
- Holly Lisle
- This prolific author offers up tons of great articles on writing as well as books and clinics she's developed for writers.
- Absolute Write
- Great articles on writing as well as a friendly and supportive community.
- SFWA
- A brilliant website packed with links and articles. It's devoted to Sci-fi and Fantasy authors, but contains great information for all genres.
Creative Writing Lenses
Did you know that there are a lot of published lensmasters on Squidoo? And even some who aren't published who offer up great advice and links on writing. These are the three that I've found the most useful so far.-
EelKat's Lensography: The NaNoWriMo Edition
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Veteran NaNoer tells you everything you need to know to survive the madness of the annual National Novel Writing Month 50,000 words in 30 days contest.
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Creative Writing Tips and Tricks
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Creative Writing Tips Do you want to be a better writer? Are you ready to be more successful at getting published? At Creative Writing Tips and Tricks I offer my best articles, tips, and ideas to help get you on the path to writing fame and fortune. T...
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Be a Happy and Successful Author: A 9-Step Plan
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I've been writing books since 1997. During that time, I've written 28 books. A few have tanked. Some have sold extremely well. And a couple have become bestsellers. I've learned a lot during about the publishing business over the past nine year...
Having Trouble With Distraction?
Ever lamented that the internet is too distracting? Wish you could buy a computer with no internet and only a word processor so that you could write in peace?
Guess what. AlphaSmart has the laptop for you. Consisting of a keyboard, word processor, and miniature screen, the AlphaSmart Neo runs less than $200 and is the perfect distraction free writing tool.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Professional Novelists' Blogs
- Girls Write Out
- 4 popular Christian chick-lit/romance novelists blog together. Usually very entertaining.
- Hal Spacejock
- A best selling Aussie author (Simon Haynes) blogs about his writing, his books, and a bunch of other things. He even created novel writing software (which I use and love) free for download.
Aspiring Novelists' Blogs
- Travis Erwin
- A 6'+ guy blogs about his writing... women's lit. Very funny and a good writer. He also talks about writers' conferences, thoughts on writing, bits from or about his books, and the sordid events at a former workplace.
- The Writing Spectacle
- I'm new to this blog, but absolutely love it. This author discusses her WIP more than most other blogs that I frequent, though she seems to be a bit farther along the road to publication than most of us so far. Educational and entertaining.
- Quest To Write
- This is my main writing blog, though I tend to not be overly focused. But I couldn't not link to it, could I?
- Jen Writer
- Jen is an aspiring novelist of YA fantasy who's already had a few bites on her recently finished MS.
Agent Blogs
- Miss Snark
- A moment of silence please. This most wonderful literary agent has hung up her snark cap and returned to her "normal" life of agenting. However, thoughtful as she is, her entire archives are still available for perusal.
If you're serious about getting published, read her! Start at post #1 and work your way through every post. She's entertaining as heck, so believe me, it's not like work. And you'll learn so much about the industry. If you only have the attention span for one website on publishing, make this it. If you've already finished your first draft, and especially if you're preparing to query, spend extra time on her crap-o-meter. This is where Miss Snark sticks her stiletto heels through poorly written prose and lack of hooks. And don't even think about having a typo or she'll have to drain her gin pail before whipping you, and your WIP into submission. - Pub Rants
- Agent Kristen is so personable, that I generally just read this blog for her voice. But, bless her, she does offer up some good tidbits of info- particularly as relates to writers conferences and her particular publishing specialties.
- Bookends LLC
- Also a favorite agent of mine for voice. This agency has been focusing on giving first page... well, first 100 words critiques. This is an agency that really does "give back", always giving advice and answering questions.
- Lit Agent X
- Popular agent Rachel Vater offers up advice and insider information. I haven't been following her as closely as BookEnds and PubRants, but she is viewed as something of a goddess in the writerly community.
Blogs on Writing
When All Else Fails
Remember that responding to rejection is almost invariably a bad career move. If you respond with a "thank you for your criticism", you may be seen as sarcastic and snotty. If you respond with "Pizz off you know-nothing-publisher/agent", well, you are sarcastic and snotty.
But, there's one more reason not to do it. You'll never, ever be able to top this rejection rejection.
New Guestbook
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WordVixen
Brown- I have the same problem. Too many projects, not enough discipline. Posted January 09, 2008 |
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brownydp1116
I am a writer also . Trying to be anyway. My problem is focus. I don't seem to have enough of it Posted October 12, 2007 |
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KimberlyDawnWells
Great start! It would be fun to read why you recommend those books on writing. I think I've read most of them as well. Posted August 20, 2007 |
