Resources for Writers
June 22, 2010 by Lillie
Recently, I have come across several blog posts listing resources for writers. Although I may not agree with every item on all the lists, I promise you will find some useful resources in the posts.
- 50 Books Every Writer Must Read
- 100 Free and Useful Web Apps for Writers
- Exploring: Web Resources for Writers
- The Most Helpful Resources Available for Proofreading, Grammar, and Writing
- Ultimate Style Guide Resources
And don’t forget my Resources for Writers and Reference Resources pages. Writers may also be interested in Resources for Readers, as many of the places for readers to find books and authors can be good places for authors to list their books.
Do you have any favorite resources that I haven’t included? Leave your suggestions in comments. I’m always eager to update my resource pages.
Hi Lillie,
Some wonderful information here, particularly with the free apps which in the current economic climate I am sure your readers will enjoy.
regards
Dave
Dave,
I’m sure readers can find something of interest and value to them … and we all like free!
These are awesome! I’ll be posting a link to your site (probably tomorrow) so others can come see!
Vicki Rocho recently posted..Mining for words
Thanks, Vicki. I appreciate the link and hope your readers get value from the resources.
Great stuff here! The web resources are helpful. I’ve missed coming here! Hope all is well with you!
Karen Putz recently posted..Breathe
Karen,
Good to see you back and glad you found the resources helpful.
great post, that link to 50 must reads are great.
Glad you found the link helpful, Matthew.
Thanks Lillie! I’ll check it out!
Bluestocking recently posted..A Poser
Bluestocking,
You’re welcome.
Lillie, thanks for pulling together these additional resources. I actually use your resources page quite frequently. I would add my favorite writing essential – a notebook or journal. I have dozens, some for ideas, others for capturing inspiration on the go, others for prayers. Love my journals! Also the new online office suite is pretty good and it’s free.
Karen Swim recently posted..Community, Inspiration and The Muse
Karen,
A journal is a wonderful resource. Do you have a favorite that I should link to? Maybe I should add the office suite–can you give me more details? Thanks.
Hopefully by reading these I can pick up a few things to help my blogging get better.
Terrance@Free Microsoft Points recently posted..By: niceballer100
Terrance,
I hope you find helpful information in the resources.
Thanks for this Lillie.
I actually downloaded your free Primers. Thanks! The editing one will come in handy I am sure! I so struggle with the editing part!
I also noticed on the 50 books that #6, The Elements of Style, is on my to buy list! Now I know I definitely need to get it!
I can’t wait till the wedding is over so I can start buying books again!
Thank you again! What a valuable trove of information!
Dominique recently posted..A FAIR Name
Dominique,
I hope you find the primers helpful.
If you don’t mind reading online, there is a link on my Reference Resource page to the Elements of Style: http://www.bartleby.com/141/strunk101.html
Even if you get the book later, you can access the free online version in the meantime.
I just had to come by and say thank you again. I feel like it’s Christmas! LOL!
Dominique recently posted..A FAIR Name
You’re welcome, Dominique. I’m glad to make you feel like Christmas since you’ve been in such a crash.
I was looking around for some writers resources to help me start my own blog. These links would come mighty handy. Thanks a lot. Hoping others updates will make it even better. I am sorry, I couldnt add anything to it right now, but will do so if I get anything
Scott,
Keep coming back as I try to post useful information and include writers resources whenever I can.
Dear have you seen the editorial section of ezine articles?
available in ezinearticles.com/editorial-guidelines.html . even though they have added it to submit articles in their site, it would be good if we can follow the things listed there. Will greatly improve the way we write!
vishnu @ technical / career blog recently posted..Technology updates
vishnu,
The editorial guide you reference is excellent for online articles.
Dear Lillie,
Exactly, I was trying hard to formulate some guidelines for a project and found that link useful for shaping some rules. And yes, better resources were found from some Public relations sites as well. It all depends upon the point we take in.
Lillie, there are some apps that are useful and I think you left the offline apps!(sorry if am repeating)
here are some apps am using
1. notepad++ (an excellent replacement for notepad, which I couldn’t find in the list in the initial scanner )
2. WP Super Edit: A plugin for wordpress users to do advance formatting and editing
3. paint.net for some simple picture editing that can go with your writing/banners
4. and generic software like OO(Open office, Abi word …etc.
(the list is endless)
Thanks for taking time to reply..
Take care
Vishnu
Vishnu,
Thank you for these suggestions. I just linked to someone else’s post on the web apps, but maybe I need to create my own list. If I do, I will add your recommendations.
Thank you for the links, Lillie.
I did notice that the style guide link doesn’t carry information about the AP Stylebook, the definitive guide for journalists produced by the Associated Press. While I am certain that most writers produce academic-based work, the AP book is useful for those times when writing from a journalistic perspective.
Matt,
I’m sure that’s because the site where the resources were listed is an academic site so the author focused on style guides most used by students. But, you’re right that freelance writers need to know AP Style for some projects, such as news releases. I’m always forgetting to remove serial commas for AP Style!
Vicki Rocho (above) sent us over here from her blog. Great links! Thanks so much for gathering the information.
Julie Musil recently posted..Awards to some great bloggers!
Julie,
I appreciate Vicki for sending you here and am glad you found the resources helpful. Hope to see you back often.
These are great resources for experienced or aspiring writers. Great tips for finding a writing style and structuring writing projects.
Geoff@homes sale san diego recently posted..Short Sales Home Mortgage Defaults
Geoff,
I’m glad you found the resources valuable.
Lillie, thanks for posting these links. I feel bad that I haven’t read most of the books on the “must read list”. I’d better get started.
Rich,
Not only have I not read many of the books on the “must-read” list for authors, but I haven’t even heard of many of them.
I think the list is useful to see what someone else thinks is important and to see what is available. However, I have no interest in comics, so I don’t intend to read the book about comics. The style guides are not books that I would sit down and read from cover to cover. I review the table of contents, skim through the major sections to get a feel for what is different from other styles, and then use the guides as references when I need to write in that style.
Totally Agree. I can think of a million better ways to spend my day then reading a style guide cover to cover. I added a few to my list that I might pickup at the local half price books.
Rich,
Enjoy the books that aren’t style guides.
great post, that link to 50 must reads are great.
Santiago,
The list is a good starting point though I don’t think every book is a must-read for every writer.
Great resources though I suspect I’ll never plough through all of them. I think Stephen King says, in his book ‘On Writing’, that elements of style is the one book that every author should read.
PS SK might not be everyone’s cup of tea but he knwos how to spin a yarn and On Writing is highly recommended.
S
Steve@Hydration Rucksack recently posted..If you register your site for free at
Steve,
I know I won’t get through all these resources.
Hopefully readers can skim the lists and find the items of interest to them.
I need to put Stephen King’s On Writing on my to-read list. I’ve heard good things about it from other people, also.