What writing resources have you come across lately? The resources available just boggle the mind, don't they? As overwhelming as it can be sometimes, it is a wonderful thing to have good info at our fingertips.
BookEnds, LLC had a recent post by Jessica Faust about Word Count Rules. It's probably safe to say we've all had to consider word counts, and this sheds light on the subject from an agent's perspective.
Becky Povich recently alerted her readers to the Newpages site on her blog. This link will take you to the Newpages' Blogs by Poets and Writers page. It offers an alphabetical listing of blogs plus info about independent bookstores, literary magazines, contests, conference listings, book reviews, and more.
What questions should you ask when looking for an agent? Rachelle Gardner gives her advice in a recent post entitled Questions to Ask an Agent. If you are seeking an agent, or plan to do so in the future, Rachelle's input will come in handy.
Ever been to Thesaurus.com? I'd visited, but hadn't actually used it until recently. It's quite the handy site, offering the obvious - the basic thesaurus listings, plus a lot more. Visitors can check out the Word of the Day, play word games, or use their Full Text Translator to translate words and phrases in a variety of languages.
What goodies have you come across lately?
Happy writing! :)
Karen
I still say reading profusely is my biggest tool--stretching my vocab. and my creativity.
ReplyDelete~ Wendy
Hmmm, agent blogs are always a goodie. I like author websites too.
ReplyDeleteI love your new look here!
ReplyDeleteI found some really good goodies on Margie Lawson's site:
http://www.margielawson.com/index.php/margies-pov/40-qduhq-your-way-to-success
Thanks for those links!
ReplyDeleteWendy,
ReplyDeleteI heartily agree with you! I think we can gain so much from reading.
Jessica,
Yes, agent blogs are a good place to go, and writers too. So many good things out there:)
Jennifer,
Thank you! Thanks for this link. I'll have to check it out.
Alex,
You are welcome. Always glad to share good things.
Thanks and blessings to each of you,
Karen
First of all I like your new look on your blog!
ReplyDeleteSecond, I found www.storysensei.blogspot.com to be a helpful site. She has articles on everything about writing! It's fun to read all the different writing advice she has. Thanks for the links!
Adventures in Children's Publishing, http://childrenspublishing.blogspot.com, offers a treasure trove of links each Friday. It's a great place for goodies!
ReplyDeleteNice look to your blog, Karen :-)
Thanks for all the good info and links Karen! I especially like the one about Newpages.com. Going to go check it out right now!
ReplyDeleteVictoria,
ReplyDeleteThank you, and thanks for sharing that link. It is a good one!
Kenda,
Another good link, thanks for sharing it with us!
Thank you; I am enjoying this new look too:)
Lindsey,
You are welcome:) I thought the Newpages site was an interesting site. Hope it is helpful.
Thanks and blessings to all of you,
Karen
Thesaurus.com sounds useful and fun... thnaks!!! :O)
ReplyDeleteHi Karen -
ReplyDeleteLove the new look! I've been checking out free blog backgrounds, but nothing has caught my eye as yet.
Thanks for the links. I'm going to investigate the one with blog links (like I don't go on enough blogs already). :)
Blessings,
Susan
Sigh. I don't gravitate to the factoid sites but the inspirational, friendly ones. Like this one!
ReplyDeleteUm, still reading books for writer info.
That dates me, huh?
Ooh I'm going to check these out! I love my OXford book of quotations. Best 20 bucks I ever spent! You can check it out at the library too!
ReplyDeleteKaren: Great resources; thanks! I heart Cec Murphy's blog, which I believe is titled Writer to Writer. He shares excellent advice from his many years of success in the publishing industry. And his heart bursts with kindness and fervency to help writers flourish.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Jen
Diane,
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome! Hope it comes in handy:)
Susan R.,
Thank you:) I've been wanting to change things around here for some time.
Patti,
Thank you, you are sweet:) Nope, you aren't dated. I like the books too. Have a big TBR pile to prove it!
Anne,
I've heard of that book. I should pick a copy up. Thanks for reminding me!
Jen,
You are welcome. Thanks for the heads up on Cec Murphy. I've heard of him I think. Will check it out.
Thanks and blessings to all of you,
Karen
I'm marking Thesarus.com. It looks pretty helpful since I like looking words up in my thesaurus and I like to work crossword puzzles--I usually don't need help on those but every once in a while I get stumped.
ReplyDeleteLee
Tossing It Out
Thank you for the goodies!
ReplyDeleteI plan to check them all out over the next week. The thesaurus page sounds fun!
Lee,
ReplyDeleteI do like that site. Why it took me so long to get around to using it, I don't know! Hope it is helpful for you.
Tyrean,
You are welcome. It is fun; your kids might enjoy it too. Might come in handy for homeschooling:)
Thanks and blessings to each of you,
Karen
I'm going to check out the Thesaurus. I like to use Writertopia for a quick word count of anything I write.
ReplyDeleteI love your blog changes:) It looks so nice!
ReplyDeleteThe best site I've found is the one I mentioned on my blog--The Kill Zone and also Novel Matters as the authors at both places answer comments.
Cassandra,
ReplyDeleteHope you like Thesaurus.com:) I'll have to check out Writertopia, thanks for the tip!
Terri,
Thank you! I went to The Kill Zone after I saw it on your blog. Good stuff. Have yet to check out Novel Matters, but I will, thanks:)
Thanks and blessings to both of you,
Karen
It was hard to concentrate on this post when all I could picture was me eating that piece of delicious treat you have as the picture!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the awesome links, always good to learn something new!
It's my birthday today and a friend bought me a goodie-a fabulous chocolate cream pie from a local bakery. A bakery I'm planning on using as a 'resource' now! Does that count?:)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the links. I now have new writing resources too!
I know it's been mentioned, but Adventures in Children's Publishing has some really great friday links. They know all, see all in the great wide Internets each week.
ReplyDeleteThey could be watching us right now...
Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse
Hi Karen, I recently ran across the Thesaurus website too! Loved it! Has so many great suggestions!
ReplyDeleteKaren, those are good questions to ask an agenmt. I'm sure a there are a lot of lazy ones out there who just show up for a pay check but aren't very motivated.
ReplyDeleteStephen Tremp
Jen,
ReplyDeleteSorry that it was a distraction. Want me to put a picture of brussels sprouts on the next post? You are most welcome to the links:)
Lynn,
Yes, I think it does. I like the way you think! Happy Birthday!
Angela,
I will have to check that one out, thanks! Have heard of it but never checked it out.
Jody,
I know, it does, and it's a great thing:) I'll be watching for great words in your next book:)
Stephen,
Good point. I know I am not too knowledgeable in that area and will take all the help I can get!
Thanks to all of you for coming by!
Blessings,
Karen
Karen:
ReplyDeleteYou always have such helpful links on writing. Thank you for all your research.
Cecelia,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! I appreciate you stopping and hope you find these links helpful.
Blessings,
Karen
The editor of my book told me, "You need to whittle down this door-stopper of a book."
ReplyDeleteYes, my book is about 30,000 words too many.
But we also discussed the two types of writers: outliners and "organic" writers.
I've never outlined (though, I've taught it). I always write first and reshape later. I write a lot knowing that I will have to bid adieu to much of my efforts