Thursday, August 12, 2010

Writing Resources



I often get questions about how to get into freelance or other writing, so thought I'd share some of my favorite writing resources. There are so many great sites, blogs, newsletters, classes, and other treasures available for all genres.

Here's a small sampling.

Funds for Writers is the brainchild of Hope Clark, and features newsletters, books, markets, contests, and grants for writers. FFW has been voted as one of Writer's Digest 101 Best Web Sites for Writers since 2001.

Writing for Dollars  is another stop chock full of articles, markets, books, a newsletter, and even a daily cartoon.

Long Ridge Writer's Group offers courses for writers, articles, chat rooms, forums, and helpful links.

LRWG is the sister school of The Institute of Children's Literature, where I took several courses (which were excellent, btw). ICL's site also has great links, chat rooms, markets, a bookstore, contests, and more.

Writing, Etc., where Beth Ann Erickson is in charge, has articles, e-courses, books, advice, and a newsletter.

Writer's Digest not only has a great magazine, their website boasts articles, tips and info, courses, and a weekly newsletter.

Coffeehouse for Writers offers t-shirts, mugs, and other gifts for writers, as well as online courses, critique groups, newsletters, links, and a blog.

This list barely scratches the surface of the resources at our fingertips, but perhaps a link or two will inspire or help on your writing journey. You know me, I'll share more links in the future. :)

What are some of your favorite writing resources or tips? What advice would you give to someone just jumping into this writing life?

Have a wonderful weekend!
Blessings,
Karen

31 comments :

  1. I have four sites on the right side of my blog that are familiar to most people. One is a bit unique: Annette's Paper Trail. She has a little bit about a lot of things that are most helpful to new and veteran bloggers and writers.

    Stephen Tremp

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  2. Thanks Karen, is this a new blog design or do you have two? I think it looks great!

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  3. Hi Karen .. it's always useful to have reference sources .. and these links can be so helpful - great you've let us have yours ..

    Have a great weekend .. Hilary

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  4. Great links, thanks for sharing them. Hope you're having a great week! :O)

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  5. I would suggest Faithwriters.com Their weekly challeges forced me to write and learn!

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  6. Great list, Karen. I would like to give a thumbs up for the FaithWriters' forums. The guys there are really active and are happy to answer any questions, take polls, give quotes, etc.
    Also, Christina Katz' Prosperous Writer ezine and classes are great.
    Have a great day!

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  7. Great list! Will check out Faithwriters!!
    Thanks.
    Patti

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  8. Stephen,
    I will check those out, thanks! I know I've seen them but haven't taken the time. I am sure they will be good:)

    Jennie,
    This look is somewhat new; glad you like it. You are most welcome to the links. Hope they are helpful!

    Hilary,
    Yes, I agree. So many resources at our fingertips! You are most welcome, and would love to hear about ones you like.

    Alex,
    Thanks, they've been a great help to me. There are so many out there, you know?

    Diane,
    You are welcome. The week has been good. How about your week so far?

    Terri,
    Yes, that is another great resource; glad you mentioned it. Lots of good stuff there! Thanks:)

    Carol,
    Yes, these are two great resources! I've heard a lot about Christina but have yet to take one of her classes. Soon perhaps:)

    Thanks and blessings to each of you,
    Karen

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  9. Patti,
    Think you will enjoy it. Lots of great stuff there!
    Blessings,
    Karen

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  10. Hmm. That's interesting. I'll try to hop over to a couple of those.

    I've been active in the past at Faithwriters as well (placed in a couple of their contests and got two pieces published in an anthology). That's a good site, too.

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  11. Wow, thanks! I printed this page out and will check them later. I appreciate all the time you spend to help us, Karen.

    Love
    Jen

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  12. Hello Karen...I love reading blogs of fellow writers. Also enjoy all of the writing websites. As for advice to fledglings, have a LOT of patience and be in this for the long haul. Writing is a constant source of joy! Thanks for all the great references, Karen. Susan

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  13. Thanks, Karen, for mentioning my site, Coffeehouseforwriters.com. We have some great, new online classes in store for September. Also, thanks for sharing Faith Writers and Writing, Etc...I'm on my way there now!

    Regards,
    Jennifer

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  14. Thanks for the list and that Faith Writers mentioned in the comments is something I'm going to check into, too.

    I've also heard great things about Holly Lisle's workshops http://howtothinksideways.com/

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  15. Check out Christian Writer Submissions; it's a valuable resource too. Thanks for this post.

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  16. Thank you for the resources! The best advice a writer can get is to keep writing no matter what!

    BTW, Michael Hyatt published my article on his blog! I am so excited! Try to check it out if you get a chance! http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/08/in-defense-of-self-help-books.html

    Many blessings!

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  17. Rhonda,
    Next list will include Faith Writers; it completely slipped my mind when writing this post! Thanks for the reminder.

    Jeanette,
    You are welcome. These are staples in the resource department, anyway:)

    Susan,
    You are right, this is good advice! You do have to figure on being in it for the long haul!

    Jennifer,
    You are welcome; it's a great site with great helps for writers! Hope the other sites are helpful too:)

    Margo,
    Holly's workshops sound interesting. I will have to check that out, thanks!

    Linda,
    You know, I think I've heard of them but need to check them out. Thanks!

    Thanks and blessings to each of you,
    Karen

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  18. Alisa,
    Congrats on getting the article published! Will hop over there when I get a chance. Your advice is good; the more we write, the more we improve!
    Blessings,
    Karen

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  19. Karen:
    Thank you for these good links. I subscribe to Hope's newsletter and to Dan Case's. I checked out two of the others. I have taken the Writer's Digest at different times in my pursuit of the craft. These are good resources!

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  20. Thanks for ideas of additional sites to check out :-) Another place I find very helpful is Fiction Notes, www.darcypattison.com

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  21. Cecelia,
    You are welcome! They are tried and true favorites, that's for sure.

    Kenda,
    You are welcome too:) Thanks for that link; I will have to check it out!

    Have a great weekend,
    Karen

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  22. Great list of resources Karen! I LOVE Writer's Digest and eat it up the second I receive it in the mail.

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  23. Thanks for the links, Karen and Margo's right. Holly's site is awesome and she's a great lady and teacher.

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  24. Anne,
    Thanks! These are my favorites. WD is such a great source of everything:)

    Victoria,
    You are welcome;) Will definitely check Holly's site out, thanks for the reminder!

    Blessings to both of you,
    Karen

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  25. Karen, how generous of you to share these with us. I briefly visited these, and I'll return many times.

    When I was trying to sell my memoir and it had already been rejected by several agents, I decided I was going to market it myself. Of course I could only send to small publishers, who would accept unagented materials. I decided to send it to as many publishers as were appropriate. I found a website that had links to all the independent publishers. It was just what I needed... I sent it to 33 publishers, and lo and behold, I sold the book! It took many hours to sort through these, but in the end it was worth it.

    That website is: http://www.newpages.com/book-publishers/

    (Is there a way to create a link in the comments section of blogs? I've never figured that out.)

    Thanks again, Karen.

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  26. Hi Karen..thanks for this wonderful list. Will check them out over the weekend.

    The only advice I can and will give to someone starting their writing journey is that they must have loads of patience, immense faith in themselves and be ready to face rejection and criticism.

    Have a great Weekend!

    Rachna

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  27. Saloma,
    That is wonderful news, and congrats to you! This link, I am sure, will be helpful to others. As far as creating a link in the comments, I am not sure how to do that. I'll have to play around with it and see.

    Rachna,
    Good advice! It does take perseverance and a strong mindset that this is what one is called to do.

    Thanks and blessings to each of you,
    Karen

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  28. This is a great list! Some I know. Some are new. I'll be checking those out. Thanks.

    I gotta give a shout-out for Jody Hedlund's blog. Such good concise information and inspiration.

    http://jodyhedlund.blogspot.com/

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  29. I've added a few a these that I didn't have already on my ever growing list of resources. I don't think I can ever keep up with them all, but they are nice to be able to reference if I want to.

    Lee
    Tossing It Out

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  30. Sandra,
    Thanks:) And you are welcome! I agree; Jody's blog is a good one.

    Lee,
    I know; it's hard to keep up with them all, but it sure is nice to know they are there!

    Thanks and blessings to you both,
    Karen

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Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Have a blessed day!