5 Ways to Improve Your Craft Inexpensively

One common trait among many of us is that we don't have a lot of extra money to spend on our writing craft. Sure, one or two conferences or classes a year are in the budget--maybe--but many writers I speak to are working day jobs and writing on the side OR busy with freelance jobs that pay the bills while they work on their creative projects in the wee hours of the morning.

Luckily, in today's global and cyber-connected writing community, there are several inexpensive and often FREE ways to improve our writing craft:

1. Read Blogs & Free E-zines: There's a world of free information at your fingertips if you have a computer and Internet connection (which you can get for free at coffee shops and libraries). Of course, WOW! is a great resource, but we're not the only online writing resource out there. Authors, agents, writing groups, and more write about their experiences and knowledge for writers everywhere to read. If you have never checked out Writer's Digest 101 Best Websites for Writers, which we are thankful to have been included on many times, then go to the link when you finish my blog post. (Not before--or you will never come back and read my wise words. Wink Wink. )

2. Free Webinars: These exist everywhere, too. Usually, professionals who want to give you a taste of their services provide one-hour informational webinars, so you can learn from them and decide if you want to pay them to help you with your writing. But these free webinars are full of information that can help you improve your craft. All you have to do is Google "free writing webinars," and you will see the vast amount of resources available. Also, if you write memoirs, WOW!'s partner, National Association of Memoir Writers ,often offer free webinars.

3. Critique Groups: My critique groups have been so valuable to me and of course, completely free. I am lucky, I know, to have moved as often as I have and find amazing critique groups each time. But if you are not in a critique group, somehow find one. I have found mine through local writing groups or national organizations', such as SCBWI, regional chapters. You can also start your own. If you live in a community with a library or coffee shop, post a sign. There are also several online opportunities to connect with like-minded writers who will critique your work in return for critiquing theirs.

4. Write Every Day: I won't go on and on about this. It is common sense. If you want to improve something, you practice it. If you do steps 1 to 3 above, then you put into practice what you learned when you write every day (or every other day--whatever works for you). The point is write on a regular basis and improve.

5. Learn From Library Books: Library books are free. Libraries buy the books that you hear about on writing sites, such as Stephen King's On Writing or Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird and countless others. Check them out for free.

Got any other ideas?

Margo L. Dill is a writing coach, published children's author, blogger, editor, and instructor. Find out more at margoldill.com. To sign up for her WOW! novel course, go here. 

"Free" photo above  by Shane Adams from Flickr.com

Read More »

3 comments critique groups, free articles, libraries, Margo L. Dill, Webinars, Writer's Digest, writing blogs, writing resources

Writing Center Resources: Not Just for Students

As a college composition and communications instructor at several universities in central Pennsylvania, I compile writing resources for my students so they can receive help with their writing even when they’re not in class or on campus. These are all resources that are free for you to use, too.

Almost all colleges and universities have a writing center or a tutoring center that offers help with writing. Although non-students do not have access to some of those writing center resources, like one-on-one writing appointments, many do offer free online sources that can benefit any writer, not just students or new writers.

from Morgan.edu

Because they’re affiliated with academic institutions, writing center resources do have a lot of advice for academic writing and citation styles, but they also offer a wealth of information on many other writing skills necessary for creative fiction and nonfiction writers and/or for writers who are creating marketing and promotion materials (like web site writing, blogs, etc.).

The following are some of my favorite writing center resources. But this is not a limiting list. Check out the writing centers for just about any college or university to find additional writing tips and tricks.

OWL of Purdue at Purdue University

Writing@CSU at Colorado State University
Note: this has resources for fiction writers

The Writing Center at UNC Chapel Hill

College Writing Programs Resources at UCal Berkeley

Nesbitt-Johnston Writing Center at Hamilton College (my alma mater!).
Fun fact: during my senior year at college I printed copies of the Seven Deadly Sins of Writing and hung them on my dorm room wall. Yes, yes I did.


As a non-student, have you ever used college or university resources, and if so, which resources did you use and in what ways were they helpful? Do you have other a-typical writing resources to suggest?

Written by: Anne Greenawalt, writer and writing instructor

Read More »

1 comment academic resources, Anne Greenawalt, writing center, writing resources

Tap Into TV for Ideas

I'll be the first to admit that the TV in our house is tuned in close to 15 hours a day, either to The Weather Channel (my husband farms and weather dictates his daily routine) or a news network.

The majority of the time, neither of us watches.

But, I listen. Intently.

In fact, the idea for this blog post title came from a commercial for a new fall sit-com that uses the word 'tap' to make a point.

That commercial got me thinking. Television supplies myriad ideas for writing, both fiction and non-fiction. A lot of times, I'll watch segments of Today and wonder how the latest news item applies to the region where I live. I also investigate Natalie's "Trending Topics" and try to find a correlation. Then, I send a query to a magazine or newspaper where the story is a good fit. And usually, I land an assignment.

If you get wrapped up in The Doctors or Dr. Oz, you may just find a topic for an article. Or maybe a disease that the antagonist suffers from in your latest fiction.

The History Channel, Biography, TLC, Current TV, ESPN, The Food Network. Each channel has its own specific format and programming list, but select a show and you'll discover a list of possible topics.

Need help with character development? Watch a sitcom or drama and you'll undoubtedly come up with mannerisms, speech patterns, or quirks that can easily take your character from dull to daring.

I'm not advocating you sit in front of the tube all day. But, I do believe the TV should be viewed as another idea source, offering a wealth of information on a wide range of topics.

So, go ahead, grab the remote, and tap into an overflowing resource of ideas.

by LuAnn Schindler. Original graphic by LuAnn Schindler. Read more of LuAnn's work at her website.

Read More »

Leave a Comment finding topics, LuAnn Schindler, TV as a resource, TV shows, writing ideas, writing resources

Keeping Your Writing World Straight

Like me, you probably love the convenience of keeping your writing world straight through various methods such as online calendars, spreadsheets, maybe even your phone. I rely on my MacBook’s iCal and my phone’s calendar myself. Still, there’s an appeal to seeing my daily plans, schemes and dreams written out on the page. As a result, I’ve returned to A Working Writer’s Daily Planner, a helpful resource I first came across last year.

Of course there’s a calendar with space to set up yearly, monthly and weekly goals, but there’s much more. Between the pages you’ll find a selection of upcoming contest deadlines listed on calendar pages, and expanded lists with more detailed competition info. Glance at the reading lists, including the monthly “Read Around the World” list of international writers for your next selection. There’s a easy submission tracker to keep your records in order. And if you need ideas on what to write, try some of the prompts or exercises. All accompanied by attractive, black & white and full-color photos.

Yeah, it’s definitely low-tech, but for me, it’s a nifty way to rein in my writing life. Check it out for yourself here.

So, what ways do you keep your writing world straight? Please share them!

By Jill Earl

Read More »

7 comments 'A Working Writer's Daily Planner 2011', Jill Earl, writing, writing resources, writing tools

Smart Phones and Apps that Aide Writers

There's an app for that. The smart phones do so much more than make calls or connect to the internet.  The smart phone is expanding the laptop (a writer's best tool). There's an abundance of apps to make the writer's life easier and more productive.

On The Go-Lightning Fast Service 

Writers can't always take a laptop with us, but most of them keep their cell phones close by. The speed with which the phone connects to the internet is amazing. Emails on the fly, and access to social media sites day or night makes the smart phone a must have tool for writers. It's easy to get bogged down by the massive amounts of emails that are received. With the addition of Facebook, Twitter and other social media groups, emails grow faster than stars popping out on a clear night.   Each new message comes with an audible nudge, like saying "Droid". The email can be handled at a convenient time, view it, delete it or file it.  

Access to Social Media

After the smart phone notifies the user of a new entry from the social media service she has subscribed to, it makes an easy transition from email to Facebook, Twitter, MySpace or any other site the writer has joined.

Calendar

Synchronizing an online calendar with your phone makes it easy to add and remove entries. It's a great way to stay on top of writing schedules. The Muffin's calendar is a free calendar provided by Google. Sync several calendars together add icons and reminders. The email reminder is very useful. Writing schedules, events, appointments and birthdays reside on the same calendar.  

News and Weather Updates

Read the latest updates from sites you subscribe to using RSS. Google reader is accessible to the pc and the phone.  

In order to expand their horizons, writers need to be aware of current events and the news. Traveling to a writer's conference or taking your books in for a signing? What's the weather going to be doing in that area?

Office Programs

Read PDF's, make out invoices, edit documents and perform other office tasks right from the phone.

Reader

Download books and articles to smart phone apps like the Kindle or Google reader. The color or of the screen and the size of the print can be adjusted.

Camera

Early morning on the riverbank with the fog clinging to cattails, storm clouds rolling in like dust raised by a thousand buffalos or a meadow sprinkled with yellow flowers are just a few scenarios that could make a great setting for a story. How wonderful to snap a photo, save it, email it or post it immediately to a social media. There are free sights that the photos upload to for safe storage and easy access when the writer needs to refresh her mind.

Music

Music sets the perfect mood for work or relaxation. Subscriptions to internet radio, YouTube or other places that supply music steam easily to the smart phone.

 
Voice Notes Recorder

Of all the apps, the Voice recorder is the most valuable for recording ideas, notes, character studies and location descriptions. Read articles or chapters into the voice recorder to hear the rhythm of the writing. Name the voice notes and add typed notes in the description to aide in recall. The use of this app is as vast as the sky.

This is just a sampling of the power behind the smart phones. With a little research, apps as vast as the universe can be found either on a pc, laptop or with internet access from the phone. New apps are created every day. In addition, calls to a publisher, editor or critique partner can be placed from the cell phone.

Source

Cher'ley Grogg *"The Droid"  http://cell-phones.suite101.com/article.cfm/operating-the-smart-phone

Lightning Photo by Randy Head http://www.flickr.com/photos/utahphotos/4887473283/in/pool-27742796@N00/

Storm Clouds and Moon Photo by http://www.freenaturepictures.com/cloud-pictures-3.php
Sam

Read More »

1 comment applications, Cherley Groggpublisher, Droid, Smart phone, writing resources

Writer's Yearbook 2010: A Review

By Jill Earl

One of the things I look forward to at year’s end is picking up a copy of Writer’s Digest’s annual Writer’s Yearbook, another aid for helping writers be the best we can be.

I like ‘The Year in Review’, a rundown of the newsmakers and trends that made headlines in the publishing world. In addition, there’s the listing of the ‘Top 101 Websites for Writers’ that appears in the Digest itself.

My favorite section in the Yearbook continues to be the ‘100 Best Book and Magazine Markets for Writers’. I can count on finding a market or two that I’ve never heard of, and this compilation is a lot less overwhelming than its much larger sibling, Writer’s Market.

Don’t forget the usual helps such as dealing with rejection letters, crafting successful queries, advice on finding the right agent and the like. It’s these resources that keeps me coming back year after year.

The latest edition of Writer’s Yearbook can be found in bookstores. You can also find back issues at the F+W Publications site at http://www.fwmagazines.com/category/writers-yearbook

The Writer’s Yearbook. Check it out and get a jump on setting yourself up for a more productive and successful new year.

Read More »

2 comments Jill Earl, Writer's Yearbook, writers resources, writing resources

Making the ‘Write’ Connection on Facebook

By Jill Earl

Whether you’re a newcomer to Facebook, or know your way about the social networking site, you might be wondering if there’s an easier way to connect with writers. Take a peek at two of the resources I’ve found helpful.

First up is Creative Writing Sites on Facebook - an Index. Use it to look up authors' business pages, writing programs, writers' groups, writers' retreats and residencies, presses, magazines, workshop communities, the list goes on. According to the site, this index, which was established February 2008, is now at 840 listings.

Next is Creative Writing Blogs on Facebook - A Directory. Established December 2008 and comprised of 110 blogs so far, it’s great for locating writing-oriented blog networks and blogs.

Since both are open groups on the site, you’re free to list your own site or blog, useful for getting your name out there and networking with writing peers globally.

Keep in mind that you do have to join Facebook in order to access the directories and click through to the links, though.

Creative Writing Sites on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8539923410

Creative Writing Blogs on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=52662804736

Check them out and make the ‘write’ connection on Facebook for yourself!

Read More »

Leave a Comment connecting with writers on Facebook, Jill Earl, writing resources

Keeping It All Together

By Jill Earl

When it comes to navigating this writing road I’ve chosen to take (or did it choose me?), I need all the help I can get. So when I kept seeing ads for a calendar tailored to writers, I wanted to check it out for myself. Especially since I noticed that Funds For Writers editor C. Hope Clark featured it in her newsletters.

The verdict? Again, a recommendation from Ms. Clark proves to be a winner. The Bylines Writer's Desk Calendar, created by editor and writer Sylvia Forbes, is a great tool for writers. Besides the prerequisite calendar, you can find weekly inspiration from fellow writers eager to share their triumphs and challenges. You can set up yearly, monthly and weekly goals with ease. There are a number of trackers for your use. You can even become a contributor for Bylines, although the submission deadline for 2010 is February 1st, 2009.

I’m definitely a fan of this little book! Makes organizing my life not only easier, but a bit more fun. Take a look for yourself at http://www.bylinescalendar.com/.

And while we’re on the subject, when it comes to writing, what are some tools you use to keep it all together?

Read More »

Leave a Comment Bylines Writer's Desk Calendar, Jill Earl, writing, writing resources

A Quote A Day Brings Inspiration Your Way

By Jill Earl

Found a very interesting blog a few days ago, ‘Quotes on Writing’, created by writer Jim Harrington. Each post begins with a favorite quote of his, then addresses a specific writing topic that he’s used to help him grow as a writer.

Mr Harrington stated in a sidebar on his blog, “My purpose in writing this blog is to clarify in my own mind some of these topics and, hopefully, to stimulate the reader to do the same.” He pulls those quotes from resources such as articles, other websites and books.

In my opinion, he’s accomplished his goal. In the short time I’ve been checking out the blog, I’ve been stimulated by his thoughts and inspired by the quote on a specific day’s topic.

For instance, a quote from Kay Marie Porterfield’s article, ‘10 Reasons to Write Flash Fiction’ is the stepping-off point for the January 14th post, ‘Curing Prosaic Diarrhea’. Here, Mr. Harrington discusses how writing flash fiction helped him write in a concise manner, and he also offers tips to get started. I’ve already bookmarked that particular post for future reference.

Interested? Take a look for yourself at: http://quotesonwriting.blogspot.com/

And let some quotes a day bring some writing inspiration your way.

Read More »

2 comments 'Quotes on Writing', Jill Earl, Jim Harrington, writing, writing inspiration, writing resources

Inked-In: A Place for Writers

By Jill Earl

After lurking about for a while, I made the decision. I’m joining Inked-In.

Not to be mistaken with Linked-In, the social networking site geared more towards professionals, Inked-In is tailored for writers, musicians and other artists, and is the social network of The Burry Man Writers Center, out of the British Isles.

You can expect many of the same features of other social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and the rest. With The Burry Man’s focus on providing resources for over a decade, established and emerging writers definitely have a place on Inked-In.

As I surfed my way through the site recently, I found someone looking for a poet to write liner notes for their CD. There was a encouraging post for writers dealing with ever-present rejection letters. Event notices came from cities around the U.S.

Of course, you can’t forget the numerous groups to join, such as ‘NaNoWriMo Participants’, ‘Indie Ink’, ‘I Write Because I Have To’ and ‘Fumbling Towards Discipline’, to name only a few.

Hmm, might have to give that last one a serious look.

Inked-In’s reach is wide-reaching. One my last visit, I noticed another new member from the Baltimore, Maryland area--Dundalk, to be precise. Only a short distance from me.

And in the end, it’s about community. An important--and necessary--aspect of the often-solitary life of a writer.

Go check it for yourself. There might be a place for you too.

Inked-In: http://inkedin.ning.com/

Read More »

1 comment Inked-In, Jill Earl, social networking for writers, writers' community, writing, writing resources