Resources
Writing may be a solitary effort but few can write or publish in a vacuum. Links in gold.
Now, I have always been a little scared of the idea of writing a screenplay or theater script. I'm sure there are all sorts of tiny, seemingly meaningless rules I would quickly break. However, one reader sent a link to an excellent article about how to get started if screen/script writing interests you. I'll probably step aside and let braver souls than I take this particular journey but the advice available in this series could prove to be invaluable. (Thank you Ms. Martin and Anna!)
Ever wonder where to find more of the latest news in publishing? From book banning to book deals to book reviews (and most everything in between!), Publisher's Weekly probably covers it. More in depth and diverse than Friedman's excellent Hot Sheet, PW offers a little bit of everything. The subscription is a little spendy ranging from $169 to $199 annually (depending on your delivery preference) but if you can swing it, it's worth perusing.
When your characters get stuck in a weird, eye-rolling loop, and you're struggling to come up with another way to express irritation or annoyance, consider diving into this super helpful resource. This book won't provide all the possible ways to express each and every emotion. But, you'd be surprised what reading the suggestions will jog loose. ISBN:978-0-9992963-9-4
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Worth mentioning, Ackerman and Puglisi have put together a host of other helpful reference books:
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The Conflict Thesaurus
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The Emotional Wound Thesaurus
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The Negative Trait Thesaurus
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The Positive Trait Thesaurus
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The Rural Setting Thesaurus
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The Urban Setting Thesaurus
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The Occupation Thesaurus
If you're interested in the most recent new from the publishing world, whether that news is which markets are trending, what moves publishing houses are making, or are curious about emerging technologies in the e-reading world, Friedman's Hot Sheet is an invaluable resource. This is a subscription based newsletter and while you can get your first two issues free (they come to your inbox every two weeks), if you enjoy the content, you'll have to fork over some cash. The newsletter is currently $59/year which is comparable to an annual subscription to the New York Times or Washington Post. Not cheap but in an age when reliable information is the best prescription, I feel it's worth the investment.
Let's face it. Most books about how to write are pretty dry and stuffy. Story Genius: How to Use Brain Science to Go Beyond Outlining and Write a Riveting Novel is a breath of fresh air. If you like, you can read it clean through or...and this is the best part...you can skip directly to the chapters or sections you feel most directly answer your concerns. Whether it's determining who or what the story is REALLY about or layering in side quests and secondary characters, Cron can help.
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***The link takes you to Amazon. I do not receive any kickback for your purchase or for this plug.
When you're stuck and just need someone to talk it through, give Gabriela Blandy's YouTube channel a thorough browsing. I'd be willing to bet she has some helpful hints and tips, or outright wisdom to impart. And, if you're an American, well, let's just say her charming accent will keep your attention. Gabriela is a brilliant advocate for the writing community. Just click the link in the title line to check out her content!
If you have an edited, proofed, revised work ready to go...and are interested in pursuing traditional publishing, look into Manuscript Wishlist. This site in an invaluable resource for finding agents accepting queries and how to submit your work for consideration. The link in the title will take you to the home page to start your search.
The publishing world is twisty and turny, making it easy to become overwhelmed, disappointed, and feel defeated. Maum's book is an entertaining, reader-friendly expose of the process and what to expect at each step along the way. Available in print and ebook formats. ISBN:978-1-948226-40-0
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***The link takes you to Amazon. I do not receive any kickback for your purchase or for this plug.
Even wildly successful authors occasionally need help sorting out commas, colons, and apostrophes. Baranick's book makes the admittedly dry subjects of grammar and punctuation surprisingly entertaining. Available in print and ebook formats. ISBN:978-1-62873-750-9
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***The link takes you to Amazon. I do not receive any kickback for your purchase or for this plug.
While some of the links are to Amazon, please understand I provide them for convenience of purchase. I will always support purchasing from local booksellers and small businesses. You do you, boo boo.