Who hasn't dreamed of being a writer? Sometimes it's because we read a book that's
so good
that it inspires us, and we just have to get the words down on paper. Other times, it's because we read a book that's
so bad
and we need to show the idiot author how it's done.
Some of us are hard sci-fi geeks, and some want our names synonymous with Rowling or King. Some of us are poets, some are novelists, and some are screenwriters. Whatever our preferences, we all want to write.
But that is terrifying .
Especially for beginners. How do you do character development? How do you create a magic system? How do you choose which point of view to use? How do you--
Stop. Deep breath.
It's all right. Questions are totally natural. In fact, they're good . It means that you're willing to learn how to be a better writer.
On this page will be an ongoing list of blog posts, YouTube videos, and books to help you with those questions. Some of them are created by me. Others are resources that I have found incredibly helpful for my own writing. Obviously each writer is different, so some of these might not work for you. But give them a shot.
Oh! And if you come across something on your journey that you think I might be interested in, let me know ! We're all students in this.
Some of us are hard sci-fi geeks, and some want our names synonymous with Rowling or King. Some of us are poets, some are novelists, and some are screenwriters. Whatever our preferences, we all want to write.
But that is terrifying .
Especially for beginners. How do you do character development? How do you create a magic system? How do you choose which point of view to use? How do you--
Stop. Deep breath.
It's all right. Questions are totally natural. In fact, they're good . It means that you're willing to learn how to be a better writer.
On this page will be an ongoing list of blog posts, YouTube videos, and books to help you with those questions. Some of them are created by me. Others are resources that I have found incredibly helpful for my own writing. Obviously each writer is different, so some of these might not work for you. But give them a shot.
Oh! And if you come across something on your journey that you think I might be interested in, let me know ! We're all students in this.
My Own Two Cents (re: Crap I've Written):
7 Ways to Conquer Writer's Block
Character Creation:
Questions Every Author Should Ask Their Major Characters
How to Write Black Characters (when You are Not Black)
How to Write Women Characters
Everything to do with romantic subplots:
Writing Romantic Subplots, Part I and Part II
How NOT to Write a Romantic Subplot
Writing Romantic Subplots AFTER "The Big Kiss"
On Writing Sex (Guest Post by Jacqui Greaves)
Story tips:
How to Kill Off Your Characters (and then Bring Them Back)
Damsels in Distress: How to Do it Right (Podcast)
The Hero's Journey (Podcast)
Writing a Trilogy (Guest Post by Anna Stephens)
Worldbuilding
Writing Magic Systems
The business side:
How to Deal with Rejection Letters
How Writers and Bloggers Can Stay Organized
My own YouTube Channel Dragons, Zombies & Aliens has an "On Writing" Playlist if you prefer the video/podcast format.
Character Creation:
Questions Every Author Should Ask Their Major Characters
How to Write Black Characters (when You are Not Black)
How to Write Women Characters
Everything to do with romantic subplots:
Writing Romantic Subplots, Part I and Part II
How NOT to Write a Romantic Subplot
Writing Romantic Subplots AFTER "The Big Kiss"
On Writing Sex (Guest Post by Jacqui Greaves)
Story tips:
How to Kill Off Your Characters (and then Bring Them Back)
Damsels in Distress: How to Do it Right (Podcast)
The Hero's Journey (Podcast)
Writing a Trilogy (Guest Post by Anna Stephens)
Worldbuilding
Writing Magic Systems
The business side:
How to Deal with Rejection Letters
How Writers and Bloggers Can Stay Organized
My own YouTube Channel Dragons, Zombies & Aliens has an "On Writing" Playlist if you prefer the video/podcast format.
Favorite YouTube Channels:
Artifexian
Just Write
Hello Future Me
The Closer Look
Trope Talk playlist by Overly Sarcastic Productions
Just Write
Hello Future Me
The Closer Look
Trope Talk playlist by Overly Sarcastic Productions
Books on Writing:
On Writing
by Stephen King
Writing Great Books for Young Adults by Regina Brooks
Now Write! Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror: Speculative Genre Exercises from Today's Best Writers and Teachers edited by Laurie Lamson
The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers by Christopher Vogler
The Story Grid: What Good Editors Know by Shawn Coyne
Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: the Last Book on Novel Writing You'll Ever Need by Jessica Brody
Writing Great Books for Young Adults by Regina Brooks
Now Write! Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror: Speculative Genre Exercises from Today's Best Writers and Teachers edited by Laurie Lamson
The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers by Christopher Vogler
- LOVE this one! If you can only afford one of these books, get this one.
The Story Grid: What Good Editors Know by Shawn Coyne
Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: the Last Book on Novel Writing You'll Ever Need by Jessica Brody
- It's not the last book on novel-writing you'll ever need, but it is definitely something that should be on your bookshelf.