Adventures in Editing » Writer’s Resource

Purdue University On-Line Writing Lab

Administrator — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:08:33 +0000

The Purdue OWL offers many free resources (over 200, their homepage says), including guides to MLA and APA style, grammar and mechanics information, tips on writing in the workplace, and much more—they even have online practice exercises to help you spruce up your grammar. The information is geared mostly towards writers of nonfiction, but I think just about every writer can find something useful here. Let’s face it, some of us write great poetry or short stories, but our business letters could use some work!

Idea Notebook

Administrator — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 15:35:57 +0000

Sometimes the richest resources are the ones you create for yourself. I think every writer needs a notebook in which to record and develop ideas for new writing projects. This can be anything from a pocket-size spiral notebook for quick notes to a thick loose-leaf binder. I prefer the loose-leaf option because it allows me to easily move pages around or add new pages right where I want them. Whenever you have a flash of inspiration for a writing project, write the idea at the top of its very own page in your notebook. Even if you think it might be crazy or you think you won’t be able to work on it for five years, write it down. You can add supporting notes, titles and locations of source material, names of people you need to interview, possible publishing outlets, etc., on the lines below. Newspaper or magazine clippings, brochures or photos can be paper clipped to the page. It’s your notebook—do whatever you want! Most importantly, don’t just let your ideas sit there once you’ve written them down. Flip through your notebook’s pages once in a while and pick out something to work on right now.

WOW! Women on Writing

Administrator — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:40:34 +0000

I first stumbled upon this site about a year ago, and my first thought was “Wow!” (Sorry—I couldn’t resist!) WOW! Women on Writing offers tips and advice from the pros, contests, workshops and classes, information on paying markets … The content is useful and always good. This little paragraph has taken me half an hour to write because I went to the site and got completely distracted by their articles. Seriously, I can’t imagine what more you could want from a writing Web site. Very highly recommended!

Bryson’s Dictionary for Writers and Editors (Bill Bryson)

Administrator — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:39:49 +0000

This is an inexpensive reference that can help us all sort out tricky spelling and usage issues. Yes, there are larger usage guides and “normal” dictionaries that offer the same service, but Bryson’s Dictionary tends to tell you only what you need to know right now, which is a blessing for those of us with a lot of work on our desks. This book is also fun for browsing. Just this morning I was reminded how to spell “Natty Bumppo” and “caduceus.” I also learned of a Welsh village that has the longest name in Britain. No, I won’t write out the name (trust me, it’s really long), but I will tell you it begins with the letter “L.” Look it up!

Bartleby.com

Administrator — Tue, 05 May 2009 22:39:23 +0000

Bartleby (www.bartleby.com) is an excellent resource for writers, students, researches, and other curious people. I use it most often to search for quotations, but the site’s content is wide-ranging. You can search through encyclopedias, a dictionary, usage and style guides, poetry collections, and much more. Best of all, the site is very easy to navigate. Don’t begin to explore Bartleby when you’re in a hurry—it’s easy to get distracted!

The Online Slang Dictionary

Administrator — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:47:48 +0000

The Online Slang Dictionary is a collaborative project and an indispensible source for anyone who writes or edits contemporary (mostly urban) American slang. Particularly when used in speech, slang can provide color and help establish character, but many of us aren’t sure how to spell some of these strange phrases we hear, and this is where the slang dictionary comes in. You can search for a word or phrase to find its most common spelling or meaning (also useful if you have teenagers), consult a map to see where the word is most often used, and send in your own slang suggestions if you know of a term that is not already included. This site does include explicit and/or vulgar terms, so if you are squeamish about such things, consider yourself warned.

The Writer’s Almanac with Garrison Keillor

Administrator — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 21:06:47 +0000

If you listen to National Public Radio, you are probably familiar with Garrison Keillor from A Prairie Home Companion. You may not know that Keillor also records a daily five-minute spot that includes information on important events or milestones in literature and the arts. He also reads a poem—sometimes two—every day (one of my favorite parts of the day). The Writer’s Almanac provides a morning shot of inspiration, gives me something to think about every day, and frequently makes me say, “Wow, I didn’t know that.” It’s worth a listen, and if your local NPR station doesn’t carry it, you can always take a look at the web site.

Writing Calendar

Administrator — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 16:16:34 +0000

Some of the best resources are those you create for yourself. A writing calendar can help you set and meet goals and keep track of your work over the course of the year. All you need is a calendar with enough space to record a goal or accomplishment on any given day. If you plan on entering a contest, write the deadline on your calendar. If you’re setting your own weekly, monthly, or other deadlines, write them on your calendar. When you meet or beat a deadline, add a fancy sticker to the date to mark your success. (I know this sounds like second grade, but even disciplined writers need to have fun! I once motivated myself for almost a whole year with cute penguin stickers.) At the end of the year you will be able to flip through your calendar and feel the warm glow of your writing success.

FictionPress.com

Administrator — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 17:47:22 +0000

This is a site I have only recently discovered. If you are a fiction writer or poet looking for a new outlet for your work, FictionPress.com may be the place for you. After you register and have your registration confirmed, you will be able to upload your stories, poems, or plays to be read and reviewed by others. You can also read what other folks are writing, keep track of your favorite authors and stories on the site, and even write reviews of other writers’ work (reading with a critical eye is always a great way to sharpen your own writing skills). I did some random reading around the site, and there is some quality material there. Be warned: You don’t want to stick any old slapdash writing up there. If you post anything, make sure it’s been proofed and spell-checked first—you want to make a great impression on your readers!

The Creative Writer’s Style Guide (Christopher T. Leland)

Administrator — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 16:34:51 +0000

This is a handy, accessible style guide for writers of fiction and creative nonfiction. If commas confuse you or you’re not sure when to use italics, this guide may help you. Leland lays out the basics of grammar and usage and then tackles such topics as slang, offensive language, pacing, transitions, and more.

Unless you’re exceptionally studious, you will probably not want to read this, or any, style guide straight through. Flip through the pages to get an idea of what’s inside. You may see something that intrigues you; if so, read that section. Next week, flip through and find another intriguing tidbit. Before you know it, you’ll have read a complete style guide and you’ll be a better writer for having done so.