Writing is hard.
There, I said it.
Being a writer can suck big time, but it’s also kinda amazing. Having the opportunity to bring stories to life and transport people to magical worlds is pretty great. And don’t forget you get to punch them right in the feels with emotionally unstable characters. Life is good.
But writing is still hard, especially if you don’t take full advantage of all the available tools out there. Here’s a list of my favorites. You’re welcome.
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ProWritingAid - The true MVP
I absolutely love ProWritingAid. This software is without a doubt the true Most Valuable Player for writers. It is so much more than just a spell-checker; the software analyses sentence structure, provides valuable insight in your writing, and even compares your writing to other famous authors’ writing. Trust me, there is no better investment than getting life-long ProWritingAid access.
IngramSpark - The place to be for self-publishing authors
IngramSpark is a great place to start your self-publishing journey. The website offers great tools to help you publish your physical and/or ebook. Did you know IngramSpark can even get your books into bookstores? Yep, they have distribution partners at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Target, Walmart, and Waterstones.
Manuscript Wishlist and QueryTracker
Ready to start querying agents? Then Manuscript Wishlist and QueryTracker are your new best friends. Both websites are some kind of Whitepages for agents where they list their wishes and contact information.
On Writing - Advice from the master himself
I’ve read a few Stephen King books over the years, but I’m afraid I’m not a fan. While I don’t like his genre, I do recognize his talent. His dedication to the craft is incredible and everybody should be impressed he does it all while “pantsing” (e.g. not outlining).
On writing starts with a memoir of Stephen’s own career and ends with specific writing advice and how to get better at the craft. As with all “expert books”, some things make sense while others are not for everyone. Keep what you like and toss what doesn’t work for you, and before you’ll know it, you’ll have your very own writing routine.
Even if the writing tips aren’t your thing, Stephen King’s journey is well worth the read. If there is one thing I learned from this book, then it’s to keep trying and never give up.
Shut up and write the book - Writing Advice from a Cyborg
A writer writing a book about how to write? Scam alert! If these writers or such best-selling authors, why are they wasting their time with a book about writing? Mind you, these are not my words but said by Jenna Moreci herself - the author of this book about writing.
You see the irony, yes? Except there is no irony here because her step-by-step guide for crafting your novel is chock-full of practical tips and how-to advice. Every author eventually creates their own process, but this book is a great way to start if you’re feeling overwhelmed or when you’re stuck somewhere in the middle ready to give up.
Jenna’s no-bullshit attitude makes for a fun read and she’s not afraid to give you the hard truths. Even though I’m not into her preferred writing genre, her advice on storytelling has helped me out more than I care to admit. Also, she’s funny as hell.
