A list of writing resources that have helped me so far in my writing journey! Definitely not an exhautive list, but it is at least a start 🙂
Writing Craft Books
- Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody
- 90 Days to your Novel by Sarah Domet
- On Writing by Stephen King
- The Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi
- Bird by Bird by Anne Lemott
- Dan Harmon’s Story Circle (not a book, but a story-telling method)
- The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition by E.B. White and William Strunk Jr.
Online Courses
- Brandon Sanderson
- Brandon Sanderson (fantasy author) has posted his entire university lecture series on writing for free online.
- Masterclass
- Full courses from authors including N.K. Jemison, Dan Brown, Margaret Atwood
- BBC Maestro
- Full courses from authors including Jojo Moyes, Ken Follet, Lee Child
- Writer’s Digest University
- Courses on querying, first pages, self-publishing, outlining your novel, short-stories
- The Manuscript Academy
- Membership includes access to all courses and agent critiques.
- Courses on writing craft, the publishing industry, writing for children, and adult fiction and non-fiction
- Udemy
- On demand, webinar-style courses on anything from basic grammar to writing a scene, to creating dynamic characters.
Podcasts / YouTube Channels / Substack
- Alyssa Matesic / Chapter Break
- Helpful videos on writing craft, the publishing industry, and critiques of queries and first pages.
- The Sh*t No One Tells You About Writing
- Excellent podcast where two literary agents read submitted query letters and first pages and provide live feedback on how to improve. Also have a Substack page where you can subscribe and see their detailed notes.
- Jane Friedman
- Industry professional with lots of great advice and some courses
Beta Readers
Beta Readers are one of the most important steps in the writing journey. They give you the reader perspective on your work. BUT they are just an opinion. You can take their comments or leave them—it’s your story in the end.
- Friends and family are great but if you’re serious about improving your story, you need feedback from others who won’t hold back
- Find a local or online writing community – many critique groups out there!
- Or hire a reader (Fiverr – good place to hire a beta reader who will provide you with an honest critique. Choose carefully, read the reviews, watch for scams.)
Editing
First drafts are meant to suck. The story comes alive through editing, and re-editing, and editing some more.
- Learn to be a cut-throat self-editor. Learn proper grammar, remove filter words (I thought, I saw, I felt), remove unnecessary words (and, that, there, just, etc.)
- IF NEEDED, hire an editor.
- Reedsy is a great place to find editors for every stage of writing.
- Editors Canada has an online directory of editors, searchable by genre
Online Tools
- Manuscript Wishlist
- Literary Agents list what they are looking for in terms of genres, topics, tropes, etc. Not all agents are on here though and sometimes it’s not updated so always reference an agent’s direct/personal website
- QueryTracker
- When you get to the glorious stage of trying to find a literary agent, this service helps you keep track of what you’ve sent, when agents are open for submissions, and their response/request rate
- Submission Grinder (free) / Duotrope (paid)
- Both track submissions to literary magazines
Short Stories
- Short stories are a great way to hone your craft and feel a sense of accomplishment for finishing something.
- List of Canadian Literary Magazines accepting submissions – read about the journal before submitting and make sure to follow their submission guidelines.
Writing contests
- NYC Midnight
- Great way to get started in writing short-stories. Time-bound contests, given genre, action and prompt word. Feedback from judges provided for every story, supportive community of writers.
- Elegant literature
- Monthly contests for new writers only
- Each month has a different theme and prompt word. Winners are published and paid!
Other tips and tricks
- READ, READ, READ. Know your genre, but read widely in other genres
- Find a writing community – they are your best source of support when things get rough
- Do your own thing – everyone and their dog will have writing advice to give you. Do what works for you.
- Be patient. Writing is a craft like any other and takes time to learn. Your first draft will never be perfect. Writing is perfected in the editing process.
- Let your work breathe. When you think you’re finished with a piece, let it sit. For a week or a month, or a year. When you come back to it you will be seeing it with new eyes and will pick up on things you will have missed when you’re too close.
- The publishing industry is subjective. If you want to be traditionally published, get comfy with rejection and keep going. As long as you enjoy what you’re doing, that’s all that matters.
- Self-publishing or hybrid publishing are also legitimate ways to go – but don’t rush it, make sure it’s the right path for you, and make sure your book is in the best shape it can be.
- Go outside. Most of my writing is done when I’m not sitting in front of the screen. Take a walk, clean the kitchen, make a meal. Your mind will continue working on your story. Being a writer means your stories are never out of sight!