Websites for Writers

Am I still doing this? Posting writing tips for other writers that I find on other websites, thus minimizing the actual work I have to do myself? I must be.

Anyway, I came across this bit from Tracy Marchini and thought it was first rate. Without a doubt, the first page is the most important page of your whole novel. It is the page people will open to in order to see if they want to purchase the book. It can’t just be good. It has to entice.

It also never hurts to check out other first pages to see what other authors do to hook readers. Go and visit Miss Snark's First Victimand check out the entries in her Secret Agent contests. Which ones are good? Which ones are bad? Which ones garnered a request from an agent? It’s a great way to see firsthand what works.

What are your thoughts on first pages? Any tips to share with the rest of us?

Websites for Writers

It’s been a while since I’ve done this, but sometimes there’s a site that’s so good, it just has to be shared. Literary Rambles by Casey McCormick and Natalie Aguirre is one of those. I suggest you head there now and put it in your RSS feed.

Go ahead. I’ll wait.

The focus of the blog is Children’s Literature (picture book through YA) but I think it would benefit all writers to follow. Besides the giveaways (one of which is going on right now), they have a feature called Agent Spotlight where they pick an agent and pull together all the available information online about him/her. Yes, they all rep Children’s lit, but since many also rep Adult lit, it will help. There’s also a convenient list off all their spotlighted agents.

Nice, huh? So thank you to Natalie and Casey for doing all this work. I’m book marking it for, knock on wood, when the time comes that I’ll need it.

Any other writing related websites you’d like to share?

Websites for Writers

Writer’s Digest is a source worthy of its own post. Today I’m just going to focus on a particular part of it. Chuck Sambuchino writes an excellent blog called the Guide to Literary Agentsand…are you checking it out yet?

He’s got a post on almost everything. One article has links to three of his Query Letters That Worked (a recurring feature). Another is a great source if you’re having troubles organizing your story ideas. And crafting a hook! I always need help with that.

There are also articles on new agents, by agents, and by authors on how they got agents. Hey, the blog is called Guide to Literary Agents. What did you expect? And if you want more advice, check out the blogroll. It’s really the best of the best there.

So what do you think? What are your favorite writing websites?

The Campaign Begins

EDIT: It has begun. Go now!

Well, almost. About six months ago, I joined up the Writer’s Platform Building Crusade. It was a lot of fun, what with the flash-fiction competitions and meeting new bloggers. Rachel Harrie, our wonderful host, changed the name this time around for reasons I completely understand. Some words just get a negative connotation.

So now it’s the Writers’ Platform Building Campaign, and I’m sure it’s going to be just as fun as the one in February. Signups start next Monday, the twenty second and end on the thirty first. Mark the dates in your calendars, because of course that’s the week I’m taking off from blogging and I’d hate for you to forget.

The purpose of the whole thing is to connect with new bloggers. During the last go-round, I made a lot of new bloggy friends, wrote some actual flash fiction, and just had a good time. I’m betting this Campaign will be the biggest yet and I think Rachel is, too, because you no longer have to follow each and every Campaigner, just the ones in your group. Although I guess you can if you want to : ). 

Excited yet? 

Websites for Writers

Yes, I’m still doing this : ). I bet you were lost without it. Anyway, a while back I stumbled across this gem by Storyfix.com.

Basically, it’s a list of questions you should be able to answer by the time your book is complete. Note: not your first draft, not your fifth, not your fiftieth; when it is COMPLETE. Between each draft, you should be able to answer more of the questions. Just keep in mind that you shouldn't try answering all of them in one draft.

There’s not much else for me to say. The post really speaks for itself. I strongly advise you to bookmark it and periodically check it against your story, whether you’re in the writing or editing phase.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some questions to answer…

Websites for Writers…Maybe Not

The other day, I received an email from Dropbox saying they changed their Terms of Service. Normally this isn't a big deal, but it has serious implications for us writers: Dropbox has changed their terms of service to give them free license to whatever you upload. Check out their Terms of Service and go to the section marked Your Stuff & Your Privacy.

“We sometimes need your permission to do what you ask us to do with your stuff (for example, hosting, making public, or sharing your files). By submitting your stuff to the Services, you grant us (and those we work with to provide the Services) worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sublicenseable rights to use, copy, distribute, prepare derivative works (such as translations or format conversions) of, perform, or publicly display that stuff to the extent we think it necessary for the Service. You must ensure you have the rights you need to grant us that permission.”

(Bolding is my own)

Now, I understand they need permission to reproduce your work if, say, it’s part of a file share and they need to copy it for the other computers that belong to the network. But, correct me if I’m wrong, they are saying that by backing up your files on Dropbox, they can publicly display it and they don’t need your permission. Not that I think they would. I just don’t like that they can do it at all.

Surely there is some middle ground between never copying the work (which would defeat the purpose of an internet backup) and having license to publicly display it. Is that really necessary?

Maybe this is a little paranoid, but I’m not using Dropbox anymore and I’m retracting my recommendation for it. Right now, the only one with authority to display my work is me, and I’m keeping it that way.

What do you think of these new terms of service? What do you use to back up your work?

Websites for Writers

I don’t know if you’ve heard, but literary agent Rachelle Gardner, from WordServe Literary, has a new website.

Even if you aren’t looking representation, she’s an excellent source on the agenting/publishing industry. Besides tips on writing a query or a book proposal, she has a list of other agents who blog and websites for writers. Kind of makes what I do here look pitiful : ).

Finally, she has an archive of some of her most insightful posts. Definitely check these out. There’s one on what to do if an agent calls (ah, the dream!), another on what questions to ask…I advise adding the site to your blogroll right now because she’s always posting something useful.

 I know not everyone wants or needs an agent. That's fine. But it's still helpful to read about the industry from an insider's perspective, and you can't do any better than Rachelle Gardner. Needless to say, she's also on Twitter.

Websites for Writers

Not a major website this time. But check out this list of the top 10 misused English words. I have to admit, there were some new ones for me. Instant—yeah, that makes sense. Enormity—whoa. Did not realize that. Refute—okay, it’s specific to evidence.

The others I was pretty much up on, although in all honesty, I only knew about decimate because I read THE ZOMBIE WARS. And although I realize it’s wrong, I still use less and disinterested incorrectly. I know. Shameful.

Language habits are funny. One misuse of a word can spread like a disease, one that’s highly contagious but not fatal. I don't think we have much to worry about because it takes quite a while for a word’s meaning to change even slightly. As those of you who actually read my etymology posts should know.

Are there any words you can’t help using incorrectly? Does it drive you crazy when someone says “I was so shocked my jaw literally hit the floor?” No? Just me then?

Websites for Writers

I found another awesome site. Grammar is something every writer struggles with. For example, I stick words in there that just aren’t needed. I’m also one of the many who is always writing in the passive sense when I shouldn’t be. We’ve all got something!

In order to be better self-grammar editors, check out Grammar Girl. Quick and dirty tips for better writing, indeed! I loved this post on when to use apart/ahead versus a part/a head. There’s also affect versus effect, which I still screw up all the time (getting better, though). 

My absolute favorite post would have to be the one on ending a sentence with a preposition. That has bugged me for years!

Websites For Writers

I was looking for a good website to profile and Michael Fox was kind enough to suggest Writer’s BBS. It’s a writer’s forums site, filled with people to talk with about books and writing.

The website may look a little sparse, but there’s a lot there. They have a place for general talk, critique posts, as well as places for Poetry and Non-fiction. They also have a Gold Forums feature if you want to restrict access to your posts.

It’s a good place to look for like-minded people. Go check it out. 

And if you have any suggestions for other great sites for writers, be sure to let me know. What would happen if I ran out of sites to profile?

Anarchy. That's what.

Websites for Writers

Why…what’s this? I know you can’t hear me right now, but I’m giving off a high pitched squeal.

I don’t know how many of you follow Colleen Lindsay (and I can’t imagine why you don’t) but for a while, she’s been talking about a Sekrit Project and, well, here it is. Book Country—a gathering place for writers, a place to learn about publishing, a feedback site!

This is exactly what I’ve been dreaming of! It’s like Authonomy without the shameless self-promotion in order to increase your rank! I haven’t joined up yet (I’m a bit busy with other things right now) but I’m going to jump in as soon as I can.

Unlike the aforementioned Authonomy, you have to comment on other books before you can upload your own. But it’s only a few (three, I think, but I can’t find the link) and honestly, it seems like a fair trade. Besides critiques, you can meet new people (like a social networking site for writers) and read articles on the publishing industry. Awesome.

Twitterites, find Book Country here. Everyone, if you haven't clicked the link already, find the site here.

Websites for Writers

Chris Kelworth at the Kelworth Files came up with a great idea. So great is it that he dedicated a whole section of his blog to it! 

What’s his idea? Critique groups! Me, I’d love one. I have some great crit partners already, but this is one of those things where you can’t get enough. Well, maybe you can but I haven’t yet.

I’ve already been over there and I suggest you go too. Because the more people there are, the more groups there will be for the people! That makes sense. I think. In some circular way.

Also, the contest is still going on. A free book. A $25 gift card. Sign up. Please. Pretty please. You don’t have to be from the US to get the book!

Websites for Writers

Whew. I spent the morning fighting the scourge of ants in the kitchen. Unpleasant. But that's not what you came here for. Let's talk about Skype. Again, not a website, per se, but a useful internet tool. Skype is for talking to someone over the internet, kind of like Chat Roulette without the roulette. And inappropriate behavior.

Yes, it’s like using the phone, but the basic version Skype is free (or at least, it costs as much as you pay for internet usage) and can be used for video conferencing. It’s great for things like conversing with your critique partner or a friend you haven’t seen in a while.

Like I said, the basic version is free, which means you can talk to anyone who also has Skype. You can sign up for extra features that basically turn it into a replacement for a phone service.

Full disclosure: I haven’t used Skype. But I have friends who swear by it and I certainly see its usefulness. If you want to keep keep in touch with someone far away, it sounds great.

For Writers

Because it’s not really a website. I’m sure most have you have seen this already, but it’s worth revisiting.

Female characters…well, over the years, they’ve been maligned. I mean…June Clever, okay? Who the hell does housework in heels and pearls (answer: everyone in the fifties). Today we’re not much better. Look at any female in video games. They make old Marvel character designs look prudish.

So for any writer who has female characters (I’m assuming this is all of you) please use this handy chart to figure out what type you have.

My only quibble is they put Mom from Futurama under “Evil Queen,” which she is, but according to the chart she would have no children, which from her name is clearly untrue. That’s her whole bit. She’s the evil mom.

Sorry. I’m just the type who freaks out over minor errors. It’s probably why the continuity in my book is so good.

Websites for Writers

This week, I suggest you visit Writeoncon.com. The best part about the con? It’s online, so you don’t have to leave your house. However, you still should go out occasionally because the sun will put some color on your pasty skin.

Besides that, the site has tons of resources, including monthly live events for us writers to participate in and good books we can read. Their forums are great. Only participating members can post, but anyone can view—very kind of them.

So that's a quick one! I'm off to edit!