Advice to Young Writers

Part Seven: Writing Resources

Part Seven: Writing Resources

Here are lots o' links for you to articles and other helpful hints that you may find helpful in addressing issues that many writers struggle with. I may have mentioned a few in Part One, but this is an exhaustive list of articles on writing that look really, really helpful. :)

General Fiction Writing Information

Writing World: General Fiction Index

www.writing-world.com/fiction/index.shtml

A large index of articles on everything from character development to writing dialogue to story structure. I'll post some specific articles from this index below as well as the entire list here. This index is really chock-full of excellent articles that are practical and very helpful. :)

Plotting and Planning

Writing World: “Plotting Your Novel” by Lee Masterson

www.writing-world.com/fiction/novelplot.shtml

This is a basic overview of the plotting process that many of you may find helpful.

Writing World: “Why Do I Need an Outline?” by Cheryl Sloan Wray

http://www.writing-world.com/fiction/outline.shtml

Although written with article-writing in mind, this article can apply to writing fiction as well.

Pro-outlining

Writing World: “Your Story Outline: What It's All About” by Rekha Ambadar

http://www.writing-world.com/fiction/outlining.shtml

Offers many methods of outlining your plots, some simple and others greatly detailed. Lots of great ideas here!! 

Writing World: “To Outline or Not to Outline” by Timothy Hallinan

http://www.writing-world.com/fiction/outline2.shtml

An excellent pro-con outlook at outlining, with the article's author NOT being a fan of outlining (like me!) ;)

Describes how the story we plan will be different from the story we complete, and how that's a good thing! :) 

Blockbuster Plots for Writers: Resources

http://www.blockbusterplots.com/resources.html

This article includes links to a Plot Planner template and a Scene Tracker template (the Scene Tracker looks much more helpful, but the Plot Planner can give you a basic overview of your story). 

Blockbuster Plots for Writers: “Introduction to Plot”

http://www.blockbusterplots.com/resc/plot_intro.html

This page offers a great overview of plot along with lots of links (the blue words) to definitions, explanations, and YouTube video lessons of the different aspects of writing a plot. 

The Plot Whisperer: “Plot Planner” http://plotwhisperer.blogspot.com/2010/07/plot-planner.html

This site is actually a connected blog/site for the Blockbuster Plots for Writers. Once you've read the articles above, you should be able to find some helpful information here, especially if you're an experienced story/fan fiction writer. Otherwise, you may wish to stick with more basic information.

Check the sidebar for some YouTube videos and other help. 

Stella Cameron: “Plotting Your Novel”

http://www.stellacameron.com/contrib/plot.html

Great overview of six steps to a “perfect plot” (with a little humor)--some great points here about “trouble making interesting reading,” etc. 

Character Development

Writing World: “Creating Memorable Characters” by Lee Masterson

http://www.writing-world.com/fiction/characters.shtml

Very helpful and practical article in helping to develop realistic characters

Full Circle: “The Art of Character Development” by Sheree Rehema

http://fullcircle.comicgenesis.com/characterdevelopment.htm

Written to writers of fiction and gaming, this site provides some excellent advice for creating memorable and compelling characters

Writing Strong Dialogue

Writing World: “Creating Dynamic Dialog” by Will Greenway

http://www.writing-world.com/fiction/greenway6.shtml

An excellent toolbox of techniques for writing memorable dialogue

Creative Writing Now: “How to Write Dialogue That Works”

http://www.creative-writing-now.com/how-to-write-dialogue.html

Excellent information for writing accurate and compelling dialogue (plus check out the link at the end of the article to “Practice Writing Dialogue Now” for further exercises in writing dialogue).

About.com: “Top 8 Tips for Writing Dialogue” by Ginny Wiehart

http://fictionwriting.about.com/od/crafttechnique/tp/dialogue.htm

8 great short-but-sweet tips for writing great dialogue

Description and Setting: “Showing” not “Telling”

Writing World: “The Art of Description” by Anne Marble

http://www.writing-world.com/fiction/description.shtml

Practical tips for writing description and balancing it well within your story

Write Design Online: “Show, Not Tell”

http://www.writedesignonline.com/assignments/shownottell.html

Excellent examples of telling vs. showing in writing, plus exercises! :) 

Okay, I could totally spend all day looking up articles, descriptions, and exercises for you all, but I think I'll stop here.

ENJOY!!!!!

I hope that you will find this little book helpful for you all. I wish that I could take the time to read and offer feedback as often as I am asked to, but as it simply isn't possible, I hope that you'll find some basic help here.

With best wishes on all of your writing projects!!

~Cassandra

xxxooo