by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
As I’m looking for helpful content for writers, I come across lots of different kinds of tools. Some of them I immediately put into use myself, or I’ll add the article on the tool to an Evernote notebook to study for later.
Sometimes I come across things that aren’t useful for me, but because writers all have different approaches, they’ll be useful for someone. And I think many of these things are worth a try if we get stuck or if we haven’t come up with our own tools yet. Here are a few.
Worksheets:
If you’re interested in trying a worksheet to help get through plotting or brainstorming, there are many different resources available online. Here are a few to get your started:
Beat sheet from Larry Brooks of Storyfix.
Eva Deverell has 52 worksheets from 2015 alone and more each Wednesday.
Annie Neugebauer has some novel plotting worksheets.
Jami Gold has a nice variety of worksheets for writers.
Martina A. Boone offers some character development worksheets.
Or, if you’re in the goal-setting mindset, DIY MFA has goal-setting worksheets.
Writing Courses:
Once every couple of months I get emails from writers asking where they might find online writing courses. I frequently will direct them to the RWA, Romance Writers of America–whether they write romance or not. Their courses range from the business of writing to social media and website creation, to the writing craft. Class fees are generally inexpensive and only slightly higher for non-members. Here are a few sites to get you started, but you can Google ‘online workshops’ and ‘RWA,’ you’ll get plenty of results: RWA (scroll down), Colorado Romance Writers, Outreach International RWA, Lowcountry Romance Writers of America.
The IWSG has a great listing of courses (some free, others not) on their site (scroll to the bottom of the page).
Prompts as Warm-ups:
50 creative writing prompts on a variety of different areas from Bridget McNulty at Now Novel.
Prompts for Writers from Anjie Kokan
Michael Gonchar from the New York Times with 500 prompts for narrative and personal writing
Social Media:
Have trouble connecting with readers (or figuring out what to say when you do?) Angelina M. Lopez on Writers of the Storm explains how to maintain a social media calendar.
For Writers Who Need an Alternative to Excel:
If you’re not great with spreadsheets but you’re finding uses for them, try the free version of Airtable. They have spreadsheets for people who don’t like spreadsheets.
Industry News for Writers:
The Hot Sheet: industry newsletter for authors (30 day free trial): from @Porter_Anderson & @JaneFriedman: http://ow.ly/DIld301hoVW
Need Help On a Specific Subject?
The free search engine for writers from me and Mike Fleming: Writerskb.com
That’s all I’ve got right now…how about you? Come across any great tools or info for writers?
Need writing prompts, or free writing courses or worksheets? Links to resources: Share on X
Thanks for mentioning the IWSG! And very cool – more links we can probably add there.
Alex–The whole IWSG is an excellent resource. Thanks for all you do for writers.
These are fabulous, Elizabeth! Thank you. You’re absolutely right that each writer has a different approach and, therefore, different kinds of needs. It’s nice that there’s such a wide variety of tools out there to help.
Margot–And it takes a while for each of us to figure out what works best!
What I like about you in addition to being a great writer, kind, and pretty, Elizabeth, is that you are useful. :) (I hope you appreciate my emoji this early in the morning.) AND you are organized. This speaks to my heart and the part of me that isn’t chasing butterflies. Getting my inner writer organized is a goal. I *need* many of these tools and will be reading them.
Thanks bunches.
Teresa
Teresa– :) You and I can be emoji buddies. :) My kids tell me I use emojis inappropriately…maybe I can’t accurately interpret the little cartoon faces? Thanks for the kind words and hope that you’ll be writing even more soon!
Thanks so much for mentioning these. I already use a few of them, and I see a couple more I’m going to check out. You’re a gem!
Carolyn–Hope they’re useful! And thanks. :)
Maybe worksheets are what I need to get back on track. I keep feeling like I’ve forgotten how to plot… Thanks for this list of tools–I shared it on FB, too, as I think most people can find something useful here.
Hart–Hopefully a little something for everyone. And thanks for the share!
Wow! Lots of great things here. I’m bookmarking this whole post. I rarely know what I’ll need until I actually need it. I may give some of those worksheets a try before too long. Thanks.
Carol–Hope they help–good luck with the writing!
Thanks Elizabeth. You are always right at the handy when I’m stuck!!
Jan–Hope you don’t stay stuck long! And that you’re having a good summer so far.
Those are great! Thanks :)
Jemi–Thanks for coming by!
I love character worksheets. I always start with those first.
Diane–There are some great ones out there!
Check out Holly Lisle’s site for excellent articles, too. Her paid courses all include lots of worksheets. She has a couple of free courses, too, both of which include worksheets.
I have no idea what IGSW is, but I plan to check it out immediately.
And I want to add my thanks to you, Elizabeth, for the generous and gracious way you support other writers! :) (emoji challenged, but heartfelt)
Larkin–Thanks for suggesting Holly Lisle’s site. Lots of good stuff there and I’ve heard her name come up many times since I started looking for resources years ago…great stuff.
IGSW has lots of great resources and help for writers!
And thanks for the kind words! No one is as emoji challenged as I am, ha! :)
Whoa those are some awesome links. I especially appreciate the one on creating a social media calendar. ^_^
Misha–I liked that one, too! Used it to help me develop a plan for social media.
I don’t know how this slipped past without my seeing it but thanks for including my 50 prompts post in this helpful list! Evernote is a great tool – so useful for story research too.
Bridget–Thanks for the prompts! Such a useful tool for writers.