Helpful resources for writers
Most of the time, writing is a lonely business. It’s just us, a screen and the words. It’s particularly isolating in the early days, especially if you’re writing secretly.
I found the more I wrote, the more I wanted to read about writing and other people’s experiences. I also wanted to find other people in a similar position to me and read about those further on down the line, and their path to publication, as something I could aspire to - the light at the end of the very long tunnel.
Except I had no idea where to find those people. It took me several months to uncover useful blogs and Instagram accounts. So I thought it might be helpful if I share some of my favourites. Wherever you are on your writing journey, there’s bound to be something of value in this list…
BLOGS
There are so many out there but here’s a few I found particularly relevant and interesting.
Holly Craig - https://hollycraig.com/.
Heaps of brilliant debut author interviews and advice on the early stages of submitting to agents right through to landing a book deal. Holly’s the one who inspired me to start my own blog!
Phoebe Morgan - https://phoebemorganauthor.com/.
Phoebe is an editor and author so she offers an insight from both perspectives. Plenty of great posts about specific elements of writing, such as why your hook matters, the submission to publisher process and the editing process.
BOOKS
Stephen King, On Writing.
Short and snappy, part memoir, part master class, this book is a revealing view of the writer's craft. He evokes his childhood, his college days and his recovery from the van crash that nearly killed him, but the focus is always on what it all means to the craft. He gives you a whole writer's "tool kit": a reading list, writing assignments, a corrected story and nuts-and-bolts advice on dollars and cents, plot and character, the basic building block of the paragraph and literary models.
Intuitive Editing: A Creative and Practical Guide to Revising Your Writing. This book changed my outlook on editing. When you are ready to go deeper, to dig into the revision process, I’d really recommend getting this. It’s hard to look at your own writing with the objective eye needed to shape it into a tight, polished, publishable story—but just like writing, self-editing is a skill you can learn. And this book will help you take your writing to the next level.
WEBSITES
Again, there are so many good websites, but I always kept going to the same one.
Jericho Writers is a team of writers who offer everything you need to help you write, edit and get your book published. From tutored video courses; online and in-person events; one-to-one mentoring; filmed masterclasses and expert editing services, to interviews with publishers, agents and authors – we’re with you for every word. Their blog was so useful, packed with advice and tips.
INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS
Far too many to mention, but here are just a few.
@inspiredtowrite - Amie is a writer who inspires all creatives.
@gillianmauthor - Bestselling author Gillian McAllister shares lots of behind the scenes of writing life and often talks about her bumpy road to publication. She also shares specific writing advice and covers everything from planning to plot to pace.
@dorothykoomson_author - Dorothy Koomson takes us along the journey with her as she writes and shares writing tips.
PODCASTS
Not Too Busy to Write - I’ve listened to practically every single episode! Ali Millar and Penny Wincer share their latest reads and discuss the challenges of writing, publishing and creativity against the backdrop of real life. They’ve interviewed some great authors, from Clover Stroud (My Wild and Sleepless Nights), Charmaine Wilkinson (Black Cake), Huma Qureshi (Things We Do Not Tell The People We Love), Claire Fuller (Unsettled Ground) to agent Julia Silk. Definitely one to listen to!
I hope you’ve found this useful. Let me know what resources you’d add to this list in the comments below.
Sara x