Difference between revisions of "Useful references for writers"
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== Web Tools Useful for Writers == | == Web Tools Useful for Writers == | ||
| − | * [http://www. | + | |
| − | * [http://www. | + | === Mind Mapping === |
| + | * [http://freemind.sourceforge.net Freemind open source software for mind mapping]; see also [http://www.tranglos.com/free/keynote.html Keynote] | ||
| + | * [http://www.spacejock.com.au/PlottingANovel.html How to plot your novel using Freemind] - Simon Haynes. Also see [http://crystalking.wordpress.com/2007/07/01/writing-as-therapy/ this blog entry from Crystal King]. [http://freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page Freemind is a mind-mapping application]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Generators === | ||
* [http://wordsmiths.net/Maygra/RTG.htm Random Title Generator] | * [http://wordsmiths.net/Maygra/RTG.htm Random Title Generator] | ||
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* [http://www.writingfix.com/ writingfix.com -- interactive site for writers] | * [http://www.writingfix.com/ writingfix.com -- interactive site for writers] | ||
| + | * [http://traevoli.com/story.php Story Idea generator] | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== Character Names ==== | ||
* [http://www.prairieden.com/articles/character_names.php Character Name generators] | * [http://www.prairieden.com/articles/character_names.php Character Name generators] | ||
* [http://www.dilloscape.com/generatorz/cng.htm Fantasy Name generator] | * [http://www.dilloscape.com/generatorz/cng.htm Fantasy Name generator] | ||
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* [http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/20010208b D&D Name generator] | * [http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/20010208b D&D Name generator] | ||
* [http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~pound/ A collection of name generators] | * [http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~pound/ A collection of name generators] | ||
| − | * [http:// | + | * [http://www.kleimo.com/random/name.cfm What's in a name?] |
| + | * [http://www.20000-names.com/ Random name generator] uses data from the US Census to match first and last names with differing degrees of probability | ||
| + | * [http://www.behindthename.com/ Names from around the world] | ||
| + | * [http://genforum.genealogy.com/surnames/a.html Etymology and history of first names] | ||
| + | * [http://www.seventhsanctum.com/index-name.php Surnames] | ||
| + | * [http://nine.frenchboys.net/country.php Evil name, planet name, angel and demon name generators] Plus lots of links and a place name generator | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Writing Prompts === | ||
| + | * [http://www.tdbspecialprojects.com/ Idea generator] | ||
| + | * [http://thinking.teiru.net/oblique Oblique Strategies] | ||
| + | * [http://geocities.com/melydia/prompts.html Writing Prompts - a list] | ||
| + | * [http://www.livejournal.com/community/nano_prompt/ more Novel writing prompts] | ||
| + | * [http://www.jjuriaan.com/Fifteen_Craft_Exercises_for_Writers.htm Writing Prompts] | ||
| + | |||
| + | === World Building === | ||
| + | * [http://www.web-writer.net/fantasy/30days.html 30 days of world building] | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Analysis Tools === | ||
| + | * [http://writing.teiru.net/fog My readability analysis CGI] that uses Lingua::EN::Fathom and the UNIX style utility. See the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flesch-Kincaid_Readability_Test Wikipedia definition for the Flesch-Kincaid Readability Test]. | ||
* [http://www.wordcount.org/main.php wordcount frequency] | * [http://www.wordcount.org/main.php wordcount frequency] | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Writing Software === | ||
| + | * [http://www.37signals.com/svn/archives2/writing_words_vs_writing_software.php Writing words vs. writing software] - some essential truths about writing | ||
| + | * [http://romanzo.teiru.net Romanzo] - ideas for an heir to Papel | ||
| + | * [http://www.dklevine.com/general/software/tc1000/jarnal.htm Jarnal], open source software to annotate PDF files | ||
| + | * Need help with time management/motivation? Try [http://todoist.com todoist] and [http://www.joesgoals.com Joes Goals]! | ||
== Writing Advice and Articles == | == Writing Advice and Articles == | ||
* [http://www.fictionwriters.com/tips-novel-writing.html Novel writing tips] from Fiction Writers Connection (short list of ten; high level advice) | * [http://www.fictionwriters.com/tips-novel-writing.html Novel writing tips] from Fiction Writers Connection (short list of ten; high level advice) | ||
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* [http://www.rsingermanson.com/html/the_snowflake.html "The Snowflake Process for Writing a Novel" by Randall Ingermanson] | * [http://www.rsingermanson.com/html/the_snowflake.html "The Snowflake Process for Writing a Novel" by Randall Ingermanson] | ||
* [http://www.talewins.com/plotting.htm "Plotting" by Jeff Heisler, of Heisler Ink] | * [http://www.talewins.com/plotting.htm "Plotting" by Jeff Heisler, of Heisler Ink] | ||
* [http://www.writing-world.com/fiction/plot.shtml "Plotting by Personality" by Marg McAlister] | * [http://www.writing-world.com/fiction/plot.shtml "Plotting by Personality" by Marg McAlister] | ||
* [http://www.hollylisle.com/ HollyLisle.com] | * [http://www.hollylisle.com/ HollyLisle.com] | ||
| + | * [http://dmoz.org/Arts/Writers_Resources/Fiction/ Open Directory - Arts: Writers Resources: Fiction] | ||
| + | * [http://www.starrigger.net/advice.htp Writing Advice from Science Fiction author Jeffrey A. Carver] | ||
| + | * [http://www.sff.net/odyssey/podcasts.html Odyssey Fantasy Writing Workshop - free podcasts] - some interesting advice for writers! | ||
| + | * [http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/how-to-write-faster-better-and-easier/ Great article on how to write faster, better and easier] by K. Stone | ||
| + | * [http://www.gapingvoid.com/Moveable_Type/archives/.html Article on how to be creative] | ||
| + | * [http://lillieammann.com/blog/2007/08/24/blogs-by-and-for-writers/ Blogs by and for writers] | ||
| + | * [http://www.musik-therapie.at/PederHill/Dialogue&Detail.htm Learning about writing dialogue] | ||
| + | * [http://www.diyplanner.com/node/878 Journal writing tips from D*I*Y*] | ||
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| + | === Starting your Novel/Inspiration === | ||
| + | * [http://www.creativewriterwithin.com/creative-writing/where-should-you-start-when-you-want-to-learn-how-to-write-a-book Where you should go when you want to learn how to write a book] | ||
| + | * [http://arwenbooks.com/a_brilliant_opening.htm The Opening Sentence] | ||
| + | * [http://www.scottberkun.com/blog/2007/how-to-write-a-book-the-short-honest-truth/|Scott Berkun blog: How to write a book - the short, honest truth] | ||
| + | * [http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/show/43542-Charles-Bukowski-So-You-Want-To-Be-A-Writer So you want to be a writer] - An inspirational poem by Charles Bukowski that has the ring of truth... | ||
| + | * [http://www.logicalcreativity.com/jon/quotes.html Quotes about writers] | ||
| + | * [http://www.52projects.com/52_projects/2006/05/simple_things_y.html Jump start your writing!] | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Writer's Block Advice === | ||
| + | * [http://www.languageisavirus.com/ Tools for curing writer's block] | ||
| + | * [http://www.copywriting1.com/2007/03/eliminate-writers-block-forever.html How to eliminate writer's block forever] by Andrew Cavanagh | ||
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| + | === Finishing your Novel === | ||
| + | * [http://www.timothyhallinan.com/writers.php "Finishing Your Novel"] by Timothy Hallinan | ||
| + | * [http://www.dumblittleman.com/2007/09/complete-your-first-book-with-these-9.html Complete your first book with these 9 tips!] | ||
| + | * Needing some motivation? Check out [http://writerunboxed.com/2007/06/12/the-unpubbed-writers-7-deadly-sins/ this devastatingly candid article about the 7 deadly sins of unpublished authors] | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Children's Novel Writing === | ||
* [http://www.midtel.net/~roediger/faq.html Patrice Kindl, Children's Author] | * [http://www.midtel.net/~roediger/faq.html Patrice Kindl, Children's Author] | ||
* [http://www.underdown.org/basics.htm Getting Started: Really Basic Information for Children's Writers and Illustrators] | * [http://www.underdown.org/basics.htm Getting Started: Really Basic Information for Children's Writers and Illustrators] | ||
* [http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/guides/guide-display/-/3E0D2R49QS6FV/102-1456311-9564914 Amazon.com: So You'd Like to... Write Classical Children's Fantasy] | * [http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/guides/guide-display/-/3E0D2R49QS6FV/102-1456311-9564914 Amazon.com: So You'd Like to... Write Classical Children's Fantasy] | ||
| + | * [http://www.scbwi.org/ The Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators] | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Editing === | ||
* [http://www.nanoedmo.org/ National Novel Editing Month] (<em>March</em>) | * [http://www.nanoedmo.org/ National Novel Editing Month] (<em>March</em>) | ||
| − | * [http:// | + | * [http://www.timothyhallinan.com/writers.php Inspirational resource to help folks with their rewrites if not finished] |
| − | * [http:// | + | * [http://www.eeicom.com/staffing/marks.html proofreading marks ref] |
== About Copyright == | == About Copyright == | ||
| + | * [http://creativecommons.org/projects/founderscopyright/ Founders' Copyright Creative Commons] | ||
* Kimberly Dawn wrote: | * Kimberly Dawn wrote: | ||
Because there are HUGE misunderstandings about what a copyright is these days and I keep seeing them repeated over and over again. I thought I could help. | Because there are HUGE misunderstandings about what a copyright is these days and I keep seeing them repeated over and over again. I thought I could help. | ||
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== Writing Communities == | == Writing Communities == | ||
* [http://www.fmwriters.com Forward Motion Writer's Community] -- looks really good! | * [http://www.fmwriters.com Forward Motion Writer's Community] -- looks really good! | ||
| − | * [http://www.critters.org aburt's critters Writers' Workshop], a large, active community of writers who help each other through frequent critiques | + | * [http://www.critters.org aburt's critters Writers' Workshop], a large, active community of writers who help each other through frequent critiques -- great resource for critiquing, including [http://www.critters.org/resources.html these great references about how to be effective in critiquing other's work]. This is a must read! |
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* [http://www.geocities.com/arwzone/ ARWZ.com: Alternative Reality Writers' Zone. An online community for writers and readers of speculative fiction: fantasy, science fiction, historical fiction, horror, supernatural, cross genre] | * [http://www.geocities.com/arwzone/ ARWZ.com: Alternative Reality Writers' Zone. An online community for writers and readers of speculative fiction: fantasy, science fiction, historical fiction, horror, supernatural, cross genre] | ||
* [http://diaryland.com/error.phtml Diaryland members area] | * [http://diaryland.com/error.phtml Diaryland members area] | ||
* [http://www.write-on.org/ Write On! Discuss the art and craft of writing] | * [http://www.write-on.org/ Write On! Discuss the art and craft of writing] | ||
| − | == Self Publishing == | + | == Self Publishing and Publishing Refs == |
* [http://www.lulu.com/ Lulu: Marketplace for digital content] | * [http://www.lulu.com/ Lulu: Marketplace for digital content] | ||
| + | * [http://www.weberbooks.com/publish.htm Plug your book!] (a blog about publishing) | ||
| + | * [http://www.brendahiatt.com/id2.html - How much will they pay me for my book?] A wonderful site to fantasize over--a survey of typical advances, royalty percentages by publisher. Mostly romance publishers, but TOR is in there, too. | ||
| + | * [http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/peala.htm - Predator editor/agents to avoid] | ||
== Writing References == | == Writing References == | ||
* [http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/errors.html Common Errors in English] | * [http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/errors.html Common Errors in English] | ||
| + | * [http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/thesaurus Merriam-Webster OnLine] | ||
| + | * [http://www.gutenberg.org/ Project Gutenberg] | ||
| + | * [http://www.gopdg.com/plainlanguage/ plainlanguage.com] | ||
| + | * [http://www.phrasefinder.co.uk/ Phrase Thesaurus] | ||
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| + | == NaNoWriMo == | ||
| + | * [http://www.nanowrimo.org/2006 2006 NaNoWriMo] | ||
| + | * [http://www.nanowrimo.org/2005 2005 NaNoWriMo] | ||
* [http://www.nanowrimo.org/2004 2004 NaNoWriMo] | * [http://www.nanowrimo.org/2004 2004 NaNoWriMo] | ||
* [http://www.nanowrimo.org/2003 2003 NaNoWriMo] | * [http://www.nanowrimo.org/2003 2003 NaNoWriMo] | ||
* [http://www.nanowrimo.org/2002 2002 NaNoWriMo] | * [http://www.nanowrimo.org/2002 2002 NaNoWriMo] | ||
| + | * [http://www.tinman.org/nanowrimo/home.html NaNoWriMo Windsor: National Novel Writing Month 2003] - lots of great tips and tools. | ||
== Other Writing Links == | == Other Writing Links == | ||
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* [http://www.nanowrimo.org/userinfo.php?uid=9203 lazym] posted this at NaNo: | * [http://www.nanowrimo.org/userinfo.php?uid=9203 lazym] posted this at NaNo: | ||
<blockquote> | <blockquote> | ||
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=== Where am I? === | === Where am I? === | ||
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</blockquote> | </blockquote> | ||
* [http://www.lulu.com/static/nanowrimo.php lulu self-publishing company] offered one free published B&W book for each NaNoWriMo novel. Offer expired 01/15/2005 but maybe they'll repeat it. | * [http://www.lulu.com/static/nanowrimo.php lulu self-publishing company] offered one free published B&W book for each NaNoWriMo novel. Offer expired 01/15/2005 but maybe they'll repeat it. | ||
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* [http://www.moleskineus.com/ Moleskine Notebooks, Journals, and Date Books - MoleskineUS] | * [http://www.moleskineus.com/ Moleskine Notebooks, Journals, and Date Books - MoleskineUS] | ||
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| + | == Writing Games == | ||
* [http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/9/9476.phtml RPGnet: Review of Nanofictionary] | * [http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/9/9476.phtml RPGnet: Review of Nanofictionary] | ||
* [http://www.wunderland.com/LooneyLabs/Nanofictionary/NanoBlanks.html NanoBlanks: Make-Your-Own Nanofictionary Cards] | * [http://www.wunderland.com/LooneyLabs/Nanofictionary/NanoBlanks.html NanoBlanks: Make-Your-Own Nanofictionary Cards] | ||
Revision as of 20:06, 16 September 2007
Contents
Web Tools Useful for Writers
Mind Mapping
- Freemind open source software for mind mapping; see also Keynote
- How to plot your novel using Freemind - Simon Haynes. Also see this blog entry from Crystal King. Freemind is a mind-mapping application.
Generators
Character Names
- Character Name generators
- Fantasy Name generator
- Seventh Sanctum Name generators
- D&D Name generator
- A collection of name generators
- What's in a name?
- Random name generator uses data from the US Census to match first and last names with differing degrees of probability
- Names from around the world
- Etymology and history of first names
- Surnames
- Evil name, planet name, angel and demon name generators Plus lots of links and a place name generator
Writing Prompts
- Idea generator
- Oblique Strategies
- Writing Prompts - a list
- more Novel writing prompts
- Writing Prompts
World Building
Analysis Tools
- My readability analysis CGI that uses Lingua::EN::Fathom and the UNIX style utility. See the Wikipedia definition for the Flesch-Kincaid Readability Test.
- wordcount frequency
Writing Software
- Writing words vs. writing software - some essential truths about writing
- Romanzo - ideas for an heir to Papel
- Jarnal, open source software to annotate PDF files
- Need help with time management/motivation? Try todoist and Joes Goals!
Writing Advice and Articles
- Novel writing tips from Fiction Writers Connection (short list of ten; high level advice)
- "The Snowflake Process for Writing a Novel" by Randall Ingermanson
- "Plotting" by Jeff Heisler, of Heisler Ink
- "Plotting by Personality" by Marg McAlister
- HollyLisle.com
- Open Directory - Arts: Writers Resources: Fiction
- Writing Advice from Science Fiction author Jeffrey A. Carver
- Odyssey Fantasy Writing Workshop - free podcasts - some interesting advice for writers!
- Great article on how to write faster, better and easier by K. Stone
- Article on how to be creative
- Blogs by and for writers
- Learning about writing dialogue
- Journal writing tips from D*I*Y*
Starting your Novel/Inspiration
- Where you should go when you want to learn how to write a book
- The Opening Sentence
- Berkun blog: How to write a book - the short, honest truth
- So you want to be a writer - An inspirational poem by Charles Bukowski that has the ring of truth...
- Quotes about writers
- Jump start your writing!
Writer's Block Advice
- Tools for curing writer's block
- How to eliminate writer's block forever by Andrew Cavanagh
Finishing your Novel
- "Finishing Your Novel" by Timothy Hallinan
- Complete your first book with these 9 tips!
- Needing some motivation? Check out this devastatingly candid article about the 7 deadly sins of unpublished authors
Children's Novel Writing
- Patrice Kindl, Children's Author
- Getting Started: Really Basic Information for Children's Writers and Illustrators
- Amazon.com: So You'd Like to... Write Classical Children's Fantasy
- The Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators
Editing
- National Novel Editing Month (March)
- Inspirational resource to help folks with their rewrites if not finished
- proofreading marks ref
About Copyright
- Founders' Copyright Creative Commons
- Kimberly Dawn wrote:
Because there are HUGE misunderstandings about what a copyright is these days and I keep seeing them repeated over and over again. I thought I could help.
http://www.templetons.com/brad/copymyths.html
There's a good start.
So, yes fan fiction is a violation of copyright.
http://www.templetons.com/brad/copymyths.html
http://www.templetons.com/brad/copymyths.html
http://www.templetons.com/brad/copymyths.html
Copyrights are made as soon as you make them into apparent form. So automatically everything in this post is being copyrighted as I write it.
This post will be invalid in its copyright after I'm dead for EIGHTY years.
Also another thing to know is that an official copyright is EXPENSIVE, which is why most publishers will do it for you. It will cost you quite a bundle, unless you intend to have a high volume, and should be done through a lawyer. Trade mark and copyright often get confused, BTW, but you can't copyright titles to books, etc. You can copyright ideas, expressions of art, etc. specific phrases, slogans and titles are trademarks. ^_^
- Copyright info and Electronic publishing info from the Science Fiction Writers of America.
- MThornton
official copyright requires the filing of form TX for literary works, sending along 1 or more copies of the work to be copyrighted and $30.00 Copyright itself is not the expensive part. correcting an error in the submission is $100.00 and any investigation into existing copyrights is $75.00 per hour.
Trademark application as of this year is $325.00 per each class of goods or service that you submit.
ISBN registration is done in blocks of 10 and begins at $225.00 with an additional publisher registration fee of $25.00
I've got a list of links to various agencies US, UK, Aus and others listed here, along with other information for registration or self publishing, including ISBN and barcode ordering.
Writing Communities
- Forward Motion Writer's Community -- looks really good!
- aburt's critters Writers' Workshop, a large, active community of writers who help each other through frequent critiques -- great resource for critiquing, including these great references about how to be effective in critiquing other's work. This is a must read!
- ARWZ.com: Alternative Reality Writers' Zone. An online community for writers and readers of speculative fiction: fantasy, science fiction, historical fiction, horror, supernatural, cross genre
- Diaryland members area
- Write On! Discuss the art and craft of writing
Self Publishing and Publishing Refs
- Lulu: Marketplace for digital content
- Plug your book! (a blog about publishing)
- - How much will they pay me for my book? A wonderful site to fantasize over--a survey of typical advances, royalty percentages by publisher. Mostly romance publishers, but TOR is in there, too.
- - Predator editor/agents to avoid
Writing References
- Common Errors in English
- Merriam-Webster OnLine
- Project Gutenberg
- plainlanguage.com
- Phrase Thesaurus
NaNoWriMo
- 2006 NaNoWriMo
- 2005 NaNoWriMo
- 2004 NaNoWriMo
- 2003 NaNoWriMo
- 2002 NaNoWriMo
- NaNoWriMo Windsor: National Novel Writing Month 2003 - lots of great tips and tools.
Other Writing Links
- Writer Resources - an annotated list.
- Internet writing links for writers
- lazym posted this at NaNo:
Where am I?
A phenomenally complete Excel spreadsheet that helps you keep track of your progress. It could save you time, unless you use it obsessively just to watch the charts and graphs change. Includes a morale tracker.
What AM I doing?
character worksheet and other resources It may be a bit late muck around with plotting, but you never know what you're gonna need. This is where our character worksheet came from. The site also includes character biography worksheet, fantasy and sci-fi world-building forms, and story starters.
Is this for real?
Check out the Character and Plot Realism thread on the NaNo forum. This is the place to go for the skinny on weight-lifting, Italian folk magic, creative assassinations, or summoning angelic beings. It's also a great place to mess around when all you really want to do is, well, procrastinate.
- lulu self-publishing company offered one free published B&W book for each NaNoWriMo novel. Offer expired 01/15/2005 but maybe they'll repeat it.
- Moleskine Notebooks, Journals, and Date Books - MoleskineUS
