Monday, April 9, 2012

Help!


Hey, how's it going? What's the matter? you ask. Oh, so sorry! Did my blog title throw you off? I'm not in trouble, but thanks for checking on me!! You're wonderful!

That's what's so great about writers. We're so eager to help each other out. We write blog postings on how to get an agent, how to write a query, how to edit, post, primp, prod, and everything else associated with getting published.

I've run across more than a few helpful sites over the course of my writing career thus far, which I thought I might share. The thing is, I know it's not complete. All of you have found your own sites that you steal from...I mean, get help from. You put them in links on the right hand column (I've never yet seen them in the left hand column--but I'm sure they exist), you have a page of them just to make it easy on other writers, and every now and again you blog about them.

Like I'm doing right now. So here goes! And who knows, maybe I'll make a page of helps when I'm done. I'd love some help building it, too. So be sure to leave the name of the helpful sites you've found in the comment section, okay? Because we can all use the help!!!!

In no particular order (okay, maybe a little):

  • Google. Enough said.
  • Wikipedia. Same as Google.
  • Agent Kristin at Pub Rants for EVERYTHING writing related.
  • Shelli Proffitt Howell's TOOLBOX with all her own fantastic links.
  • Elana Johnson, queen of how to write a query (author of Query to the Call--with free download now!).
  • Rachelle Gardner--agent extraordinaire
  • Random Plot Generators: Here's one, here's another one, and one more...you can Google the rest. :)
  • Nathan Bransford--how to write a query and so much more.
  • The Heroes Journey--the ultimate structure of any epic story. This is only one example, but it's a good one. This is another. :)
  • The art of free writing.
  • Facebook. Never underestimate the value of the hilarity that is real people's lives. :) And the instant help they can offer you in a pinch. Been there. Saved by it.
  • NaNoWriMo Great ideas! Great forum for help! In November, write a novel in a month. Come on, I Dair YA. :)
  • Young Writers on NaNoWriMo! They have the most fun site and plot generator, dare machine, etc. SO FUN!
NEW ADDITIONS!
  • Writeoncon! Thanks to Jennifer for reminding me of this awesome conference you can participate in each year--in your pajamas! It's a free online writing conference led by some of the best industry professionals out there. The past conferences and vlogs are all archived as well so you can go enjoy them right now! Well...what are you waiting for?
  • A LINK ON THE LEFT! WOO HOO! Shaunna Gonzales has a little spicy help for all those who are trying to write that tantalizing kiss scene. Head on over if you need a little help. WITH WRITING ONE! Not that I meant you all needed help with...nevermind.
  • ASK ALLISON: Just found her through Twitter. 6 years of publishing tips and hints and help!
I'm going to keep adding to these as the day goes on; because all of a sudden I feel the strange urge to write a story...

Have a great day! And don't forget to leave me your favorite site. I really DO need all the help I can get!

14 comments:

  1. My H post was similar to yours but you included lots of cool linkss.

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    1. Sweet, Susan! I'd head on over to compare notes. :)

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  2. Great list! I also like going back and reading the transcript of the WriteOnCon workshops of past years and watching the VLogs posted there. It's free and SUPER informative! writeoncon.com (I think Elana Johnson is one of the organizers of this free, online writing conference, speaking of the inimitable Elana Johnson.)

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    1. Oh, Jennifer!!! How could I have forgotten that. See, this is why I need you people. I've totally attended both writeoncons and man were they excellent!! Thank you so much for reminding me. You're right, too in that Elana Johnson is totally part of it and so nice that it's free. I forgot that we can go back and rewatch them. Great, so much for my studying this week. lol

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  3. Hello! Stopping by for the A to Z Challenge. Great list of links. I follow a few of them.

    Susanne
    PUTTING WORDS DOWN ON PAPER

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  4. I like you set of links. Do you have Rachelle as your literary agent? Ah . . . someday, maybe. I'm off to use your Elana Johnson's link to write a killer query letter now for my ms I just finished. Thanks!

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    1. You're so welcome, Debra! And man, I could only wish for someone as cool as Rachelle to be my agent. :) Like you said...someday. I just really enjoy her blog posts and her expertise. I love it when agents are so willing to share their expertise and offer encouragement. It reminds me that writing is supposed to be fun, not just all hard work. :) Good luck with your query letter!!

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  5. Tooting my own horn, but yeah, I have a pet peeve. Kisses that fall flat. I'm not the guru expert, I think that goes to Joyce Dipastina but I do have some awesome help on my blog http://www.shaunnagonzales.blogspot.com/ as well as a list on the left, yes the left, to see a few more kisses. Some sizzle and some well, you know... stink.

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    1. Nice......and who doesn't need help with that. In writing of course!!! In real life, well...yeah. :) Thanks Shaunna for sharing your link. So great to have places to go for help!

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  6. It's nice to meet you, Karen! I'm a new follower via the A to Z.

    I use a lot of those same links. They've truly helped me on my way to publication. I never could have gotten there without some of them, like Rachelle Gardner. She's awesome! And Elena Johnson, too! My A to Z is all about helping people, sharing what I've learned about writing. So cool to be able to help! great choice!!

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  7. I'm a big fan of YA Confidential and YA Highway for all things YA writing-and-reading-related. The contributors on both sites are fun and super helpful. Great idea for an H post. :)

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  8. I love Querytracker.net. It's been the best help for me.

    Laura B Writer

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  9. I like mybooktherapy.com and also merriam-webster.com (as long as I don't even get started on the word games).

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  10. So many great sites!!! See, I knew you guys could help me. :)

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