Resources
Here is a list of links that may be helpful to you as a writer. If you have a link to add, please contact us.
Editing & Publishing Competitions
NaNoEdMo - Do you have a finished novel, but haven't found the inspiration or time to edit it? This is an editing contest that takes place every March and runs for the entire month. The goal is to edit your novel for 50 hours, or roughly one and a half hours a day.
NaNoPubYe - So, you wrote your novel. Now what do you do next?
Writing Competitions
April Fools Writing Challenge - Like the National Novel Writing Month, but this one takes place during April. Be a fool and join the fun!
AugNoWriMo - Like JulNoWriMo, only a month later.
JanNoWriMo - Write 50,000 words at the start of the new year. (Does this description sound familiar?)
NaNoirWriMo - Write 50,000 of a piece (or pieces) of fiction that fall, in some way, shape, or form, into the mystery genre, all within the confines of the month of August. "Dark" fiction is also acceptable.
NaNoWriMo - The mother of all writing competitions! November is National Novel Writing Month, and this is the official web site for the incredibly insane and incredibly huge contest. Check it out!
NaNoWriYe - If you can't find the perfect month to write, do it the entire year instead.
National Novel Finishing Month - If you didn't quite finish your novel in November, do so in December!
Script Frenzy - NaNoWriMo introduces you to yet another twist—write an entire screenplay during the month of April.
Writing Resources
Alfabette Zoope Name Lists - A comprehensive list of over 10,000 names. Having trouble finding the perfect name for your main character? Look no further.
AllExperts.Com - Tired of researching? Ask an expert! AllExperts.Com is the oldest and largest free Q&A service on the internet.
Baby Names - All about baby names. Includes a whole array of information, with a section especially for writers.
Behind The Name - Yet another extensive web site detailing more names than imaginable, along with their meanings and origins!
Critique Circle - Critique Circle is a free online collaborative writing workshop for all genres with an extensive array of features. Improve your writing and meet other writers today!
Fiction Factor - An online magazine for fiction writers featuring tips on writing better fiction.
Fiction Writer's Character Chart - An in depth character chart. Fill one of these out for all your main characters and you'll probably know them better than your Auntie Sue.
Holly Lisle - Published writer Holly Lisle offers great resources for writers including articles, quizzes, workshops, and more.
Imagination Prompt Generator - This web site offers many thought-provoking writing prompts to help you get started with your writing.
The Snowflake Method - A cool method for creating a novel, this is a good solution for writers that are stuck!
SFWA - About Writing - Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America's section on writing for beginners and advanced writers alike.
Unpublished Guy - An infotaining diversion site for fiction writers. Whether you are a casual or more active writer, this site will meet your procrastination needs to help get you into the writing mindset.
Write101 - "All you need to know to write well". This web site contains over 1,000 pages about writing!
Writers Circle - The Writers Circle is free to join and has a monthly writing competition. Meet other writers and improve your writing!
Writer's Toolbox - Yet another resource for writers. Includes a glossary of writing and publishing terms, story starters, printable forms, and more.
WritingFix - WritingFix is the only site of its kind. It was designed by writers, teachers, and students 'to spark the imaginations of writers, teachers and students of all ages.' It is another great resource for writing prompts if you're stuck in a writer's block!
Writing Tools
AutoCrit - A useful tool that analyzes entered text and gives suggestions on how to correct it. Options to search for include weak words, repeated phrases/words, sentence lengths, unusual/common words, and more.
ClicheCleaner - ClicheCleaner is a program that helps you write better by highlighting passages in your text that are either cliches, other overly-used common expressions, or phrases of your own that you have repeatedly used within the same document. ClicheCleaner includes a list of nearly 7,000 unique cliches and common expressions that are compared against your text. Give it a try!
Write Or Die - Not exactly a writing 'tool', but will help you to stay on track and stop procrastinating!
yWriter 5 - A word processor created by a novelist. This software has several distinct features that will help keep your writing organized. A must-have!
Writing-Related Sites
IBDOF - The Internet Book Database of Fiction. Search authors, rate/review books, chat on the forums, and meet new people!
Writing Excuses - A weekly 15-minute podcast on writing. "Fifteen minutes long, because you're in a hurry, and we're not that smart."