Whether it’s for a hobby or a career, creative writing is just another method of self-expression. It can be fulfilling, gratifying, and rewarding. But, it can also be stressful, anxiety-inducing, and counterproductive. That’s when we turn to our favorite book/author or our favorite movie/television show for inspiration and motivation. Fortunately, there are many different resources our there that are specifically for creative writers. Here is our list of creative writing resources that anyone can use to overcome roadblocks and improve their craft:
The Poetry Foundation
(https://www.poetryfoundation.org)
- The Poetry Foundation’s mission is to celebrate and share the best poets and poems, from literary classics to up-and-coming poets, while giving poetry the platform is needs to be an influence in our culture.
- If you’re a parent, The Poetry Foundation has a section for children with over 400 poems, articles, and videos with content ranging from interviews with poets, the important role poetry can have on children, and video poems that provide the visual stimulation children need as they grow up.
- The teens section has similar content, including podcasts, but for a more mature audience. The adults section is geared towards university students and anyone else who is a lover or poetry and includes collections of poems, a glossary of terms and literary devices that are used to write poetry, and essays that pertain to certain poems/poets. Lastly, the educators section is geared towards teachers of all levels that are looking to enhance or add poetry to their curriculum/classroom.
- The Poetry Foundation also provides poem guides for specific poets for those that are interested in understanding specific poems in terms of what they are about or why they are written a certain way. Poet 101’s are TPF’s way of introducing you to a specific poet and their work which may be also touch up on politics of their work as well. Lastly, online resources such as partner sites, online courses in poetry, and audiovisual sites are provided as well.
- Follow TPF on Twitter @PoetryFound and on Facebook and Instagram @poetryfoundation for the latest news in poetry.
Grammar Girl
(https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl)
- From being awarded one of the 2015 101 Best Websites for Writers by the Writer’s Digest to being inducted into the Podcasting Hall of Fame, Grammar Girl has made a name for itself in being a go-to resource for grammar and anything related to grammar. Although Grammar Girl is an audio podcast, each episode is also transcribed for its viewers.
- From Grammar Girl’s website: “Grammar Girl provides short, friendly tips to improve your writing. Covering the grammar rules and word choice guidelines that can confound even the best writers, Grammar Girl makes complex grammar questions simple with memory tricks to help you recall and apply those troublesome grammar rules. Whether English is your first language or second language, Grammar Girl’s punctuation, style, and business tips will make you a better and more successful writer. Mignon Fogarty is the creator and host of Grammar Girl. Grammar Girl is a Quick and Dirty Tips podcast.”
- Follow Grammar Girl on Twitter and Facebook @GrammarGirl. Episodes can be found on their website or at podcasts.apple.com, soundcloud.com, and youtube.com. Grammar Girl has also written books on grammar and better writing which can be found on amazon.com and at itune.apple.com.
Writer’s Digest: Write Better, Get Published
(https://www.writersdigest.com)
- As the name suggests, Writer’s Digest’s mission is to improve your writing so that you can get published. In order to accomplish this, Writer’s Digest provides a handful of categories of content to help get you started.
- Prompts: Creative writing prompts and writing exercises are provided to give readers fresh ideas so that you can get started on a writing your next best seller.
- Writing Articles: “Unleash your writing potential now with Writer’s Digest writing articles. Here, you can learn everything you need to know about virtually any writing topic and genre. Whether it’s fiction writing, how to write an article, getting published, promoting your work and much, much more. Learn from published authors and industry experts alike how to take your initial ideas and turn them into a completed story that is creative and print-worthy – from the Writer’s Digest writing articles” (Writing Articles).
- Writer’s Digest University: Workshops for those what want to pursue a career in writing. “Whether you’re writing for publication, extra money, or to tell personal stories, Writer’s Digest University can help you get your writing career underway. Our expert instructors will provide advice, specific instruction, real-world experience, expertise, and the motivation and drive to help you achieve your goals” (Writer’s Digest University). Enroll now and starting this late April, you can take these courses: Advanced Novel Writing, Copyediting, and Mastering Amazon for Authors.
- Writer’s Digest Tutorials: “With more than 350 instructional writing videos available instantly (and at least one new video added per week), we have all the writing instruction you’ll ever need – everything from improving your craft to getting published and finding an audience” (Writer’s Digest Tutorials). Subscribe now and get access to videos such as: How to to Differentiate Characters, How to Succeed as a Freelance Writer: Everything You Need to Know, and How to Pitch and Query Like a Pro.
- Competitions: From Self-Published Book Awards to the Annual Poetry Awards, Writer’s Digest hosts many different contents for many different types of writers. As long as you enter before the deadline, you have a chance to win prizes which may include but is not limited to: a cash prize, a feature article about yourself, and a paid trip to the Writer’s Digest Annual Conference. The Annual Writing and the Self-Published Book Award are currently accepting submissions until early May 2019.
- Events: Here, you can get the latest news on Writer’s Digest’s Annual Conference, Novel Writing Conference, and IndieLAB”. Register for the annual conference today and “Gain invaluable tips to improve your craft, explore publishing options and learn how to establish a sustainable career. Join us in NYC from August 22-25!” (WD Events).
- Community: This is where the Writer’s Digest community can get together and discuss topics such as success stories, books, tips and advice, genres, grammar, and anything else that is relevant to writing. Have any questions about getting published? Looking for suggestions on up-and-coming authors? Simply create an account and ask your questions?
- Resources: “Writing is about more than putting pen to paper. With these additional writing resources, you can get feedback on your writing, learn to be a better writer, find agents and markets, and even explore self-publishing opportunities – all exclusively from WritersDigest” (Writing Resources, Writing Help).
- Follow Writer’s Digest on Twitter and Facebook @writersdigest for the latest news on publishing and writing.
Jane Friedman
(https://www.janefriedman.com)
- “Jane Friedman (@JaneFriedman) has 20 years of experience in the publishing industry, with expertise in digital media strategy for authors and publishers. She is the co-founder and editor of The Hot Sheet, the essential newsletter on the publishing industry for authors” (About Jane).
- Blog: Jane’s blog offers introductions on topics such as getting your book published, self-publishing your book, writing a book proposal, how to find a literary agent for your book, a guide to query letters, and how to write a novel synopsis. Her blog also includes posts from other experts and professionals in the publishing field that write about their views on topics such as audiobooks, getting rejected by publishers, understanding contracts, and more.
- Books: Interested in reading one of Jane’s nine books including books she has contributed to? Check them out here. https://www.janefriedman.com/books/
- Online Classes: Jane offers three classes on her website: How to Write a Book Proposal, How to Publish Your Book, and Become a Ghost-writer. In these courses, Jane shares 20 years of experience in writing, publishing, and digital media.
- Speaking: “My many years of experience means that I know how to deliver practical and comprehensive information that anticipates the needs of the audience, directly addresses their concerns, and offers both understanding and answers. I care deeply about serving writers—and all those in the creative professions—and helping them succeed in their careers” (Speaking). Interesting in going to one of Jane’s workshops or keynotes? Click here for more information: https://www.janefriedman.com/meet-me/
- Resources for Writers: Jane also offers resources such as her best advice, editing and coaching, copyediting and proofreading, book marketing and publicity, photo editing/book marketing design, agent or publisher research, and more.
- Follow Jane on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram @JaneFriedman for the latest news in the publishing industry.