E. M. Rowan’s Field Notes

As I continue on my writing journey, I collect information faster than I can keep track of it.  This page is my attempt at organization—a list of websites I have used to gain insight into craft and industry.  Hopefully it will prove useful to other aspiring authors as well.

WRITING RESOURCES:

National Novel Writing Month—how I wrote fifty thousand words in one month.

The Snowflake Method—the method of outlining I used for my first novel.

Writer’s Digest—downloadable character/plot/setting sketches, checklists, etc.

Dictionary—dictionary and thesaurus.

Slang Dictionary—online slang definitions.

Britannica—online encyclopedia. 

Guide to Grammar and Writing—answers about grammar, mechanics, etc.

Absolute Write—a forum offering a wide range of tools to writers.

Biographies—provides bios on famous people.  

Histories—lists important events on every day in history.

Measuring Worth—converts historical money to current values.

Behind the Name—lets you search for the meanings of your characters’ names.

Newspaper Archives—gives access to thousands of newspaper articles.

American Christian Fiction Writers—an organization for writers and readers.

My Book Therapy—offers manuscript and craft evaluations, personal coaching, and more.

PUBLISHING RESOURCES:

Writer’s Market—requires a fee, but it provides writing advice, up-to-date agency info, and folders to keep track of your agent wish-list.

Preditors & Editors—a list of agencies and their reputations.

Writer Beware—helps writers avoid scams. 

Publishers Weekly—updates on the publishing industry.

Nathan Bransford—a literary agent with a blog-load of great advice.

Rachelle Gardner—another literary agent providing helpful information.

The Query Project—a list of authors who posted their successful query letters.

Fangs, Fur, & Fey—a collection of query letters by fantasy authors.

AuthorHouse—a self-publishing site recommended to me. 

Copyrighting—info about copyright law.

Guide to Literary Agents—subscribe to this blog if you’re looking for an agent.

Jane Friedman—a blog with a wide variety of advice for writers.

CWIM—Editor Alice Pope’s fabulous blog about the children’s/YA market. 

Cynsations—Cynthia Leitich Smith’s blog, featuring interviews, resources, and news in children’s and YA literature. On her blog, find the link to her website, which is even more amazing. 

Have a favorite writing site that’s not listed here?  If you want to share it with others, leave a comment on this page with the link and a brief description. If it passes inspection, I’ll add it to the list!  Also, see the May/June 2009 issue of Writer’s Digest for their “101 Best Websites for Writers.”