Although writing is largely a solitary endeavor, it is not wise to go it alone. It is critical to not work in a vacuum and to tap into many of the resources available to writers.
In the past I shared the importance of reading as a tool to help form and better inform your craft as a writer.
Another resource is blogs. Of course, I am biased towards this one (thank you for reading it), but there are many others to consider. I have gravitated towards some agent blogs. Not only do I pick up writing tips and insights (from both the bloggers and the commenters), but I am also learning about the business of writing. This will be of paramount importance on as I move forward in my career. The agent blogs that I regularly read are:
- The Steve Laube Agency (I met Steve at the first writer’s conference I attended.)
- Books and Such Literary Agents
- Rants and Ravings of a Literary Agent
Next is podcasts. Here are the ones I’m currently following: Writing Excuses and The Creative Penn,.
Not surprisingly, there are books about writing. I highly recommend The Elements of Style, by William Strunk and E. B. White. This book has long been my key resource to help me be a better writer. (While I will never fully master the intricacies of grammar, I will keep pressing forward.) There are many other highly recommended books, but I only mention what I have actually read.
In other posts, I round out the discussion on writer resources by addressing conferences, critique groups, and magazines.
Until then, write on!
Learn more about writing and publishing in Peter’s book: Successful Author FAQs: Discover the Art of Writing, the Business of Publishing, and the Joy of Wielding Words. Get your copy today.
Peter Lyle DeHaan is an author, blogger, and publisher with over 30 years of writing and publishing experience. Check out his book Successful Author FAQs for insider tips and insights.
