For Writers

This is a Link Page for every resource I’ve probably ever used to learn more about the craft of writing. I've been a freelance and contracted developmental editor for a decade and worked with trad, hybrid, and self-published authors as an editor and mentor. I was also the president of the Music City Romance Writers and their PRO Liasion. I've sold short stories in the US and short fiction audio to the UK as well as having sold over 70K copies of my Witch Walker series since book one published in November of 2021. So far, I've sold foreign and audio rights to the US, France, Spain, Brazil, and Turkey.

I believe in honing your craft as best you can, and though I believe learning never ends, I also believe there comes a time when you have to stop studying for a while and do the work. If you're new to writing, take some time to learn about your art and the industry, to practice, and find like-minded writers for critique. Dig deep and you will grow!

• All of Janice Hardy’s books
• Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King
• On Writing by Stephen King
• The Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi
• GMC: Goal, Motivation, Conflict by Debra Dixon
• Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass
• Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook
• The Fire in Fiction by Donald Maass
• The Emotional Craft of Fiction: How to Craft the Story Beneath the Surface by Donald Maass
• Creating Character Arcs by K.M. Weiland
• The Rural Setting Thesaurus and the Urban Setting Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi

• Good for Pantsers! Jami Gold’s Basic Beat Sheet and Story Development Worksheet
• JG’s Basic Scrivener Template
• JG’s Romance Scrivener Template
• Key Scenes for Writers of Romance Novels by Live, Write, Thrive
• Essential Elements of Story by Jami Gold: Part One and Part Two
• How to Plot with the Three-Act Structure by Janice Hardy, Fiction University
• Save the Cat/Blake Snyder Worksheet by Jami Gold
• Story Engineering/Larry Brooks Worksheet by Jami Gold
• STC/SE Master Sheet by Jami Gold
• Six Stage Structure/Michael Hauge Worksheet by Jami Gold
• Romance Beat Sheet by Jami Gold
• Hero’s Journey/Joseph Campbell: Website for explanation of plot points, monomyth, and archetypes.
• Alexandra Sokoloff’s Index Card Method
• Alexandra Sokoloff’s Eight Sequence Structure
• Scribe Meets World Ultimate Story Structure Worksheet
• Craft Book Recommendations for Plot Info:
  • Save the Cat by Blake Snyder: Screenwriting techniques that transfer to novel writing
  • Hooked by Les Edgerton: How to craft a compelling beginning
  • Story Engineering by Larry Brooks
  • The Plot Whisperer Workbook by Martha Alderson
• Write the Fiction SERIES Worksheets
• At A Glance Plot Worksheets (Three Act)

• Elements of a Good Scene Checklist
• Elements of a Good Scene Worksheet
• Writing the Perfect Scene by Randy Ingermanson/Advance Fiction Writing
• Book Recommendation: Scene and Sequel by Jack Bickham

• Louis Community College Character Worksheet
• Marcel Proust Character Questionnaire
• Martina Boone Character Brainstorming Worksheet
• EA Deverell Character Motivation Sheet
• Book Recommendations:
  • The Complete Guide to Heroes and Heroines: Sixteen Master Archetypes by Tami Cowden
  • Fallen Heroes: Sixteen Master Villain Archetypes by Tami Cowden
  • The Negative Trait Thesaurus, The Positive Trait Thesaurus, and Emotion Amplifiers by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi

• City Building: http://www.eadeverell.com/wp-content/uploads/city-building.pdf
• Technology: http://www.eadeverell.com/wp-content/uploads/technology.pdf
• Politics: http://www.eadeverell.com/wp-content/uploads/politics.pdf
• Magic: http://www.eadeverell.com/wp-content/uploads/magic.pdf
• Rites and Rituals: http://www.eadeverell.com/wp-content/uploads/ritesritual.pdf
• World History: http://www.eadeverell.com/wp-content/uploads/history.pdf
• Geography: http://www.eadeverell.com/wp-content/uploads/geography.pdf
• Worldbuilding Workbook: http://vivienreis.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/world-building-workbook.pdf

I am unconventional and write in Vellum, a formatting software. I transfer my drafts to Word. Vellum is not a Word Processor or meant for drafting, but it's the format that best suits me.

Here's a list of softwares or programs you might like:

• Living Writer
• Scrivener
• Storyist
• Final Draft

*Note that you can draft anywhere, including Google Docs, but understand that Microsoft Word is publishing industry-standard when working with agents/editors. Track changes is a tool in Word that allows for back and forth edits and commenting.

Formatting Software for Self-Publishing:

• Vellum
• Atticus

Grammar Checkers:

• Grammarly
• AutoCrit
• Pro-Writing Aid