For Writers

This is a Link Page for every resource I’ve probably ever used to learn more about the craft of writing. 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, though, 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

• Story Structure Series by K.M. Weiland
• Movies and books analyzed and broken into the Save the Cat beats
• 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 usually draft in Vellum, a formatting software. I transfer my drafts to Google Docs and then to Word for final edits. Vellum is not a Word Processor or meant for drafting, but it's the format that has best suited me for a while. I *am* trying out Dabble now, and I like it. I like the plot grid, especially, and I prefer it over Scrivener which always felt distracting. 

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

• Dabble
• Living Writer
• Scrivener
• Plottr
• Campfire
• 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