Do you remember the first time you discovered the world of resources? I do, but it was long before there were online resources. I knew about encyclopedias and dictionaries before I started kindergarten, but the resource that captured my imagination was the Rosetta Stone. Thanks to my mother telling me stories as she shared her treasured Art History book with me, I was fascinated with Ancient Egypt and its art. Of course she told wide-eyed me about the Rosetta Stone. It amazed me that scribbles on a stone were the key to understanding Egyptian hieroglyphs. That's when I first felt the wonder and possibility of resources, when I first grasped the idea that there were keys to understanding amazing things in strange places often hidden in other languages.
Today with the internet endless resources are accessible, something unimaginable to me as a child. Last week some of the Voyagers authors shared their favorite online writing resources. Today the others are sharing theirs. Check out some great online writing resources. Perhaps one of these will be your Rosetta Stone for understanding something that has eluded you in writing.
The 2020 Anthology
Favorite Online Writing Resources ...
Roland Clarke
"Feathered Fire"
Favorite Online Writing Resources
Although I use various resources – but often feel overwhelmed – my top two are Lucy V Hay’s http://bang2write.com/ as I’m learning from her to write better Diverse characters. Angea Ackerman & Becca Puglisi’s One Stop for Writers https://onestopforwriters.com/ has a multitude of tools for writers from the team who brought us the indispensable Emotional Thesaurus. Watch out for reviews of the forthcoming Occupation Thesaurus – the Book Launch is on July 20th.
Bio
After diverse careers, Roland Clarke was an equestrian journalist and green activist when chronic illness hastened retirement. But he hasn't stopped exploring rabbit holes and writing - mainly mysteries and alternative history. You can read more about Roland's book Spiral Hooves at his website Writing Wings, and his book is available on Amazon.
Louise MacBeath Barbour
"Dare Double Dare"
Favorite Online Writing Resources
I usually write nonfiction, and one resource that has been invaluable to me is The Great Courses. My favorite writing course so far is Writing Creative Nonfiction which is taught by Professor Tilar J. Mazzeo, currently Professeure Associée in the Département de Littératures et Langues du Monde at the Université de Montréal in Canada. I have bought so many of The Great Courses that I am considering signing up for their online streaming subscription at https://www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/
An online resource I use as a jumping off spot to other sites is OEDb or Open Education Database. I have bookmarked its 150 Resources to Help You Write Better, Faster, and More Persuasively https://oedb.org/ilibrarian/150-writing-resources/ because I can quickly access a variety of resources: from blogs, to business and legal matters, citation and style guides, English Language Skills, information and data, word references, professional organizations, and more. While I might remember The Library of Congress or Dictionary.com, I might not think of The Internet Public Library, The Purdue Writing Lab, or Symbol.com.
Archives are awesome places to hunt down information. For my short story "Dare Double Dare" I made good use of the resources available through the Nova Scotia Archives information on the Port Royal Habitation
https://archives.novascotia.ca . For my memoir Library and Archives Canada has been invaluable https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/Pages/home.aspx . For all things American, I check out the National Archives https://www.archives.gov . Science fiction is the genre for this year's IWSG anthology contest; so of course, I've been digging into NASA's site https://www.nasa.gov . Actually I'm always digging into the NASA site. It's my absolute favorite!
Bio
Born in Nova Scotia and raised throughout eastern Canada, Louise is a writer and blogger who now lives in Colorado. She writes fiction and nonfiction with the encouragement of her supportive husband. "Dare Double Dare" is her first middle grade story.
Bish Denham
"The Blind Ship"
Writer’s Helping Writers is a wonderful source of information and I consider Angela a mentor and friend. https://writershelpingwriters.net/
Founded in 1969, The Institute of Children's Literature is THE place to go to learn HOW to write for children. The courses cost, but are well worth it. I’ve taken three and learned a great deal. The very first story I published was with Spider Magazine and was a direct result of the ICL course. They also have courses available for writing for adults. Institute For Writers - The best courses in writing for children and adults. State certified courses, college credits available
Bio
Bish Denham is from the U.S. Virgin Islands, where her family has lived for over a hundred years. The author of two middle grade novels and a collection of retold Jamaican Anansi stories, she says, “Growing up in the islands was like living inside a history book.”
Beth Anderson Schuck
"The Orchard"
"The Orchard"
Favorite Online Writing Resource
The Society is a United Kingdom group with a chapter in the US. The website includes a searchable archive of historical fiction book reviews, articles relating to the craft of historical fiction and info about their annual conference and local meetings. I subscribe to the historical fiction daily email which highlights recent articles. It is motivating to learn about the range of historical fiction books and authors and it provides relevant research and agent/publisher information. HNS has Facebook and twitter accounts.
Bio
Beth Anderson Schuck is a retired librarian who believes reading can take you anywhere. She writes historical fiction featuring willful female characters. Being in nature whether hiking, birdwatching or gardening makes her whole.
Beth Anderson Schuck is a retired librarian who believes reading can take you anywhere. She writes historical fiction featuring willful female characters. Being in nature whether hiking, birdwatching or gardening makes her whole.
Alex J. Cavanaugh
a.k.a. the Ninja Captain
Favorite Online Writing Resources
I think the For an excellent writing resource, I recommend Elizabeth S. Craig’s site - https://elizabethspanncraig.com/blog-3/ She covers so much and as both an agented author and a self-published author, she’s seen it from every angle. She also founded the Writer’s Knowledge Base with thousands upon thousands of articles listed - http://hiveword.com/wkb/ search.
I think the For an excellent writing resource, I recommend Elizabeth S. Craig’s site - https://elizabethspanncraig.com/blog-3/ She covers so much and as both an agented author and a self-published author, she’s seen it from every angle. She also founded the Writer’s Knowledge Base with thousands upon thousands of articles listed - http://hiveword.com/wkb/ search.
Bio
All of us in the Insecure Writer's Support Group know and appreciate its founder Alex J. Cavanaugh, a.k.a. the Ninja Captain. He is a fan of all things science fiction, and his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Alex has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design, graphics, and technical editing. Alex is the author of Amazon bestsellers CassaStar, CassaFire, CassaStorm, and Dragon of the Stars.
This year's Insecure Writer's Support Group anthology contest is open.
If you are an IWSG member in any of its Blogging, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter groups, you are eligible to submit an entry.
Word count: 4500-6000
Genre: Science Fiction
Theme: Dark Matter
Submissions accepted: May 6 - September 2, 2020
How to enter:
Send your polished, formatted (double-spaced, no footers or headers), previously unpublished story to admin @ insecurewriterssupportgroup.com before the deadline passes. Please include your full contact details, your social links, and if you are part of the Blogging, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter IWSG group.
Judging:
The IWSG admins will create a shortlist of the best stories. The shortlist will then be sent to our official judges: Dan Koboldt, Lynda R. Young, Colleen Oefelein, Damien Larkin, Ion Newcombe, Julie Gwinn, and David Powers King.
Genre: Science Fiction
Theme: Dark Matter
Submissions accepted: May 6 - September 2, 2020
How to enter:
Send your polished, formatted (double-spaced, no footers or headers), previously unpublished story to admin @ insecurewriterssupportgroup.com before the deadline passes. Please include your full contact details, your social links, and if you are part of the Blogging, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter IWSG group.
Judging:
The IWSG admins will create a shortlist of the best stories. The shortlist will then be sent to our official judges: Dan Koboldt, Lynda R. Young, Colleen Oefelein, Damien Larkin, Ion Newcombe, Julie Gwinn, and David Powers King.
Prizes:
The winning stories will be edited and published by Dancing Lemur Press
imprint Freedom Fox Press next year in the IWSG anthology. Authors will
receive royalties on books sold, both print and eBook. The top story will
have the honor of giving the anthology its title. Please see their website for
general guidelines on the types of stories they publish.
The winning stories will be edited and published by Dancing Lemur Press
imprint Freedom Fox Press next year in the IWSG anthology. Authors will
receive royalties on books sold, both print and eBook. The top story will
have the honor of giving the anthology its title. Please see their website for
general guidelines on the types of stories they publish.
Coming on Wednesday, July 15, 2020 . . .
I'm taking a break over the July 4th weekend,
so our next anthology post will be on Wednesday, July 15th.
Our participants will share their favorite writing craft books.
Till next time ~
Fundy Blue
Reviews of Voyagers: The Third Ghost:
As for the current anthology Voyagers,
Charles Kowalski ("Simon Grey and the
Yamamba") came across a great review
of the anthology: "In case you haven't
seen it already, a glowing review of
Voyagers on BookBub came my way today.
The reviewer Toi Thomas loved all our stories,
with a special shout-out to Bish and Katharina.
Passing it along!" BookBub
1. Check out lots of reviews and ratings at Goodreads and Amazon.
2. Roland Clarke's Bookshelf Review at his website Writing Wings features Voyagers:
The Third Ghost.
3. Erin Kahn at The Wood Between the Worlds
2. Roland Clarke's Bookshelf Review at his website Writing Wings features Voyagers:
The Third Ghost.
3. Erin Kahn at The Wood Between the Worlds
4. Toi Thomas at BookBub
Interviews with Authors:
1. Yvonne Ventresca with Stacy Horan at The Bookshop at the End of the Internet
2. Sherry Ellis with June McCrary Jacobs at Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic
3. Roland Clarke with Laura Wolfe at The Sustainable Writer
* * * * * * * * * *
You can order a copy of
VOYAGERS: The Third Ghost
at the links below.
Print 9781939844729 $13.95
EBook 9781939844736 $4.99
Juvenile Fiction - Historical / Action & Adventure /
Fantasy & Magic
Fantasy & Magic
Amazon - Print https://www.amazon.com/dp/193984472X/ - Kindle https://www.amazon.com/Voyagers-Third-Ghost-Yvonne-Ventresca-ebook/dp/B083C4WPR5/
Barnes & Noble - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/voyagers-yvonne-ventresca/1135912991?ean=2940163430857
8 comments:
Cool! More resources to add to the IWSG site.
Awesome, Alex! Happy IWSG Day!
I'll have to check out some of the suggestions.
I need to pass on that historical site to some of my authors.
Definitely, Sherry! Take care!
There are some great resources here! Take care!
Great selection again - off to dig deeper.
Hey, Roland! There is always more to learn!
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