Resources for Developing Your Writing
From Portalstones.com
Podcasts
- = Podcast is available through Itunes. Just search for the title.
- Writing Excuses (Brandon Sanderson) - Fantasy author Brandon Sanderson (who will be completing the final novel in the Wheel of Time series) joins with horror novelist Dan Wells and cartoonist Howard Tayler to offer thoughts and advice for new writers. Keeps it short and sweet -"15 minutes long, because you're in a hurry, and we're not that smart!"
- The Secrets Podcast for Writers (Michael A. Stackpole) - (Most conveniently downloaded through Itunes, with other content available on Stackpole's site) Recently returned after a long hiatus, bestselling author Stackpole (best known for the Star Wars: Rogue Squadron series) covers topics including world-building, plotting, pacing, characterization, the business of writing (querying publishers and finding an agent), and the future of the publishing industry. The podcast is a free companion to the electronic-subscription Secrets newsletter which can be purchased in current subs and back issues through the site.
- I Should Be Writing (Mur Lafferty) - A freelance writer, Mur Lafferty discusses rejection (and now acceptance, as she has sold a book!), cover letters and getting the oomph to keep going. Frequently features great interviews, too.
- AmericanWriters.com - Creative Writing Podcast (Tom Occhipinti) - Covers various major questions about, or elements of, fiction writing. If you like to hear more details and examples about the topic than a short cast like "Writing Excuses" offers, you may prefer this podcast. Unfortunately, it is currently inactive, but the old episodes can still be informative.
- The Dragon Page - Cover to Cover (Michael R. Mennenga, Michael A. Stackpole, Summer Brooks) - "Unlocking secrets of writing, conversing with masters of the craft... and just having a lot of fun." This show includes interviews with authors, answers to fan questions and comments, fan-submitted book reviews, discussions of writing and publishing issues, and a "library" segment where the latest books being promoted by publishers are described. The show is very good for genre news and background information for writers.
Books
(We are working on adding these books to the PortalStones affiliate shop through Amazon.com. When they are added, we will link to their Amazon pages here.)
Writer's Digest Elements of Fiction Writing series:
Plot, by Ansen Dibell - Everything to think about when setting up the plot of your work (novel/story).
Character & Viewpoint, by Orson Scott Card - One of the best manuals ever written about how to develop and reveal your characters, and how to decide what point-of-view schme to use in your novel or story.
Writer's Digest Genre Writing series:
How to Write Science Fiction & Fantasy, by Orson Scott Card - How to deal with concerns specific to this genre, like world-building, and deciding what type of technology and magic to include in your setting. Card also deals with characterization, where there is some overlap with his book Character & Viewpoint, but there is enough separation to justify having both books in your library if you're serious about learning to be a better SFF writer.
Websites
Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America - Articles on Writing
Writer Beware - Warnings About Literary Fraud and Other Schemes, Scams, and Pitfalls That Target Writers
Advice on writing from screenwriter J. Michael Straczynski (Babylon 5)
