Writing Tips, Resources, Links To Help Writers Get Published

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

I'm often asked to recommend specific products, and have always been happy to oblige. Keep in mind that the words expressed below represent one person's opinion only. I'm not in the product evaluation business, and I didn't perform in-depth analysis of all named packages; neither do I receive any "kickbacks" from the respective manufacturers. However, I never recommend anything without at least trying it. And I don't endorse everything that I try.

Here goes:

Book Doctors

Be careful whom you choose! Hiring a book doctor could be your best decision or your greatest waste of money. Review my recommendations first! CLICK HERE!

Word Processors

Microsoft Word is my choice, even though WordPerfect is known to provide excellent results as well. Word can do anything I’ve ever needed, and it’s easy to learn. Once you’re thoroughly familiar with it, you can customize the menu bar to include buttons for the features you use most.

I learned to appreciate Word even more while working on a team project with three other writers. We all used Word and routinely attached files to e-mails we transmitted back and forth. There was never a compatibility problem, and my writing friends and I were tremendously pleased with the reliability and flexibility of Word.

You can’t go wrong with WordPerfect, either, but if given a choice, I recommend Word.

WritePro

Sol Stein's WritePro and more advanced Fiction Master are impressive hands-on training tools to help you learn effective writing techniques. Write Pro helps solve a major problem I often find in manuscripts -- good, solid writing that doesn't say anything.

One of the biggest problems I've witnessed among writing friends over the years is a tendency to concentrate 100% on improving the craft of their writing while ignoring the presentation of the storyline itself. No matter how well you can write, you've got to have an interesting story to tell if you want to sell fiction. WritePro/Fiction Master coaches you and prods you into thinking your story through more specifically, to give it more depth.

Self-Editing

If you have a problem with wordiness or using stilted business/technical terms, Word Dog will sniff them out for you and suggest simpler alternatives.

Dictionary/Thesaurus

A dictionary is a dictionary, right? Wrong! The Merriam-Webster dictionary and thesaurus from IFINGER.COM makes the process of looking up words as easy as pointing the cursor. Some real time-savers here!

Grammar Reference

I've found Grammar Slammer Deluxe to be an excellent, easy-to-use reference for even some of the most difficult usage questions of the English language. It isn't a grammar checker; it's a reference only.

Calendar

The Click-Tray calendar, free from Waseo, is better than any I've paid hard-earned cash for. Try it -- you'll like it!

Self-Publication

While self-publication has been considerably misinterpreted in the past, the advent of print-on-demand publishing offers a unique low-cost alternative for many writers. Self-publication may not be for everyone, but if you're inclined to check out this option, I suggest that you investigate the following:

adibooks.com

Elderberry Press

BooksJustBooks.com

Jemdam Publishing