Sudden Weight Loss: Put your prose on a diet with this free tool

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Is your manuscript weighing in far over your word count? Has your willpower to cut words weakened? Are you bothered by bloated scenes?

Try this: put your prose on a diet.

WritersDiet is an online tool to evaluate your writing on a scale from 'lean' all the way to 'heart attack territory'. Simply paste a block of writing in the box and click 'run the test'.

In seconds, the site analyzes your sample with an algorithm, grading different areas of efficiency. You'll see an overall grade, then an analysis of your use of five different categories: verbs, nouns, prepositions, adjectives & adverbs, plus those pesky words like it, this, that, and there.

The score indicates areas you could consider tightening. Here's an example of a score chart. Click the red 'see full diagnosis' for a printable pdf file of your sample, score, and suggestions for changes.

Below the ratings, the site shows your sample passage with individual words highlighted in each of the colors. I was surprised to see that I used the word 'up' three times. I'll definitely make some changes.

If you find you need to cut words, here are two tips to try:

Fantasy author Carol Berg challenges herself by looking at the end of a paragraph. Mine (above) has a 'tail' of four words at the bottom. Carol, who admits to wordy first drafts,  would find enough words to cut in the paragraph to eliminate that tail.

Agent Rachelle Gardner compiled a list of words to watch for. Use the 'find' feature on your word processor to locate and then eliminate excess verbiage.

Keep in mind that the WritersDiet site warns,

The WritersDiet Test is a blunt instrument, not a magic bullet. A stylish passage may score badly on the test, and a dull passage may score well. It is up to you to make intelligent use of the targeted feedback that the test provides.

What kinds of words add inches to your manuscript? Any additional tips for tightening?

Self-Publishing Tips for Indie Authors

 These days, you can barely click a link without hearing something about ebooks, self-publishing, or indie authors. Along with all the other decisions and jobs a writer undertakes, this one is a big one. I still don't know which way I'll go when my manuscript is ready, so I figure it's a good idea to stay on top of what's happening.

And there's a lot happening.

A new title.
There's something new. Authors who start out putting their own book up for sale and later accepting print deals are now called 'hybrid authors'. Agent Kristin Nelson explains what's going on with hybrid authors.

One of those authors is Nelson's own Hugh Howey, the author of Wool. Nelson (and many other agents) courted him. A nice way for things to work out, right? Check out Howey's own account of how things went down.
 
Another author enjoying great ebook sales that led to a print deal is Jennifer L. Armentrout, with her book Wait for You. Forbes published an article on her, titled The Fast-Track to Making a Million Dollars from Writing Books.

A new perception.
There used to be quite a stigma attached to those who took on publishing themselves. There's still some stigma, but not like it used to be. In fact, indie authors are increasingly proving that they don't need publishers at all--or might accept them on their own terms. Check out this post called Self-Publishers: The New Generation of Cool Kids.


Even the Big Six (or five) are discovering huge sales in the ebook market. Lucrative electronic sales were documented by Publishers Weekly.


A new opportunity.

Many authors are discovering the benefits of publishing single short story titles and anthologies in ebook form. Author and writing teacher James Scott Bell promotes this idea. He's got a nice list of traditionally published books, but found extra money by publishing his short story titles. His article (which includes some great plotting info for short story writers) will encourage writers who have found little success querying literary journals. And speaking of literary journals, it was fascinating to read how one writer used an actual New Yorker story to query literary journals. His results are worth reading in The New Yorker Rejects Itself: A Quasi-Scientific Analysis of Slush Piles.

A new perspective.
Pricing ebooks remains a murky area. With hundreds of thousands of individuals making their own decisions, as opposed to a handful of long-standing publishers, there's a huge number of different ideas on pricing. One idea is to offer the first book in a series free, in order to entice readers to take a chance on a new author. Writer Jordyn Redwood examines this idea in Is Free Always Good? On the other hand, some authors believe that free or low-cost pricing devalues the product. Dean Wesley Smith makes some pertinent points on the subject in The New World of Publishing: Book Pricing from Another Perspective. Definitely worth some consideration.

So where do you fall? On stigma, pricing, perception, etc. Is the idea of going the indie route attractive to you? Have you already taken the plunge?

30 Free Resources from Writer's Digest

I don't know how I missed this, but Writer's Digest has been giving away free resources all month, in honor of NaNoWriMo. And it's pretty cool stuff. Most of the free downloads are worksheets and excerpts from some of the fantastic books Writer's Digest puts out.

Among the resources are:
A great excerpt from the book 20 Master Plots, with descriptions of each plot. 
50 writing questions to consider if you're stuck.
Tips on how to write fast.
How to create powerful conflict in your novel, from writing teacher James Scott Bell.
A chart to help you map your novel.
How to pace yourself, from the book Beginnings, Middles, and Ends.
How to maintain energy to write (even when you're working full time). This is a 43-page excerpt of interviews with successful authors who write and work another job, and are willing to share their secrets.
A subplot tracker.
A Q&A from Orson Scott Card's book Character & Viewpoint.
A worksheet to help you write the perfect climax.
From the author of 45 Master Characters, comes a 46th character archetype.
From the Writer's Compass, a fantastic chart to help you map your story.
And many more.

All these resources are available on the Writer's Digest NaNoWriMo page. I don't know how long the links will be live, so you may want to grab the ones you want right away.

A writer can't have too many resources. Which of these appeal to you?

Free Resources to Help Encourage Writing Every Day

Photo courtesy of Stock.xchng

 This week I've been focused on writing every day. I highlighted two free resources to help: 750Words and Ommwriter. And I really have written every day--an average of 1200 each day. Hopefully, I can keep it up on the weekend!

To close out the week, I thought I'd share what other writers say about writing every day--even one who says it's not needed. Here goes:

Linda R. Young at W.I.P. it shares six benefits of writing every day. I think number three is especially valid.

Joel Falconer at LifeHack has ten more reasons to write every day. I'm partial to number 10.

Daily Writing Tips posts how to write every day and why you should. I like her tip on ending in the middle of a scene. I did that last night, and it did two things. Kept me thinking about my characters in a perilous situation, and made it easier to pick up the scene today.

 Jeff Goins in why you need to write every day, explains what makes a real habit, and how to learn to fail. Both great lessons.

Jessica Strawser at Writer's Digest asks the question: Do you really need to write every day? Maybe you'll find a system that works better for you.

You might have the thought like Ali Luke at Write to Done: How much should you write every day? I like her no-guilt approach to determining the best goals.

And if you need an angle from the opposing point of view, check out Nathan Bransford's opinion in It's not necessary to write every day. He writes on the weekends only. Find out how that's working for him.

How about you? Are you (or do you long to be) an 'every day' writer? Or do you have a system that fits your schedule?

Write every day with Ommwriter

Photo courtesy of Stock.xchng

The other day I featured a free site called 750 Words, where writers can find the motivation to get in the habit of writing every day. But sometimes, I don't want to be connected to the internet to write. It's far too easy to click over to Facebook or Twitter or a friend's blog.

So here's another option, for those who want to write unplugged. It's also free, but you download it to your computer for use any time. It's called Ommwriter Dana. Like the name implies, Ommwriter is a product designed to foster peaceful writing without distraction.

The program can be used with a Mac, PC, or iPad, and uses a full-screen mode that keeps writers from being distracted by the buttons at the top of the screen. A peaceful picture and soothing music (enhanced when used with headphones) keeps the focus on writing, not singing along.

Writers can choose from several fonts and sizes, and can fade the photo to a blank screen if they find it easier to write with no visual stimuli. Once writing is done for the day, the text can be exported as a .pdf or .txt file to your hard drive.

As with many free programs, Ommwriter offers a paid version, as well. Version I, which is free, comes with three audio and three visual 'experiences', while the paid version (suggested price $4.11) offers seven audio and eight visual experiences. Each audio and visual effect is selected for color and sound to "promote tranquility and stimulate creativity".

I've used both Ommwriter and 750Words for several days now, and I like them both. I appreciate the 750Words email I get each morning, reminding me to get busy, and the way my points add up when I am consistent. Ommwriter, on the other hand is nice to use when I'm trying to focus in a busy environment. What I've done is use 750Words to empty my brain in the morning of extraneous ideas and thoughts, and then switch to Ommwriter for working on my manuscript. 

Two other posts with links: combat distractability in writing and more distraction-free writing resources.

Which program do you think would help you more?

Researching Your Novel With Maps

Some of us write historical fiction, while others, like myself, write fantasy set in historical places. Still others write contemporary fiction, or stories set in the near future. No matter where your story is set (unless it's in a completely fabricated place, current or historical maps can mean a great deal in how well you describe the storyworld for your reader.

By strange circumstances, I decided to set my current novel in medieval Croatia--an unbelievably beautiful place that I must visit before I die. In order to learn more about the area in which I'm setting my story, I've used a few different tools.

Google Earth was my first stop. If you've never tried it, this software visually flies you around the world to the place you've selected. You can then zoom in fairly closely, depending on the satellite photos available for the area. Try your own address for a bird's-eye view of your neighborhood.

Google Maps will give you a map of the area you're researching. Click on the little man icon on the zoom bar, and you can place him on any street. If photos have been taken on street-level, you'll be able to "walk" along the street, looking around like any other pedestrian. This is a great tool to use if you have a novel set in say, San Francisco, but you don't have the money to actually visit.

For historical maps, I've discovered an excellent site, The David Rumsey Map Collection . Here, you can view over 21,000 historical maps from around the world. Due to the sophisticated scanning technology used, you can blow them up and drag them around to view them in great detail. The maps of your choice can be purchased, as well, but there is no charge for viewing these incredible documents.

Many universities and other organizations have online map collections. Here are a few I've found:

• MyTopo : a collection of historic USGS topographic maps, organized by state.
• University of Texas Libraries : historical maps of the world.
• Humboldt State University Library : links to many map collections.
• About.com : links to map collections, including rare panoramic maps of historic US cities, railroad maps, even concetration camp maps.
• University of Georgia : more than 1,000 maps from the sixteenth through the early twentieth century.
• University of Alabama : US and world maps, including coastal navigation charts, railroad maps and maps relatinto to national forests and Native Americans.
• Map History/History of Cartography : images of early maps online.

Though I'd love to travel to a hundred of these places, I'm content for now, to let my fingers do the clicking. Where do you want to travel for your novel's research?

How To Keep Track of the Business of Writing

Tax Day is almost here, at least in the U.S., but it has me thinking. The year is not too far gone to keep better track of my business for next year. It doesn't matter that I haven't made much in earnings, deductions count, too. So I decided to uncover the information I need to do it well.

First of all, over at Seekerville, they have a quick ten-question quiz on how you rate at treating your writing like a business. They follow it up with a gathering of links that will help you with tax questions.

Agent Rachelle Gardner wrote a post on Keeping Track of Things. She writes mainly to unpublished authors, and encourages writers to get in the record-keeping habit early on--even when you're not earning anything. Check her comments section for more ideas. Rachelle also shared some good information in The Tax Man Cometh and Writers and Taxes.

Does the thought of creating some kind of filing system have you breaking out in a sweat? Check out my post here, where I share a link to Julie Hood's website. You can download her free 30-page Writer's Planner, with all the printable forms you need.

For a personal financial binder to keep everything in, here's a great article on How To Create a Financial Binder.

Here's Chuch Sambuchino's post on Tax Tips for Writers.

If you're freelancing, or doing research or other tasks by the clock, it may be helpful for you to be able to document the time you've spent. Or maybe you novelists just want to know how long your manuscript is taking you to write. Download the free Klok Program--a personal time-tracking program.

How do you keep track of expenses and income for your writing?

Answer the Question: Quizzes for Writers

 When I pick up a magazine with a quiz, I can't help but complete it. There's a niggling curiosity: what will it tell me about myself? I recently saw a writer's quiz mentioned by author Megan DiMaria, who I met at a writer's group. 

It got me wondering if there were other quizzes specific to writers. Google showed me scads of them. I waded through to find the ones that would be helpful to a writer on the road to publication. Have fun with them!

What type of writer should you be? This quiz helps determine the genre you may want to consider.

 Who do you write like? Paste a sample of your writing to discover what famous writer your prose is most similar to. I came up with Anne Rice.

Which crazy writer are you? Take this quiz to see which eclectic writer you are most like. Very tongue-in-cheek!

Beginning Writer's Quiz. How much do you know about the business of writing, particularly freelance writing?

Holly Lisle has a ten-question quiz titled: Are You Right for Writing? It helps to figure out if you have what it takes to be a writer.

The Professional Writer's Aptitude Quiz A quiz for aspiring novelists.

And here are a few quizzes for bloggers:

Should you start a blog? Ten questions to help you find the answer.

What kind of blogger are you? Seven questions to narrow it down. Turns out, I'm a "link blogger".

The 23 Blogger Breeds: Which are you? This one is not exactly a quiz, but insightful descriptions of the different types of bloggers out there. You'll recognize many--maybe even yourself!

 If you'd like to come up with your own quiz, check out Charles Kelly's Online Quiz Generator.

Did you learn something about yourself today? I'd love to hear who you write like.

Free Resources for Listening While You Write

Some writers create in silence. Others need quiet instrumentals. Still other writers enjoy rock music vibrating their keyboards. Which one are you?

For myself, I like either silence or instrumental music when I'm actually writing. Hearing words while I'm composing words is too conflicting. 

But when I'm brainstorming a scene, I like to hear the words. Some songs have inspired whole scenes and plot twists. 

I don't own an iPod. I haven't amassed a huge collection of music. But I've discovered a way to enlarge my musical horizons and bring variety in what I listen to. Personalized internet radio.

Several services offer (for free) the ability for users to create their own music "channels". You type in a song or artist you like, and the songs start to play. If a selection comes up you don't enjoy, just click 'thumbs down'. 

Soon, depending on your preferences, the software chooses other songs and artists based on the music's 'genomes'. You may discover groups and artists you never knew you'd like. Of course, if you don't enjoy them, they're easily eliminated.

As a writer, sometimes I'm in the mood for quiet piano instrumentals. I made a channel for that. Other times, I want songs with a particular flavor or theme. I'm able to create as many channels as I like. I'm designing a channel for the particular novel I'm working on right now. Sort of a 'movie soundtrack' for the book. If I get stuck while writing, listening to my soundtrack might be just the inspiration I need.

In a future novel, I'll need to be familiar with the chanting of monks. I'm sure one of these services will give me all I need, without having to spend money buying songs. Of course, whatever music I can't live without can be purchased easily through the sites.

Two services seem to be the most popular, Pandora and GrooveShark (Pandora is no longer free outside the US). There are many others, but these two appear to provide the most comprehensive music selection.

What do you listen to when you write? Are you the 'silent type', or do you need music to get the words flowing?

Sequels and Trilogies: Should You? Do You Even Want To?

So your manuscript is going along great, and suddenly you have an idea. Why not plan for a sequel? A prequel? Even a trilogy? Isn't that what all the publishers are looking for these days?

Sometimes. Maybe.

Since I've been pondering this question with my own manuscript, I thought I'd check to see what the conventional wisdom is on the topic.

First off, some positives and negatives for the author:

On the plus side: You get to use the same storyworld you've already spent so much time working on. You don't have to dream up new characters, they're all ready to go into new adventures. You can make use of some of that backstory you've been dying to reveal. Your readers (who liked the first book) will probably stick with you for the next.

On the minus side: You use the same storyworld and characters you've spent so much time on (story fatigue anybody?). You've got to come up with realistic adventures once the big climax is finished in the first book. Multiple books have individual and overall arcs. If you haven't kept that in mind, you may not have planted enough information in the first book to take advantage of in the third. In addition, some readers just don't like them.

Think about J.K. Rowling. There were props and incidents in the first book that weren't fully revealed until the last one. That took some serious planning.

For those of us awaiting publication, it's fine to make notes for a sequel (some publishers are more anxious for them than others), but it's better to hold off on the actual writing of a sequel. Once you've made a sale, you can talk about subsequent books. Of course, if you're self-publishing, you get to make the decision.

So here's what different authors have to say about what they like and don't like about sequels, and a few tips and tricks to keep in mind.

Nicola Morgan, from Help! I Need a Publisher! has a very comprehensive post on the topic.

Veronica Roth shares her two biggest challenges when working on a sequel.

Janice Hardy gives us the trouble with triples: writing trilogies.

Tina Donahue lists some of the negatives she sees with sequels.

And Michelle Knudsen wrote a three-part series on sequels (would that be a trilogy?). Here's part 1, part 2, and part 3.

Maybe the trick is to be prepared for a series, be committed to a stand-alone, and let the readers decide if they want more. What do you think?

Are You Blind? Digging Out Cliches in Your Manuscript

Recently, I posted some great resources to help you find overused words and phrases. But what if your manuscript is riddled with cliches? As writers, it's easy for our eyes to skip over them in our own work in progress. We're blind to them.

What's wrong with cliches? They're expected. Predictable. Readers (unconsciously) skip over them. And the last thing an author wants to do is encourage readers to skim.

Fresh writing is far better. It engages your readers. Makes them wonder what you're going to say next. Like the author of The Book Thief. His writing is fresh and unpredictable (see this post for more). Read further about avoiding and altering cliches in this article from Writer's Web.

One way to find the cliches you've used is to join a critique group. Several sets of eyes going over your writing will likely highlight most of the cliches you use. Don't stress about cliches in your first draft. Just get the story down. There will be plenty of time later to yank out the cliches.

And here's a great tool to help you do that: The Cliche Finder. Like the overused word finder mentioned above, writers just copy and paste a section of writing in the box, click the "find cliches" button, and any cliches will be highlighted in seconds. If you want to check it out, click the link, and you'll see a sample passage ready for you to try it on.

So don't worry about blindly inserting cliches. There are ways to yank them out. Do you have other ways to avoid cliches?

And More Amazing Blogs

On Friday,  I posted links to four great blogs. Here's another four, and an idea. If you come up with a post helpful to writers between now and April 30th, leave a comment with a link on this article. On Monday, May 2nd, I'll link to those writing posts. It can cover craft, motivation, time management, helpful tips--whatever you think emerging writers can use.

Here are today's blogs:

Our first blogger is Andrea Mack, a children's writer. Her blog, That's Another Story,  should not be discounted by writers of fiction for adults. Many of the issues writers deal with are the same, like her post on top writing frustrations. 

Here's what Andrea says: "Thanks for the opportunity! On my blog I share thoughts about issues specific to writing for children. I also have a weekly feature, the ABCs of writing for middle graders, where I encourage discussion about an aspect of writing for this tricky age group."

Josh is a fantasy and science fiction writer, who keeps up with two blogs. Both are excellent. On Through a Glass Darkly, he posts personal viewpoints, like his struggle with validation as a writer (don't we all?). Write Strong is a great site I'll be visiting regularly. The most recent post is 9 Must-Read Blogs for Writers, by Agents and Editors.

Josh says: "Very much a fan of the blog, and am glad it has remained active so long. Hope you don't mind, but I've got two on my end. One is my personal blog at JRVogt.blogspot.com, where I share in my writing adventures. The other is Write-Strong.com, where I compile resources and tools for aspiring writers to hopefully take advantage of."

Next up is Jenn, one of my fellow SCBWI members. She has a unique twist on her blog that I haven't seen anywhere else--taking readers into the workspaces of writers and illustrators. I'm completely jealous of this one, where the author writes in an adorable trailer in her backyard.

Here's a hello from Jenn: "Congratulations on your 300+ posts! I love your blog. I always perk up when a new post from you pops up in my Google reader. My blog has mostly been featuring interviews with children's writers and illustrators about their workspace (Creative Spaces interviews). Occasionally I add posts about something else (often writing related) and I have intentions to update with more of those and add more variety to my blog in the near future (but priority #1 for me with my writing time has been finishing my revisions right now)."

And last, but not least, is Kenda, journeying the writing road with the rest of us. I love reading about the writing road of others, and Kenda is no exception. Recently, she shared Think Small: An Exercise to Help Grow Your Writing.

A couple words from Kenda: "Congratulations, Debbie, on reaching--and surpassing--300 posts! Your place is a great source for writing helps and tips. Hats off to you :-) At my blog, Words and Such, (www.kendaturner.blogspot.com) I share a bit of my writing journey on the way to publication while passing along some of the things I learn as I go. In this way I hope to encourage others in their journeys, too..."

It was so fun featuring these blogs. I'm really looking forward to sharing your writing posts on May 2nd. Are you in?

Your Amazing Blogs

So sorry, everyone! I had this post scheduled to post automatically, and somehow it didn't. Here they are!
 
On Monday, I asked you to share your blogs with the rest of us. I felt kind of selfish enjoying these wonderful blogs, and now I get to showcase them so you can see what you're missing. I'll share four bloggers today, and four on Monday.

First up is Sonia, whose writer name is S.M. Carrière. I'll tell you that she's a hard-working writer (for example, on Tuesday she wrote 3000 words). She can probably beat the pants off most people on word counts. If she ever sold some of that motivation, I'd be first in line. Her latest post was really fascinating--she examines how characters have a mind of their own.

Here's what she says about her blog, An Author's Journey: My blog is a chronicle of my writing and what it's like trying to get published - everything about it. The fears, frustrations, triumphs etc. Sometimes it's a dull road, so there's filler - a book or movie review, a comment on something else that's happening in my life, or something else.

The primary focus, though, is my writing.

Next is Stacy S. Jensen, with her blog Writing My Way Through Life. She's got a great post up right now, which asks the question, Are You Willing to Get Published? Stacy's description: I share writing topics that interest me as I work on my memoir in progress.

Meet Terri Forehand, a busy writer with two blogs. On her writing blog, Writing and other ways into the heart of the matter...for kids, she's going through the alphabet, sharing writing ideas for each letter. The latest was J for Journaling. She says: Hi, I'm Terri. I have two blogs. The first is for those interested in writing for children, and beginning writers. It is under my real name so that it is the beginning of a writer's platform for writing for children.

The second blog, Heartfelt Words 4 Kids, is about children who are ill and their parents. It started out as just a blog about children, cancer, and terminal illness in kids but it has broadened to more childhood illnesses and resources, book reviews, and some generic nursing advice... some of the stuff your nurse may not have time to tell you. I have a passion for children who deal with life threatening illness and I think more stuff honest and age appropriate, should be written at the kids age level. My goal is to write children's books that address some of their fears and successes and feelings that they don't feel comfortable talking with adults about.

Esther Feng's blog is new to me. It's called For Such a Time As This. I really like how she calls herself a "recovering perfectionist". I can relate. I really connected with her recent post, Stolen Moments, about a day when things really didn't go as planned. Here's how she describes her site: My blog is the place where I write about what my life looks like as I live fully for Jesus. 

I really hope you take a minute to check out these blogs. I'm saving the other four for Monday, because I didn't want them to end up at the bottom of a long post. They need their moment in the spotlight, too. Maybe these blogs will inspire a few of you to start blogging. If so, I hope to feature it one day.

Time for The Spotlight On You: Share Your Blog

I'd like to celebrate. After over 300 posts, I still think blogging is pretty fun. So I'd like to take some time to honor my readers--because without encouragement along the way, I wouldn't have kept going.

So here's the plan. Leave a comment with your blog link, and a brief description of what you blog about. I'll post the links on Thursday, so you've got a couple of days to comment. If there are more links than I expect, I might post some this week and some next week.

I know that quite a few of you have amazing blogs that don't get the press they deserve. And I'm sure I'm missing others. So here's your chance to let the world know why your blog is awesome.

I can't wait to check them all out. Don't be shy!

Pet Peeves: Don't Let Frequently Used Words Get You Down

We all have them. Pet phrases or words that crop up like weeds in our manuscripts. I use Scrivener software to write, and one of my favorite features lets me check my word frequency. If you haven't been won over by Scrivener yet, there are a couple of other websites that will help you target overused words and phrases.

I found two free sites that help with finding frequently used words. WordCounter is an application that will search for the most frequently used words in a body of text. You copy and paste a section of text in the box, and hit "go". The user chooses whether or not to include small words like "the" and "and". Withing seconds, the site generates a list of the most-used words, beginning with the most highly used.

While the site is not capable of handling large documents (like an entire novel), I pasted an entire chapter. My most frequently used word was one I wouldn't have guessed. Time for a couple of tweaks.

The second site is similar, but this one tracks the overuse of phrases. WriteWords will identify recurring phrases in a document. The user chooses whether these are two-word phrases, or up to ten-word phrases. This was really helpful for me. Some of my phrases are used several times because it's a part of my character's speech pattern, but other times, I just didn't think of a fresh way to say something.

If you're a more visual writer, you may enjoy checking your word frequency in a more artistic way. Wordle is the tool for you. It's amazing how many free tools are out there for writers to use. Check back next week for a great way to find cliches in your writing.

Did you find some overly-used words? What other tools do you use to keep your writing fresh?

Need Help Researching Your Book? It's Time to Bring in the Experts

Wouldn't it be nice to have an expert on speed-dial? Someone to call when the realization hits that you don't know everything?

With the magic of the internet, an expert is just a click away. Say you're writing a novel where the characters head out on an African safari, and you're stuck in New Jersey. An expert can help with that.

If it's a science fiction novel, you may be fuzzy on string theory or interplanetary travel. There are scientists who'd like to help.

Even freelance writers can benefit. Maybe that article on separation anxiety needs a sound byte from a professional. All you have to do is ask.

I've collected some links to sites that will help answer all those questions and more. 

Help A Reporter Out (HARO) 

This site was started by a journalist who was blessed with lots of contacts. The downside was that so many people contacted him to ask for referrals to experts, it became too time consuming. He started the site to connect writers with experts. You can ask for expert advice, or even become one of the more than 100,000 experts. Top media outlets use this free service.

ProfNet 

This website is a collection of professional communicators, from researchers to analysts to government officials. Users can search over 30,000 professional profiles to find the expert they want to contact.

All Experts

Another site, boasting thousands of experts on a wide range of topics. Need someone well-versed in geography, decorating, or cartooning? They're here.

Library Spot

Here, you'll find as series of links to other sites with professionals of all varieties. Did you know you could ask your word questions directly to the Oxford dictionary folks?

Ref Desk

This site is similar to Library Spot, but with different links. Check out connections to attorneys, musicians, even specialists in etiquette.

These sites are just a start--the internet is a huge place. Do you have any go-to resources for research?

Finding Grants for Writers: Hidden Money for Finishing Your Novel

Ever wish you could write full-time? It's the dream of most writers. Before publication happens, it's difficult to convince family and friends that tapping away at your keyboard will one day generate some income.

Some writers try publishing freelance articles to supplement their income while they write their novel. It's a great idea, but it will extend the time it takes to finish your novel.

So here's an additional option: apply for a grant.

Believe it or not, there are foundations, organizations, and agencies that want to promote the arts--including writing. Taking the time to apply for a grant might net you the cash to be able to focus on finishing that manuscript. 

Not all grants require extensive applications, but those that do will probably offer more significant amounts. The big question is where can you find grants?

Start with writer's groups. Joining a professional writer's organization gives you access to more than networking. Many larger organizations sponsor grants for members, often funded in memory of a member who has passed away. For instance, I am a member of the Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. They offer several grants for writers each year in the amount of $2000. The application is brief, and asks for a synopsis and writing sample. Check out the professional organizations for the genre you write.

Find some lists. There are many places to find information on writer's grants. Read the application information carefully, as some grants involve residencies. Most grants will ask for details about a specific project you're working on. You can't usually say, "I just want to write." So working on your agent query and having a polished paragraph about your work in progress will help your application. Here are some grant sites to get you started:

C. Hope Clark's Funds for Writers. Clark keeps a list on her website, and you can sign up for several newsletters to learn about more.

WorldWideFreelance. A nice article about applying for grants, with links to emergency writing grants, and grants by country.

Love to Know. A list with links to more spots that list grants.

Freelance Writing Jobs. A list of nineteen writing grants to check out.

Writing World. A collection of grants, fellowships, and residencies.

Mira's List. A blog for creative types with residencies, fellowships, and grants.

Grants.gov. A database of federal grants to search through.

The biggest thing to remember, as C. Hope Clark says is, "You won't be able to quit work and write, but you might find a grant to make your writing goals easier to reach."

What do you think about finding a grant?

No More Mister Nice Guy: Increasing Inner and Outer Conflict

I've been analyzing my plot lately, with the help of The Plot Whisperer's advice (come back tomorrow for a review of her book, but for now check out her free goodies). One thing I've discovered, is that I made a particular secondary character too nice. Though he's been badly disfigured in an accident and feels shunned in his town, he's patient, kind, and generous. Pretty boring, in fact, when he meets my protagonist.

Agent Rachelle Gardner tweeted an article that got me thinking further. Instead of increasing just the inner conflict or the outer conflict, why not both? I highly recommend Mike Duran's post, The Bomb Under the Sofa.

Donald Maass suggests printing out your manuscript, tossing it in the air, and picking up random pages to check for tension on every page. I suspected that the section introducing this character would not make the cut.

So, what did I decide to do? He's not nice anymore, he's wounded and haunted by the accident he survived. He avoids people (even my main character) for fear of rejection. He's fearful of small places (because of his accident in an underground tunnel). And he's a cauldron of anger, because a senseless accident yanked away the chance for the life he dreamed of. 

Instead of a cozy "instant-best-friends" relationship, he and my main character are at odds, constantly arguing, misunderstanding, and mistrusting. Having "stuff" for them to do and talk about is so much easier when conflict is involved. Knowing he's claustrophobic (and ashamed of that fact), means I'll put him in situations where he will be forced to choose between avoiding his fear and saving someone he loves. His anger will make him confront my protagonist on issues she would rather not share with anyone. And he'll be forced to travel the countryside, rather than hide away from society in his home.

Anyone can write in an earthquake or assassin to increase the tension. But when the tension is connected to the character's inner fears and insecurities, you get more for your money. Now it's time for me to analyze the rest of my plot the same way. 

How about you? Is your inner and outer conflict working together to ratchet up the tension?

Nominate Your Favorite Writing Websites

 I subscribe to Writer's Digest Magazine. The issue I look forward to the most is the May/June issue that features their 101 Best Websites for Writers. I'm usually familiar with many of the websites listed, but there are always a handful I've never heard of before.


And that's where you come in.


Writer's Digest comes up with the list based upon nominations from you, the writers in the trenches. If you'd like a copy of the 2010 list, sign up for the free Writer's Digest newsletter. As you navigate the internet, you've surely come up with a few websites that you seek out again and again. 


It's time to share them with the rest of us.


But you don't have much time. The nominations are due by January 1st. That's Saturday. So do it today. Look through your bookmarks, your blog reader, your lists of not-to-be-forgotten sites, and pick a few to share with others. 

To nominate a website, you'll have to send an email with the web address and a sentence or two about what you like about the site. Send your email to writersdigest@fwmedia.com . You can nominate as many sites as you like.

The 2010 list contained the following categories:
-creativity
-writing advice
-general resources
-jobs & markets
-online writing communities
-everything agents
-publishing & marketing resources
-genres & niches
-just for fun 

Who knows? The one you nominate might make it into the top one hundred and one. It's time for me to nominate a whole bunch. What about you?

Free Resources from Writer Charlotte Dillon

Author websites can go one of two ways. Sometimes they're only about the author and their book. Basically an electronic billboard in the sky. Other author sites recognize that many viewers are not only readers, but writers, too. They share what the author has learned on the journey, and help writers along.

Charlotte Dillon is one of these. And she's not even published yet.

I am so impressed with the links Dillon shares. Besides her blog, she offers pages and pages of helpful information. And although Dillon is a romance writer, most of the resources will be helpful to writers of any genre.

  If you are working on building your characters, Dillon's Character page is bursting with information. She offers her own character chart to download, and a list of books she finds helpful. She shares insights on how to name your characters, along with links to many sites that will help writers find the perfect names. She also links to dozens of articles aimed at helping writers making their characters stronger and more three-dimensional.

For those considering submitting their manuscript, Dillon offers a wealth of information. One page is dedicated to instruction on preparing a manuscript in the proper format. Another page has dozens of articles on writing a synopsis, along with samples of good ones. And if it's time to write a query letter, Dillon offers a page with instructions, samples of effective queries, and a collection of articles on query letter writing.

On her links page, Dillon lists a large number of sites that help with grammar, tax information, and free downloads for writers. There's also a page of articles for writers, and a great list of research books for writers, sorted by genre. And the research links for writers page is chock full of websites to help you write in all kinds of genres.

If you're needing some encouragement, or a jump-start, go to Dillon's writing prompts, or read her collection of inspirational quotes. She also hosts a community forum for romance writers. You may also enjoy her collection of stories from writers who tell about receiving "the call" that their book would be published.

Check out Charlotte Dillon's website. You may want to emulate her one day.