My Top 10 Favorite Writing Resources
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Let’s talk about writing resources. When I first started writing, I had absolutely no idea what I was doing… I made a lot of mistakes and wasted a lot of time trying to figure things out.
I still have a lot to learn five years later, but I’ve found a lot of tools and resources since I first began my writing journey that have made writing stories far simpler, and has significantly improved my prose.
Today, I’d like to introduce you to ten of my favorite writing resources. (Some of them do cost money, but others are completely free to use)
So, without further ado, here they are!
Writing Software & Apps
#1 Scrivener
I’ve been using Scrivener for about three years now, and I absolutely love its features. Not only can you organize all your worldbuilding information, but you can also organize your chapters and scenes simply by dragging and dropping them.
Scrivener’s Layout!
There is a bit of a learning curve, and you may have to play around with Scrivener’s features for a bit to familiarize yourself with how it works, but once you get the hang of it, it’ll make organizing your information and writing long-form stories like novellas and novels a lot easier.
Scrivener does cost money, but after using it for so many years, I believe it’s completely worth the price—a one-time purchase of around $50.
Find Scrivener here.
#2 Pinterest
Chances are that you’ve heard of Pinterest before, but this is definitely one of my favorite apps/websites (and it’s completely free).
I mostly use it for character and scene inspiration, but there are plenty of descriptive word lists, writing prompts, worldbuilding advice, and other writing content available on there as well. (If you’re looking for writing prompts, I have over a thousand of them, and I’ve been posting them here on Pinterest, so check them out!)
#3 Power Thesaurus
Whenever I have trouble thinking of synonyms or the right word to use for my descriptions, I immediately open this app.
It features synonyms, antonyms, definitions, how to use the word in a sentence, related words, and even rhymes… Definitely a game changer.
I use the free version on my phone since it has all the features I need, but there is a more advanced, paid version available.
Also while researching for this article I learned that there’s also a website for it, so here it is!
Writing Resources – Books
#4 The Emotion Thesaurus by Becca Puglisi & Angela Ackerman
Are you trying to figure out how or what your characters are feeling, and how to portray those complicated emotions in your writing?
Look no further than The Emotion Thesaurus! This reference book has saved me so many times…and reminded me of some emotions that I forgot even existed.
You can find the extended version of The Emotion Thesaurus here!
#5 The Novel Matrix by Brad Pauquette
There are very few writing craft books in this world that I will rave about, but The Novel Matrix is definitely one of them.
The information in this book revolutionized the way I think about storytelling, and what makes a good story. Characters, plot, pacing, writing strategies—this book has it all.
So whether you’re fairly new to writing, or you’ve been typing away for a while and want to create a fantastic novel, this book is for you.
I’ve used it to write three books (so far), and it’s worked so well to keep me focused and on track.
You can find The Novel Matrix here!
#6 Putting the Fact in Fantasy edited by Dan Koboldt
As someone who writes fiction—especially sci-fi and fantasy, I’m no stranger to making things up for my stories.
But while I love to worldbuild and create, I also enjoy making my worlds as believable as possible. And that’s why I really appreciated the information I found within this book.
The essays in Putting the Fact in Fantasy made me realize just how little I knew about horses, armies, and of course, the different types of wood and what they can be used for.
You can find Putting the Fact in Fantasy here!
#7 The Story of With by Allen Arnold
Descriptions, characters, plot, worldbuilding, and research are only a few of the things that go into writing a successful story.
A huge part of writing for me is my why. The reason that I write. And The Story of With is the book that helped me find it. In fact, this is the book that convinced me to turn writing from a hobby, to my full-time career.
So if you’re feeling lost or discouraged in your writing, or in your life, I definitely recommend that you check this book out!
You can find The Story of With here!
Writing Resources – Websites
#8 Absolutewrite.com
I accidentally stumbled across this website while researching for my latest book, and wow!
If you’re looking for obscure information, like how much of your characters’ stuff can fit into their horses’ saddlebags, or the floor-plan of an old English home, this is the site for you!
This website actually reminds me a little bit of quora.com except for the fact that absolutewrite.com is specifically for writers, and is forum-based.
You can find absolutewrite.com here!
#9 Storyembers.org
This was one of the first writing websites I found when I first started writing, and I’m really grateful that I did find it!
Not only are their articles on plot, characters, themes, and other writing topics helpful, but thanks to Story Embers, I’ve also discovered an amazing community of like-minded writers!
You can find storyembers.org here!
#10 Writers.company
If you’re ready to take your writing and storytelling to the next level, then you should definitely check out The Company.
I attended their full-time apprenticeship program, and by the time I graduated, I already had my writing business up and running, gained a ton of hands-on experience in various areas of the publishing industry, and published my first book.
They also have other resources and programs if you aren’t ready for a full-time commitment, so be sure to check them out!
You can find writers.company here!
Before You Go…
Well, there you have it! These are my top 10 favorite writing resources. What are yours?
Let me know down in the comments!
Have you read The Dragon Slayer’s Birthright yet? Click here to read the full story for free.