As promised, here is a list of resources that may be beneficial to writers. I have not tried everything listed here yet, so I can’t vouch for it all, but there is a lot of stuff here I wish I had known about starting out. I hope it is helpful to someone. I’ll add more to the list when I find more cool stuff. If you have any suggestions or corrections click the Contact link and let me know!

Reference Tools:

• A good dictionary, both modern and older versions
• Thesaurus
• Rhyming dictionary
• The Elements of Style by Strunk and White – fantastic resource
• The Mother Tongue, English and How It Got That Way by Bill Bryson
• It is also worth taking a look at these books: The Art of Syntax, The Art of Description, The Art of Poetic Line, and others in the series
• On Writing – A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King
• Writer’s Market – they also have a website

Apps and Organizing Programs

• Scrivener – Windows and Mac – outline, write scenes and chapters, build characters, etc
• yWriter – free – Windows – outline, write scenes and chapters, build characters, etc
• Story Planner – IOS and Android – template for outlining, plotting, character delineation, etc
• Writers App – IOS – same as above
• Lists for Writers – ideas for character delineation, lists for names, character traits, settings, rhyming words, fun words, animal sounds, and more. I love this app!

Open source word processor:

• LibreOffice – brought to you by many of the same developers as Open Office, but more updated.

Back up your work! Let me repeat. Back up!

• Dropbox
• Google Docs

Websites I’ve used:

• copyright.gov  –  Copyright laws and information on how to copyright your work
• Preditors and Editors  –  A guide to publishers and publishing services
• plagtracker.com   –  Checks for plagiarism. Make sure your words are original. Just copy and paste your text into the box, and it will let you know how original it is.
• hemmingwayapp.com  –  Scans for complicated or wordy sentences, finds passive voice or excessive adverbs.
• authorology.com – full of resources, links, and tips. I just signed up for this one. I’ll have to let you know how it goes.

Websites I have not tried, but look interesting:

• Slick Write  –   Checks for grammar, spelling, etc
• Polish My Writing – AKA After the Deadline  –   grammar correction and get style suggestion
• Writefull  –   App that integrates with word processor to check phrases for accuracy or that they make sense.
• Grammar Monster  –   Educational site
• Papers Gear Editor  –   Hire editor for blog, articles, website, documents
• Wordy  –   Proofreading service
• 300 Editors
• Grammar Base

Magazines:

• Writers Digest
• Poets & Writers
• Poetry Magazine

Challenge for novelists and aspiring novelists:

• Nanowrimo – National Novel Writing Month is in November. The goal is to write 50,000 words in 30 days. You can plot and outline ahead of time, then November 1-30 get that novel written. nanowrimo.org