I’ve just come across a great new resource for writers called Circalit. You can showcase your novel, short story or screenplay online through one of the many community fora. You can get feedback from other users. In addition, Circalit run periodic competitions with their partners which include book publishers and film producers. Some of these competitions are free. For more information visit http://www.circalit.com/public/
Archive for the 'Resources' Category
My first devotional series for Inspiring Women Every Day (CWR) is now available to order. In this daily reading booklet, Wendy Bray will take you through Psalm 22 in January and I will be helping you face your fears in February. For the rest of the year a host of women writers will encourage and inspire you. Booklets may be ordered through the CWR website.
A Christian Writing Course
If you would like to try your hand at Christian writing then I have put together a short online course based on a series I presented at my church called Writing as Worship and Witness.
In-flight magazines are a vast market for the travel writer. And now that those planes are finally getting back in the air it may be time to try pitching something to them. Worldwide Freelance Writer have put together a downloadable pdf of 150 in-flight magazines from around the world. Note, this is not a free resource, but might just be worth the $9 they’re asking.
One of the most time-consuming task of any freelance writer is looking for and following up leads on new markets. I’ve just come across a website that helps you find paying outlets in fiction, poetry and non-fiction writing. You can also sign up (free) for a weekly newsletter that provides you with a round-up of market opportunities. Visit Worldwide Freelance Writer for more information. There is also a dedicated European sub-division called EU Writer.
For all you LOTR buffs, there’s a new website that delves into the fascinating links between Tolkien’s fantasy and real historical events and places. Christine Ahmed has put in an enormous amount of work to chronicle the references to Scottish Border and Northumberland history and culture at www.lotrandthescottishborder.net
Established and aspirant writers can spend much of their precious time trawling the web for resources to help them to the next stage in their writing career. If you’re on this page, then you’ve obviously discovered The Crafty Writer. But if you would like to venture further afield than his most useful (ahem) website, then the people over at Literature Training have an excellent A – Z guide to everything from writing books to workshops and publishing opportunities. Don’t let the word ‘literature’ put you off as they cover all forms of writing. Tell them I sent you.
If it’s not on the page, it’s not on the screen. This is what Oscar nominated and Golden Globe winning screenwriter, Simon Beaufoy (The Full Monty, Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, Slumdog Millionaire) knows full well. Our friends over at The Script Factory offer you a free masterclass on what makes the Slumdog screenplay tick. In addition, they give advice on how to handle flashbacks without losing forward momentum. So why not get the script for yourself? Nick Hern Books have published the shooting script in paperback and is available here: Slumdog Millionaire: the Shooting Script.
Check out the trailer if you’re not sure what all the fuss is about:
It was the droll WC Fields who said: ‘Work is the curse of the drinking classes’. Well, the same can be said of the writing classes – at least full-time work that takes you out of the house and away from the thing you love the most. But before you give up the day job, read this sound advice from fellow freelance AmyM over at Three Questions and Answers.
For a British-based reality check, you should also check out my post on Can You Earn Money as a Writer?
Fantasy is probably the most popular of all children’s genres; however much of it is still read and enjoyed by adult readers. One only has to look at the highly successful Harry Potter series to see how much influence this type of writing has. But as a writer you need to be aware of a few facts and conventions of the genre before trying your hand at writing fantasy.
Image courtesy of ginieland Continue reading ‘Writing Fantasy Fiction’
It’s that time of year again when I have to cough up for a writing market yearbook. I started buying these books six years ago with The Writer’s Handbook being my tome of choice. But in those days I was focused on fiction writing and writing for magazines. About three years ago I switched to the The Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook when I broadened my writing to include stage, screen and radio. I felt that it offered more for scriptwriters than the Writers’ Handbook. As I also write for and teach writing for children, I started buying the Children’s Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook as well – all tax deductable, of course! This year, I’ve been asked to review the Writer’s Market UK. Continue reading ‘Writer’s Market UK 2009 – Review’
