If you are embracing the call to write, cheers! This page is where I share the people, organizations, books, websites, blogs … ALL THE THINGS that have helped me thus far in my writing journey. Best wishes to you for choosing to rise up to the hard but undeniable call to write.
K.M Weiland: Her blog, website, and books offer an in-depth look at story structure and touch on many other story components.
Lisa Hall-Wilson: Find the answers to all of your deep point of view questions here. Join her Facebook group, dive deep into her blog posts, and, if you are able, invest in one of her highly beneficial classes.
Lisa Cron: Learn how a story can hijack the reader’s brain from the Master of Story herself. Lisa’s books, website, and posts are pure gold for writers.
Donald Maass: Plain and simple, Donald is a master of fiction. Whether it is structuring your story, crafting elements, querying, or anything else, Donald’s books, blogs, and workshops will help you grow in your writing craft.
James Scott Bell: Another fabulous writing instructor and Master of Everything, James offers books, articles, and workshops to elevate your craft.
Author Accelerator: This program paved the way to so much of my craft knowledge. Jennie Nash, the CEO, and founder of Author Accelerator is a writing guru. Any time you have the opportunity to hear her talk, stop what you are doing and listen. I’ve walked away with a new, deeper understanding of the craft each and every time she has opened her mouth. Author Accelerator has recently shifted its focus to book coaches, and I highly recommend investing in one. There just isn’t anything quite like the growth that comes from individualized feedback on your own pages.
Story Grid: The Story Grid Universe is a great place to find information to level up your craft. Shawn Coyne is the mastermind behind this comprehensive editing method. You can dive deep into story with books, articles, podcasts, and Story Grid’s own certified editors. Some of my writer friends find the Story Grid jargon confusing, but from my experience, it is well worth the mental push to immerse yourself and your story in this method. You will end up with a market-worthy book.
Women’s Fiction Writers Association (WFWA): This organization offers a robust, supportive community of writers and a plethora of resources and workshops. I am proud member of WFWA.
Romance Writers of America (RWA): This organization also offers a robust community of great writers, and their resources and workshops will level up your craft. I am also a proud member of RWA.
DIYMFA: Gabriela Pereira offers several courses, a book, and an informative newsletter. DIYMFA offers many opportunities to broadly expand your knowledge in writing, reading, community, and marketing.
A few books that really helped me:
Blueprint for a Book: Build Your Novel from the Inside Out by Jennie Nash
Before and After the Book Deal: A Writer’s Guide to Finishing, Publishing, Promoting, and Surviving Your First Book by Courtney Maum
The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield and Shawn Coyne
An Audience of One: Reclaiming Creativity for Its Own Sake by Srinivas Rao
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
Save The Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You’ll Ever Need by Blake Snyder
Save The Cat! Writes A Young Adult Novel by Jessica Brody
The Story Grid: What Good Editors Know by Shawn Coyne
Be The Gateway: A Practical Guide to Sharing Your Creative Work and Engaging an Audience by Dan Blank
The Anatomy of Genres by John Truby
