7: Writing Resources

Howdy! Between the 1st and 2nd draft of a novel manuscript, I like to take time to learn more about writing, generally for free or very cheap. So, without further ado, here’s a list of resources. Those with an asterisk, I’ve watched/read/listened to. The rest of this list exists as much for me as for you. I plan to work my way through these.

Video Lectures:

• *Brandon Sanderson’s 2020 Creative Writing Lectures at BYU: Free. Is about creative writing but delves into world building, and touches on indie vs trad publishing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cf-qdZ7GbA&list=PLSH_xM-KC3Zv-79sVZTTj-YA6IAqh8qeQ

• *Mark Watson, Oxford Brookes Annual Creative Writing Lecture 2013: Free. Comedic. Deals with writing fiction novels, and the struggles in getting them traditionally published. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRJjEAWGtIY

• *LEADERSHIP LAB: The Craft of Writing Effectively: Free. This lecture is from the University of Chicago. It focuses on persuasive writing in nonfiction. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtIzMaLkCaM

• *LEADERSHIP LAB: Writing Beyond the Academy 1.23.15: Free. This lecture is from the University of Chicago. It focuses on persuasive writing in nonfiction. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFwVf5a3pZM&t=97s

• *Masterclass: There’s a yearly subscription of $180 ($15/mo) you pay when you sign up BUT you can cancel for a full refund within the first 30 days for any reason. Teachers include David Sedaris(essays, public speaking & memoir), Neil Gaiman(fiction writing, Malcolm Gladwellnonfiction writing), Joyce Carol Oates(short story writing), Margaret Atwood(creative writing), Dan Brown(teaching writing Thrillers), David Mamet(teaches dramatic writing with an emphasis on dialogue), Billy Collins(teaches how to write poetry), David Baldacci(teaches Mystery & Thriller Writing but with an emphasis on how traditional publishing works), Salman Rushdie(storytelling & writing with an emphasis on rhythm), Walter Mosely(teaches fiction & storytelling), plus plenty of writers who weren’t there when I had Masterclass. https://www.masterclass.com/categories#writing

• Neil Gaiman: The Julius Schwartz Lecture at MIT: Free, Teaches how to write good fiction https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KU-tncC7qIw

• Inspirational Writing Advice From Charlie Kaufman | On Writing: Free, provides optimistic advice for writers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRfXcWT_oFs

• Linguistics, Style and Writing in the 21st Century - with Steven Pinker: Free, teaches writing style guide theories https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV5J6BfToSw

• Mastering Style: The Learning and Teaching of Writing: Free, Harvard lecture on mastering writing style https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYhjo5O-nfg

• Kurt Vonnegut Lecture: Free, talks about his writing journey(I think?) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_RUgnC1lm8

• William S. Burroughs lecture,writing class,June 25,1986: Free, is about the paranormal, synchronicity, and dreams https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-2a0Rti6-Y

Podcasts (Should all be on Spotify for Free)(I’m not linking because Spotify makes linking less effective.):

• * The Creative Toolbelt Podcast, by Andrew J. Chamberlain: Free. has tips & interviews dealing with how to write well, how traditional publishing works, and how to self-publish successfully

• *The Writing & Marketing Show Podcast, by Wendy H. Jones: Free. Provides advice on writing and marketing from the perspective of an originally indie, though now also traditionally published, crime-fiction author

• Write Now, by Sarah Werner: Free. Mostly advises how to maintain a healthy work-life balance

• The Prolific Creator, by Ryan J. Peloton: Free. Shares tricks for writing quickly, often, & well

• Grammar Girl, by Mignon Fogarty: Free. Provides quick grammar tips

• The Creative Penn, by Joanna Penn: Free. Info & interviews focusing on self publishing and marketing

• Story Grid, by Tim Grahl & Shawn Coyn: Free. They break down what makes a story great.

• Writing Class Radio, by Andrea Askowitz and Allison Langer: Free, Teaches how to write

Books(Can always request them from the local library for Free):

• *Thunder & Lightening: Cracking Open the Writer’s Craft, by Natalie Goldberg: Mostly about organizing thoughts for memoir writing https://www.amazon.com/Thunder-Lightning-Cracking-Writers-Craft-ebook/dp/B005E835DC/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=thunder+%26+lightning+by+natalie+goldberg&qid=1626378761&s=digital-text&sr=1-1

• Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within, by Natalie Goldberg: Teaches how to write better, & is recommended by nearly every reader of Writing-How-To books https://www.amazon.com/Writing-Down-Bones-Freeing-Writer-ebook/dp/B00HEN3K0I/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=Writing+Down+the+Bones%3A+Freeing+the+Writer+Within&qid=1626378817&s=digital-text&sr=1-3

• What I talk About When I Talk About Running, by Haruki Murakami: Part memoir, part teaching how to write https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0031TZBQU/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

• Zen in the Art of Writing, by Ray Bradbury: It’s a collection of essays but should be insightful https://www.amazon.com/Zen-Art-Writing-Ray-Bradbury-ebook/dp/B07XC483PT/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Zen+in+the+Art+of+Writing%2C+by+Ray+Bradbury&qid=1626378862&s=digital-text&sr=1-1

• On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, by Stephen King: Teaches how to write better, & is recommended by nearly every reader of Writing-How-To books https://www.amazon.com/Writing-Memoir-Craft-Stephen-King-ebook/dp/B000FC0SIM/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=On+Writing%3A+A+Memoir+of+the+Craft%2C+by+Stephen+King&qid=1626378896&s=digital-text&sr=1-1

• 1001 Ways to Write Great Fiction, Get Published, and Earn Your Audience, by Chuck Wendig: Comedic. Teaches how to write better and appeal to the intended audience. https://www.amazon.com/Kick-Ass-Writer-Fiction-Published-Audience-ebook/dp/B00FWYXBQY/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=1001+Ways+to+Write+Great+Fiction%2C+Get+Published%2C+and+Earn+Your+Audience%2C+by+Chuck+Wendig&qid=1626378940&s=digital-text&sr=1-1

• As Yet Untitled Writing Craft Book, by Chet Weltanschauung: Hasn’t been published yet, but will teach the writing craft from an editor’s perspective

Blogs:

• *Writing About Writing, by Chris Brecheen: Free. http://www.chrisbrecheen.com/

I didn’t include anything I believe to be unhelpful, though my vouching is obviously more thoroughly considered for what I’ve used, as opposed to what I plan to use. Toodles and Happy learning!

#writing #writingresources #freewritinghelp #freewritingtools #freewritingtips