Recommended reading for writers – January 2009
By Iain Broome | 3 February 2009 | 10 comments
This post points you towards some of last month’s best writing articles from around the blogosphere.
You know what they say, one of the best ways to improve your writing is to read, read and read some more.
Well, on Write for Your Life I’m going to give you a monthly run down of what comes through and stands out on my feed reader. And we’re kicking off with last month, January 2009.
Write up your street
Always remember, these are just my personal favourites. I’ve put them in this order because heck, you can’t beat a bit of gentle competition.
- Don’t Mind Your Language | Stephen Fry
A wonderful post from the obviously-rather-well-known Stephen Fry. This is a riveting read from start to finish and his analysis of language genuinely surprised and delighted me. If you can find the time to listen to the audio version, even better. - Twitter Tips for Writers and 25 good follows | Editor Unleashed
This is a great resource for people like me who are new to Twitter and the art of using social networking to, you know, actually network. There’s a good follow-up post for freelancers too. - An Introduction to Search Engine Optimization | Scribizzy
If you’re a writer and you want to make the most out of the web, a good working knowledge of search engine optimisation (SEO) is a wonderful weapon to have in your armoury. And that goes whatever your discipline. If you want to self-publish your novel and promote it online, you need SEO. It’s not just for techno-writers and geekotrons. - Fiction Writing: Don’t Touch My Character | Men With Pens
If you’ve ever worked with someone else on your writing, whatever your medium, you’ll know that sometimes you have to compromise to make it happen. That’s what this is about. It’s good. - 14 Foolproof Proofreading Tips for Bloggers | Copyblogger
I’m afraid I have to include this post because my day job involves working right alongside an in-house quality team, and I know how invaluable they are. You might let the odd mistake slip through, especially on your blog. But if you’re writing for a client or you’re about to send your latest script off, you’d better make sure there are no mistakes. Proofreading is essential. - Putting the Fun Back Into Writing | Robust Writing
Writing can be a tough process at times. I love the sentiment of this post and encourage you to do everything you can to make your work as enjoyable as possible. - How to write the killer book proposal | Tumblemoose Writing Productions
This is part two of a two-part series and the first part of this sentence is a mouthful to say. It’s short and to the point, but the advice is sound. Have a look at part one while you’re at it. - What Advice Would You Give to New Bloggers? | Confident Writing
This is a very useful post for us beginners and it’s one of those where the comments section is as useful as the main event. - 18 Unusual Writing Ideas | Writing Forward
Some good fun to be had here with lots of new writing tools to help you release the creativity valve in your brainbox. - Why Bloggers Are Not Creative Writers | Creative Writing Corner
Finally, see what you think of this. I don’t necessarily agree with what’s being said, but it did rather stir something up inside me in one way or another. That sounds unpleasant, I know. Make sure you check out the follow-up post too.
Share your links
Of course, Write for Your Life is still new and so am I when it comes to finding writing-related material online. Therefore, I’m quite happy for you to share some of your favourite links in the comments section below.
If you want to link to your own blog, please point us to your favourite post from January, rather than your homepage, and then tell us why you chose it.
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Comment by Melissa Donovan
3 February 2009
Lots of great links you’ve got here. Thanks so much for including Writing Forward and Scribizzy in this list. I’m looking forward to reading all of these
Melissa Donovan’s last blog post: How to Get Feedback on Your Writing (Bloggers’ Edition)
Comment by Joanna Young
4 February 2009
Hi Iain, good to see you following my own top tip for new bloggers… link out! Looks like you’ve compiled a good list here.
Joanna Young’s last blog post: 10 Rounds with the Inner Critic, But Still Standing
Comment by Jude Calvert-Toulmin
4 February 2009
The proofreading tips link is great, Iain.
“Proofreading is vitally important, hard to do well, and tedious as hell.” ~Brian Clark
Seconded. Never mind the creative challenges inherent in writing, proofreading is, in my opinion, one of the hardest skills to master. Typos maybe the norm even with large publishers (my OH Brian is atm reading a classic published by a large publishing house and says it is full of typos) but it is not excusable.
Reading it purely for pleasure, I haven’t spotted one typo, grammatical error or spelling mistake in Richard Branson’s Losing My Virginity and when I can afford it, a team of proofreaders will be my first investment. Sending my novel off for its first printing revision due to proofing errors actually turned my stomach, rueful LOL.
Comment by Michelle
4 February 2009
Excellent links, thanks. I hadn’t discovered Stephen Fry’s blogsite before this, although his name keeps being dropped regarding Twitter recently.
Michelle’s last blog post: Social Media Strategies [Follow-Up]
Comment by Tumblemoose
4 February 2009
Thanks for the shout out. I’m honored to be on such a list.
I’ve perused the other recommendations here and they are great! Well worth a read.
Cheers
George
Tumblemoose’s last blog post: Dialogue sucks. I aim to kill you with it
Comment by Long Pod
5 February 2009
I can see why you don’t neccessarily agree with the guy who wrote number ten. What was his name? Lord Snooty? The Stephen Fry stuff’s great, have been working my way through them on Pod’s iPod. Keep it up Broome.
Long Pod’s last blog post: French parachute games
Comment by Jude Calvert-Toulmin
7 February 2009
I agree with Long Pod. I’m not even going to bother to read number 10 (but good on you for posting it to add to the melting pot of discussion!) – I’m a blogger and I’m a published author who has customers buying the product. So QED.
Jude Calvert-Toulmin’s last blog post: Scherer González flower platforms – the shoes I want for my Book Launch Party
Comment by Iain
7 February 2009
Thanks for the comments everyone, glad to here that these links have been useful!
As for number 10, you should definitely give it a go and read the follow up too as that gives it more context. There’s also lots of other useful articles on their that are less opinion-based and more about writing tips and suggestions.
Keep the comments coming!
Comment by Guffin Mopes
12 February 2009
Thanks a ton for the links. I love reading more about the craft.
By the way, I grabbed your RSS feed, I like what I’ve seen so far.
Cheers!
Comment by Esther
24 February 2009
I agree absolutely with number 10, blogging and creative writing are not the same things, though blogs can be as entertaining as literary fiction. Thanks for the links!
I just started blogging, by the way, and though I like “creative writing” as well, I find blogging truly addictive.