Crikey, it’s that time of the month again. It’s been extremely busy at Write for Your Life towers over the last couple of months, what with work and weekends away at weddings.

However, I’ve noticed some good stuff pass through my feed reader (ouch!) and would like to share the best of it here, as usual.

Before that though, a quick update. The much-anticipated second Write for Your Life podcast ran into some heart-wrenching techno-troubles and will need to be re-recorded.

It’s not the end of the world, but frustrating nonetheless. Anyway, if me and Manuela Boyle say everything that we said the first time, it should be quite good! So look out for that.

Also, I’ve been working on a new blog/site what will hopefully become a great resource for writers. It’s a directory of websites for writers from across the web. And not one of those long lists that you see. It will look great and the sites will be vetted (by me).

If you like the sound of that or you’d like your site to be on it, keep your eyes peeled or get in touch.

Some super reads for writers

A slightly bumper list this month to make up for the slightly shorter effort for February. There should be plenty to get your teeth into, from writing communities chit-chat to productivity prattle. They come in no particular order. Enjoy.

1. 5 Excuses That Undermine Writing Success | Urban Muse
   We all make excuses from time to time when it comes to writing. This post looks specifically at some of the nonsense we come out with and offers some sensible advice.
2. Sorry, you’re not my type: 10 online typing tutors | Tumblemoose Writing Services
   Ever wondered if there’s any software out there that might make you type quicker? Well there is and here’s a handy list put together very kindly over at Tumblemoose.
   
3. Writer or author? | The Tenacious Writer
   Now this resonated with me, as I straddle the great copywriter-fiction writer divide. What do you call yourself and why? Made me have a right old think about things, this post.
4. Self-Publishing During the Recession | Self-Publishing Review
   The times they are a-changing and this post provides a no nonsense look at the current state of the publishing industry. Some real home truths too for those of us looking for an agent. Stupid home truths.
5. Software, The Internet, and The One Man Show | Novelr
   Now this is interesting. This post makes a direct comparison between the way small companies sell and package their software with how writers publish their work. It’s thought-provoking and takes a good, unusual angle. Me likey.
6. On arcs and words | Amy Sue Nathan
   It’s specifically the second paragraph of this post that I like. It’s about first drafts providing foundations that need to be solid. I work like that. Revisions usually see me delete rather than rewrite. What’s left almost always resembles my first draft. Weird.
7. Be Intolerant and Boost Your Productivity | The Renegade Writer
   The advice here is basically to get rid of all the little pernickety things you need to do first before you sit down to work. It’s something I tend to do, although I thought that meant that I was procrastinating. I just don’t know any more. You decide.
8. Writing Lessons from the Confident Writing Community | Confident Writing
   Essentially a long list of useful articles collated as the climax to the community writing project that I’ve sadly not had time to contribute to over at Confident Writing. It’s good. Go and read it.
   
9. Creative Writing: Fun vs. Work | Writing Forward
   A comprehensive look at creative writing and what motivates us. While I wouldn’t necessarily describe creative writing as fun, I do believe you have to find ways to make sure you enjoy your work to help you write well.
10. Scene Setting: Capturing the details | Editor Unleashed
    The advice is to get a budget video camera to record potential settings and the like. This is something I’m planning on doing in the next couple of months, though I’m going for the highly portable and popular Flip Mino.
11. Are you losing faith in your writing dream? | Men With Pens
    Completing my novel while working full-time was by far my greatest challenge so far. I had to dig deep and remember what I was aiming for and why. Never give up on the dream folks. Come on. Gather round. Group hug.
12. 10 Inspirational Quotes To Overcome Failure | Welsh Scribe
    I’m a sucker for quotes when the inspiration well has run dry of, erm, inspiration. Some quotes on failure for you to plunder. Like a pirate.
13. The End of Free Content | Put Things Off
    And finally, a terrific and much-discussed-on-Twitter post from Nick Cernis. Should we think about charging for content? Can paid-for information sit happily next to free material? Maybe it can, you know. Maybe it can.

Okay, so that’s it. Now, I know this is a list with 13 items. And that that’s probably bad luck. But you don’t get anywhere in life or writing without taking a little risk now and then. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Oh, and here’s a bonus picture of what I’ve had to put up with while writing this post. Any typos, blame the kitten.

Share your thoughts

As ever, if you have anything you’d like to share or if any of these recommended reads titilate you in a way that compels you to comment, please feel free to do so.

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