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We all know the importance of “show, don’t tell†in regards to writing. We want to share a wonderful, intriguing story, but we don’t want to bog our writing down with too much detail that bores and prevents readers from infusing it with their own mental images. Writing is successful when it draws readers in and makes them think and feel. Indifference is no friend to a writer.
I have read and heard many opinions about what it takes to be a good writer. There are some who believe you are either born with the ability to write or not. I think some people are predisposed to enjoy writing and working with words, but I don’t believe it is impossible to learn to write well IF a person is willing to work at it and practice, practice, practice.
I’m a huge fan of the Internet’s ability to bring people together to share ideas and information. Writers have a unique ability to learn about their craft online from other writers and the multitude of over-growing resources available. Still, these opportunities don’t just fall into a person’s lap—you must seek them out.
Here are a few tools worth consideration:
Scholastic Writing With Writers
http://teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/
Aimed primarily at students, they offer free workshops designed to help develop skills in writing book reviews, myth writing, news writing, descriptive writing. and others. Students even have the ability to submit their work on-line and receive feedback, You don’t have to sign up for anything to read through the material.
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Write Or Die: Dr. Wicked’s Writing Lab
http://lab.drwicked.com/writeordie.html
I first learned of this site from a published writer on Twitter who says she uses this free web application to cure writer’s block.
The user inputs a word goal (number), selects a time goal which ranges from 10 minutes to two hours, and a grace period before things start happening if they stop writing, depending on the mode selected, (Gentle, Normal, Kamikaze or Electric Shock). It’s meant to be fun, but its purpose is to keep you writing. All of the functions are clearly explained on the site. You can copy and paste the writing you do there into your own file afterward.
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The Name Generator
http://www.thenamegenerator.com/
This is a fun, free tool capable of generating over 463 billion different first and last name combinations. Simply pick a gender, and hit the button. You can select other options such as starting or ending letter, maximum character length, or “sounds likeâ€. You can even add tags to generated names.
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yWriter5- A free to download novel writing software.
http://www.spacejock.com/yWriter5.html
From the web site:
“…it's a word processor which breaks your novel into chapters and scenes. It will not write your novel for you, suggest plot ideas or perform creative tasks of any kind. It does help you keep track of your work, leaving your mind free to create.â€
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Of course, these apps, or any others, cannot do the work for you. There is no substitute for 'butt in chair, nose to the grindstone'. When we stop telling ourselves all the reasons why we cannot write, something wonderful happens.
We can.
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I''d be interested to hear of any apps or tools others find useful in their writing, as I know what works for one doesn't necessarily work for another.
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I look forward to your submissions, and have a great weekend!
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Comments: 32
Thanks Nancy! I am not sure if I am up to that type of writing, but I found your article very interesting. I did go and play with the Name Generator, LOL!
Hi, Chana!
The "Write or Die" app is clearly aimed at people who are stuck or insist they don't have time to write. I tried it just to see how it worked, and it did force me to write. Some people need that kick in the pants.
Nancy, I was thinking of trying some academic writing, I used to be really good at it (Or so everyone said). I just have to get my muse to be quiet for a while. Lately my muse has been on speed. Not me, my muse.
I hear ya. Sometimes you just gotta go with the flow.
OOh, interesting links. I have to check out the name generator FER SHER.
Hang on, those links aren't working. I wonder if the parentheses are interfering?
Thanks, Tracy. I'll fix it.
Links should be working now.
Tracy, the name generator was so much fun!
I have the Regency name generator link, and it's very fun!
But, it seems to give the same names over and over. It doesn't seem to have enough names in the data base, and it could get boring in a little period of time.
Hi, Angela.
I haven't tried the name generator you mentioned, but this one supposedly has over 463 billion combinations. I also like the fact that you can choose options to suit your specific wants.
Great links, Nancy. I'm going to check them out. Thank you and have a great weekend. ;o)
Hi, Aaron!
You're welcome and you have a great weekend too.
Gosh Nancy-there are so many good links here, so much to look at over the weekend. I thank you heartily..I need the gentle, and not so gentle, nudges from time to time. THANKS! ;-)
Hi, Rose!
I hope you find something useful here. I know we don't need technology to write, but there's a part of me that just can't resist. :)
Oooh, Write or Die is now bookmarked. That's a terrific tool. Previous to this, I've only used online word-counters and thesaurus.com as an aid in my writing.
Hi, Corinna.
I think the name puts some people off, but Write or Die is a good way to kick your own butt into writing something.
Thanks for the great links, Nancy! Will definitely be checking these out.
Hi, Kim!
So many toys, so little time...
Nancy - much appreciated. I will check the links out, for sure!
Hi, JM!
I tried to find something for poets, as I know we have many in the group, but I didn't find anything specific to poetry. If you or anyone else knows of any cool apps aimed at poets, please feel free to share them here.
Nancy, I'm interested in all kinds of writing so I appreciate the links very much.
One good website for poets and writers can be found HERE
Another great post, Nancy. I will try some these links a little later on this evening, once my children are asleep. I try to spend as much time with them as I can, and I usually write when everybody is asleep anyway. Thank again!
Hi, Mustafa!
What a good dad you are! I agree family time is very important and the great thing about writing is that it can be done anywhere, day or night. Hope you find the links useful.
Nancy, have you worked with Open Office, at http://www.openoffice.org/ ? A few people from another writers forum recommended it.
I'll check out yWriter5 also.
LL
Hi, Laura!
I have used OpenOffice in the past. It's a great free word processing program. Another good one is Zoho Writer. yWriter5 is more specific for writers, as it lets you work on scenes individually and move them around.
Ooo, I'll look at that one too. Though, I think I will back up my computer first and then try them out. Thanks, Nancy.
The neat thing about the Zoho applications is that you don't have to download anything to your computer; you access them directly from the web.
I know I commented on this, but I have nothing else to say.
I saw your title, 'How Badly Do You Want It' and as you'd expect, I instantly thought about extra cheese on my pizza. I do prefer this, but the fat from the cheese is not in the government's food pyramid or probably the one at Cheops Egypt. Not sure of the postal code. You might want to write them a letter. Why??? Holy cow, you expect me the unravel the biggest mystery of all time???
I especially like Dr. Wicked and the name generator, but I think the novel writing software, even one that breaks the novel down into chapters, is a waste of time. It is an essential planning tool for writers to be able to plot effectively....
I think that writers are born, then made.
People have inborn talents in various areas, often if a person has an interest, a very strong interest in an area, they also have some or a lot of native talent in the area.
Writing or any other talent, requires skill building, too.