Get your novel out of trouble : 8 writing resources
Posted by HED in links
Do you love writing ? I do.
But when you write a novel, you don't just jump on your word processor and write away. You must pick an appropriate name and description for your protagonists. You must think about a plot which won't fall apart. And when the writing is done, you must cope with the feeling that you've written crap.
So here's a bunch of links to help you when you're in trouble. When you encounter these everyday writing problems.
But when you write a novel, you don't just jump on your word processor and write away. You must pick an appropriate name and description for your protagonists. You must think about a plot which won't fall apart. And when the writing is done, you must cope with the feeling that you've written crap.
So here's a bunch of links to help you when you're in trouble. When you encounter these everyday writing problems.
Get the right name for everything and everybody in your novel
- Behind The Name : how do you name your Turkish protagonist ? Need a name borrowed from the Finnish mythology ? This website has everything, including etymology.
- Serendipity : a large collection of generators. Characters descriptions, items, places...
- Sticky situation generator : if you're writing for the NaNoWriMo (especially without having planned your novel) you'll be wondering regularly "what happens next ?". This generator will throw your character in various uncomfortable situations.
- 20 Master Plots Exercises : you can't find a good plot ? Learn and master the classical plots (betrayal, quest...) used everywhere in movies, novels etc. The website has writing exercises too.
- limyaael's Fantasy Rants Index : Limyaael's rants are geared towards fantasy authors but I think anyone can benefit from it. World building, POV problems, creating magical systems and many other topics.
- Villains: *Bad* Bad Guys and *Good* Bad Guys : all you need to know on villains and especially overused villans cliches.
- Writing blunders : a humorous (but truthful) listing about mistakes we always do as beginners. Once you spot your weaknesses, you can start working to erase them :)
- Timothy Hallinan's Writer's Resources : you have written a first draft. Now, how do you turn it into a novel ? It's a very hard task but Timothy's ebook has all the answers. Plus it's a good motivator when you feel your manuscript is crap.