I’m stuck in the bog that is the middle of my book, on a second draft, which is turning out to be more like a first draft. It’s misleading, because after I finished my first first draft, I thought I’d worked my way out of the bog and into a warm, high-pressure shower with mango scented shampoo and conditioner. Yet, here I am again, in an even deeper and smellier bog, for my second first draft. Draft 1.1, I might call it.
What’s worse, is that I’m pretty sure it’s actually the same freaking bog, but I didn’t realise it until I’d sank so far down I needed to breathe through a straw – one of those paper straws, which looks super cute and is good for the environment, but otherwise totally impractical.
Luckily, just as my pretty paper straw was becoming too soggy to function, I rediscovered the procrasti-joy that is the Internet (who knows what it was doing in that bog – you don’t even want to know what else I found down there). The beloved Internet blessed me with the strength to slip my arms out of the bog, and start to wade my way through it. I’m not entirely sure what direction to head yet, but thanks to a bunch of useful author websites (at least one of which must have some suggestions about how to avoid awful bog analogies like this one), I do know that if I just keep slowly but steadily dragging my feet through the muck, I’ll eventually claw my way up to dry land, if not another mango scented shower.
So, all bogs aside, if you’re a new (or experienced) author struggling with your writing, or you’re passionate about words, or even if you’re just remotely interested in stuff that goes on a page, check these websites out.
1. The Australian Writers’ Centre
This website was really what launched me into writing my novel seriously. I signed up for the ‘Write Your Novel’ six-month course, and from there the ‘Build Your Author Platform’ course. Both have helped me begin to take myself seriously as an author. Even if you don’t have the cash just quite yet, take a look at their blog posts, or check out Valerie Khoo and Allison Tait’s podcast, ‘So You Want To Be A Writer’. Practical and pertinent advice.
2. K. M. Weiland’s ‘Helping Writers Become Authors’
I think I’ve read every post on this site at least once, if not thrice. K.M. Weiland frequently updates her site with her latest tips, courses, writing books, and blogs, and she’s a master at organising story structure, something I’ve always struggled with. If you need help with novel outlining, story or scene structure, and character arcs, this is the place to go.
I’m relatively new to this website, and was drawn in by relevant, clean and well organised blog posts, that are frequently updated. They have tips on where to find writing jobs in Australia, what kinds of jobs are available and how to go about getting into the business of writing, and regularly updated lists of writing competitions and prizes.
4. Joanna Penn’s ‘The Creative Penn’
While the website design is a little bit in your face at first, this site offers so much worthwhile and thoughtful content. It’s organised into different categories (Writing and Editing, Publishing, Book Marketing and Making a Living as a Writer) to make searching for what you need easy as pie. Joanna also hosts a writing podcast, and has curated much of her work in ‘handy book packages’ for anyone who prefers the tactile, off-screen advice.
5. Anne R. Allen’s Blog… with Ruth Harris
At first, because the newsletter format appears a bit higgledy piggledy in my inbox, I didn’t realise the value of this site. The design is old and a little uninspiring, but the content is golden. Anne has years of experience in the publishing industry, and she gives candid, practical and inspiring advice on writing and the industry. She explains exactly what trials and tribulations she has faced in the struggle to become a renowned writer (both in the novel writing world and the blogging world), and she genuinely cares about the wellbeing of emerging writers who are interested in either traditional or indie methods of publishing. As soon as you read one of these blogs, you’ll realise why the Writer’s Digest named this one of their 101 Best Websites for Writers.
6. Terrible Minds: Chuck Wendig
If I were a little bit cooler and bad-ass, I’d aspire to be Chuck Wendig. Or, at least, to give writing advice the way he does. Although, Chuck will be the first to tell you that this website doesn’t always offer writing advice. Sometimes, it does. Sometimes, it’s just Chuck’s blog. But that’s totally okay with me, because it’s hilarious, even when he’s very seriously stressing about the actual end of the world, with Trump in power (something he does a lot these days, which is fine by me). Chuck doesn’t mince his words and he talks about things that matter to him. When he does give writing advice, it’s on target, with no shit. Just take a look at ‘Here’s How To Finish Your Revision, You Filthy Animal’. Case in point.
7. The Australian Writer’s Marketplace
Truth be told, I haven’t visited this site very much yet as I only just discovered it, but I have the print copies of the last few editions of The Australian Writer’s Marketplace and they are invaluable. John Marsden’s review aptly states, “First, buy a pen. Second, a dictionary… then, The Australian Writer’s Marketplace. That’s the hard work done. Now, just write your book!”. This site, and its printed counterparts (which I’ve just read have been discontinued after the 2015/16 version, in favour of the more versatile online subscription) is a directory with thousands of submission and contact details for magazines, newspapers, publishers, agents and organisations. It lists upcoming literary awards and reputable manuscript appraisal options, and the site includes an online learning centre. It’s professional and sophisticated, with virtual fingers right on the pulse of the Australian writing industry. A great stepping stone from writing to getting published.
8. Australian Society of Authors
9. Nanowrimo
Nanowrimo, or National Novel Writing Month, is in November. So, this site is most useful to visit leading up to and during November. That isn’t the only time it is active, though, as it also provides resources for planning your novel, and it has an active blog with writing tips and suggestions. Nanowrimo is where many budding authors start, often from a young age, because it provides such a strong international (mainly US-based, but there’s a strong Aussie contingent) community and the worthwhile challenge of writing 50,000 words in one month. It’s a little bit insane, and a little bit awesome. Though I’ve only actually ‘won’ Nanowrimo once, I’ve never come away from this challenge having written any less than 30,000 words. 30,000 words of a manuscript in a month is not the norm for me, so to have a supportive place to try and achieve enormously lofty writing goals is pretty special.
10. The Write Life
I’m cheating a little bit here, because this last site provides a link to a specific post entitled ‘100 Best Websites for Writers 2016’. They’ve collated a pretty damn good list of writing advice, all into one helpful article. So if this list I’ve made is of absolutely no use to you, OR if it’s of such use to you that you just can’t get enough of it, try perusing this website for even more exciting places to gain inspiration, practical advice and the latest news on writing.
Samantha Todd 