Tucson Writers Workshop - Resources For Writers
This is designed to be a resource center for those of us who like to write. The Internet is such a vast place that we can only begin to cover all the excellent sites out there. But we'll sample them together, and learn from the experience. This is also the place to share your favorite books with the rest of the group, using the comments section to leave your own list, and to tell us the reasons why.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Do You Write Every Day?
Many published writers, if asked, will tell you how important it is to write something every single day. In the real world of jobs, and families, and endless interruptions, it's all too easy to skip a day or two in between bouts of putting thoughts into words.
If you are having a day where the prose is just not happening, it might be beneficial to exercise those mental muscles that are related to the skills of writing. You could try solving cryptograms, which are word codes made by substituting different letters for each letter of the alphabet.
Literary Cryptograms provides cryptogram passages from literary works. Take your time, and don't allow frustration to interfere with the fun of being a true cryptographer.
Sunday, August 28, 2005
Words for Writers - Dictionaries
When you are in the process of developing your plots, with settings and characters, you can use all sorts of dictionaries for fact checking and proper spelling.
Merriam-Webster collegiate dictionary is the standard for most writers, but you can also choose specialized dictionaries of terms for many professions as well. In the process of looking for just the right word, you can browse through a technical, medical, or legal dictionary. Or you might find appropriate jargon in a dictionary of culinary terms. You can always add interest by using specialized types of dictionaries.
Here is a list of useful (and fun) online dictionaries:
Merriam-Webster Online (Dictionary and Thesauras)
Slang Dictionaries
Twists, Slugs and Roscoes: A Glossary of Hardboiled Slang
The Dictionary of American Regional English
NetLingo.com - The Internet Language Dictionary
A Prisoner's Dictionary
Common American slang - 280 expressions
Dictionaries of Synonyms
A Web of On-line Dictionaries - Thesauri and Other Vocabulary Aids
RhymeZone
Dictionaries of Proper Names
Name Finder
First Names and What They Mean
And now for something every writer should know about:
The Writer's Digest Flip Dictionary
Saturday, August 27, 2005
Random Plot Generator
This is not your ordinary writing tool. Teresa Nielsen Hayden's Random Plot Generator includes Rules for Evil Overlords and Murphy's Laws of Combat.
Use your browser reload button for additional plot ideas.
