Links for Writers

A list of websites/blogs that may be useful to authors or aspiring writers:
The Most Common Mistakes I See in Fiction Manuscripts
http://www.webdreamer.com/gross_fiction_mistakes.html
from Jerry Gross
Ten Mistakes Writers Don’t See (But Can Easily Fix When They Do)
http://www.holtuncensored.com/hu/the-ten-mistakes/
from Holt Uncensored
5 Editor’s Secrets To Help You Write Like A Pro
http://www.remarkable-communication.com/5-editors-secrets-to-help-you-write-like-a-pro/
from Remarkable Communication
How to write a book proposal
http://www.bubblecow.co.uk/2009/09/how-to-write-a-book-proposal/
from BubbleCow
Creating realistic characters with depth
http://www.kriscramer.com/how-to-create-realistic-characters-with-depth/
from kris cramer
Write Characters, Not Mary Sues
http://bethanyharvey.com/blog/posts/2007/07/write-characters-not-mary-sues/
from Born Liar
How to Create Suspense in a Story
http://www.ehow.co.uk/how_4406265_create-suspense-story.html?cr=1
from eHow
How to Use the ‘Rule of Three’ to Create Engaging Content
http://www.copyblogger.com/rule-of-three/
from copyblogger
How To Write A Fight Scene
http://community.livejournal.com/start_writing/38697.html
from Start Writing Fiction
How To Spice Up Your Writing With Dialogue
http://www.archetypewriting.com/articles/writing/spiceUpWdialogue.htm
from Archetype
Ending a Scene by James Thayer
http://www.authormagazine.org/articles/thayer_james_2008_12_15.htm
from Author Articles
An independent directory of online writing resources http://www.websitesforwriters.net/
from Websites for writers.
10 Ways to Improve Your Writing
http://www.teflspin.com/2008/04/10-ways-to-improve-your-writing_07.html
from Tefl Spin
Writing Links
http://www.internet-resources.com/writers/wrlinks-wordstuff.htm
from Internet-Resources.com
Checklist of Fiction Faults
http://raynelson.com/fictionfaults.html
from Ray Nelson
The 3 Most Important Elements of Fiction Writing
http://www.absolutewrite.com/novels/3_elements.htm
from Absolute Write
15 worthy blogs for writers
http://blog.writersdigest.com/norules/2009/10/09/15WorthyBlogsIJustDiscovered.aspx from The Writer’s Digest
How to Write a Novel Using the Web
http://mashable.com/2009/09/16/write-novel/
from Mashable
Tips for Creating a Compelling Plot
http://trutor.net/plot.html
from Debbie Lee Wesselmann
50 Free Resources That Will Improve Your Writing Skills
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/06/28/50-free-resources-that-will-improve-your-writing-skills/
from Smashing Magazine
10 Free Resources Every Writer Needs
http://writetodone.com/2008/12/15/the-10-free-resources-every-writer-needs/
from Write To Done
17 writing secrets
http://www.writersdigest.com/article?p_ArticleId=5387
from Writer’s Digest
Fiction Writer’s Character Chart
http://www.epiguide.com/ep101/writing/charchart.html
from EPIGUIDE.COM
Character development in fiction
http://character-development.suite101.com/article.cfm/getting_to_grips_with_character
from suite101.com
Read first chapters
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/books/chapterone.htm
from The Washington Post
Tips for Writers
http://writetodone.com/2009/08/10/the-nearly-ultimate-resource-176-tips-for-writers/
from Write To Done
13 writing tips
http://chuckpalahniuk.net/workshop/essays/chuck-palahniuk
from Chuck Palahniuk
How to Write a Great Novel
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703740004574513463106012106.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_sections_lifestyle
from The Wall Street Journal
50 Tools to Improve your Writing Skills
http://www.dumblittleman.com/2007/07/50-tools-that-can-improve-your-writing.html
from Dumb Little Man.
8 rules for writing unstoppable shorts
http://io9.com/366707/8-unstoppable-rules-for-writing-killer-short-stories
from i09
10 Tips for Creative Writers
http://jerz.setonhill.edu/writing/creative/shortstory/index.html
from Dennis G. Jerz
The 10 Best Books for Writers
http://editorunleashed.com/2009/04/08/the-10-best-books-for-writers/
from Editor Unleashed
50 best websites to download eBOOKs FREE
http://www.bestonlinetools.org/50-top-websites-to-download-ebooks/
from Tech tools
52 short stories
http://www.fiftytwostories.com/?page_id=7
from Fifty-Two Stories

Originality. Is it dead?

Are there any truly original stories left?

Harry Potter – the tale of an orphan living with his aunt and uncle, from where he is rescued by a wise, bearded man, who turns out to have magical powers. It is revealed to the young gent that his father also possessed these powers. Later, in the finale, our hero is forced to see off a threat from a bad man who we understood killed his parents.

Original? Well here’s the story of Luke Skywalker.

Star Wars (1977 – Episode IV) - the story of an orphan living with his aunt and uncle, from where he is rescued by a wise, bearded man, who turns out to have magical powers. It is revealed to the young gent that his father also possessed these powers. Later, in the finale, our hero is forced to see off a threat from a bad man who we understood killed his parents.

Plagiarism? No, they just share a similar story, and this has been going on for as long as tales have been told. Take the following from a few thousands years ago:

A child is born on Dec 25th; a boy, born to a virgin, and the only son of God. The birth is heralded by a star and announced by angels. He grew up, going on to resist temptation and walk on water. Death came in the form of a crucifixion and he was buried in a tomb, from which he was resurrected after three days and hailed as the savoir of humanity.

You might recognise this story as the tale of Horus, allegedly written thousands of years BC.