Resources
Writing Basics
andromeda.rutgers.edu/~jlynch/Writing
Guide to Grammar and Style.
www.askoxford.com/?view=uk
Oxford English Dictionary
catnyp.nypl.org/
Has nothing to do with cats.
www.collegeboard.com/article...
Four Tips to Improve Your Writing Skills. Note that a rule is listed on the left, and on the right, the rule is being broken. Broken. These tips are for college-bound students, but as I do coaching for writers with books, I see that even writers with advanced degrees have trouble with these rules.
www.collegeboard.com/student/plan/...
Five glaring grammatical errors and how to fix them.
www.englishpage.com/
Free online English lessons and ESL/EFL resources. Note: plenty of free stuff here, no need to purchase anything. Plus, use your imagination. Is a character in your novel learning English? This is a great resource.
fredericksburg.com/...
Quick reference Associated Press Stylebook. Click on the link at the top right.
www.tiscali.co.uk/reference/...
Hutchinson Dictionary of Difficult Words
I love this place. Here is how they explain it. “Do you aim to become a member of the literati, or do you wish to be a savant? Do you want to avoid being verbigerative and be succinct instead? Search the Hutchinson Dictionary of Difficult Words' A-Z index of over 13,900 difficult words to increase your vocabulary or just find out what those words really mean!”
www.lexfn.com/
A dictionary, thesaurus, and so much stuff about words, it’s scary.
www.greenprints.com/
If you want a barebones lesson in Writing 101, read editor Pat Stone’s Guidelines for Writers.
www.hacwn.org/
Heart of America Christian Writers Network. Monthly meetings, speakers, annual conference, networking.
www.usmc.mil/news/publications/Documents/...
Marine Corps Historical Center Writing Guide. A great resource. If you are writing about military service, whether in memoir, general nonfiction or fiction, this has wonderfully practical information. It has good general writing information also. If the print is too small to read, using the wheel on your mouse, roll the wheel away from you and the print will be enlarged.
home.earthlink.net/~jwkc/index.html
Interested in writing for children? Look for info and writers conference here, Juvenile Writers of Kansas City.
www.HumorWriters.org/
If you are interested in writing humor, you will want this information.
How to Write a Book Proposal, book by Michael Larsen
Writing Ideas & Resources
www.archives.gov
National Archives. Any historical information created or received by the Federal Government.
www.asja.org
American Society of Journalists and Authors.
www.avotaynu.com
Avotaynu, Inc. is the leading publisher of products of interest to persons who are researching Jewish genealogy, Jewish family trees or Jewish roots. The books sold are meant to assist in research—from beginner guides to books about Jewish surnames. They also have a new free Internet newsletter.
www.bartleby.com/reference
Supermarket for the writer. Includes reference, quotations, verse, fiction, non-fiction, apples, oranges and the kitchen sink.
www.biblegateway.com/
Sixty versions of the Bible.
http://www.ellisisland.org/
You can search for family who entered the US through Ellis Island. Free search. There is also an option for including your family story.
http://genealogy.about.com...
Oh now this is really fun. It is an attractive family tree chart that you can fill in on your computer. Family Tree chart you can digitally sign.
http://go.footnote.com/thewall
Interactive Vietnam Veterans Wall. Search for names, leave a story, comment or photo.
www.JoCoHistory.net
Over 150 years of Johnson County history just a click away. An interactive web site with over 25,000 images and 500 pages of historical resources.
www.jocohistory.org/...
Kansas School for the Deaf in Olathe has scanned over 2,000 historic images. These photos document the students, staff, buildings, athletics, and extra curricular activities at the school from the 1870s to the present.
www.jocohistory.org
Johnson County, Kansas photos.
www.mymcpl.org/genealogy
The Midwest Genealogy Center (MGC) is one of the nation's preeminent resources for family history. The Genealogy Center features 52,000 square feet of space to house all the resources and technology genealogists need to research. 3440 S. Lee's Summit Road, Independence, MO 64055-1923. Phone: 816-252-7228. Hours: Mon–Thurs 9–9; Fri 9–6; Sat 9–5; Sun 1–5.
www.mymcpl.org/genealogy/family-history-forms
This is a simple beginning family history form that could be filled in, printed, color added with some markers , stickers, or photos; framed, and given to a very young child. Or filled in with the child. Cute!
www.sos.mo.gov/archives/resources/...
Missouri Birth & Death Records Database, Pre-1910 (Thanks, Jane B.)
National Personnel Records Center
Request copies of military personnel records. The National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis has opened the military records of more than 6 million service members who were discharged or who retired or died before 1946. Records include items such as photos, fingerprints, reason for enlistment, unit assignments, evaluations, awards, education and training records, physical exams, disciplinary actions and official correspondences. To view original records, visit the center in person. Call ahead to check whether records are intact. For an appointment, call 314-801-0850. There may be a charge for some copies. Some records were damaged or destroyed in a 1973 fire.
http://netministries.org/webdev.html
Devotions index. If you are interested in writing devotions, investigate this site. It takes a little work to find some of the guidelines, and some of them, I never found. Still, I think it is worth a look.
www.newspaperarchive.com
Search old newspaper articles online. Some of these require a fee, but in some instances, it might be worth it to you. Also, there is plenty of free stuff, plus a place to submit your own stories.
www.pma-online.org/
The largest non-profit trade association representing independent publishers. If you have or are planning to self-publish, look into this organization.
www.refdesk.com/
This has everything writers love. News, current events, daily diversions such as quotes, word games, on this day in history, facts, help and advice. This is a good source to add depth and texture to your writing.
www.underdown.org/ciglinks.htm
Want to write for children? This lists almost too many resources. Close your eyes, point and pick one.
www.writersandeditors.com:80/work32.htm
Wow! Every resource a writer needs.
www.writersdigest.com/
On-line version of Writer’s Digest. Tips, how-to, guidelines, marketing.
www.writing-world.com/
“a world of writing tips, for writers around the world” You can make your eyeballs dance from looking at all the information here.
Nonfiction Book Proposals Anybody Can Write: How to Get a Contract and an Advance Before Writing Your Book, book by Elizabeth Lyon
Synopses, Marketing & Breaking In, book by Elizabeth Lyon
Write the Perfect Book Proposal: 10 Proposals That Sold and Why, book by Jeff Herman and Deborah M. Adams.
Getting Published
www.aar-online.org
Association of Authors’ Representatives. If you are looking for an agent, be sure to look at this list. And read their cautions.
www.agentquery.com
Database of literary agents.
www.writers.net
Search for literary agents by topic.
www.worldstart.com/writers-guidelines/
Use this for the info or the guidelines. Computer Tips and Techniques newsletter. "We are primarily looking for tips for our e-mail newsletter, Computer Tips & Techniques. This is published daily to 125,000 readers and focuses on tips and tricks the average computer user can utilize.";
Making a Living
www.cookbookpublishers.com/
Want to publish or sell a custom cookbook? Whether your answer is yes or no, this is an interesting site if you are interested in cooking, food or eating.
www.fundsforwriters.com/
“Funds for Writers provides a source for struggling writers seeking funds for their dreams. Funds consist of grants, contests, jobs, websites and sources of partnerships to open doors for writers making a living through their passion for words.”
www.pen.org/...
Grants search
www.poewar.com/
News, articles, information and opportunities for writers.
Writer's Market. A zillion places to sell your writing. Plus basic information you NEED to know. Check your library or bookstore. Available online for a fee.
Odds & Ends
writing.shawguides.com/
A directory of writing conferences and workshops. Search by date, state, topic or your hair color. No, that last part is a joke, but it is a great site.