Everything You Need To Write, At the Tip Of Your Fingers

The Internet changed the game. While it is true that some writers nowadays still use pen and paper, most prefer to draft and edit projects in Word or Google Docs. We query through emails and find writing communities on social media. There is a world of opportunities, with countless platforms to use. And if we learn to use these resources right, our writing can reach the next level.

Writing Courses
Accessible, online writing classes, seminars, and lectures are a device to develop your craft without leaving your home's comfort. It might take some time and research to find one that suits your needs, maybe you are searching for peer reviews, or perhaps you want one that focuses on challenges. But once you have it, the topic is yours for the learning. 

I believe that it is important for everyone to understand their learning process to take advantage of writing resources. For example, when taking a writing course, I make sure to take Cornell notes, as it is easier for me to process the information and search for it whenever I need it later. However, you might feel that a mind map or other diagrams help you better. 

Some recommendations:

• edX: This platform offers people the chance to take courses with elite universities for free. All you need to do is type “writing” on the search bar and you will find gems such as Harvard’s Rhetoric: The Art of Persuasive Writing and Public Speaking or Cambridge’s Building your Screenplay.
• Quotidian Writer on YouTube - Diane Callahan’s YouTube channel presents a broad arrange of topics -ranging from writing subtext to how to punctuate dialogue- in a format that is easy to follow and in less than half an hour.
• Brandon Sanderson’s YouTube channel: As a SFF writer, this channel has taught me a variety of techniques. It includes both some of the author’s lectures and shorter videos on characters, plot and more.

Podcasts
When life gets busy, podcasts are a great way to learn more about writing and get advice. You can listen to them in the car, while getting ready, while doing laundry, anything. It is this flexibility that makes podcasts some of my favorite resources out there.

• The Happy Writer Podcast - A series of interviews with published authors of all genres and backgrounds hosted by Marissa Meyer, aiming to make your day a little bit happier.
• Deadline City Podcast - Explore the Idea Factory, Publicity Parlor, the Theme Park, among other writing locations with authors Zoraida Córdova and Dhonielle Clayton.
• Dead Writers Talk - Powered by The Authors of Tomorrow, this podcast features both interviews with members of the organization and discussions about different creative endeavors.
• Moving Write Along - And of course, I could not forget about our podsquad. Made by young writers, for young writers, you can find interviews with authors, guides to beta & alpha reading, fun Cast vs. Crew Pitch Wars, and much more.

To Use While Writing
Getting the right word can be challenging from time to time. That is why I nearly always have three tabs open when writing:

• Reverso - English is not my first language, but it is the one I write in the most; so having a trustworthy translator with me while I draft or edit is important. Reverso has many features, but the main one gives you plenty of translations, and their respective examples, for you to choose the one that fits your context best. It also includes a spelling checker and a rephrase option.
• Thesaurus - Sometimes, using “suddenly” for the third time in a chapter is hard to avoid. Thesaurus lists plenty of synonyms for a word (separating them depending on meaning), from most to least similar.
• Grammarly -  That YouTube ad was telling the truth. Grammarly is a tool that picks up most of your spelling mistakes, plus points out unnecessary words and phrases that are hard to read. There might be some suggestions you want to ignore, but overall it is helpful for proofreading.

Publishing
The web also helps writers share their work with the world in many ways. However, for now, I will focus on resources to find Literary Magazines:

• Chill Subs - A rather well-known platform with search tools to find Lit Mags that fit your profile and ambition. It strives to make “your writing life not so freaking exhausting”.
• Authors Publish - The daily articles of this magazine will not only offer you updated options of Lit Mags to submit to, but also courses, tips, and tricks on how to do so.

Others
And finally, there are other two resources I believe are worth mentioning:

• Better Health Channel - Writing battle scenes can sometimes lead to some suspicious Google searches. This website can be helpful if you are looking for information about specific wounds, first-aid, and treatments.
• Notion - To learn more about how you can use Notion to enhance your worldbuilding, click here.

These are some of the resources I know and work better with. But the net is so wide, that the amount of information it holds can sometimes feel overwhelming. The truth is, not every resource will work out for you, but I encourage experimenting with new platforms and programs to get the most out of the internet.

​​​​​​Paula Argudo

is a young planster with too much passion and too little time on a day. She has been telling stories for as long as she can remember, whether they are thoroughly researched flash fiction pieces or improvised bedtime stories.
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MORE FROM THIS AUTHOR:

• ​Worldbuilding Basics - Introduction and Resources
• Writing Theory of Ancient Greece (Part Two)
• Writing Theory of Ancient Greece (Part One)
• Microfiction: Crafting a Tale in Fewer Than Ten Words
• Five Things You Can Do To Avoid Writer’s Burnout
• Pacing