Writing Apps & Websites

How Authors Can Use Plottr for Outlining and Organizing Story Ideas

Troy Lambert — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 17:01:59 GMT

Current Revision posted to Writing Apps & Websites by Troy Lambert on 2/17/2023 5:01:59 PM

Not all writers outline before they begin to write a book, but if you are more of a planner when it comes to writing, you might find outlining helpful. Author and editor Troy Lambert recommends the software "Plottr" for outlining. Rather than covering your office walls with corkboards and whiteboards, Plottr allows writers to digitally arrange (and rearrange) your scenes, plots, and character arcs so you can quickly find your way to the end of your book. As the Education Lead for Plottr, Lambert shares with writers how they can use Plottr before writing a book, but also during the revision process to make sure your book's structure, pacing, and flow work well.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../HowAuthorsCanUsePlottrforOutliningandOrganizingStoryIdeas.mp4

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, video

How Authors Can Use Plottr for Outlining and Organizing Story Ideas

Troy Lambert — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 21:48:59 GMT

Revision 1 posted to Writing Apps & Websites by Troy Lambert on 2/16/2023 9:48:59 PM

Not all writers outline before they begin to write a book, but if you are more of a planner when it comes to writing, you might find outlining helpful. Author and editor Troy Lambert recommends the software "Plottr" for outlining. Rather than covering your office walls with corkboards and whiteboards, Plottr allows writers to easily arrange (and rearrange) your scenes, plots, and character arcs so you can quickly find your way to the end of your book. As the Education Lead for Plottr, Lambert shares with writers how they can use Plottr before writing a book, but also during the revision process to make sure your book's structure, pacing, and flow work well.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../HowAuthorsCanUsePlottrforOutliningandOrganizingStoryIdeas.mp4

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, video

Submittable for Writers

Author Learning Center — Thu, 04 Nov 2021 17:29:32 GMT

Current Revision posted to Writing Apps & Websites by Author Learning Center on 11/4/2021 5:29:32 PM

How to Easily Submit Writing to Magazines, Publishers, and Contests

For writers, getting your work published and recognized is a step toward realizing your goals as an author. However, finding the right contests or publications can be a challenging and time consuming. Authors now have the opportunity to find and submit their writing to magazines, publishers, and contests through a website called Submittable. To get started submitting your content, first learn what Submittable is, the benefits for authors, how to use it, and tips for success.

What is Submittable?

Submittable is a submission management system for the literary world and beyond. While it was largely designed to help publishers manage submissions for publications and contests, it helps writers, too.

How Submittable benefits authors

Save time: No need to spend hours searching the Internet for publishing opportunities or writing contests. Submittable gives you access to hundreds of open calls for submissions all in one place.

Target your search: Through Submittable's website, you can find exactly what you're looking for—whether you want to publish a romance novel, enter a short story contest, or publish a poem in a magazine. Target your search using criteria such as keywords, genre, entry cost, or deadline.

Monitor the progress of submissions: You are updated on the progress of your submission, so you don't have to just send off your work and hope they received it. You can also use the website to manage withdrawals and edits if necessary.

Learn about new opportunities: Using the website, you can follow publications or publishers that interest you, and see when they post something new.

How to use Submittable as an author

Using Submittable as a writer is simple, but make sure to follow the tips for success that are discussed in the next section. Here are four steps to submit writing to magazines, publishers, and contests:

Sign up: Simply create a free account, and set up your profile.

Search open submissions: Find open submissions that fit your genre and goals under the "Discover" tab. (Tip: research the publisher to ensure it's a good fit for your work.)

Send your work: Complete the submission through Submittable's website. (Tip: Follow instructions precisely, prepare additional materials beforehand, and only send your final draft.)

Stay updated: Track your submission through the website under the "Submissions" tab.

Success tips for writers using Submittable

Here are four tips for writers using Submittable to ensure that you put your best work forward:

Research the publications first

Before submitting your material, get to know the magazine, journal, or publisher. Make sure that your work is a good fit for the publication or publisher. If it's not a good fit and you submit you them, you're wasting your time (and money, if there's an entry or reading fee).

Follow the submission instructions precisely

Not following instructions is a sure way to get your submission rejected without a review. If you don't care enough to follow instructions, why should the reviewer take the time to review your work? Take the time to check and double check the instructions and put your best foot forward.

Prep additional material beforehand

Each publication creates their own submission page with any required fields to capture information. Browse the submission page and prepare any additional material offline (author bio, author photo, etc.). Take the time to make it clean and professional. Don't submit your entry until you've completed all the required material.

Submit only when you have your final draft ready

While Submittable does feature a "withdraw" button, you shouldn't use it unless you really mean it. The organization is notified each time someone withdraws, so don't use it like an edit button.

Find publishing opportunities for writers

While Submittable isn't a complete list of all the opportunities for you, it provides a diverse group of open calls for writers to get published and enter contests. Stay within your budget when submitting to publishers that require a fee—and do your research to ensure the company is reputable and is a good fit for your work. When you find the right fit, it just might be what you need to propel your author career to the next level.

Tags: article, fiction, Nonfiction

Submittable for Writers

Author Learning Center — Thu, 04 Nov 2021 17:27:38 GMT

Revision 2 posted to Writing Apps & Websites by Author Learning Center on 11/4/2021 5:27:38 PM

How to Easily Submit Writing to Magazines, Publishers, and Contests

What is Submittable?

How Submittable benefits authors

Save time: No need to spend hours searching the Internet for publishing opportunities or writing contests. Submittable gives you access to hundreds of open calls for submissions all in one place.

Learn about new opportunities: Using the website, you can follow publications or publishers that interest you, and see when they post something new.

How to use Submittable as an author

Sign up: Simply create a free account, and set up your profile.

Search open submissions: Find open submissions that fit your genre and goals under the "Discover" tab. (Tip: research the publisher to ensure it's a good fit for your work.)

Send your work: Complete the submission through Submittable's website. (Tip: Follow instructions precisely, prepare additional materials beforehand, and only send your final draft.)

Stay updated: Track your submission through the website under the "Submissions" tab.

Success tips for writers using Submittable

Here are four tips for writers using Submittable to ensure that you put your best work forward:

Research the publications first

Follow the submission instructions precisely

Prep additional material beforehand

Submit only when you have your final draft ready

While Submittable does feature a "withdraw" button, you shouldn't use it unless you really mean it. The organization is notified each time someone withdraws, so don't use it like an edit button.

Find publishing opportunities for writers

Tags: article, fiction, Nonfiction

Technology: Writing Software - article

Author Learning Center — Thu, 30 Apr 2020 17:59:00 GMT

Current Revision posted to Writing Apps & Websites by Author Learning Center on 4/30/2020 5:59:00 PM

Technology has revolutionized writing. But it can be overwhelming to identify the right technology for your purposes because today’s writers have multiple software tools to choose from. What software is available to today’s authors and what does each software tool bring to the table? Read on for a quick overview of popular writing software. For more tools to assist you in the writing stage, visit our Writing Resources.

Free software

Celtx
This software is an online approach to story production. It offers powerful character and outlining tools and is simple to use. It’s popular for projects with multiple authors.

Evernote
The free version of Evernote allows you to organize written notes, files, photos, voice memos, and to-do lists all in one place. Paid memberships offer additional features.

FocusWriter
When you use FocusWriter, you’ll only see your document on the screen, with no other distractions. Additional features include timers and alarms, a goal-setting tool, spell-check, and more.

Google Docs
Word documents you create on Google Docs are accessible and editable on a phone, tablet, or computer. You can share Google Docs with other users, who can edit your document in real time.

Reedsy
This online service offers a production tool to assist with formatting and conversion, as well as a community of professional editors, designers, and marketers.

yWriter5
This is an alternative word processor for writers. It breaks novels and chapters into scenes and offers features like rolling back to scenes from a previous session or pulling up a scene version from months ago for review.

Paid software

Dragon Naturally Speaking
Some writers benefit from this hands-free device that converts speech to text.

Dramatica
This story development software has a big learning curve and is not for beginning writers. This software bundles project management and story analysis into one.

Microsoft 365
This software bundle comes with several programs that are useful to authors. Word is the industry standard word processor for writers. It offers outlining tools, analysis tools and a stable platform to create books. Excel is another program in the bundle. This spreadsheet software is useful for plot and character analysis. OneNote, also in the bundle, is free-form information gathering software. It is useful to organize background information to support novel creation.

The Novel Factory
Use this software to organize your notes, create character profiles, access plot-planning templates, and more.

Power Structure
This story development software focuses on the structure of a story. It offers multiple graphic methods of looking at story to help create a well-designed outline to facilitate novel writing. Writer’s Blocks This creative outlining tool and word processor for writers helps generate non-linear outlines for novels. This software does not include story development tools.

Scrivener
This software takes on the dual role of word processor and a project management tool. It provides tools to help writers transform fledgling ideas into full-bodied final drafts.

StoryWeaver
This story development software features a bank of story cards to facilitate story creation. It offers basic support and is best suited for the developmental stage of fiction writing.

Technology is a great tool for any writer. Check out these options and pick the one that helps you work efficiently and become more organized in your writing efforts.

Tags: article, fiction, Nonfiction

Technology: Writing Software - article

Author Learning Center — Wed, 29 Apr 2020 18:16:08 GMT

Revision 10 posted to Writing Apps & Websites by Author Learning Center on 4/29/2020 6:16:08 PM

Free software

Celtx
This software is an online approach to story production. It offers powerful character and outlining tools and is simple to use. It’s popular for projects with multiple authors.

Evernote
The free version of Evernote allows you to organize written notes, files, photos, voice memos, and to-do lists all in one place. Paid memberships offer additional features.

Paid software

Dragon Naturally Speaking
Some writers benefit from this hands-free device that converts speech to text.

Dramatica
This story development software has a big learning curve and is not for beginning writers. This software bundles project management and story analysis into one.

Scrivener
This software takes on the dual role of word processor and a project management tool. It provides tools to help writers transform fledgling ideas into full-bodied final drafts.

StoryWeaver
This story development software features a bank of story cards to facilitate story creation. It offers basic support and is best suited for the developmental stage of fiction writing.

Technology is a great tool for any writer. Check out these options and pick the one that helps you work efficiently and become more organized in your writing efforts.

Tags: article, fiction, Nonfiction

Technology: Writing Software - article

Author Learning Center — Wed, 29 Apr 2020 18:14:15 GMT

Revision 9 posted to Writing Apps & Websites by Author Learning Center on 4/29/2020 6:14:15 PM

Free software

Celtx
This software is an online approach to story production. It offers powerful character and outlining tools and is simple to use. It’s popular for projects with multiple authors.

Evernote
The free version of Evernote allows you to organize written notes, files, photos, voice memos, and to-do lists all in one place. Paid memberships offer additional features.

Paid software

Scrivener
This software developed for MAC users with a less viable version for PC users takes on the dual role of word processor and a project management tool . This software provides tools to help writers transform fledgling ideas into full-bodied final drafts.

Dramatica
This story development software has a big learning curve and is not for beginning writers. This software bundles project management and story analysis into one.

StoryWeaver
This story development software features a bank of story cards to facilitate story creation. It offers basic support and is best suited for the developmental stage of fiction writing.

Dragon Naturally Speaking
Some writers benefit from this hands-free device that converts speech to text.

Technology is a great tool for any writer. Check out these options and pick the one that helps you work efficiently and become more organized in your writing efforts.

Tags: article, fiction, Nonfiction

Technology: Writing Software - article

Author Learning Center — Wed, 29 Apr 2020 18:13:23 GMT

Revision 8 posted to Writing Apps & Websites by Author Learning Center on 4/29/2020 6:13:23 PM

Free software

Celtx
This software is an online approach to story production. It offers powerful character and outlining tools and is simple to use. It’s popular for projects with multiple authors.

Evernote
The free version of Evernote allows you to organize written notes, files, photos, voice memos, and to-do lists all in one place. Paid memberships offer additional features.

Paid software

Dramatica
This story development software has a big learning curve and is not for beginning writers. This software bundles project management and story analysis into one.

StoryWeaver
This story development software features a bank of story cards to facilitate story creation. It offers basic support and is best suited for the developmental stage of fiction writing.

Dragon Naturally Speaking
Some writers benefit from this hands-free device that converts speech to text.

Technology is a great tool for any writer. Check out these options and pick the one that helps you work efficiently and become more organized in your writing efforts.

Tags: article, fiction, Nonfiction

Technology: Writing Software - article

Author Learning Center — Wed, 29 Apr 2020 15:38:19 GMT

Revision 7 posted to Writing Apps & Websites by Author Learning Center on 4/29/2020 3:38:19 PM

Free software

Celtex

This software is an online approach to story production. It offers powerful character and outlining tools and is simple to use. It’s popular for projects with multiple authors.

yWriter5

This is an alternative word processor for writers. It breaks novels and chapters into scenes and offers features like rolling back to scenes from a previous session or pulling up a scene version from months ago for review.

Paid software

Microsoft Office

This software bundle comes with several programs that are useful to authors. Word is the industry standard word processor for writers. It offers outlining tools, analysis tools and a stable platform to create books. Excel is another program in the bundle. This spreadsheet software is useful for plot and character analysis. OneNote, also in the bundle, is free-form information gathering software. It is useful to organize background information to support novel creation.

Scrivener

This software developed for MAC users with a less viable version for PC users takes on the dual role of word processor and a project management tool . This software provides tools to help writers transform fledgling ideas into full-bodied final drafts.

Dramatica Pro

This story development software has a big learning curve and is not for beginning writers. This software bundles project management and story analysis into one.

Story Weaver

This story development software features a bank of story cards to facilitate story creation. It offers basic support and is best suited for the developmental stage of fiction writing.

Power Structure

This story development software focuses on the structure of a story. It offers multiple graphic methods of looking at story to help create a well designed outline to facilitate novel writing.

Writer Blocks

This creative outlining tool and word processor for writers helps generate non-linear outlines for novels. This software does not include story development tools.

Dragon Naturally Speaking

Some writers benefit from this hands free device that converts speech to text. It is often used by writers with physical limitations – carpal tunnel and back problems.

Technology is a great tool for any writer. Check out these options and pick the one that helps you to be more efficient and organized in your writing efforts.

Tags: article, fiction, Nonfiction

Technology: Writing Software - article

Author Learning Center — Wed, 29 Apr 2020 15:37:47 GMT

Revision 6 posted to Writing Apps & Websites by Author Learning Center on 4/29/2020 3:37:47 PM

Free software

Celtex

This software is an online approach to story production. It offers powerful character and outlining tools and is simple to use. It’s popular for projects with multiple authors.

yWriter5

Paid software

Microsoft Office

Scrivener

Dramatica Pro

This story development software has a big learning curve and is not for beginning writers. This software bundles project management and story analysis into one.

Story Weaver

This story development software features a bank of story cards to facilitate story creation. It offers basic support and is best suited for the developmental stage of fiction writing.

Power Structure

This story development software focuses on the structure of a story. It offers multiple graphic methods of looking at story to help create a well designed outline to facilitate novel writing.

Writer Blocks

This creative outlining tool and word processor for writers helps generate non-linear outlines for novels. This software does not include story development tools.

Dragon Naturally Speaking

Some writers benefit from this hands free device that converts speech to text. It is often used by writers with physical limitations – carpal tunnel and back problems.

Technology is a great tool for any writer. Check out these options and pick the one that helps you to be more efficient and organized in your writing efforts.

Tags: article, fiction, Nonfiction

Technology: Writing Software - article

Author Learning Center — Wed, 29 Apr 2020 15:36:41 GMT

Revision 5 posted to Writing Apps & Websites by Author Learning Center on 4/29/2020 3:36:41 PM

Free software

Celtex

This software is an online approach to story production. It offers powerful character and outlining tools and is simple to use. It’s popular for projects with multiple authors.

yWriter5

Paid software

Microsoft Office

Scrivener

Dramatica Pro

This story development software has a big learning curve and is not for beginning writers. This software bundles project management and story analysis into one.

Story Weaver

This story development software features a bank of story cards to facilitate story creation. It offers basic support and is best suited for the developmental stage of fiction writing.

Power Structure

This story development software focuses on the structure of a story. It offers multiple graphic methods of looking at story to help create a well designed outline to facilitate novel writing.

Writer Blocks

This creative outlining tool and word processor for writers helps generate non-linear outlines for novels. This software does not include story development tools.

Dragon Naturally Speaking

Some writers benefit from this hands free device that converts speech to text. It is often used by writers with physical limitations – carpal tunnel and back problems.

Technology is a great tool for any writer. Check out these options and pick the one that helps you to be more efficient and organized in your writing efforts.

Tags: article, fiction, Nonfiction

Technology: Writing Software - article

Author Learning Center — Wed, 29 Apr 2020 15:35:46 GMT

Revision 4 posted to Writing Apps & Websites by Author Learning Center on 4/29/2020 3:35:46 PM

Free software

Celtex

This software is an online approach to story production. It offers powerful character and outlining tools and is simple to use. It’s popular for projects with multiple authors.

yWriter5

Paid software

Microsoft Office

Scrivener

Dramatica Pro

This story development software has a big learning curve and is not for beginning writers. This software bundles project management and story analysis into one.

Story Weaver

This story development software features a bank of story cards to facilitate story creation. It offers basic support and is best suited for the developmental stage of fiction writing.

Power Structure

This story development software focuses on the structure of a story. It offers multiple graphic methods of looking at story to help create a well designed outline to facilitate novel writing.

Writer Blocks

This creative outlining tool and word processor for writers helps generate non-linear outlines for novels. This software does not include story development tools.

Dragon Naturally Speaking

Some writers benefit from this hands free device that converts speech to text. It is often used by writers with physical limitations – carpal tunnel and back problems.

Technology is a great tool for any writer. Check out these options and pick the one that helps you to be more efficient and organized in your writing efforts.

Tags: article, fiction, Nonfiction

Managing Social Media and Writing Productivity - podcast

Sara Paretsky — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 18:54:10 GMT

Current Revision posted to Writing Apps & Websites by Sara Paretsky on 11/15/2018 6:54:10 PM

Bestselling author, Sara Paretsky shares how she balances writing and the draw of social media, sharing ways she stays productive in a world that can make it hard to focus. Paretsky uses specific tools so that she can be more productive online, find out what they are! In addition, she conceptualizes different social media platforms in different ways so that they can actually aid her writing process, not hinder it. Listen to the clip below to discover ways that you can more effectively use your writing time, even when the internet is competing for your attention.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../ManagingSocialMediaandWritingProductivity.mp3

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, podcast

Managing Social Media and Writing Productivity - video

Sara Paretsky — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 18:53:30 GMT

Current Revision posted to Writing Apps & Websites by Sara Paretsky on 11/15/2018 6:53:30 PM

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../ManagingSocialMediaandWritingProductivity.mp4

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, video

Submittable for Writers: How to Easily Submit Writing to Magazines, Publishers, and Contests

Author Learning Center — Fri, 09 Mar 2018 18:08:03 GMT

Revision 1 posted to Writing Apps & Websites by Author Learning Center on 3/9/2018 6:08:03 PM

What is Submittable?

How Submittable benefits authors

Save time: No need to spend hours searching the Internet for publishing opportunities or writing contests. Submittable gives you access to hundreds of open calls for submissions all in one place.

Learn about new opportunities: Using the website, you can follow publications or publishers that interest you, and see when they post something new.

How to use Submittable as an author

Sign up: Simply create a free account, and set up your profile.

Search open submissions: Find open submissions that fit your genre and goals under the "Discover" tab. (Tip: research the publisher to ensure it's a good fit for your work.)

Send your work: Complete the submission through Submittable's website. (Tip: Follow instructions precisely, prepare additional materials beforehand, and only send your final draft.)

Stay updated: Track your submission through the website under the "Submissions" tab.

Success tips for writers using Submittable

Here are four tips for writers using Submittable to ensure that you put your best work forward:

Research the publications first

Follow the submission instructions precisely

Prep additional material beforehand

Submit only when you have your final draft ready

While Submittable does feature a "withdraw" button, you shouldn't use it unless you really mean it. The organization is notified each time someone withdraws, so don't use it like an edit button.

Find publishing opportunities for writers

Tags: article, fiction, Nonfiction

Technology: Writing Software - article

Molly Blaisdell — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 13:16:14 GMT

Revision 3 posted to Writing Apps & Websites by Molly Blaisdell on 6/8/2017 1:16:14 PM

Technology has revolutionized writing. But it can be overwhelming to identify the write technology for your purposes because today’s writers have multiple software tools to choose from. What software is available to today’s authors and what does each software tool bring to the table? Read on for a quick overview of popular writing software. As you do, use this pricing scale to understand the cost categories of each item below.

$< 50
$$<100
$$$>100
$$$$>250

Microsoft Office ($$$$)

Scrivener ($)

Celtex (Free!)

This software is an online approach to story production. It offers powerful character and outlining tools and is simple to use. It’s popular for projects with multiple authors.

Dramatica Pro ($$$)

This story development software has a big learning curve and is not for beginning writers. This software bundles project management and story analysis into one.

Story Weaver ($)

This story development software features a bank of story cards to facilitate story creation. It offers basic support and is best suited for the developmental stage of fiction writing.

Power Structure ($$$)

This story development software focuses on the structure of a story. It offers multiple graphic methods of looking at story to help create a well designed outline to facilitate novel writing.

yWriter5 (Free!)

Writer Blocks ($$$)

This creative outlining tool and word processor for writers helps generate non-linear outlines for novels. This software does not include story development tools.

Dragon Naturally Speaking ($$$)

Some writers benefit from this hands free device that converts speech to text. It is often used by writers with physical limitations – carpal tunnel and back problems.

Technology is a great tool for any writer. Check out these options and pick the one that helps you to be more efficient and organized in your writing efforts.

Tags: article, fiction, Nonfiction

Technology: Writing Software - article

Molly Blaisdell — Sat, 04 Mar 2017 09:38:20 GMT

Revision 2 posted to Writing Apps & Websites by Molly Blaisdell on 3/4/2017 9:38:20 AM

$< 50
$$<100
$$$>100
$$$$>250

Microsoft Office $$$$ - This software bundle comes with several programs that are useful to authors. Word is the industry standard word processer for writers. It offers outlining tools, analysis tools and a stable platform to create books. Excel is another program in the bundle. This spreadsheet software is useful for plot and character analysis. OneNote, also in the bundle, is freeform information gathering software. It is useful to organize background information to support novel creation.

Scrivener- $ - This software developed for MAC users with a less viable version for PC users takes on the dual role of word processor and a project management tool . This software provides tools to help writers transform fledgling ideas into full-bodied final drafts.

Celtex - FREE - This software is an online approach to story production. It offers powerful character and outlining tools and is simple to use. It’s popular for projects with multiple authors.

Dramatica Pro - $$$ - This story development software has a big learning curve and is not for beginning writers. This software bundles project management and story analysis into one.

Story Weaver - $ - This story development software features a bank of story cards to facilitate story creation. It offers basic support and is best suited for the developmental stage of fiction writing.

Power Structure - $$$ – This story development software focuses on the structure of a story. It offers multiple graphic methods of looking at story to help create a well designed outline to facilitate novel writing.

yWriter5 - FREE – This is an alternative word processer for writers. It breaks novels and chapters into scenes and offers features like rolling back to scenes from a previous session or pulling up a scene version from months ago for review.

Writer Blocks - $$$ – This creative outlining tool and word processer for writers helps generate non-linear outlines for novels. This software does not include story development tools.

Dragon Naturally Speaking - $$$ - Some writers benefit from this hands free device that converts speech to text. It is often used by writers with physical limitations – carpal tunnel and back problems.

If you are interested in mind mapping, check out the article “Technology: Mind Mapping Apps”, here on the Author Learning Center, for details about mind mapping applications.

Technology is a great tool for any writer. Check out these options and pick the one that helps you to be more efficient and organized in your writing efforts.

Tags: article, fiction, Nonfiction

Technology: Apps for the Writer in You - article

Michael Esser — Sat, 04 Mar 2017 09:20:32 GMT

Current Revision posted to Writing Apps & Websites by Michael Esser on 3/4/2017 9:20:32 AM

The days of the old pencil to paper technique for mind mapping to start a writing project is on its way out with the creation of websites such as www.bubbl.us and www.mind42.com. It doesn’t take much to get started with either one, and they work similar to Microsoft Paint with a very simple point and click interface that will remind you of the pen/paper technique.

Search engines such as google.com are used to find anything and everything you need to know to research your writing project, especially geographic information, actual dates or specific references, and languages and customs, too.

Once your research is complete and you’re building your story, naming your characters can be a challenge. Go to websites such as www.babynames.com to find not only names but their meanings, too, because you might just come up with something that can add a double meaning and an extra level of depth to the eccentric villain.

Good writing is at the top of your list, and there are some great software products for authors that will help you. Microsoft Word is very useful. It’s a great word processing tool and includes features for spelling and grammar check, identifying word count, and formatting. It even includes built-in link to a dictionary and thesaurus. Page sizes can be created that are compatible with standard book sizes so you can see how the words will fit on the actual pages. You can also track changes as you re-edit.

A comparable software specifically designed for the writer is Storybook. Storybook is a free novel-writing tool for creative writers, novelists and authors. It’s great at helping you to keep an overview of your multiple plot lines while you’re writing, and you can track your central characters, minor characters, and locations as well. Plus, if it crashes mid-sentence, each input you entered is automatically saved so you won't lose any data. Download a free copy and check it out.

Finally, check out the great self-publishing sites that offer print-on-demand services, such as www.lulu.com and www.inkubook.com, to get your work to the masses.

Tags: article, fiction, Nonfiction

Managing Social Media and Writing Productivity - podcast

Sara Paretsky — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Revision 1 posted to Writing Apps & Websites by Sara Paretsky on 1/9/2017 12:00:00 AM

Bestselling author, Sara Paretsky shares how she balances writing and the draw of social media, sharing ways she stays productive in a world that can make it hard to focus.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../ManagingSocialMediaandWritingProductivity.mp3

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, podcast

The Best Apps For Staying Organized - video

Paula Rizzo — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Current Revision posted to Writing Apps & Websites by Paula Rizzo on 1/9/2017 12:00:00 AM

Author of "Listful Thinking," Paula Rizzo, shares her favorite mobile phone apps for staying organized.

www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../TheBestAppsForStayingOrganized.mp4

Tags: fiction, Nonfiction, Subscriber, video