How to improve your writing

Learning how to write well is a journey--one that never ends. With so many resources out there, how do you choose? (You do choose, you know.)

First, what do you write? Fiction? Nonfiction? Books? Articles? PE stories? Devotionals? Blogs?

Second, how much time are you willing to carve out of your schedule for study time?

Third, how much $$ do you have to spend?


Following are some suggestions for you to explore:


CONFERENCES: 

Writing Success XXII,  a one-day conference, Emmanuel Christian Church, Stoneboro, Pa.,  April 27

St. Davids Christian Writers' Conference Grove City College, Grove City, Pa., June 18-22


COURSES:

Check out the writing courses Christian Writers Guild offers. Special prices on select courses through the end of February. Each student works with a personal mentor—a working professional writer and editor—who encourages, instructs, and challenges you each step of the way. Courses are available for adults and youth (great for homeschoolers!).

BLOGS:

Check the blogs I've listed in the right margin. The Christian Writers Guild blog, as well as Jerry B. Jenkins's blog on writing are both excellent and timely.

BOOKS:

I've recently downloaded the following books to help me learn to write fiction better. All are available on Amazon.com. (Every serious writer should build a professional library.)

Characters, Emotions, and Viewpoint, Nancy Kress
How to Write Descriptions of Hair and Skin, Val Kovalin
How to Write Descriptions of Eyes and Faces, Val Kovalin
The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Expression, Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi

Anything by James Scott Bell:  
Plot and Structure
Conflict and Suspense 
The Art of War for Writers 
Revision and Self-Editing



Writing the Breakthrough Novel and Writing the Breakthrough Novel Workbook, Donald Maass (EXCELLENT!!!)
 
Elements of Style, William Strunk and E.B. White  (a MUST for all writers!)
 
Writing for the Soul, Jerry B. Jenkins


Writing from Within: A Guide to Creativity and Life Story Writing by Bernard Selling
 
Reflections from a Mother’s Heart, Publisher: J. Country
 
Writing Articles from the Heart: How to Write and Sell Your Life Experiences by Marjorie Holmes
 
Writing from Personal Experience by Nancy Davidoff Kelton; Publisher: Writer’s Digest Books.
 
Effective Magazine Writing, Roger C. Palms
 
On Writing Well, William Zinsser
 
Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, Renni Brown and Dave Kin

Stein on Writing,  Sol Stein
 
Write Tight: How to Keep Your Prose Sharp, Focused and Concise, William Brohaugh (WD)
 
The Writer’s Digest Guide to Good Writing, editors of Writer’s Digest (WD)
 
Writers on Writing, edited by James Watkins  
GRAMMAR:

The Write Way, Richard Lederer (grammar)
 
Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing, Mignon Fogarty (she also has a blog)