To solve any problem, here are three questions to ask yourself: First, what could I do? Second, what could I read? And third, who could I ask?
~ Jim Rohn
Do you know what's really cool? All three questions can be answered right here, in our own blogging community. There are countless blog posts dealing with those exact writing questions.
1.) If you want to know what you need to do to get started blogging or writing, it's out there. If you want to know what to do to begin a query, perfect a query, submit a query, it's out there. If you want to know what to do to find/begin a critique group, it's out there . . . whatever you want to do, the answer is our there.
2.) If you want to know what to read to become a better writer, recommendations abound in the blogging community. If you want to know about plotting, voice, characterization, the market, ANYTHING, it's out there.
3.) Who to ask? Yes, even that is out there. As we blog, we learn who the "go-to" people are, and if they can't help us, they usually know who can. Elana Johnson knows all (although she'll deny it). Angela Ackerman, Shannon Messenger, Jody Hedlund, Susan Quinn, Les Edgerton, and Christine Fonseca are some of my other "go-to" people. We could ALL add names to that list. Help is out there.
We are so lucky to have the information, support, and knowledge of this writing community at our fingertips. So very lucky!!
What is one blog or resource you love that's "out there" to help?
We are so fortunate. It's there when we need it and then we can shut it off before we hit overload. I'd add Janice Hardy and Alex Sokoloff! Great list.
ReplyDeleteLaura: I love Janice Hardy!
ReplyDeleteShannon: I always go to Parajunkee for blogging advice. She has a feature where she breaks it all down.
It is like a jewel found out there when I stumble across a great new site or post that gives me new insight or encouragement. Love your blog and all that you do! :O)
ReplyDeleteI love to be able to ask any blogger a question and receive help. Everyone is so kind and willing to give your advice. That's one thing that also holds true for writers. They are not overly proud and stuck up. They will answer you email enthusiastically ready to help in any way they can!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE that quote!! Have a great day Shannon!
ReplyDeleteYay for the fabulous blogging community!!!! Ask, read, discover!!!
ReplyDeleteHave a great Thursday!! Take care
x
It is a blessing to have so many resources out there. The ones you mentioned are good ones; I use them often.
ReplyDeleteHappy day, Amigo,
Karen :)
I love to go to Laini Taylor's blog, but that's totally for inspiration.
ReplyDeleteShelley
I adore Angela at the Bookshelf Muse!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth at Mystery Writing is Murder. Joanne at Whole Latte Life. Shannon at Book Dreaming - you knew I'd pick you.
ReplyDeleteHugs and sympathy over the death of your step-dad.
Mary
The writing world has shifted thanks to modern technology. Writers are able to reach out to others struggling through the same things as them. Even if we never meet in person, we can get to know others who share our plight.
ReplyDeleteI have so many blogs resources that I love. As a writer, I find QueryTracker.Blogspot.com rather helpful.
We really are lucky! I can't imagine how time-consuming and tough and... LONELY it must have been for writers even just ten years ago. So thankful we have technology to get in touch with fellow writers and other people in the industry!
ReplyDeleteVery very lucky! The information in this community is ENDLESS! As are the people willing to help!
ReplyDeleteThere are tons of good blogs to answer different questions: Casey's Literary Rambles is great for agent research, Lydia Kang's Medical Monday is wonderful for learning whether a poison you chose will act fast enough on the character you're killing off and Adventures in Children's Publishing is fabulous for finding out what you missed this week in the blogging world. YOUR blog is wonderful for inspiration. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI agree, Elana is BEYOND HELPFUL! Love this post and this community!
ReplyDeleteThose sound like questions I ask my doc. LOL
ReplyDeleteWe do have a great writing community! We're so lucky to live in a time when there is so much! =D
ReplyDeletehi miss shannon! wow i been learning soooo much from all my blogger friends. for my reading your mg mondays are great! and its just real cool you got others doing it too. now i got a BIG wanna read list.
ReplyDelete...hugs from lenny
What can men do though? We don't read directions and we can't ask for help. There needs to be a support group for men...only we wouldn't visit it.
ReplyDelete/sigh
:P
You mean besides you? :D
ReplyDeleteI really like visiting Jen's blog at Unedited (http://jennifer-daiker.blogspot.com/), Shelli over at Market My Words (http://faeriality.blogspot.com/) and Laini Taylor (www.lainitaylor.com).
It's true! Writer blogs are loaded with helps. So many of them have been a huge help to me. I feel grateful to be a part of it. You already named Elana. Ali Cross is another one.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many it would be impossible to name just one! As you proved! You hit on a few of the greats that I go to everyday. In fact, your 'Other Awesome Blogs' sidebar is full of wonderful resources!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're back, Shannon. I'd put your blog on the list!
ReplyDeleteGreat quote!
ReplyDeleteOne resource? Lydia Kang's Medical Mondays posts.
Information is right at our fingertips now. Sometimes I wonder if I'd had the Internet as a kid, if I would've tried publishing much sooner. There's just so much information out there, and all you have to do is type in a few words and hit enter. So easy!
ReplyDeleteThere are so many helpful blogs out there. Where do I start? Your blog has been very helpful to me!
ReplyDeleteSo true, I love Jody's blog, don't forget Kid Lit blog and CBA Ramblings too
ReplyDeleteOh by the way I'm hanging out for Megan's pbs otherwise this is an auction war :)
ReplyDeleteI was actually just coming from Janice Harding's blog, and marveling at the marvelous resource over there, LOL...
ReplyDeleteThat quote is so true ...
Oh yes, there are so many wonderful blogs out there. I'm not sure I can commit to one or two favorites, but The Bookshelf Muse is definitely one that comes to mind.
ReplyDeleteBesides yours (_really_) :
ReplyDeleteHappy Accident (for blogging)
BookShelve Muse (for writing)
Adventures in Children's Publishing
You're so right! How lucky we are to be a part of this fabulous community.
ReplyDeleteI'd add Nathan Bransford's blog and forums to the list. If I have any question about anything to do with publishing, a search in his blog archives will answer it tenfold.