Writing Resources | Writing Forward

Style Guides: Essential Writing Resources for Professionals

This post contains affiliate links that earn commissions from qualifying purchases. When we’re writing, we run into a lot of technical issues. Where do the quotation marks go? When is it correct to use a comma? How should titles be formatted? Some of these questions are answered by the rules of grammar, spelling, and punctuation….Read More

Writing Resources: Natalie Goldberg’s Writing Down the Bones

This post contains affiliate links that earn commissions from qualifying purchases. “I used to think freedom meant doing whatever you want. It means knowing who you are, what you are supposed to be doing on this earth, and then simply doing it.” — Natalie Goldberg, Writing Down the Bones Ah, words of wisdom. I was…Read More

Writing Resources for Naming Your Characters

This post contains affiliate links that earn commissions from qualifying purchases. Have you ever read one of those epic fantasy novels in which the magical characters can gain total control over any living being simply by discovering their real and true name? I’ve read about ten of those novels. What do you think is more…Read More

Steal Like an Artist

“All creative work builds on what came before. Nothing is completely original.” – Austin Kleon, Steal Like an Artist Austin Kleon’s Steal Like an Artist is described as “an inspiring guide to creativity in the digital age,” and although the book addresses technology, most of its wisdom would benefit writers and other artists in any age. This…Read More

Writing Resources: The Chicago Manual of Style

This post contains affiliate links. The Chicago Manual of Style is the most widely used resource for American English style, grammar, and punctuation. If you’re working on any kind of writing project and need a solid reference that provides answers for how to consistently apply style and grammar, then this is the book for you….Read More

Writing Resources: The Crafty Poet

This post contains affiliate links. One of my favorite classes in college was a poetry writing workshop. Sometimes we did poetry prompts or exercises. Occasionally we read and analyzed poetry. But mostly we shared our poems and received feedback that would help us see the strengths and weaknesses in our work. And then we could…Read More

Writing Resources: Wired for Story

This post contains affiliate links that earn commissions from qualifying purchases. Are you a storyteller? Do you want to be one? Then I suggest you pick up a copy of Wired for Story, ASAP. This is easily one of the best books on writing fiction that I’ve ever had the pleasure to read. The book…Read More

10 Good Grammar Resources

This post contains affiliate links that earn commissions. There’s good grammar and bad grammar, proper grammar and poor grammar. Some writers have fun with grammar and for others, grammar’s a bore. But in order to communicate effectively and for our writing to be professional (and publishable), we all need reliable grammar resources. There is no grammar…Read More

What If? Writing Exercises for Fiction Writers

This post contains affiliate links that earn commissions from qualifying purchases. Good fiction includes many different elements: believable characters, realistic dialogue, and a compelling plot. Every decent story has a beginning, middle, and end. Intriguing tales are built around conflict and are rich with themes and symbols. And those are just the basics. It can…Read More

Writing Resources: Zen in the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury

This post contains affiliate links that earn commissions from qualifying purchases. Ray Bradbury’s Zen in the Art of Writing, a collection of essays on writing and creativity, is infused with unparalleled joy and passion for the craft of writing. It’s an easy, relaxing read that imparts unique insight to boost your writing habits and keep ideas flowing…Read More