General
Online Dictionary - My favorite feature of this online dictionary is that for searched words it will give you example sentences, word origin, and word history. Did you know that the word "creative" originated in the 1680s and was used to describe literature starting around 1816? Fascinating!
Online Thesaurus - This is the thesaurus linked to the above Dictionary website.
RhymeZone - Need to find rhyming words? Use any word and search for words that rhyme with it. (Try "orange" first.) My favorite feature of this website is that it organizes results by syllable or letter count, and you can search for near rhymes, synonyms, antonyms, and homophones.
Purdue Online Writing Lab - This is a perfect source to help you with your writing, specifically with grammar, mechanics, punctuation, and a whole lot more! I highly recommend this for any class when you have a writing assignment to complete! They even have suggestions for writer's block.
Grammar Girl - Bestselling authority Mignon Fogarty tackles grammatical quandaries that even seasoned writers struggle with, answering difficult questions about punctuation, word choice, style and much more.
The North Carolina Writer's Network - The North Carolina Writers' Network serves writers at every stage of development through programs that offer ample opportunities for professional growth in skills and insight. The Network builds audiences for literature, advocates for the literary arts and for literacy, and provides information and support services.
United States Office of Copyright - When it comes to protecting your work (and yourself), go straight to the source to learn everything there is to know about copyright.
The Library of Congress - The Library of Congress is the nation's oldest federal cultural institution and serves as the research arm of Congress. It is also the largest library in the world (#drooling), with millions of books, recordings, photographs, maps and manuscripts in its collections.
Figment - This website is a community where you can share your writing, connect with other readers, and discover new stories and authors. Whatever you're into, from sonnets to mysteries, from sci-fi stories to cell phone novels, you can find it all here.
Merlyn's Pen - This website is geared for Young Adult writers as well as their teachers. It also houses a large collection of fiction, essays, and poems by America's teens.
Teen Ink - This is a national teen magazine, book series, and website devoted entirely to teenage writing, art, photos and forums. Students must be age 13-19 to participate, register and/or submit work. They offer teenagers the opportunity to publish their creative work and opinions on the issues that affect their lives - everything from love and family to teen smoking and community service. Hundreds of thousands of students have submitted their work to them and they have published more than 55,000 teens since 1989.
Teen Voices - "Teen Voices was founded in 1988 by two young-adult women in Cambridge, Massachusetts who believed in the power of girls and young women to create social change through writing and art. Their vehicle of choice was the production and publication of Teen Voices, a four-color, glossy magazine by, for, and about teen girls. The mission of Teen Voices, therefore, is to support and educate teen girls to amplify their voices and create social change through media."
Online Thesaurus - This is the thesaurus linked to the above Dictionary website.
RhymeZone - Need to find rhyming words? Use any word and search for words that rhyme with it. (Try "orange" first.) My favorite feature of this website is that it organizes results by syllable or letter count, and you can search for near rhymes, synonyms, antonyms, and homophones.
Purdue Online Writing Lab - This is a perfect source to help you with your writing, specifically with grammar, mechanics, punctuation, and a whole lot more! I highly recommend this for any class when you have a writing assignment to complete! They even have suggestions for writer's block.
Grammar Girl - Bestselling authority Mignon Fogarty tackles grammatical quandaries that even seasoned writers struggle with, answering difficult questions about punctuation, word choice, style and much more.
The North Carolina Writer's Network - The North Carolina Writers' Network serves writers at every stage of development through programs that offer ample opportunities for professional growth in skills and insight. The Network builds audiences for literature, advocates for the literary arts and for literacy, and provides information and support services.
United States Office of Copyright - When it comes to protecting your work (and yourself), go straight to the source to learn everything there is to know about copyright.
The Library of Congress - The Library of Congress is the nation's oldest federal cultural institution and serves as the research arm of Congress. It is also the largest library in the world (#drooling), with millions of books, recordings, photographs, maps and manuscripts in its collections.
Figment - This website is a community where you can share your writing, connect with other readers, and discover new stories and authors. Whatever you're into, from sonnets to mysteries, from sci-fi stories to cell phone novels, you can find it all here.
Merlyn's Pen - This website is geared for Young Adult writers as well as their teachers. It also houses a large collection of fiction, essays, and poems by America's teens.
Teen Ink - This is a national teen magazine, book series, and website devoted entirely to teenage writing, art, photos and forums. Students must be age 13-19 to participate, register and/or submit work. They offer teenagers the opportunity to publish their creative work and opinions on the issues that affect their lives - everything from love and family to teen smoking and community service. Hundreds of thousands of students have submitted their work to them and they have published more than 55,000 teens since 1989.
Teen Voices - "Teen Voices was founded in 1988 by two young-adult women in Cambridge, Massachusetts who believed in the power of girls and young women to create social change through writing and art. Their vehicle of choice was the production and publication of Teen Voices, a four-color, glossy magazine by, for, and about teen girls. The mission of Teen Voices, therefore, is to support and educate teen girls to amplify their voices and create social change through media."
Fiction
Comprehensive List of Literary Terms - Thanks to Ted Nellen he's compiled a fairly comprehensive list of literary terms and their definitions. Even though the website isn't "pretty," it's still a great source of information.
Creative Writing Prompts - If you're stuck and you have nothing to write about give this website a try.
Language is a Virus - This is just a cool website about writing and the craft of writing. There are quite a lot of resources here.
Easy Street Prompts - Give your muse a visual boost by perusing these photo- and video-based writing prompts until inspiration strikes.
Once Written - The authoritative source for new and emerging authors. Whether you're an avid reader, a writer taking your first steps in the fabulous world of creative writing, or a newly published author, our site has the information you're looking for--from original book reviews and book giveaway contests to writing prompts and advice for new writers.
Toasted Cheese - Toasted Cheese is what happens when you add a Literary Journal with a writing community. Enjoy!
Websites for Writers - I love the format of this website. It's an independent directory of online writing resources, from blogs, advice and news outlets to writing applications, bookshops and workspaces. It's almost like scrolling through Pinterest, but with tons of links for writing.
One Word - One word is a simple writing exercise. It's not about learning new words. It's not about defining words. The purpose of the exercise is to learn to flow. You'll see one word at the top of the screen, and then you'll have 60 seconds to write. You shouldn't think, you should just write.
The First Line - This website gives you your first line and then a deadline to submit your story. Pretty cool!
Every Photo Tells a Story - A collection of photographs that you can use to help inspire stories.
Creative Writing Prompts - If you're stuck and you have nothing to write about give this website a try.
Language is a Virus - This is just a cool website about writing and the craft of writing. There are quite a lot of resources here.
Easy Street Prompts - Give your muse a visual boost by perusing these photo- and video-based writing prompts until inspiration strikes.
Once Written - The authoritative source for new and emerging authors. Whether you're an avid reader, a writer taking your first steps in the fabulous world of creative writing, or a newly published author, our site has the information you're looking for--from original book reviews and book giveaway contests to writing prompts and advice for new writers.
Toasted Cheese - Toasted Cheese is what happens when you add a Literary Journal with a writing community. Enjoy!
Websites for Writers - I love the format of this website. It's an independent directory of online writing resources, from blogs, advice and news outlets to writing applications, bookshops and workspaces. It's almost like scrolling through Pinterest, but with tons of links for writing.
One Word - One word is a simple writing exercise. It's not about learning new words. It's not about defining words. The purpose of the exercise is to learn to flow. You'll see one word at the top of the screen, and then you'll have 60 seconds to write. You shouldn't think, you should just write.
The First Line - This website gives you your first line and then a deadline to submit your story. Pretty cool!
Every Photo Tells a Story - A collection of photographs that you can use to help inspire stories.
Poetry
Poets.org - "The Academy of American Poets was founded in 1934 to support American poets at all stages of their careers and to foster the appreciation of contemporary poetry. To fulfill this mission, the Academy administers a wide variety of programs, including National Poetry Month (April), the largest literary celebration in the world; online educational resources providing free poetry lesson plans for high school teachers; the Poetry Audio Archive, a collection of over 700 recordings dating back to the 1960s; and Poets.org, our award-winning website which provides a wealth of content on contemporary American poetry and receives a million unique users each month."
Writing Poetry Sources on Poets.org - This website offers a lot of information on writing poetry. Just see for yourself.
Poetry Foundation - The Poetry Foundation, publisher of Poetry magazine (see below), is an independent literary organization committed to a vigorous presence for poetry in our culture. It exists to discover and celebrate the best poetry and to place it before the largest possible audience.
Poetry Magazine - Founded in Chicago by Harriet Monroe in 1912, Poetry is the oldest monthly devoted to verse in the English-speaking world.
Poetry 180 - As the U.S. Poet Laureate (2001-2003), Billy Collins initiated a poem-a-day program with the Library of Congress. Poetry 180 with its website is designed for high school students to read a poem each day of the 180 days of the school year.
Shmoop Guide to Reading Poetry - I really enjoy what this website says about how to read poetry, see: "There’s really only one reason that poetry has gotten a reputation for being so darned “difficult”: it demands your full attention and won’t settle for less. Unlike a novel, where you can drift in and out and still follow the plot, poems are generally shorter and more intense, with less of a conventional story to follow. If you don’t make room for the experience, you probably won’t have one." Follow the link and read the rest.
How To (and How Not To) Write Poetry by Wislawa Szymborska - Advice for blocked writers and aspiring poets from a Nobel Prize winner’s newspaper column.
Writing Poetry Sources on Poets.org - This website offers a lot of information on writing poetry. Just see for yourself.
Poetry Foundation - The Poetry Foundation, publisher of Poetry magazine (see below), is an independent literary organization committed to a vigorous presence for poetry in our culture. It exists to discover and celebrate the best poetry and to place it before the largest possible audience.
Poetry Magazine - Founded in Chicago by Harriet Monroe in 1912, Poetry is the oldest monthly devoted to verse in the English-speaking world.
Poetry 180 - As the U.S. Poet Laureate (2001-2003), Billy Collins initiated a poem-a-day program with the Library of Congress. Poetry 180 with its website is designed for high school students to read a poem each day of the 180 days of the school year.
Shmoop Guide to Reading Poetry - I really enjoy what this website says about how to read poetry, see: "There’s really only one reason that poetry has gotten a reputation for being so darned “difficult”: it demands your full attention and won’t settle for less. Unlike a novel, where you can drift in and out and still follow the plot, poems are generally shorter and more intense, with less of a conventional story to follow. If you don’t make room for the experience, you probably won’t have one." Follow the link and read the rest.
How To (and How Not To) Write Poetry by Wislawa Szymborska - Advice for blocked writers and aspiring poets from a Nobel Prize winner’s newspaper column.
How-To & Publishing
Blurb - Want to turn your writing into a bookstore quality book?
Create Space - A self-publishing website provided by the Amazon company. You can publish your work and distribute it. Your book remains in-stock, without inventory, and is made on-demand when customers order. You even receive royalties for selling your books. (I haven't investigated too much, but it does seem too good to be true...)
Lulu - Here's what this website says, "Lulu brings the world of online book publishing and book printing to you. Looking to self-publish? Lulu's print on demand (POD) solutions make publishing your own book quick and easy. Create a book in minutes, publish with the click of a mouse, distribute, sell and print books to order."
Women on Writing - This is an ezine that promotes communication between women writers, authors, editors, agents, publishers, and readers.
Writer Gazette - Here is this websites mission, "To provide writers worldwide with a resource site that provides tips, techniques, resources, articles, job postings, and more to help induce, improve, and promote a writing career -- free to the public." It's pretty amazing. They have endless resources on how to get your writing out and into the world!
Hanging Loose Press - "Hanging Loose magazine welcomes high school submissions. As with other writers, we reply within three months, and high school authors whose work we publish receive the same small fee and two copies of the issue in which their work appears. We feel a special responsibility to those young writers who look to us not only for possible publication but sometimes also for editorial advice, which we are always happy to give when asked." (They are also the publishers of Sherman Alexie's awesome books.)
How Publishing Really Works - Website says, "You want to be published, but you don’t know where to start. Big publishers won’t accept submissions, small presses publish books you’ve never heard of, and the one publisher which wants to publish your book has demanded money, which doesn’t seem right. You’re determined to avoid the pitfalls and predators and get published properly. But how can you be sure you’re on the right track? Simple. Read this website. You’ll find out exactly how publishing really works."
Create Space - A self-publishing website provided by the Amazon company. You can publish your work and distribute it. Your book remains in-stock, without inventory, and is made on-demand when customers order. You even receive royalties for selling your books. (I haven't investigated too much, but it does seem too good to be true...)
Lulu - Here's what this website says, "Lulu brings the world of online book publishing and book printing to you. Looking to self-publish? Lulu's print on demand (POD) solutions make publishing your own book quick and easy. Create a book in minutes, publish with the click of a mouse, distribute, sell and print books to order."
Women on Writing - This is an ezine that promotes communication between women writers, authors, editors, agents, publishers, and readers.
Writer Gazette - Here is this websites mission, "To provide writers worldwide with a resource site that provides tips, techniques, resources, articles, job postings, and more to help induce, improve, and promote a writing career -- free to the public." It's pretty amazing. They have endless resources on how to get your writing out and into the world!
Hanging Loose Press - "Hanging Loose magazine welcomes high school submissions. As with other writers, we reply within three months, and high school authors whose work we publish receive the same small fee and two copies of the issue in which their work appears. We feel a special responsibility to those young writers who look to us not only for possible publication but sometimes also for editorial advice, which we are always happy to give when asked." (They are also the publishers of Sherman Alexie's awesome books.)
How Publishing Really Works - Website says, "You want to be published, but you don’t know where to start. Big publishers won’t accept submissions, small presses publish books you’ve never heard of, and the one publisher which wants to publish your book has demanded money, which doesn’t seem right. You’re determined to avoid the pitfalls and predators and get published properly. But how can you be sure you’re on the right track? Simple. Read this website. You’ll find out exactly how publishing really works."
Books On or About Writing
The Story Telling Animal by Jonathan Gottschall - "Humans live in landscapes of make-believe. We spin fantasies. We devour novels, films, and plays. Even sporting events and criminal trials unfold as narratives. Yet the world of story has long remained an undiscovered and unmapped country. It’s easy to say that humans are “wired” for story, but why? In this delightful and original book, Jonathan Gottschall offers the first unified theory of storytelling. He argues that stories help us navigate life’s complex social problems—just as flight simulators prepare pilots for difficult situations. Storytelling has evolved, like other behaviors, to ensure our survival." I highly recommend this!
Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke - " The letters in this book were written by Rilke to Franz Kappus, a 19-year-old student at the Military Academy of Vienna. Discouraged by the prospect of military life, Kappus began to send his poetry to the 27-year-old Rilke, seeking both literary criticism and career advice. After Rilke's death, Kappus assembled and published the letters." What Rilke advises Kappus to do can be very inspiring to all types of writers. I also highly recommend this!
Hit Lit by James W. Hall - "In this entertaining, revelatory book, he reveals how bestsellers work, using twelve twentieth-century blockbusters as case studies—including The Godfather, Gone with the Wind, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Jaws. From tempting glimpses inside secret societies, such as submariners in The Hunt for Red October, and Opus Dei in The Da Vinci Code, to vivid representations of the American Dream and its opposite—the American Nightmare—in novels like The Firm and The Dead Zone, Hall identifies the common features of mega-bestsellers. Including fascinating and little-known facts about some of the most beloved books of the last century, Hit Lit is a must-read for fiction lovers and aspiring writers alike, and makes us think anew about why we love the books we love."
On Writing by Stephen King - "Part memoir, part master class by one of the bestselling authors of all time, this superb volume is a revealing and practical view of the writer’s craft, comprising the basic tools of the trade every writer must have."
Wired for Story: The Writer's Guide to Using Brain Science to Hook Readers from the Very First Sentence by Lisa Cron - So I'm not sure I can get behind neuroscience breaking down the craft of writing into somewhat simple science, but it's an interesting concept any way. "Imagine knowing what the brain craves from every tale it encounters, what fuels the success of any great story, and what keeps readers transfixed. Wired for Story reveals these cognitive secrets—and it’s a game-changer for anyone who has ever set pen to paper. The vast majority of writing advice focuses on “writing well” as if it were the same as telling a great story. This is exactly where many aspiring writers fail—they strive for beautiful metaphors, authentic dialogue, and interesting characters, losing sight of the one thing that every engaging story must do: ignite the brain’s hardwired desire to learn what happens next. When writers tap into the evolutionary purpose of story and electrify our curiosity, it triggers a delicious dopamine rush that tells us to pay attention. Without it, even the most perfect prose won’t hold anyone’s interest."
All descriptions were taken and quoted from each book's Amazon Description.
Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke - " The letters in this book were written by Rilke to Franz Kappus, a 19-year-old student at the Military Academy of Vienna. Discouraged by the prospect of military life, Kappus began to send his poetry to the 27-year-old Rilke, seeking both literary criticism and career advice. After Rilke's death, Kappus assembled and published the letters." What Rilke advises Kappus to do can be very inspiring to all types of writers. I also highly recommend this!
Hit Lit by James W. Hall - "In this entertaining, revelatory book, he reveals how bestsellers work, using twelve twentieth-century blockbusters as case studies—including The Godfather, Gone with the Wind, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Jaws. From tempting glimpses inside secret societies, such as submariners in The Hunt for Red October, and Opus Dei in The Da Vinci Code, to vivid representations of the American Dream and its opposite—the American Nightmare—in novels like The Firm and The Dead Zone, Hall identifies the common features of mega-bestsellers. Including fascinating and little-known facts about some of the most beloved books of the last century, Hit Lit is a must-read for fiction lovers and aspiring writers alike, and makes us think anew about why we love the books we love."
On Writing by Stephen King - "Part memoir, part master class by one of the bestselling authors of all time, this superb volume is a revealing and practical view of the writer’s craft, comprising the basic tools of the trade every writer must have."
Wired for Story: The Writer's Guide to Using Brain Science to Hook Readers from the Very First Sentence by Lisa Cron - So I'm not sure I can get behind neuroscience breaking down the craft of writing into somewhat simple science, but it's an interesting concept any way. "Imagine knowing what the brain craves from every tale it encounters, what fuels the success of any great story, and what keeps readers transfixed. Wired for Story reveals these cognitive secrets—and it’s a game-changer for anyone who has ever set pen to paper. The vast majority of writing advice focuses on “writing well” as if it were the same as telling a great story. This is exactly where many aspiring writers fail—they strive for beautiful metaphors, authentic dialogue, and interesting characters, losing sight of the one thing that every engaging story must do: ignite the brain’s hardwired desire to learn what happens next. When writers tap into the evolutionary purpose of story and electrify our curiosity, it triggers a delicious dopamine rush that tells us to pay attention. Without it, even the most perfect prose won’t hold anyone’s interest."
All descriptions were taken and quoted from each book's Amazon Description.