Resources

Are you writing a non-fiction book and wondering if you should stick to a regular structure or make it more creative? Do you really, really feel you need to share your personal story with the world (breaking into memoir isn't easy) and wonder how to set your story apart from others? Do you write fiction and want to work on character development? Or do you ever wonder what resources editors and other writers have stacked on their bookcases?

We've created a list just for you! Here are several of the writing resources we love and use:

For Fiction:
Craft:
Plot & Structure - James Scott Bell
The Dance of Character and Plot - DiAnn Mills
Plotting Simplified - Eddie Jones
Creating Unforgettable Characters - Linda Segar
Been There "Scene" That - Eddie Jones
Writing the Breakout Novel - Donald Maass
Story Trumps Structure - Steven James
Firsts in Fiction: First Line Hooks, Hints & Help - Aaron D. Gansky
The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Expression - Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi
The Book Buddy by Susan May Warren
For Genre-specific:
Writing & Selling the YA Novel - K.L. Going

For Non-fiction:
Creative Nonfiction by Philip Gerard

For Memoir:
(coming soon!)

On Writing in General:
On Writing - Stephen King (*contains cursing)
Bird by Bird - Anne Lamott
Unleashing the Writer Within - Cecil Murphey
Writing for the Soul - Jerry B. Jenkins

On Editing & Grammar:
Murder of a Manuscript: Writing and Editing Tips to Keep Your Book Out of the Editorial Graveyard - Andrea Merrell
Polishing the PUGS - Kathy Ide
Proofreading Secrets of Best-Selling Authors (Writing with Excellence) - Kathy Ide
Say What? The Fiction Writer's Handy Guide to Grammar, Punctuation, and Word Usage - C.S. Lakin
Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing - Mignon Fogarty
The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation - Jane Straus

On Social Media, Networking, Building a Platform, & Marketing:
Connections: Social Media and Networking Techniques for Writers - Edie Melson
Social Marketing for Writers - Edie Melson
Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World - Michael Hyatt

On the Business of Writing:
Learning the Lingo - Cindy Sproles

References:
Chicago Manual of Style, 16th Edition - book version
The Associated Press (AP) Stylebook for articles and newspapers
The Christian Writer's Manual of Style - Robert Hudson
The Christian Writer's Market Guide current year
The Writer's Market - Robert Lee Brewer current year
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 11th edition
A Step in the Write Direction: The Complete How-To Book for Christian Writers - Donna Clark Goodrich

Online References:
Chicago Manual of Style Online
Webster's Collegiate Online Dictionary
Grammar Girl
Free and Quick Proofreading at Grammarly.com
Dictionary.com

Writing Blogs 
The Write Conversation
Vonda Skelton
Goins, Writer (Jeff Goins)
Novel Rocket
Rachelle Gardner
Books & Such Literary (Between the Lines)
Cec Murphey's Writer to Writer

Business Blogs
Michael Hyatt
Seth Godin

Conferences We Recommend:
Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference (annual, NC)
ACWC (Asheville Christian Writers Conference) (annual, NC)
Carolina Christian Writers Conference (annual, SC)
ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) (annual - moves)
Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference (annual - CA)