Where Can You Learn More About the Craft of Writing?

Stephanie Carter

Founder & Publisher, Teleion Books

Writing Craft Resources are Abundant!

Resources for learning the craft of writing are available in various formats from numerous sources.

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Today I’m sharing examples of resources in 3 broad categories:

• General Writing Craft Resources
• Resources for Children’s Book Writer`s
• Resources for Christian Writers

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Please note: The resource lists are not comprehensive, but hopefully they will serve as a good starting point for your information search. Additionally, the examples are not necessarily recommendations since I have not personally engaged with each resource.

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Hyperlinks: Open hyperlinks by holding down the “ctrl” key and clicking on the link (underlined text). If you are in slide show mode, simply click on the link.

Information Sources

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Articles & Blogs

Books

Classes

Conferences & Retreats

Podcasts

Webinars

Workshops

Writing Groups

YouTube

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General Writing Craft Resources

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Books

• Nonfiction Writers Dig Deep by Melissa Stewart (ed.)
• Rivet Your Readers with Deep Point of View by Jill Elizabeth Nelson
• Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody
• Showing and Telling in Fiction by Marcy Kennedy
• The Chicago Manual of Style by The University of Chicago
• Writing the Cozy Mystery by Nancy J. Cohen

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Note: Writing for Your Life has a list of writing resources here

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Classes & workshops

• UCLA Extension courses
• Westport Writers classes and workshops

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YouTube

• 6 Tips to Show Instead of Tell by Reedsy
• 10 Tips for Pacing Your Novel by Reedsy
• How to Write Compelling Dialogue by Jerry B. Jenkins
• How to Write Stronger Descriptions and Imagery by Reedsy
• Pixar’s Secret Formula For Making Perfect Films by Insider

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Search Hint #1: Use names of craft elements (e.g., description, dialogue, plot, storytelling) in your search for books and videos

Search Hint #2: Speakers at writers conferences may recommend, or may have authored, craft books

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Resources for Children’s Book Writers

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Articles & Blogs

• Check your reference books (e.g., Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market) for craft articles and resource lists
• Highlights Foundation articles

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Books

• Writing Children’s Books for Dummies by Lisa Ronjany Buccieri and Peter Economy
• Writing Picture Books by Ann Whitford Paul

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Classes & workshops

• Highlights Foundation workshops
• UC San Diego Extension courses

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Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI)

• Annual conferences
• Digital workshops
• Regional chapters (check for critique groups)
• Regional webinars

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Resources for Christian Writers

Articles & Blogs

• Books & Such Literary Management blog
• Devotional Writing Tips by Xochitl Dixon
• How to Write a Novel by Jerry Jenkins

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Books

• Excelling at the Craft of Writing by Greg Johnson (ed.)
• The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Writing Christian Fiction by Ron Benrey
• The Christian Writer’s Manual Of Style by Robert Hudson
• The Christian Writers Market Guide by Steve Laube

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Classes & workshops

• American Christian Fiction Writers courses (membership required)
• Christian Writers Institute courses

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Sensitivity Reader Services

• Embolden Media Group

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Resources for Christian Writers (cont.)

Conferences & retreats

• American Christian Fiction Writers Conference
• Asheville Christian Writers Conference
• Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference
• Cascade Christian Writers Conference (formerly the Oregon Christian Writers Conference)
• Florida Christian Writers Conference (a Word Weavers event)
• Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference
• West Coast Christian Writers Conference
• Writing for Your Life Conferences

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Podcasts

• The Christian Publishing Show brought by the Steve Laube Agency
• Your Best Writing Life brought by the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference

Sources for Feedback on Your Application of Craft Principles

Opportunities to receive feedback on your writing can be found in:

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Writing classes & workshops

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Writer’s groups (critique groups)

• American Christian Fiction Writers (membership required)
• Inspire Christian Writers
• Word-Weavers.com

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Editorial, coaching, and consulting services

• Writing for Your Life Writer Services

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Writer’s conference consultations

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Keep Reading!

Continually reading books, especially books in your genre, allows you to:

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• Learn the conventions and rules of the genre (e.g., sentence length, word count, approach to subject matter for the age-group)

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• Analyze and understand other’s application of writing elements (e.g., Identify the reasons dialogue in one book seems more authentic than the dialogue in another book)

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• Be inspired by the creativity of other writers

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Note: Writing for Your Life has a list of children’s books here

Be Prayerful and Discerning

Learning the writing craft is vital…so is prayerfully protecting the essentials of your:

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Faith

Voice

Culture

Message & Ministerial Assignment

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We need to be prayerful and discerning as we learn our craft (and receive feedback on our writing) so we can distinguish wise instruction from messages that dampen or invalidate our essentials.

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Keep Your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life (Proverbs 4:23)

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Trust for God’s Leading!

Psalm 32:8:

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;

I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

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Application: Trust God to continue leading you as you fulfill

His call to write for His children.

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Q&A

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God bless you �on your writing journey!