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My Treasure Chest of Writing Tools

1/27/2014

When I was challenged to write a blog about the tools I use for writing, it forced me to stop and appreciate the resources, the treasures, I have at my fingertips.

The most-used tool, of course, is my computer. The desktop still gets the most use, because my new laptop is too fancy to connect with our old printer.

The internet is like layers of drawers in my treasure chest, and I dig into it whenever I need information of almost any kind. I love www.biblegateway.com, google maps, youtube videos, and many other sites that welcome me into their warehouses of knowledge.

Social media is still a struggle for this technosaur, but I couldn’t manage without Facebook and Weebly (for my website and blog).

I love books. (Duh. Doesn’t every writer?) The ones I reach for most often while writing are my Gage Canadian Thesaurus, Oxford Dictionary, Strong’s Concordance, and most important, the Bible. I’m collecting and will eventually finish reading books on how to write better, more concisely, in deeper point of view, without over-explaning. Like that.

The Chicago Manual of Style is on my wish list. I used a trial on-line version while writing my last novel, but I prefer one I can mark up, flip through, and hold in my eager hands. (Should have mentioned that before Christmas, eh?)

I also use a large calendar for tracking the timelines of my stories. If I get confused, so will my readers. So I jot notes of each important event on my super-sized calendar. After all, the more I write down, the less I have to try to remember. For me, that’s noteworthy

One tool I usually take for granted but wouldn’t want to do without is my comfy steno chair. When one lives with arthritic joints, one learns that comfort is of utmost importance. Sigh.

Now, he’s not terribly pleased about being listed amongst my favorite Tools, but I do use my husband. He’s my sounding board, and his super-logical mind has saved me from embarrassing scenarios many times. Yep, he’s golden.

I have friends I go to for expertise in medical and law-related issues. I wouldn’t normally call people tools, but I certainly appreciate being able to take advantage of the wisdom they so willingly share.

Ditto my critique partners. They are precious gems who are teaching me with every critical and encouraging note. Thanks, ladies!

So there you have it: the contents of my writing treasure chest. What’s in yours?

If the link to the blog hop doesn't show up below, please go back to the Blog Hop page to find the next link. Sorry about that.

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HOW I PLAN TO BECOME A BETTER WRITER, 2014 VERSION

1/13/2014

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When Ruth Snyder proposed a six-week blog hop, my first thought was, “Sounds great, but I can’t do that.” My second followed immediately: I have to try. Without goals, my desire to improve will most likely remain wishful thinking. Thank you, Ruth.

So here they are:

Get Nila’s Hope published. My second novel is being considered by a publisher, and I hope to hear a positive response soon. If not, the search will continue. Thanks to my online writing friends, I now have a list of possible publishers. What an encouragement!
Blog: write more consistently and figure out the direction my blog should take. Blogging has been a hit-and-miss undertaking so far, mostly because I haven’t figured out a theme. I read other blogs by much better writers and feel like I have nothing worthwhile to say. Hmm…that may be some insecurity showing through. But God does not give us a spirit of fear, in my case also known as insecurity, so I’m trusting Him to help with this.

A theme came to me this morning in my quiet time, and I think it’s a good one: Grace Notes. I’ve always loved music, even before the writing bug hit. Grace notes are little extras, not the actual melody. Just something that adds to the feel of the music. My desire for this blog is to encourage and bless readers, to share a little grace, so that title not only fits, it gives me direction.

One question: Is this blog easy to find, or should I remove it from my website and have a blog-only site? I appreciate your input.
Write my third novel, starting in February. That’s coming up quickly, and I have a lot of plotting and research still to do. Yikes! I have a vague idea of the hero and heroine, but that’s about it. Panic threatens, so I’m straining to work hard and trust God.

The goal of writing 1000 words a day, five days a week has worked for me in the past, so I’ll use that again. The real goal is 5000 works per week, and that gives me flexibility when appointments or invitations to meet for coffee come up. (There’s a hint there. J)
Read more for relaxation, reviews, and education. Writing reviews is new to me, but I do enjoy reading and sharing what I’ve read. This is another way to share grace, too.

As a fledgling writer, I have no problem admitting I have much to learn. I have stacks of books on writing that I’ve barely skimmed, and I want to study them, to glean from them the knowledge I need to become the writer God intends. When I decided on this goal, the question of when? reared its head. Hopefully with good glasses and a bright light, I can read late into the evening. We’ll see how that goes.
Comment on other writers’ posts. Encouragement is always welcome. It’s a huge boost for me, and I want to bless others, too. Instead of just hitting “Like” when I read something on Facebook I appreciate, I will spend the minute or two it takes to actually write my response. Not always, but more than I have in the past.

Whew! That sounds like a lot, doesn’t it? Pardon me while I gulp down a lump of apprehension. But by the grace of God…

This is my first offering of Grace Notes, and I look forward to meeting you here often. Thank you for reading.

I encourage you to check out other writer's goals by going to http://ruthlsnyder.com and clicking on the blog hop link

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GRACE NOTES - BLOG

My Treasure Chest of Writing Tools

HOW I PLAN TO BECOME A BETTER WRITER, 2014 VERSION

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