Writing Toolbox

Writing Tool Box

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Every month I share some of the resources I’ve come across and found useful… for one reason or another.

A Book: I mentioned the Morning Pages in last week’s blog, which features in The Artists Way by Julia Cameron. Definitely a must have for my book shelf. And it’s geared to all creative processes, not just writing.

A Website: If you write blogs and social media posts then having access to a professional library of images is essential. At Pixabay, you can find images to suit every post and most of them are free to download and use, but make sure you check first.

A Writing Community: This is a bit of a personal plug… if you are (or have been) an expat writer and want some support why not check out Writers Abroad? I set up this community over 10 years ago and we keep the numbers fairly small so that it’s a more intimate setting. We’re open for membership at the moment.

An App: If you are into travel and writing, Polarsteps might be just what you are looking for. I used if for our last trip to Scotland in May and produce an album as a keepsake. It’s very reasonably priced (the app is free but you pay for albums) and very professional. I’m so impressed I’m going to plot our Irish trip last year!

I’d love to hear if you have any recommendations!

 

 

Writing Tool Box: June Favourites

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# Digital Planner: Last month I put One Note in my tool box as I’ve migrated from a paper based organisation system. The only downside is that I really miss the actual process of handwriting! So I downloaded the Awesome Planner for Bujo/planning – and I can use a digital pen or type in so I have the best of both worlds – what’s not to like? 😎

# Polar Steps App- I’ve been away travelling in our camper for the past five weeks and a bit and I always love to record where we’ve been. It’s lovely to have something to look back on. With Polar Steps I can track exactly where we’ve been and produce a travel book to print with photo’s after the event! It’s so easy, especially as I make notes most days directly into the app.

# A Newsletter – I regularly cull my email newsletters, I get a bit trigger happy sometimes and then when my inbox becomes overwhelming I panic! However Cathy’s Comps and Calls is one which is a keeper; packed with information about writing competitions of all kinds. Something for everyone!

# Another Newsletter – if you are into writing short fiction, Pamela Casto’s Flash Fiction newsletter is a must. This popular form of writing is beginning to attract lots of opportunities for submissions

 

 

 

Writing Tool Box: May Favourites

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As I’m away travelling at the moment in our cosy camper, Bobbus, I’ve dedicated this months toolbox to things that make it easier for me to maintain my writing momentum; three Apps and a website.

An App #1: Having made a concentrated effort to increase my social media profile, particularly on Instagram being able to schedule posts in advance is a life saver. One of my monthly goals was to create 3 months of social media posts which covered my trip away. The app Later has been my saviour and is so easy to use.

An App #2: I love to read, but when you are travelling long distances an audio book can help pass the time when getting from A to B. I don’t listen to audio books at any other time because I’m never in one place long enough and there are other distractions. Audible is the Amazon app we use and we always choose thrillers and mysteries which keep us alert for the driving as well as making a damn good listen.

An App #3: I’m a self confessed list maker and forever trying to be organised. I fell in love with the Bullet Journal approach a couple of years ago but taking and maintaining notebooks while your travelling can be a little taxing. I’ve used the app OneNote for years but just to collect information. Now I use it for my monthly, weekly planning (the daily stuff I still scribble down) it’s my recipe book and my project bible. Everything in once place accessible from any where… there will be a blog dedicated to this soon.

A Website: I’ve learnt in the three years that we’ve been spending a significant slug of time travelling in our camper, that I need to be clear about the writing tasks I can realistically achieve. Having spent the last month Snowflaking my next project I’m going to spend some time world building so that when I return in mid June, I’m ready to write that first draft. Eva Deverell provides loads of printable resources for writers of all genres.

 

 

Writing Tool Box: April Favourites

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Every month I share some of the things that I shove into my toolbox, it could be a useful blog post, a book I’ve read, a website or article… here are my favourites for April:

A Writing Community – Writers Abroad, okay I own up I have a vested interest in this community as one of it’s members 8-). It’s been running now for over 10 years and is targeted at writers who live abroad (or have lived abroad) and don’t have access to traditional writing groups. We are currently open to new members.

A Blog – I’ve not been following the  Caffeine and Writing Dreams Blog for long but I’ve enjoyed reading the articles so far. They are very varied, clearly produced and very relevant. They are also not preachy, they provide a mixture of suggestions of how to solve a problem, letting you discover what works best for you…

An App – I first used the Aeon Timeline when I was writing historical fiction under the pseudonym of Louise Charles. I needed something that would keep all the ducks in a row for those with an eagle eye for historical fact. It was really useful. And I’m having so much fun using it in my fantasy writing, making up new timelines for the worlds that I create.

Online Resource – I use lots of different resources to flesh out my characters and make them more three dimensional. I came across this Character Personality Generator just recently which gave me lots of new ideas and ways of developing even the most minor of characters so that they still stand off the page.

What have you discovered this month that helps you in your writing?

Writers Toolbox: March Favourites

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Every month I share some of the things that I shove into my toolbox, it could be a useful blog post, a book I’ve read, a website or article… here are my favourites for March: [Read more…] about Writers Toolbox: March Favourites

Writing Toolbox: Four February Favourites

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We all have one don’t we? A box, a place, a file that we all store interesting stuff, useful articles, that piece of information we just have to look into one day? I can’t be the only one, surely? Every month I will share some of the things that I shove into my toolbox, it could be a useful blog post, a book I’ve read, a website or article… [Read more…] about Writing Toolbox: Four February Favourites