Lost on the Internet

Sometimes I prefer educating myself as a writer using books rather than the Internet, because with books I stay on track and with the Internet I get sidetracked.  One link leads to two others and then these lead to another five, until hours later I’ve forgotten my original purpose or how to get back to that site with the good stuff I should have saved in “Favorites,” but didn’t.

Now, if you like getting lost (and a bit overwhelmed) while surfing the Internet, I’ve found two great blog sites for you. Going to either is like entering a mega-mall where everything is free.  You’ll end up on a journey and won’t return to what you were supposed to be doing until…  Well, check out these sites for yourself.  Maybe you have more self control than I do.

First, there’s Jane Friedman’s blog.

The second mega-mall blog to get lost in is Adventures in YA Publishing.  Boy oh boy, do they serve up some treasures.  I particularly like their Character Worksheets, Complications Worksheet, Emotion Thesaurus, Pre-Submission Checklist, and Writer’s Tools and Worksheets.

And as if that’s not enough, on Fridays they list the Best Articles This Week for Writers.  They break it into categories, such as Inspiration, The Craft of Writing, Self Editing, Critiquing, To Market, After the Sale, Contests, Trends and Issues, and under each category are as many as 30 sites offering valuable information.

Fair warning. Visit these blogs at your own risk.  And if you do decide to risk it, be selective. Pick and choose wisely, so you don’t overindulge.  I allow myself 45 minutes (well, maybe an hour) and then get out quickly.

I have my own blog to work on after all.