Resources
Links to books and course I've found helpful in my writing and life journey. In some cases, links may earn me an affiliate commission, but will not cost you anything extra. Book links go to Bookshop.org.
BOOKS ON WRITING:
I was a sworn pantser (wrote by the seat of my pants) until a few years ago. I did a deep dive into books on plotting and have come around to seeing the value of an outline and/or a synopsis, especially now that I'm writing longer books. Here are a few of the books I found particularly helpful:
Save the Cat Writes a Novel (Jessica Brody)
The Art of Creative Writing (Lajos Egri)
Telling Lies for Fun and Profit (Lawrence Block)
The Secrets of Story (Matt Bird)
OTHER HANDY RESOURCES FOR WRITERS:
Writing often doesn't just include writing. Here are links to a few of my must-have supporting tools:
BookFunnel (hosting site for your ebooks. Useful for distributing digital ARCs and fulfilling direct sales)
Canva (free website for making graphics. Paid version offers lots of royalty-free images and audio)
Flodesk (newsletter hosting service designed by women with small businesses in mind)
Panera (If you don't have a home office and need a place to write! I've written lots of books while hunkered down in a booth. Their sip club is an affordable price to pay for writing space :))
MEMBERSHIPS:
These vary from how-to groups to communities. Knowing who to ask, knowing you have someone to ask, or knowing other people are asking can make a huge difference.
International Thriller Writers
Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA)
BOOKS ON MINDSET:
Self-doubt and criticism are two monsters that get in the way of us doing what we set out to do. I've learned it's wise to get our minds in the right place no matter what it is we're trying to accomplish. These books are helpful for everyone, not just writers, and will open your eyes to what is available to you.
Inner Excellence (Jim Murphy)
Rich as F*ck (Amanda Frances)
Like She Owns the Place (Cara Alwill)
10% Happier (Dan Harris)
Moonshot: What Landing a Man on the Moon Taught Us about Collaboration, Creativity, and the Mind-set for Success (Richard Wiseman)
The Creative Act (Rick Rubin)
COURSES
A big bucket. These were investments in my future that I return to over and over again. (Yes, there were other investments that I outgrew!)
Ad Testing System: AMMO: Advanced Author Marketing Mastery Optimization
Are you worth it?: Money Mentality Makeover with Amanda Frances