A writer’s resource guide

Today’s prompt was for me to offer you a resource list of information that could help you. Here is a list of writerly types of things that could help you out. They fall into several categories, which include internet resources, books, and resources available in your community.

Books

Here are a few books that I’ve found useful in developing creative skills as a writer, as well as guides to the more mechanical aspects of writing, which would be grammar, usage, and punctuation.

Writing Down The Bones, by Natalie Goldberg. This book gives hints, suggestions, and exercises for freeing your mind and for “writing down the bones.” The author, who is also a Zen instructor, talks about Zen sitting meditation, as well as the importance of place an memory.
The Elements of Style, by William Strunk and E.B. White. This small book is full of helpful information about writing. It goes into issue, such as grammar and punctuation. It is a gem.
The AP Stylebook (produced by the Associated Press). For journalists, this book is a necessity. It gives you all of the information necessary to maintain consistent style throughout your articles. It also gives information about media law, social media, and much more.
MLA Handbook and the Publications Manual of the American Psychological Association. If you write in a more scholarly style, the manuals produced by either the Modern Language Association or the American Psychological Association are good things to have. They give information about footnotes and bibliographies and more.
Chicago Manual of Style (Produced by the University of Chicago Press). This is the book that is considered the definitive source of information in terms of writing style, grammar, and usage.

websites

You can find a lot of information about writing, editing, and journalism online. The Internet is a great resource for information. When you get online via computer, tablet, or mobile phone, you have the knowledge of the world at your fingertips. Here are a few websites that are great for writers, especially when you are dealing with writer’s block. There are, of course, many more.

Need a prompt for journaling, blogging, creative writing? You can find prompts at a whole bunch of websites, including 365 creative writing prompts, 101 prompts to conquer writer’s block, and 500 prompts for narrative and personal writing (produced by The New York Times) I love these and other websites because, sometimes, I cannot find a topic. Having a prompt is a big help on those “dry days.”
Computers can take writing fun to a whole new level. Check out sites that provide generators for such things as words, plots, first lines, etc. Here is a link to one that I especially enjoy. It is super fun, and the words, plots, first lines, etc., that you could get can be a bit wacky, which should help to turn on that creative part of your brain.

Community resources

writers groups. Check out your community for groups of writers that meet regularly to talk about writing, to read works in progress, and to provide support to one another.
your public library. Your library is one of the best resources around. It is one of the best community services around. There are books and other media to borrow from the library. And these days, you can either borrow an actual physical book or you can borrow an ebook. Libraries also organize events, such as readings by local authors. Check your library’s schedule and enjoy.