Story Sensei

These are books on writing craft and business that helped me a lot when I first started writing, so many of these are rather old. I haven't read all the different writing books out there, and I haven't read many of the newer writing books, so this list isn't comprehensive, it's just a list of the books that helped me the most. (Updated 11/21/2019) Techniques of the Selling Writer by Dwight Swain Scene and Structure by Jack Bickham Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell Stein on Writing by Sol Stein Goal, Motivation and Conflict by Debra Dixon Getting into Character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn from Actors by Brandilyn Collins 45 Master Characters by Victoria Lynn Schmidt Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass Characters, Emotion and Viewpoint by Nancy Kress Writing for Emotional Impact: Advanced Dramatic Techniques to Attract, Engage, and Fascinate the Reader from Beginning to End by Ka

Don’t go it alone--join a writing community for feedback, encouragement, and information. Communities: American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW, formerly American Christian Romance Writers): This is a terrific community of Christian fiction writers, and they also hold an annual fiction writers’ conference. Membership is very inexpensive, and it includes a writers’ discussion email loop, online forum discussion boards, a mentorship program, an email critique group program (small groups of 4-5 writers each), and dozens of helpful writing workshops. Each year, they hold an annual conference and the Genesis contest for unpublished writers. Faith, Hope, Love chapter of RWA (Romance Writers of America): This wonderful group of Christian romance writers provides encouragement and information. There are many published authors who participate on their email loop. They provide a mentorship program, a Finish-the-Book program, and a Guestlink Q&A with published authors. Each year, they have

I have written several articles for writers on this blog--the article list is on the sidebar. I also post short tips here every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The Advanced Fiction Writing E-zine : Christy-winning author Randy Ingermanson (of the infamous Snowflake writing method) puts out a GREAT, free ezine to help writers in their craft and marketing. His website also has excellent articles for beginning writers. Barnes and Noble online University : B&N holds “free” online courses where you only need to purchase the book that will be used for the class. Among other interesting topics, they offer terrific writing courses. Orson Scott Card : There are several articles on his website that apply to writers of all genres. Charlotte Dillon's Resources for Romance Writers : This is an excellent website for articles and links on writing technique, research information, and lots of good stuff, even if you are not a romance writer. No matter what question you have, there's a good c

Update December 2014: Because of several writing contracts, I've decided to step back from doing critiques and coaching for 2015 in order to save my injured wrist and my health for my books. If you'd like recommendations of other freelance editors who can critique your work sooner, I can suggest: Fiction Fix-It Shop ( http://www.fictionfixitshop.com/ ) Moonshell Books and Editorial, Shelley Bates ( http://www.shelleybates.com/ ) Cheryl Wyatt ( http://www.cherylwyatt.com/ ) Just email them through their websites and let them know that Camy suggested you contact them about critiquing. Worksheets: 10/2014: Update: I am in the process of updating and formatting these worksheets to have them available on Kindle, Nook, Kobo, and iBooks! If you bought them before and would like the updated versions, please email me at storysensei@gmail.com with the email address you used when you bought the worksheet (so I can find your order) and I will be happy to send you instructions