As a writer starting out, I greatly appreciated any resources I could find on the art of writing, and quite frankly, I still do. I hope that this page will serve both as an encouragement and resource not only for beginning writers but for those who are seasoned veterans. 
I've broken this section into two major parts:
Encouragement and Advice
As a beginning writer or even a veteran, it's easy to fall prey to the idea that writing is a truly overwhelming task and success won't come soon if at all. During those times, it's important to seek encouragement from those who have been on the road before you. To help you along, below are some tidbits of encouragement and advice that I've either received myself or have learned over the past several years.
- Be realistic. Writing does take talent and ability, and God gives us the talent, passion, and smarts needed to do it. But first, it's important to determine if you have that talent and ability. Some people have the talent of writing. Some don't. If you're not sure, seek advice from someone like a family member or a good friend who knows you well and whom you respect. Make sure this person will be honest with you and not tell you just what you want to hear.
- Stay focused. When beginning in writing, it's easy to get distracted by the advice that some well-meaning, usually established, writers may give you. They may tell you, writing is hard. Or they may say, very few people succeed in writing. Regarding the first statement, it's true. Writing is hard. That's why the next few bits of advice are important. Regarding the second, success is a relative definition. If success means being the next Sue Grafton or Tom Clancy, then it's true. But if success is applying yourself and writing to the best of your ability, it's false. Selectively listen to this type of advice and remember that God has given you the talent to write.
- Seek out a mentor. Writing can be a lonely passion at times, so remember that you're not alone in this venture. There are others in your area who are most likely feeling the same way. A writer's association or critique group is the best way to develop a support network of people who will provide encouragement and/or critiques in a supportive atmosphere. Check with local colleges and/or community colleges, as they may have information about these groups.
- Seek training. It's important to not only learn how to write but also how to present your work to editors in the proper manner. Take classes on writing to learn how to write well. Find someone to critique your work (see below). To understand how to get published, learn the process by taking a class, talking with a mentor, or e-mailing your favorite authors. Most remember what it was like to be an unpublished writer and are happy to share with you the process as well as encouragement.
- Be careful about the critique. Though many writers may disagree, I firmly believe that there is a wrong way and a right way to critique a piece of work.
- The wrong way: The person who does this type of critique will shred your work and put you down, saying that you are never going to be a good writer. They might also make a comment about why something is wrong without providing a possible solution. They might also say that a critique is a critique no matter the manner in which it is delivered. Run from these folks. Run far, far away. Writing is difficult enough without having to take criticism delivered in this manner.
- The right way: The person who does this might still shred your work if the quality isn't good. However, they do so in a loving manner, and when they do so, they offer possible solutions to fix these problems. Find these people, treat them nicely such as taking them to lunch afterwards, and be sure to express your appreciation. BEWARE: Avoid people who you know will tell you what you want to hear instead of what you need to hear. Writing must be at its best to be published, and these types of people will only hurt your cause instead of help you.
- Develop a fan base. Yes, writing is hard. But hopefully by now, you've determined that you have a knack for it and are willing to put the time and effort into learning how to both write and publish your work. Since it's easy to get discouraged, surround yourself with those who believe in you and the fact that yes, you are a good writer. Family, friends, and published authors are a great base of encouragement.
- Be professional. This is crucial. Yes, the writing market is crowded with people who have the talent to write. The thing that will set you apart from many of them is professionalism. Developing and using a letterhead for your letters shows that you know what you're doing. If you have a Web site that you plan to use as a point of contact, make sure it looks professional. If you have a blog, keep your posts mature and clean. If you have other Web sites on places such as myspace.com or facebook.com, keep entries tasteful since such sites are easily accessible to everyone, including potential editors. The same goes if you decide to post videos on YouTube.
- Stay committed. Writing is a long process and can be a lonely one as well. Always remember that God has given you the talent and the ability. If you firmly believe that this is a calling, keep at it until you achieve what you have defined as success.
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Writing Resources
Since I became a serious fiction writer, one of the things that I've had to make sure I do is keep the writing realistic. I've had to do lots of research over the years. As a result, I've developed a great list of resources to find out interesting information. Below is my resources list. No matter what type of writing you do, they might come in handy. If you have any additional suggestions, e-mail me, and maybe I'll post it!
- Google. This is my starting point for everything. I especially like Google Earth and Google Maps.
- Virtual Reality Moon Phase Pictures. Have you ever been writing a scene that occurs at night and wondered whether the landscape would be lit by moonlight at that particular time? This site is easy to use and can tell you just such information.
- The World Clock Time Zones. Do you need to know whether a person in New York calling someone in Hong Kong at six in the evening would wake that person in Hong Kong? Here's your solution.
- Sunrise, Sunset, and Local Times. So when exactly does the sun set on the 12th of August in Miami? Though not as user friendly as it could be, this Web site can provide you that information.
- Metro Maps. If you've got a story set in Washington or simply want to know what Metro Stop or Bus Line is near your hotel, this is the site for you.
- Baby Names around the World. So you're writing a novel where you have a character who's of Brazilian descent. To keep the realism going in your story, you need the appropriate name. Check this out, as it offers names in more languages than I can count.
- How to Say I Love You in 100 Languages. Yes, this is the product of a Google search I did for a novel I'm writing. So just if you're wondering how to say I love you in Armenian, this is the place for you. Warning: I do not take responsibility for the cheesiness of this Web site.
- Other Author Web Sites: Below are some Web sites of authors who have published works both in the fiction and nonfiction genres:
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