Writing is a discipline that requires practice and precision, and good information. Even if, and sometimes especially if, you’re writing fiction. As I said in a previous post, fact is stranger than fiction, but you’d better get the facts straight for your novel to be believable.
There is no doubt that you want to use the best sources of information possible. And searching for information and references can be difficult. However, plenty of online resources can help with almost any writing project. However, if you know what resources to use, you can find the data that is best suited to your needs within minutes.
When looking for information, it’s essential to keep in mind what you’re trying to accomplish and how much time you have. Many resources, from the technical to the creative, are available to help you improve your craft. Many are free, and a lot can be found on the internet. Some of them might be obvious, but others are less so. Here are some of the best sources of information for writers.
As I mentioned in a previous post, research is one of the secret to getting great writing ideas. There are so many different sources of information on the internet that it can be challenging to figure out which ones are worthwhile. You need to find reliable information to help you improve your writing skills. Analysing sources critically is essential when seeking helpful information; this includes looking at the historical context and the author’s personal viewpoint to see whether any political or other bias is there.
You also need to consider the source’s age since its value might vary depending on the subject matter. The author’s prejudices should be considered. Websites, unlike books, do not require a publisher. However, you need to keep an eye on the individuals who run websites you’re visiting.
Using the same criteria, we may evaluate the usability of print and digital (internet-based) sources. Age is an essential consideration for digital and print sources: how old is the source? You may well consider the information in a source is related to your paper topic by looking at how old the source is. The appropriateness of a particular age range will vary according to the subject matter.
For example, if you’re writing on 17th-century British poetry, it won’t do to use solely works from the period or only early 20th-century scholarly sources as references. Instead, a combination of older primary sources and more contemporary secondary studies will benefit.
“The control of information is something the elite always does, particularly in a despotic form of government. Information, knowledge, is power. If you can control information, you can control people.” Tom Clancy
Your argument will be more convincing if you do this. However, if you’re looking into public health theories, you’ll need to rely on more recent scholarly sources to back up your claims. Articles from a few years ago may contain information that has since been disproven.
Keep an eye out for out-of-date information when using digital sources. For example, when writing an academic paper, it is essential to avoid offering incorrect or obsolete information that could harm your work.
In contrast to books, websites don’t need to have a publisher. Instead, think about the people behind the websites you stumble onto. Rely on scholarly databases instead of information gathered from vague sources. While ordinary search engines can turn up a few educational items, they will never turn up anything of a scholarly kind.
If you conduct a wide-ranging Internet search, pay attention to domain names. For example, a domain name can reveal the site’s advertisers and what they’re sponsoring. An educational (.edu) domain, for example, can be used for educational purposes as well as commercial and non-profit purposes.
“Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family.” Kofi Annan
You may want to avoid dot-com websites if you’re looking for information on a specific topic, as their primary focus tends to be commerce. Also, keep in mind the goal of the website. Is there any way to get in touch with the website’s creator? Is there any evidence to back up the website’s claims? What to do if the solutions to these inquiries are not readily available? It may be advisable to look elsewhere.
It’s becoming more common for non-scholarly websites to focus on a specific issue, but they are not academic sources. Instead, an individual or group interested in publicising the blog’s content often creates and manages blogs that specialise in specific topics. Because blogs aren’t subjected to academic rigour or peer review, it’s difficult to know who writes them or their qualifications.
Remember that when conducting research, the goal is not just to accumulate sources but also to gather credible ones. You should follow the claims made within a reference and analyse the author’s stakes on those claims’ assertions to achieve this.
Although a document may not always reveal information about the author’s personal motivations, there are times when other factors, such as the publisher or sponsor, provide context. This way, you can determine whether one source is more trustworthy than another.
Sources aren’t all created equal. While Google and Wikipedia may be a starting point, academic databases on your specific topic are more credible sources when conducting academic research. Researchers can better understand the period they are studying by consulting primary sources. Don’t be afraid to ask your librarian about accessing these databases as well as searching for print materials at your local library.
As a writer, you probably know that writing is one of the most demanding aspects of any business. A writer has to be knowledgeable about multiple topics, and the amount of words they write every day is directly proportional to their income. There are just too many distractions on the internet these days to make matters worse. As a result, it’s challenging to stay on top of news and trends.
It’s also hard to find time to write. You must do so many other things during the day — answering emails, meeting your daily quota of words, etc. — that it can feel overwhelming. It’s one thing to put your fingers to the keyboard and start typing. It’s another challenge to get your thoughts down in an organised, compelling way that readers can follow. This is especially hard for new writers because they don’t have the experience or knowledge base to fall back on.
Nothing strikes fear into the heart of an aspiring author more than the blank page. The endlessly flashing cursor. Even when your head is packed to the brim with plot twists and characters, getting it all down on paper in a coherent form is another thing altogether. Luckily, this is a common first hurdle for lots of writers, so hundreds of tools and apps have sprung up dedicated to helping you gather your thoughts and start writing.
Here are some free resources are available to assist you in improving your writing skills.
There are a lot of books and blogs that talk about writing. But every writer has their own system, so it’s hard to know what’s worth reading. Many people ask how I improve my writing. I am an avid reader, and I read many books on writing. Here’s the list of books for writers that I would recommend to any writer looking to improve their craft.
If you’re a writer, you may have thought about joining a professional organisation. But, as a member of an association, do you get any actual value out of it?
Many professional writer organisations are non-profit and provide support, education, and advocacy for their members and the field of work. Writer associations often focus on a specific subset, so there is a reasonable probability of finding an organisation that specialises in the type of writing you do.
“Where is the Life we have lost in living? Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?” T. S. Eliot
Joining one of these organisations on an annual basis might be pricey. It all depends on your writing ambitions and how many books you’ve written or want to publish. Regardless, there are benefits from joining a writers’ organisation (support and networking, education, marketing resources, discounts from partners).
Writers can benefit greatly from membership in writing organisations. Membership in certain writing groups and organisations is complimentary, while others require a fee. If you’re looking for a literary agent, meeting with editors, attending writing conferences or learning new craft practises, these excellent writers’ organisations can help you out.
These are just a few of the writers’ organisations worldwide. Please let me know of more in the comments below!
What resources or tools do you believe would help you improve your writing skills? Unfortunately, the internet can sometimes seem like more of a distraction than help for creative writing. But suppose you can keep social media and blog browsing to a minimum.
“Always carry a notebook. And I mean always. The short-term memory only retains information for three minutes; unless it is committed to paper you can lose an idea for ever.” Will Self
Several useful websites can help with everything from providing inspiration to demystifying publishing and explaining the nitty-gritty of grammar and copyrighting. These are some of the best writing blogs I’ve found for help with the publishing process, from behind-the-scenes intelligence to publishing tips and tricks.
Content creation is a battle won with the sharpest swords, and there are many ways to sharpen them. In addition to the tools and resources mentioned here, there are endless sources of information online about writing.
Knowing where to start looking for content creation resources will help you find the best information sources for your specific topic so that you can create your next killer book, blog or article!
The best tools are the ones that help you accomplish your goals. Take some time to consider what you want to work towards, and then invest in the resources that will get you there!
The internet is a wealth of information that can help you become a better writer. Hopefully, you know where to look for the correct information and what sources to be wary of. At the end of your journey, you will have a list of resources that you can use as a reference, which will be vital to ensuring that your writing is top-notch and has the biggest impact on your audience.
I hope that you’ve enjoyed this list of writing resources! They’ve helped me learn more about the craft and improve my writing skills. Please feel free to comment with any additional suggestions for other great resources!
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Comment *
Name *
Email *
Website
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
Post Comment
Δ
We use cookies to give you the best experience. Read our cookies policy.
