If you are interested in writing about places and times not your own, you might find Times and Places a helpful site to visit. The link is to a page with some general articles at the top, followed by more specific groups of links. Try it out and see if it works for you!
At A Celebration of Women Writers you can find writings from women throughout time and all over the world. I've only begun to look at it myself, but it looks like enough reading to keep you busy for a long time! Like at Times and Places linked above, you may find information and ideas here to help your own writing.
Are there one or two websites about literature and/or writing that you really like? Feel free to leave an url in the comments!
Showing posts with label research. Show all posts
Showing posts with label research. Show all posts
Friday, July 3, 2009
Friday, January 2, 2009
A Fresh New Year
It's a fresh new year for all of us writers! Take a little time to make some plans and set some goals for your writing in 2009.
One thing you can do is write every day. Write in a journal, work on a story or essay, try different types of poetry.
Another thing is to read every day. Read widely, not just in the genre you want to write in. The more you learn, the more ideas will be floating around in your brain to draw upon. You might stumble across a historical incident that you could base a short story on, or read an essay that sparks an idea for a novel.
A third thing is to practice observing life around you. Whatever your circumstances, you can improve your observations about people, places, and things. Practice writing descriptions of what you observe.
You also might want to set a goal of submitting a short story, poem, or essay to a magazine (mainstream or literary). Read up on submission guidelines for the places you want to submit. Read sample issues (often you can read some samples of what the publication uses online or read sample issues at the library, thus doing your research for free).
You'll be able to think of other things you can do to further your writing. Make it a productive year!
One thing you can do is write every day. Write in a journal, work on a story or essay, try different types of poetry.
Another thing is to read every day. Read widely, not just in the genre you want to write in. The more you learn, the more ideas will be floating around in your brain to draw upon. You might stumble across a historical incident that you could base a short story on, or read an essay that sparks an idea for a novel.
A third thing is to practice observing life around you. Whatever your circumstances, you can improve your observations about people, places, and things. Practice writing descriptions of what you observe.
You also might want to set a goal of submitting a short story, poem, or essay to a magazine (mainstream or literary). Read up on submission guidelines for the places you want to submit. Read sample issues (often you can read some samples of what the publication uses online or read sample issues at the library, thus doing your research for free).
You'll be able to think of other things you can do to further your writing. Make it a productive year!
Sunday, September 7, 2008
The Search for Writing Ideas
There are several things you can do to help you get ideas of what to write about and what types of writing you want to try your hand at. One thing is to think about what you enjoy reading--novels? short stories? essays? poetry? Do you like mysteries? Nature writing? Biographies? History? This alone will give you an idea of what you would most enjoy working on and would be a great place to start. If you enjoy reading mystery novels, try your hand at writing one. If you enjoy nature poetry or history essays, try writing those.
Another idea starter is to read brief blurbs about what a movie or book is about--Amazon is a good place to start. Sometimes those little blurbs can sound quite intriguing and give you an idea for a novel, poem, or essay. It won't be at all like the book or movie the blurb was for because you'll give it your own twist and write it the way you would like to see it written.
Still another place for harvesting ideas is in the literature of other countries. Google Japanese literature or Spanish literature or whatever country or region strikes your fancy. Read a little literary history to see what they wrote about. Mix and match with other ideas you've come across. How about a Spanish mystery novel or a Japanese nature essay?
News stories can give you ideas, too. Do you see a mention of a country that sounds interesting? How about a profession? It doesn't necessarily have to be the main topic of the news story--it can be a brief mention of a small detail in the story that makes you curious.
Just some things to think about as you search for writing ideas.
Another idea starter is to read brief blurbs about what a movie or book is about--Amazon is a good place to start. Sometimes those little blurbs can sound quite intriguing and give you an idea for a novel, poem, or essay. It won't be at all like the book or movie the blurb was for because you'll give it your own twist and write it the way you would like to see it written.
Still another place for harvesting ideas is in the literature of other countries. Google Japanese literature or Spanish literature or whatever country or region strikes your fancy. Read a little literary history to see what they wrote about. Mix and match with other ideas you've come across. How about a Spanish mystery novel or a Japanese nature essay?
News stories can give you ideas, too. Do you see a mention of a country that sounds interesting? How about a profession? It doesn't necessarily have to be the main topic of the news story--it can be a brief mention of a small detail in the story that makes you curious.
Just some things to think about as you search for writing ideas.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Critical Thinking Can Help Your Writing
I found a website about critical thinking that you might want to check out. It's the Foundation for Critical Thinking. There are quite a few different pages, but I would suggest going to the articles index and starting your exploration there. What I like about this site especially is that it describes and defines what critical thinking is much more than any other site I've found.
There is quite a bit about teaching critical thinking, but also about learning it. A good introductory article is "Critical Thinking in Every Domain of Knowledge and Belief" and it has a couple of charts that let you know the kinds of topics the other articles will cover in more detail.
What I get out of this site is that clear, thorough thinking will help you in every area of your life. It is not necessary (or, in my view, desirable) to use critical thinking to talk yourself out of beliefs or religion or patriotism. What it is for is learning to be clear and understanding the purpose of what you are thinking about at the moment. Clarify your question and think through any answers to see what the consequences would be.
How does this help your writing? It helps you write more clearly, plot more realistically, and can help provide your characters with more believable actions and motives. I think as you read the articles, if you're interested, you will think of any number of ways critical thinking can help your writing, your reading, your studying and learning. See what you think! And let me know if you know of other sites of this nature that are clear and don't mind explaining things from the beginning for people like me!!
There is quite a bit about teaching critical thinking, but also about learning it. A good introductory article is "Critical Thinking in Every Domain of Knowledge and Belief" and it has a couple of charts that let you know the kinds of topics the other articles will cover in more detail.
What I get out of this site is that clear, thorough thinking will help you in every area of your life. It is not necessary (or, in my view, desirable) to use critical thinking to talk yourself out of beliefs or religion or patriotism. What it is for is learning to be clear and understanding the purpose of what you are thinking about at the moment. Clarify your question and think through any answers to see what the consequences would be.
How does this help your writing? It helps you write more clearly, plot more realistically, and can help provide your characters with more believable actions and motives. I think as you read the articles, if you're interested, you will think of any number of ways critical thinking can help your writing, your reading, your studying and learning. See what you think! And let me know if you know of other sites of this nature that are clear and don't mind explaining things from the beginning for people like me!!
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Historical Research for Your Writing
If you are interested in writing about places and times not your own, you might find Times and Places a helpful site to visit. The link is to a page with some general articles at the top, followed by more specific groups of links. Try it out and see if it works for you!
At A Celebration of Women Writers you can find writings from women throughout time and all over the world. I've only begun to look at it myself, but it looks like enough reading to keep you busy for a long time! Like at Times and Places linked above, you may find information and ideas here to help your own writing.
Are there one or two websites about literature and/or writing that you really like? Feel free to leave an url in the comments!
At A Celebration of Women Writers you can find writings from women throughout time and all over the world. I've only begun to look at it myself, but it looks like enough reading to keep you busy for a long time! Like at Times and Places linked above, you may find information and ideas here to help your own writing.
Are there one or two websites about literature and/or writing that you really like? Feel free to leave an url in the comments!
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Write About What Interests You
A person can write about anything and everything. What interests you the most? Fiction? Poetry? History? The internet and/or a library can provide you with all the information you need. Add in your own experiences and thoughts and you can write quite interesting pieces.
If you want to be published, you can find guidelines to narrow your focus, plus draw on your own reading experience. Or you can start a blog!
It's good to work at learning how to write well, whether it's spelling and grammar or how to put your ideas and thoughts in an orderly manner so that the reader can follow what you are writing about. The nice thing about a blog is that you can get some feedback from readers. They can tell you if they aren't able to understand what you are getting at, and sometimes they offer suggestions. You could also get a friend or a teacher to read your writing and offer suggestions. One thing that helps a lot is to set aside your finished piece for a few days and then go back and read it with fresh eyes.
Don't be afraid to revise. Editing your writing can improve it immensely, making it more clear and concise.
If you write about something you are very interested in, whether it is nature or cooking or a certain historical period, your enthusiasm and knowledge will show through in your writing and make it interesting for others to read.
If you want to be published, you can find guidelines to narrow your focus, plus draw on your own reading experience. Or you can start a blog!
It's good to work at learning how to write well, whether it's spelling and grammar or how to put your ideas and thoughts in an orderly manner so that the reader can follow what you are writing about. The nice thing about a blog is that you can get some feedback from readers. They can tell you if they aren't able to understand what you are getting at, and sometimes they offer suggestions. You could also get a friend or a teacher to read your writing and offer suggestions. One thing that helps a lot is to set aside your finished piece for a few days and then go back and read it with fresh eyes.
Don't be afraid to revise. Editing your writing can improve it immensely, making it more clear and concise.
If you write about something you are very interested in, whether it is nature or cooking or a certain historical period, your enthusiasm and knowledge will show through in your writing and make it interesting for others to read.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Nature Links
Here are some links for those of you who are interested in learning more about nature. If you are interested in nature writing, these can help you learn more about what you are observing so that you can do a better job of writing about it.
Neartica
The Natural World
The Nature Conservancy
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Scott's Botanical Links
U.S. Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works
eNature: America's Wildlife Resource
Bird Watchers Digest
National Audubon Society
There are, of course, many more sites to be found. You can search such terms as wildflowers, trees, birds, lakes, or similar terms. Enjoy!
Neartica
The Natural World
The Nature Conservancy
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Scott's Botanical Links
U.S. Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works
eNature: America's Wildlife Resource
Bird Watchers Digest
National Audubon Society
There are, of course, many more sites to be found. You can search such terms as wildflowers, trees, birds, lakes, or similar terms. Enjoy!
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Research and Writing
It amazes me how much research you can do at home on the internet. There are dictionaries and encyclopedias galore. In addition, you can do a search on any topic that interests you. You can find websites on favorite authors and websites of book reviews on your favorite type of reading. There are websites about writing and about literary criticism and all sorts of things. I try to put links to some of my favorites in my sidebar, but I have far more sites bookmarked on my browser page.
I think it helps solidify your learning about any subject if you write notes or essays or articles about what you are learning. There's something about writing it down that helps you to remember and also to understand what you've read.
I enjoy learning about all the different types of writing there are and how to write in those categories. I think learning about languages helps, too. Even if you aren't interested in learning a foreign language or a classic language like Latin, you can learn a bit about English grammar and about the sources and meanings of the words we use. It'll help you write better if you have a greater understanding of the building blocks of writing.
Anything you learn about any subject can be fodder for your writing. There is no reason you can't write an essay or a poem about some aspect of science or history or art or music. If you are studying another language, try writing in that language. See what you come up with.
So much to do, so little time.
I think it helps solidify your learning about any subject if you write notes or essays or articles about what you are learning. There's something about writing it down that helps you to remember and also to understand what you've read.
I enjoy learning about all the different types of writing there are and how to write in those categories. I think learning about languages helps, too. Even if you aren't interested in learning a foreign language or a classic language like Latin, you can learn a bit about English grammar and about the sources and meanings of the words we use. It'll help you write better if you have a greater understanding of the building blocks of writing.
Anything you learn about any subject can be fodder for your writing. There is no reason you can't write an essay or a poem about some aspect of science or history or art or music. If you are studying another language, try writing in that language. See what you come up with.
So much to do, so little time.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Some Links
I have added links to my sidebar now and again, but there are four new ones I especially want to point out because they belong to a friend, Confutus. He has quite a project started having to do with an outline of knowledge and also showing how various subjects connect with one another. The sites he has set up are as follows:
Sapience Knowledge Base
Independent Learning Forum (can also be accessed from the SKB home page)
Independent Learning (blog)
From the Ground (this is more of a political blog)
Come visit these sites and leave comments on the blogs or discuss independent learning on the forum. Anyone who is interested in continued learning will probably find something they are interested in. Also, homeschoolers and unschoolers (a term new to me!) will probably find this useful, too.
Sapience Knowledge Base
Independent Learning Forum (can also be accessed from the SKB home page)
Independent Learning (blog)
From the Ground (this is more of a political blog)
Come visit these sites and leave comments on the blogs or discuss independent learning on the forum. Anyone who is interested in continued learning will probably find something they are interested in. Also, homeschoolers and unschoolers (a term new to me!) will probably find this useful, too.
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Information for Writers
At a site that I greatly enjoy, Fiction Factor, there is a page of writing articles sorted into categories. Beside articles to help you with your writing at all levels, they have articles on the business of writing which will help make you aware of all the things you need to keep in mind as you seek to sell your writing and become a published author.
As far as research goes, the entire internet is at your disposal. Although Wikipedia needs to be double-checked since anyone can post to it, it is still very useful for finding names and dates to look up elsewhere. There are science sites and history sites and you-name-it sites to research background for your stories. If you want to use a far-away setting, you can go to travel sites and geography sites for descriptions and pictures. This is a great blessing since most of us can't afford to travel somewhere just to consider using it as a setting. In addition, you can read about your own city/state/country and learn things that you never knew, which might trigger an excellent plot or provide a more exotic background that you thought possible from your own backyard.
Of course, you don't have to sell your writing. You can start a website or a blog and post to your heart's content!
As far as research goes, the entire internet is at your disposal. Although Wikipedia needs to be double-checked since anyone can post to it, it is still very useful for finding names and dates to look up elsewhere. There are science sites and history sites and you-name-it sites to research background for your stories. If you want to use a far-away setting, you can go to travel sites and geography sites for descriptions and pictures. This is a great blessing since most of us can't afford to travel somewhere just to consider using it as a setting. In addition, you can read about your own city/state/country and learn things that you never knew, which might trigger an excellent plot or provide a more exotic background that you thought possible from your own backyard.
Of course, you don't have to sell your writing. You can start a website or a blog and post to your heart's content!
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Cranky Librarians and Other Things
Not too long ago, I discovered another site with books online. It also has art, poetry, fairy tales, short stories, a book on making handshadows, and all sorts of interesting things. It's called The Cranky Librarian. There's even a little librarian to shush you! Have fun looking it over!
Over at Bartleby, you can read The Cambridge History of English and American Literature. Have a look at their reference page for all kinds of material to entertain and educate yourself.
English Literature on the Web is another site with a list of links for various periods so you can pick out what particularly interests you.
For news and reviews on new books, try Readers Read, a blog with all sorts of information and links.
Over at Bartleby, you can read The Cambridge History of English and American Literature. Have a look at their reference page for all kinds of material to entertain and educate yourself.
English Literature on the Web is another site with a list of links for various periods so you can pick out what particularly interests you.
For news and reviews on new books, try Readers Read, a blog with all sorts of information and links.
Saturday, March 3, 2007
Books, Books, and More Books!
Here's a great site with links to book reviews, book clubs, and all sorts of information. It's called, appropriately enough, Great Reading Links.
Reading book reviews and discussions can not only help you decide which books you want to spend time reading, it can give you great plot ideas. You take a general plot and run off with it in your own direction, with your own characters and plot twists. The blurbs about books at the booksellers' sites can do the same for you.
Need to confirm some information for your essay or novel? Try Information Please or Wikipedia or The Internet Public Library. It's always a good idea to confirm any information you find with at least one other source. Wikipedia, for example, is full of great information, but since anyone can work on it and add to it, you should confirm anything you find there. The way I look at it is that Wikipedia can give you names, dates, and places to start with, and then you can look those things up elsewhere, too, to make sure you aren't being led astray!
The internet is great for a lot of research, but don't forget that you can go to your local public library and have access to all sorts of information to help you write knowledgeably about any subject. Other sources are interviewing experts, college professors, etc. There are special interest magazines and journals that might help, too.
Research away, and have fun doing it!
Reading book reviews and discussions can not only help you decide which books you want to spend time reading, it can give you great plot ideas. You take a general plot and run off with it in your own direction, with your own characters and plot twists. The blurbs about books at the booksellers' sites can do the same for you.
Need to confirm some information for your essay or novel? Try Information Please or Wikipedia or The Internet Public Library. It's always a good idea to confirm any information you find with at least one other source. Wikipedia, for example, is full of great information, but since anyone can work on it and add to it, you should confirm anything you find there. The way I look at it is that Wikipedia can give you names, dates, and places to start with, and then you can look those things up elsewhere, too, to make sure you aren't being led astray!
The internet is great for a lot of research, but don't forget that you can go to your local public library and have access to all sorts of information to help you write knowledgeably about any subject. Other sources are interviewing experts, college professors, etc. There are special interest magazines and journals that might help, too.
Research away, and have fun doing it!
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