Helpful Articles for Writers - 9/3/2011

In the near future, when I change Triple R's layout and its name (just a little), it's content will consist solely of these types of posts. Once every week, I check my e-mails that aren't personally sent to me, generally newsletters and e-zines. It's a long process that takes many hours. I get a lot of helpful articles, and I'm always eager to share them with as many writers as possible. So now, with my blog, I can and will! Here's the very first Helpful Articles for Writers. ^_^

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Progression Makes the Story Worse and Worse - and That's Good
Darcy Pattison makes some interesting points about progression. At first, I just expected her to say the same old, same old: The story needs to rise in conflict near the end and then come to some type of conclusion. But this post delved more into noting how plot points progress and making sure the progression is logical. I find myself often doing this, definitely when trying to make sure my characters are developing throughout.

Novel Revision: 4 Goals to Polish Your Story
I also do these things when polishing, but even though I'm at the 6th draft, there are still large amounts of restructuring. This reminds me of a post that Michelle Davidson Argyle did, about the writing process seemingly becoming quicker or easier. Also, the more I get into critiquing, the more I'll find myself asking readers to do these things before giving me their draft. I can always tell when you've given me something you haven't even read over.

Dear in the Headlights by Levi Johnston 
Back when I used to have Freebie Fridays here, Simon and Schuster's was a marvelous resource. This contest ends on 9/16/20ll. I definitely entered. Why? I'm a big fan of free things.

Build a List for Success
I love lists, which is why I've put up a post about it before. Robert Brewer goes a lot more into detail, though.

Ghosts: What Are They?
I'm a paranormal writer, so I'm always interested in paranormal articles like this that go into a little more detail about creatures.

The 10 Most Puzzling Ancient Artifacts
Even if you don't believe in supernatural/paranormal stuff and don't write in or read the genre, these pictures and explanations can lead to many good story ideas.

How to Find More Time
For us writers, this is very important. This article parallels, in a sense, the article above on making lists by Robert Brewer.

All Writing is Compelling Writing
This appeals moreso to the freelance writer and editor, but it could be helpful in terms of fiction and nonfiction too.

Web and Programming Resources Roundup
I'm all about using free domains, like Blogger, for my websites. I only know a little bit about what it takes to actually create and manage sites. Honestly, I don't want to learn this skill. My mind is already full of info I have no idea what to do with. But, just in case you want to know, here you go!

Less is More: Clean Websites
A couple of days ago (probably yesterday), I was searching for the design I want Triple R to have in the near future. I turned to The Innocent Flower, Rhemalda, and Welcome to the Asylum as my guides. And I noticed something. They were very clean. Platforming is important for writers, so this is something good to keep in mind when building or having someone build your website.

Strengthen Your Verbs
It's a very good idea to practice writing sentences that don't consistently use 'to be' verbs.They, like adverbs, can take away from something that could be much more active and descriptive if you tried.

How to Raise Your Characters Above the Status Quo
For the most part, I like this article and find it helpful. I think it's best for action stories, though. The line about wimpy protagonists not being interesting instantly made me think, "That depends."

Using the 3-Act Structure: Adjusting Expectations
My story is actually split into three parts for this purpose, but I think I did that to keep myself in check about the parts.

25 Ways to Improve Your Writing in 30 Minutes a Day
This post is good and varied because the 25 methods are provided by different authors.

Are you Using Trademarked Words in Your Fiction?
This amuses me. However, it's also helpful because it tells you other ways to phrase these trademarked words in case you don't know how to.

10 Ways Writers Lose Blog Traffic and Alienate Readers
Writer's Digest sure does have good titles that tell you exactly what you'll be getting in the article. Anyway, for all you blogging writers out there...