Links to Literary Lifesavers

We all know there are a lot of writing resources out there. And if you're anything like me, your internet search history is full of weird and specific questions that would make any criminal investigator scratch their head. But it's all for the sake of the story, right? Well, don't let me stop you from googling every bizarre little thought that pops into your brain, but in case you're looking for a reliable answer quickly, here are a few websites that I've used to keep my writing fun without collapsing into a mess of plot holes, confusion, and repetitive phrases:

1. onestopforwriters.com - This is a really neat site that I've used for inspiration and guidance at the start of new projects. They have helpful tools, templates, and worksheets that are available for free, or you can sign up for a subscription and have access to even more helpful content!

   
   

2. howstuffworks.com - Yep, you read that correctly. Is this exclusively a resource for writers? No, but this has been a go-to website for me throughout my writing journey as I work out mechanics to make my worlds more believable and characters more knowledgable in ways I am not. Trust me, this site is a great resource to have in your back pocket.

   
   

3. wordhippo.com - This is like Webster 2.0. Type in any word to get synonyms, antonyms, rhyming words, definitions, and more. I've found this site to be a lot more useful in my writing than Merriam Webster sites as it's approach to finding words is more literary than literal.

   
   

4. fightwrite.net - A go-to for when it's time to write those action-packed scenes. Author and martial artist Carla Hoch shares super valuable insights for writing compelling, realistic fight scenes on her blog and in her books that have been majorly helpful in my own writing.

   
   

5. https://www.websiteplanet.com/blog/best-online-tools-writers/ - This one was sent in from a member of our Dreambridge community (Thanks, Virgy)! It's a list of helpful applications and downloads for writers who are looking for more specific or automated help with their writing. I've used some of the tools listed here - like Grammarly and Cliché Finder, which are free to use and have been really helpful for clearing up writing that's boring or poorly-worded - but let us know your thoughts in the comments if you've used any of the others they recommend!

   
   

So that's my personal lineup of writer-approved, time-saving, inspiration-sparking, resources that I use regularly. Writing is hard. These make it a little less so. Click, explore, steal what works, ditch what doesn’t, and above all, keep writing your weird, wonderful stories. The internet is full of noise, but with the right tools, you can use it to write something that sings.