Thursday, February 04, 2010

My Favourite Writing Blogs - The Educational Ones

Recently I was asked to write an article (which turned into a short series - another story) about blogs and twitter and stuff. I seemed to be viewed as a person who uses these tools a lot and effectively (little do they know the truth). So it had me thinking about blogs that I read. I follow over 100 blogs which is very scary indeed. However that does not mean I read 100 blogs a day (I would time for nothing else), but I do scan on my blogger dashboard to see what's new and if it interests me. I always read the blogs of close friends being a nosey sort, but other than that I pick and choose with certain blogs flowing in and out of favour. However there are a few blogs that merit visiting every time they post because I always learn from them - let's call these educational. So I thought I would share with you my must read educational blogs.

The GOLD category goes to four:

Julie Cohen (confession here - she is a good friend too) doesn't always post on craft (many times it is gorgeous men which of course I don't bother with (hah), but when she does I know I will come away with insights and tools to make my writing stronger. I don't know whether to say Julie is a writer or a teacher first or maybe they are just tied but the woman is amazing. Her recent series on character arcs blows most craft books I have read out of the water. Her books are awesome too and just getting better and better.

Sarah Duncan I know her only through email for the RNA blog and have never read one of her books (soon to be remedied as I picked up her latest A SINGLE TO ROME when I was in the UK) but she has been blogging everyday for the past few months and each day has been a concise lesson in some aspect of writing - each one a jewel.

Anita Burgh (another dear friend) who is posting about once a week answering questions from a group of writers that she mentors. Her answers are like manna from heaven because the come from her years of experience and hit the nail on the head (using all muddled metaphors but it's what it feels like to me).

Help I Need a Publisher is the blog of author Nicola Morgan. She claims to be really grumpy, which I don't agree with but she writes a blog that is full of wonderful writing help so grumpy or not I read it. Recently there was an excellent one of self editing and particularly insightful on use of historical language.

So those are my golden four that I never miss - well, not intentionally. In fact many of the posts I print and save to read over and over again until it sinks into my muddled brain. I could put up an honourable mention list but not today. What are your must not miss educational (writing that is) blogs?

16 comments:

Jenny Beattie said...

Fantastic Liz, thanks. Only two I don't already go to... so I'm off now to check out Sarah's and Julie's blogs.

Unknown said...

Enjoy JJ
lx

Julie Cohen said...

Thank you so much, Liz—for your compliments and also for referring me to Nicola's blog, which I'd never found before. I already know Anita's and Sarah's are fab!

Flowerpot said...

Good one Liz - I will go and have a look now!

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

Great choices. I love those blogs and always learn something new from them.

Leigh Russell said...

Thank you very much for the recommendations, Liz. I'm off to take a look now. I agree, a hundred blogs a day would take up all your time... need more hours in the day... need more hours in the day...

sheepish said...

I don't know how you find the time but your links are always very helpful so keep it up for us rather lazier mortals.

Anita Burgh said...

Well! What an honour. My head is a monstrous size. It's great to know that it is useful.

Unknown said...

Julie - thanks for your blog and a pleasure to point to Nicola's.

Hope you enjoy them FP.

Thanks Debs.

Leigh I do wish there were more hours in the day!

So pleased the links help Sheepish.


Annie - if you only knew how useful :-)

lx

Jan said...

Interesting post, Liz.

オテモヤン said...
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Daniel Dragomirescu said...

Very intersting blog. Congratulations, dear Liz!
Daniel D. Peaceman, writer and editor

Phillipa said...

Liz - there are some truly inspirational blogs around, aren't there? I'm a regular visitor to Nicola's and to Anitas' in particular for advice. Such wise words.

Alyssa Goodnight said...

Awesome list--thank you for sharing!

Jenny Beattie said...

Liz, there's a blog award for you over at mine.

Word verification is the marvellous sound 'flobacki'

Sarah Duncan said...

Oh, have just come across this - thanks so much Liz, I am honoured to be among such good company.