THE QUANTUM CONTINGENT
  • Blog
  • Technology
  • Locations
  • About the Author

THE JOURNEY BLOG

Resources for Writers

4/28/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
In today's world, the resources available at your fingertips are immense. Between Youtube, Google, and the millions of websites on the web, you can take up almost any hobby and engage with others who have blazed the trail before you. In this week's blog, I wanted to share some resources that I leveraged that the budding author in you might find handy as well.

Video Learning
  • Coursera - Coursera.org provides access to University courses on creative writing besides many other topics. For example, I took the Wesleyan University course on Creative Writing: The Craft of Plot. The Creative Writing course has several modules, so you can pick based on your interest or need.
​
  • Masterclass - Masterclass.com takes a fresh approach from Coursera. Coursera typically had a few short videos in a week with a weekly peer graded homework assignment. Masterclass focuses on big name experts. I'm taking Dan Brown's masterclass on Thrillers. I enjoy Masterclass for its highly specialized, high-quality content paired with a detailed workbook and ease of access through an app, the web, or an apple TV app. 
​​
  • YouTube - Youtube is the place to go to learn almost anything for free. I currently subscribe to Alyssa Matesic's channel on youtube. Alyssa is a professional editor that gives insights on publishing and book writing. I like Alyssa's content packed targeted sessions. I first connected with Alyssa when I hired her as a developmental editor for my manuscript from the website "Reedsy" which I'll talk about in a minute.

Websites and Tools 
  • The app "Scrivener" is my goto tool for writing my manuscript. It's designed for writing books. It helps you organize all of your content and generate many different outputs including outlines, kindle books, word documents or PDF's. Goto the website https://www.literatureandlatte.com to learn more about Scrivener's features. It's available on Windows, Mac and iOS.
  • Reedsy.com is a website for connecting to professional book cover designers, editors, publicists that you might need in creating your book. In addition, they have a great blog @ https://blog.reedsy.com . 
  • Another great website is bookbaby.com . They are a company that helps you self publish if that is the path you choose. Their blog is another great resource @ https://blog.bookbaby.com
  • ProWritingaid https://prowritingaid.com is your AI writing mentor. It goes beyond just grammar and style checking, and can show you things like pacing and dialog distribution and compare it to your favorite author. (See a sample from one of my checks below!) And if you know me, you know I couldn't resist using AI to help me write this book.

So, get out there and pursue your dream! Next week will be another "location" discussion and mystery picture.

Greg
​

Picture
0 Comments

Getting Started

4/6/2021

4 Comments

 
Thank you for following along on my journey. As the old Chinese proverb says, "The journey is the reward." (also the title of a Steve Jobs biography)

I'll be posting weekly updates on the progress of my first novel, The Quantum Contingent, to this blog. Topics will range from resources to help you learn how to write a novel, to personal pictures and stories of locations in the book. (The website cover photo, on the River Reuss in Switzerland, the blog cover photo, Ngorongoro Crater and the 'About the Author' photo are all personal pictures I've taken and are all scenes in the book.) In addition, I'll include discussions on some of the many technologies in the book. (you can see a sampling of the technologies on the technology page) 
Please join me on the journey and comment below on any other topics you'd like me to include in my weekly blogs. With that intro, here is my first blog entry... it's all about getting started.

The first thing you have to do in any major undertaking is to start. In addition, if you are like me and a first-time author, you have to open yourself up to learning. The good news is that there are many good online options for learning. I started with a Coursera class on Creative Writing, learning many basics in fiction like "show don't tell" and many other approaches from the people at Wesleyan University. Now, I've begun a 'Masterclass' by Dan Brown on writing a thriller. The Masterclass formula is designed for the modern learner; 10 minute video segments, available via a smart phone or Apple TV app, a well written workbook, and the ability to switch to a listen-only podcast mode.

So, if you are interested in taking up any hobby, remember, there are lessons everywhere to help you progress. I've been to many websites, and have leveraged several books, including, On Writing, A Memoir of the Craft, by Stephen King. Gifted to me by my friends at Synchrony on my retirement.

Certainly, as far as writing goes, the best advice is to read. It is impossible to be a writer if you aren't a reader. It humbles me every time I pick up a good book and read it through my new lens of 'writing,' realizing the amazing world talented authors create.

So, I hope you'll follow along on this journey. As I said, it will be a variety, (fun personal photos and deep technical treats) so pick the parts you enjoy and read along. I'd love to hear from you in the comments below. Questions or simple motivations are welcome!

Enjoy,
Greg



​
4 Comments

    The Blog

    Greg's blog will cover some of the things he learned as well as some of the tech and locations he used in his new novel, The Quantum Contingent.
    ​

    Book Cover Image

    Archives

    September 2022
    July 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021

    Categories

    All
    Learning
    Technlogy

    RSS Feed

Photo used under Creative Commons from edenpictures
  • Blog
  • Technology
  • Locations
  • About the Author