Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Tipsy Tuesday

The Internet is your friend. Well, it can be your enemy when it's used as an evil tool of procrastination. LOL But for the writer trying to learn his/her craft, submitting to a publisher or agent, conducting research, or just staying connected with like-minded folks, it's a bounty of plenty.

There are several places that offer online writing classes on various topics: WriterUniv, MediaBistro, and of course Romance Writers of America's various chapters offer classes out the wazoo (and you don't usually have to be a member in order to take a class).

Since most publishers and agents now have a presence on the web, you can read their guidelines for submissions, find out what they're currently looking for, and with some you can even submit your work (or at least a query or partial) online.

You can find most of your favorite authors on the Web, sign up for their newsletters in order to keep up-to-date with what's going on, and chat with them on forums. For those who have a presence on social networking sites, you can "friend" them and stay in touch that way. You can also stay in touch with writing friends you make along the way through emails, online forums and social networking sites.

Search engines provide a convenient way to conduct research, and instead of hauling that huge dictionary off the bookshelf, you can go to Dictionary.com (or its counterpart Thesaurus.com if you need synonyms).

Needless to say, I love the Internet! I go through major withdrawal when I have connection/computer problems and have problems getting online. There's just so much I accomplish (and don't accomplish, if you know what I mean) when I'm on the Web.

3 comments:

Kara said...

I love the internet too...it is fun connecting with my favorite authors, keeping up to date with them and their releases, learning day to day tidbits about them, etc.

You are right though...I find it greatly cuts into my reading time and sometimes I just have to disconnect for a while and get back to my reading!!! LOL.

Colleen Love said...

Oh me too! I'm totally addicted to the internet! It's such a great research tool! Can't live without it! And the friends I've made from all around the world, from all walks of life is just the coolest thing ever!
I think the internet makes the world just a little smaller, and just a little more fun. :)

Great blog, Sherrill!
C~

Sherrill Quinn said...

Kara, sometimes I feel like my laptop is stuck to my fingers. LOL

Colleen, you're right. The world is smaller than we think, especially when you factor in the Internet. :)