How To Write - by Harry Bingham

Harry Bingham knows his onions when it comes to writing and publishing. Actually, for all I know he knows his onions when it comes to onions, too.

Recently, he proved his utter good sense by giving my Write to be Published a lovely write-up on his blog. And he's invited me back to the Festival of Writing in York to deliver some more crabbit advice - even more advice than last year. In fact, I'm going to have to go into stamina training for all the book doctor sessions and the mini-course and three other events. *flexes muscles*

But, Harry doesn't only run the Writers' Workshop (events, tutoring, mentoring, critiques), he also writes books himself. He has a new novel, Talking to the Dead, and, crucially for you, a new book on how to write called, er, How to Write. And it's a remarkably excellent book. Basically, I think How to Write and my own Write to be Published make a perfect couple. I think the two books should probably get married. Because I'm pretty sure they're going to bring into existence a whole load more books. Not that I have anything against books born out of wedlock, you understand.

Why are we bigging up each other's books, when you might think they are in competition? Does he actually plan to poison my coffee at the Festival of Writing? (Not if I can kick him somewhere with my pointy boots first.) No, the thing is our books are not in competition. His focuses on the writing - and in wonderful detail. Mine takes an overview of the whole process from idea through writing and to submission. I give nutshell advice about the important aspects of writing, too, but there's no doubt that How to Write is a real manual of writing.

He has detailed advice (with copious fascinating examples) on prose style, character, point(s) of view, structures, dialogue and pace; he shows you how to analyse plot problems and choose the right tense. To be honest, I don't think there's a single thing about how to write a novel that How to Write doesn't cover. I am in awe of the detail and the depth.

So, his or mine? Well, duh, both. I think you should read mine first - it will get you in the mood, set the scene, make sure you understand the background to what you're setting out to do and what publishers and agents need from you if they are to give you a deal. And then you'll be ready for Harry's fabulous book.

If Mr Bingham promises not to poison my coffee, I promise not to damage my pointy boots on his shins. And our books can live forever in perfect harmony.

RESOURCES: AN EXHAUSTING LIST

RESOURCES FOR WRITERS 

(Edited to add: I have recently - April 2018 - removed some links, as this was written in 2010 and I have no time to go and check them all for you. I'm sure there are loads of newer resources but this blog is now preserved in aspic so I have no obligation to go hunting for you any more!)

I've been making my list of resources for you. Many of these are in my book, Write to be Published. This list is by no means exhaustive, though it was exhausting to put together. Nor do I believe you should read all of these, or even a tenth – there’s a danger in reading too many how-to books and blogs instead of simply getting on with the writing. Don’t overload yourself and don’t feel you have to read a certain amount before you start writing. The time you’ll learn most is when you’re actually writing.

Take what works for you. Be magpie-like, selfish, experimental, self-challenging, but do not tie yourself in knots wondering why something doesn’t make sense. If it doesn’t make sense to you, it’s not for you.

There are both books and on-line materials. I haven’t read all the books, but if I haven’t read them I’ve heard about them from people I trust. I have looked at all the blogs and websites and chosen them for what I found there, but on-line resources do change so I make no promises! It will also depend on what you’re looking for.

I make no apologies for those I’ve left out. It simply would have been impossible to include all the good stuff out there. Go find.

* indicates that the resource is US based, but I would not include it here if I didn’t think it was just as useful to all writers.

YR indicates that the resource focuses on the markets for young readers.

PRINTED RESOURCES ABOUT THE PUBLISHING BUSINESS
From Pitch to Publication by Carole Blake 
The New Writer - thenewwriter.com – subscription magazine
The Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook
The W&A Yearbook Guide to Getting Published by Harry Bingham
The Writer’s Essential Tackle Box by Lynn Price (US but with UK edition pubbed by Snowbooks) *
Writers’ Forum -  www.writers-forum.com/ - subscription magazine
Writers’ Guide to Copyright and Law by Helen Shay
The Writer’s Handbook
Writers’ Market – UK & Ireland


BOOKS ON HOW TO WRITE – NON GENRE-SPECIFIC
(Many of these are by American writers. The writing craft doesn't change as you cross an ocean so everything applies equally. It's the publishing process and markets that may differ.)
The Aesthetic Validity of Marriage by Kierkegaard - highbrow!
The Art and Craft of Writing and Getting Published by Michael Seidman *
The Art of Fiction by John Gardner
The Art of Fiction by David Lodge – more basic than Gardner's one 
Becoming a Writer by Dorothea Brande – though published in 1934, this is still relevant because it’s about writing habit and method *
Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lammot *
The Forest for the Trees: An Editor’s Advice to Writers by Betsy Lerner – wide-ranging and thought-provoking *
Booklife by Jeff Vandermeer - guides us through emotional and practical aspects of writing*
How Not To Write a Novel – Howard Mittelmark – basic *
No Plot? No Problem by Chris Baty – all about NaNoWriMo, the National Novel Writing Month but full of useful tips about writing processes *
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King – much more than a memoir *
Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell – techniques and exercises in plotting *
Poetics by Aristotle - amazing what that guy knew about structure and meaning
Solutions for Writers: Practical Craft Techniques for Fiction & Non-Fiction by Sol Stein *
Your Writing Coach by Jurgen Woolf – very detailed *
Wannabe a Writer by Jane Wenham Jones – as the title suggests, light-hearted but with serious usefulness
Write Away by Elizabeth George *
Writing a Novel by Nigel Watts – starts at the beginning


ON-LINE – NON-GENRE-SPECIFIC

First, resources from industry professionals. Some of these are also writers, but they are primarily agents, editors or other professionals.

Creative Penn - thecreativepenn.com – Joanna Penn, Australian writer with good advice for writers
Duotrope - duotrope.com/ - source of resources on all genres, incl poetry
The Forest for the Trees - betsylerner.wordpress.com  - writer and editor *
How Publishing Really Works - HowPublishingReallyWorks.com – Jane Smith, editor with wide knowledge of industry) [No longer in operation but still worth its weight in gold]
Kidlit - kidlit.com – Mary Kole, children’s authors’ agent, with sensible advice of interest to all * YR
Nathan Bransford - blog.nathanbransford.com – agent and author with much advice *
Pubrants - pubrants.blogspot.com – another agent has a rant, but gently
Reedsy - Useful overview of avoiding scams: https://blog.reedsy.com/scams-and-publishing-companies-to-avoid/
Query Shark - queryshark.blogspot.com – agent analyses and dissects queries *
Rachelle Gardner - cba-ramblings.blogspot.com – another agent with generous advice *
The State of Independents - stateofindependents.co.uk - a blog by independent booksellers
Victoria Mixon - victoriamixon.com/ - editor and writer with no-nonsense advice *
Vulpes Libris - vulpeslibris.wordpress.com – a collaboration of literary readers writing about books
Writer Beware  - accrispin.blogspot.com – essential for avoiding scams *

GENRE-SPECIFIC RESOURCES

Whatever your genre, as part of your first step to find information, see if the writers you admire have blogs or websites. Many are generous with advice.

FOR CRIME, THRILLER, MYSTERY WRITERS

BOOKS:
Plotting and Writing Suspense Fiction by Patricia Highsmith 
Writing Crime Fiction by HRF Keating 
Writing Crime Fiction: Making Crime Pay by Janet Laurence 
Writing Mysteries, ed. Sue Grafton.

ONLINE:
Crimespot - crimespot.net – a collection of crime fiction blogs
CrimeSpace - crimespace.ning.com 
Crimefest - crimefest.com 
Mystery Writing is Murder - mysterywritingismurder.blogspot.com 
Noir Originals – allanguthrie.co.uk - Allan Guthrie, crime writer and agent, has a useful links 
SinC Guppies, Sisters in Crime - sinc-guppies.org 
Theakston’s Crime Festival in Harrogate - harrogate-festival.org.uk/crime

FOR ROMANCE WRITERS

ORGANISATION:
Romantic Novelists’ Association - rna-uk.org -  very welcoming; has a New Writers’ Scheme.

BOOKS:
Loves Me, Loves Me Not – ed. Katie Fforde

ON-LINE:
A brief internet search will bring up a wealth of sites, groups and forums – take your pick! An especially recommended site is romancedivas.com/

FOR HISTORICAL NOVELISTS

ON-LINE:
Georgian London - georgianlondon.com/ - writer Lucy Inglis
The Historical Novel Society - historicalnovelsociety.org – has many links and ideas from those who know. Also see its magazine, the Historical Novels Review, which “aims to review every new work of adult historical fiction released in the USA or the UK” as well as a selection of titles for children and teenagers. It also publishes Solander, historicalnovelsociety.org/solander2.htm –  with interviews, articles, short fiction and comment
The Virtual Victorian - virtualvictorian.blogspot.com/ - writer Essie Fox
Emma Darwin and Sally Zigmond’s blogs – see above

FOR CHILDREN'S & TEENAGE WRITERS

ORGANISATIONS
Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators, SCBWI - scbwi.org and the UK one britishscbwi.jimdo.com
The Scattered Authors Society - scatteredauthors.org - wonderful support network and includes many friendly writers at all stages of their career.

BOOKS:
Children’s Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook, published by A&C Black
Writing for Children by Linda Strachan
Write to be Published by Nicola Morgan

FOR FANTASY, SCIENCE FICTION AND HORROR WRITERS

BOOKS:
How To Write Science Fiction And Fantasy by Orson Scott Card

ON-LINE:
Forums and blogs for and by fantasy and sci-fi writers abound on the internet. The writers are often supremely teckie and there’s a world of writing out there on a quick search.
Note especially:
Jeffrey A. Carver - writesf.com/ - includes comprehensive free online course for fantasy and sci-fi writers
Katherine Langrish’s Seven Miles of Steel Thistles - steelthistles.blogspot.com/  - for children’s fantasy writing
On-line writing workshop - sff.onlinewritingworkshop.com – for fantasy, sci-fi and horror


FOR SHORT STORY WRITERS
BOOKS:
Short Circuit: A Guide to the Art of the Short Story ed. Vanessa Gebbie
How to Write and Sell Short Stories by Della Galton
Creating Short Fiction by Damon Knight - literary market

ON-LINE (see also the writers who blog section, and Duotrope, The New Writer and Writers’ Forum, already mentioned):
Biscuit Publishing - biscuitpublishing.com
The Short Review - theshortreview.blogspot.com
The Short Story, including the BBC National Short Story Award - theshortstory.org.uk
Tindal Street - tindalstreet.co.uk/writers – this publisher has story writing tips
Womagwriter - womagwriter.blogspot.com – invaluable, by a successful women’s magazine writer

FOR NON-FICTION WRITERS
Get Known Before the Book Deal by Christina Katz and christinakatz.com/

RESOURCES FOR WRITERS

Since I'm not really here - in new flat and probably without internet connection and up to my ears in paint pots - I thought I'd bring you a fabulous website of resources for writers. (By the way, I wish that was me on the left. In my dreams. Not that blonde women appear regularly in my dreams but you know what I mean.)

Iain Broome, the ever helpful man at Write for Your Life, set up this resource, Websites for Writers.

Write for Your Life also has loads of excellent articles. Dip into a few. I particularly like this one about why you shouldn't listen to people who say you have to write every day. Mainly because I agree with what Iain says, which is always a start to liking something. Lots of people disagree. But why should the fact that writing every day is what works for you make you say that it must work for everyone else? I certainly don't write very day (apart from emails and blog posts) and if I thought I ought to I would find that pressure very unhelpful. But if you like it, fine. Go for it. Why would I care how often other writers write, as long as what they write is great?

Iain knows about succinctness, and I'm going to take a leaf out of his book.

Goodbye! How succinct was that!

 Oops, sorry - dreaming again....