If you’re interested in writing or becoming a writer, these resources available through WCPL can be very helpful.

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

King has another great book on writing horror, but this one is just about writing in general. Very homespun and understandable. And yes, even King needed to know someone in the publishing business to get published.

Available through OverDrive/Libby

Words for Pictures by Brian Michael Bendis

Bendis has written some of the most successful comics and graphic novels of this century. His advice is practical and includes artists in the conversation while also looking up at the stars. Highly recommended if you want to write comics.

Available through OverDrive/Libby 

No Plot? No Problem! by Chris Baty

Baty, the founder of the National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo, gives a ton of tips and tricks on how to write as fast as you can. Get a head start on your novel.

Available through OverDrive/Libby

Hoopla

Hoopla has tons of books on writing. Visit Hoopla for even more books on writing.

Don’t have a library card? Sign up for a Digital Services card online!

Websites/Blogs

Among the thousands of writing help websites and blogs, here are some that have been the most interesting:

Brain Pickings is a great website for finding inspiration in writing, which can be hard when other people are talking about their successes and all you have is the work in front of you. Articles about the thoughts of physicists, writers, philosophers and more can help find your next story idea.

Writer’s Digest, the comprehensive website of the magazine of the same name, has plenty of advice, resources and writing prompts to help you along your way.

Of the many writers’ blogs out there, two are among my favorite. Terrible Minds is a blog run by writer Chuck Wendig. He’s written several Star Wars novels, available on Overdrive/Libby, but he also writes a great blog about being a writer and gives out a lot of great advice.

Whatever, author John Scalzi’s blog, is also a great resource, not just because it offers so much good writing advice, but because he allows fellow authors to talk about their new books in his What’s the Big Idea segment.