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Tips for writers 3
The third set of our new pages of tips for writers
New technology and the Internet
- Take full advantage of the Internet and all it offers to develop and
inform your writing. To start with you can learn
to use the web as
a research tool and you will find that it is endlessly useful for
general research and for finding out where the information you need is stored.
WritersServices has its own Google-powered
Search, which is
the quickest way to find what you need on this site. Use other sites’ search
facilities in the same way. For those who have not yet experienced what it can
do, Google offers it own
Desktop,
and here’s an article explaining what it can do for you.
- The online encyclopedia
Wikipedia has been criticised for some of its democratically entered
rather than authorised information but it still provides a stunning summary of
information and is a good starting-point, with over 7 million articles in 200
languages.. There are an infinite number of other information-rich websites,
so use them to do the reserach for your writing.
- Use the Internet to find out what other writers are doing and to get in
touch with them. There is a vast growth in online magazines and writers’
community sites and some of these may provide what you are looking for. You
can also research publishers and agencies online and it’s particularly useful
to find out what else publishers are doing and whether your work might suit
their list. Our
agency listings and
links are a
good starting-point, with the links offering a series of recommended and
reviewed sites of special interest to writers under 21 headings.
- Sites such as WritersServices offer a vast amount of free information
which can help you develop your writing and get published. Our 2,000+
pages can be accessed through the homepage
or through Help for Writers,
which gives a breakdown of what is on the site. Look for other useful sites on
the web.
- Blogging is becoming an increasingly important way of attracting
attention to your writingshed, bloggers are becoming key in terms of
reviewing books. Publishers are learning to use this medium and so can you.
It’s individual, direct and spontaneous - and a great way to reach readers.
- Consider setting up your own website, which will give you a place
to display your work and a platform for your blog.
- New technology is opening up many new opportunities for writers.
Browse the over 100 pages of our Writers Web
Watch to find out just what it can do for you. If you’re a bit of a
technophobe and not very confident about technology, use
the starter pages
to get you going. If you’re already at ease with technological developments,
have a look at
the advanced
section, which offers thoughtful articles on topical issues for web
users.
Chris Holifield
See also
How to market your writing services
online
-
Joanne Phillips advises on having your own website, ezines and freelance writing
sites.
Tips for Writers 1: Improving
your writing
Tips for Writers
2: Learn on the job
Tips for Writers 4:
Self-publishing - is it for you?
Tips for Writers
5: Promoting your writing (and yourself)
Tips
for writers 6: Other kinds of writing
Tips
for writers 7: Keep up to date
Tips
for writers 8: Submission to publishers and agents
© Chris Holifield 2009
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