Emily Dickinson may have written masterpieces with no one but her cat to commiserate with, but for most of us, that’s simply unrealistic.
Luckily for modern writers, the internet has a wealth of resources to aid and improve the writing process. And you can bet your favorite fountain pen that if Emily were alive today, she’d be using most of these websites too.
1. Online Writing Lab at Purdue
This website is an important tool in any writer’s arsenal. The OWL at Purdue provides resources for citing work, grammar tips, style guides as well as help for ESL students and professionals.
2. Grammar Girl
Savvy writers everywhere rely on Grammar Girl to bring them the latest in grammar gossip, tips and tidbits. This podcast can enlighten you on topics ranging from how to use the subjunctive tense to politicians’ latest grammar gaffes.
3. The Slam
The Slam, affiliated with Cicada Magazine, is a fantastic resource for young writers. Not only can you read other people’s work and critique it, you can also post your own and receive feedback from writers from around the world. Once you develop a final draft of that snazzy poem, you can even submit it to Cicada magazine for a chance to get it into a print publication.
4. The Poetry Foundation
Whether you’re looking for a poem to cite in a paper, or simply want to browse the work of some of the world’s greatest poets, The Poetry Foundation is a great (and free!) place to find popular poetry.
5. Creative Writing Now
Whether you’re looking to access your creative voice or you’re ready to take your writing to the next level, Creative Writing Now has plenty of free guides and courses for beginners and experienced writers alike.
6. Visuwords
Finding that perfect word is one of most fun and frustrating aspects of writing. Visuwords creates word maps of synonyms and antonyms to help in this component of the writing process.
7. Thewritelife
The Write Life has a wealth of articles related to content creation, blogging and freelancing. This resource is invaluable for those who are striking it out alone in the daunting world of writing for the web.
8. Goodreads
It is difficult to write an article about online resources for writing without mentioning Goodreads. This website is useful for both academic writing and light reading. Goodreads allows users to recommend and review books as well as post favorite or key quotes.
9. Zenwriter
This program is designed to help writers block out distractions. It takes up your entire computer screen, and you can choose from different backgrounds for a calming writing atmosphere. It even plays soothing music!
10. Problogger
Problogger is a fantastic resource for amateur and professional bloggers alike. This site provides all the resources a blogger could ask for, from writing tips, advice for growth and even job listings.
11. Positive Writer
Let’s face it, writing is hard. No matter what kind of writer you are, the creative process can take a lot out of you. Positive Writer seeks to inspire writers with its upbeat and practical advice.
Writing is an inherently solitary pursuit—but as a writer, you don’t have to feel alone! Thanks to the internet, a wealth of resources and a vast community of other writers and creatives is merely a click away.
