What if I told you you’re missing out on half the writing resources I offer on this site?
Here’s the thing about websites: all the focus is on the homepage, and that poor little homepage gets crowded fast. That’s where I have to put all the obvious stuff like the new posts, social media buttons, et al. It’s like the front yard of your house: you mow the grass and add a few yard gnomes to make it pretty for the neighbors.
The back yard, however, is where all the fun happens.
Alas, it’s also got a fence around it, which means not everyone realizes there’s a party going on back there.
Every January, I do a “clean up” of my sites, in which I go through all the static pages, checking links and updating material. This year, as I was sorting through all the pages in my Start Here! section, I realized a lot of you—particularly if you’re relatively new to the site—may not even know that section exists. (There it is, waaaaay up there in the top taskbar. Wave hello!)
The 10 Writing Resources You Didn’t Know This Site Offered
Today, I’m going to give you a whirlwind tour of the back-yard party that’s always going on here at Helping Writers Become Authors. Following are the top 10 goodies you may be missing out on. Don’t forget to check back with the Resources page from time to time, since I’m always adding new stuff.
Welcome to the party!
1. Story Structure Database
When I launched the Story Structure Database last summer, its introduction page became the single most viewed page of the year—so I know a lot of you are seeing this. But if you’ve yet to discover it, welcome to my pet project: a database of structural breakdowns of popular books and movies, showcasing their major plot points and other structural moments.
This is designed to help you study what works and what doesn’t in story structure, so you can better apply it to your own stories. I occasionally still add new titles (you can subscribe to email updates here).
2. Popular Series Landing Pages
I corral all my most popular and important blog series at the top of the left-hand taskbar, for easy reference. Be sure to check out:
- How to Outline Your Novel
- The Secrets of Story Structure
- How to Structure Scenes in Your Story
- How to Write Character Arcs
- How to Write Archetypal Character Arcs
- Most Common Writing Mistakes
- The Do’s and Don’ts of Storytelling According to Marvel
3. Weekly Podcast
If you prefer to listen rather than read, don’t forget I also offer a weekly podcast. The podcast airs on Mondays and features a transcript of what I call the “big” post of the week, which you can always find here on the site as well. You can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or Amazon Music, browse the archives of 600+ back episodes, or access each episode at the bottom of its correlating post’s transcript here on the site on Mondays.
4. Weekly E-Letter
In addition to the articles here on the site, I also send out a weekly email, introducing the weeks post and also sometimes including news and updates.
You can sign up for my mailing list here (and get some freebies including the following…).
5. Free E-Book: Crafting Unforgettable Characters
When you sign up for my mailing list, you’ll also gain access to a free download of my popular e-book Crafting Unforgettable Characters. Featuring some of my most popular tips on character crafting, it offers a firm foundation for understanding the basics of character building, as well as solid tips for troubleshooting. You’ll discover inspiring quotes from successful authors, writing prompts, and creativity exercises. This book will give you the tools you need to tackle your latest batch of characters.
You can sign up to receive Crafting Unforgettable Characters here (and I’ll also throw in the bonus of the Complete Outline Transcript of Storming and 5 Secrets of Story Structure.)
6. Infographics Treasure Trove
Over the years, I’ve featured tons of custom writing how-to infographics in my workbooks and blog posts. You can find the full set (which is always being updated) on the Infographics page (where else, right?).

Featured in the Outlining Your Novel Workbook
7. The Wordplayer’s Manifesto
Years ago, I put together what is, for me, the definitive manifesto of my goals and purpose as a writer. Since then, it’s taken off like hot cakes, and it’s as evergreen now as it was then. Click on the image for a larger view. Right click to save. Feel free to save it to your desktop, print it out, share it on your own website—whatever you need to do to declare yourself a writer of words!
8. Recommended Reading for Writers
One of the most frequent questions I receive is about which writing books I recommend. You can find my “top ten” list of recommended books for writers here.
9. Scrivener Templates
It’s no secret: I lurve the writer-centric word processing program Scrivener (I’ve written more about how I use it to outline and write my first drafts here). Wordplayer Stuart Norfolk used his tech savvy to integrate the principles from my books Outlining Your Novel and Structuring Your Novel into the free Scrivener template I offer right here.
10. Recommended Professional Resources for Writers
Another question I get a lot is: whom do you hire? Who does your editing/book cover design/etc.? I’ve listed all my favorite professional people and resources on this page, where you can also find info on e-book conversion, editors, and illustration.
***
Thanks for joining me for this impromptu tour of the site. I hope it’s introduced you to or reminded you of some of the features you may not be using to full potential. Take whatever is useful to you and use it to write your best book!
If you haven’t already written one, I could use an in depth article on Third person Deep pov as there are not as many articles on it as the rest of the pov narration. The one my characters demanded I use (sorry if that sounds nuts.) Is much like First person but with the pronouns of he, she, her, his and such.
Thank you! I love your blog as you post and give useful content instead of like some others that are a thinly veiled attempt to sell their books or to advertise.
Basically, deep third *is* just like first, save for the obvious difference in pronouns. But I’ll throw this into the think tank and see what I can come up with. Thanks for the suggestion! Great to hear you’re enjoying the blog.
Write scared is the best advise. Thank you.
That’s one I remind myself of every single day! Keeps me on my toes and my writing fresh.
Thanks for all the “helpful resources”. Great website! But of all the great writing services you provide, I especially enjoy your video presentations. Now, I have a question. In your Wordplayer’s Manifesto, could you please explain what you mean by “Writing Scared”? Can’t wait to learn the answer. Thanks, Kate M.
Got a whole post on that for you! Why You Should Be Writing Scared
That “writing scared” is one of the best posts on this site. Great read 🙂
Thanks, Jason! Glad you enjoyed it.
Complete awesomesauce!
Thanks for leading us into the backyard. I know there’s a lot of resources yet to be explored. I’ve dabbled, but need to strap my goggles on and go deep sea diving!
Love the manifesto. Lots of great and realistic points there. Read read read! I’m enjoying reading this year. Started off a little slow, but I’m on my third book now. I’ll definitely download the manifesto and post on the blog.
Go with your heart and not the market. Love it.
FINISH your stories. Love it. What’s the point if we don’t finish what we’ve begun? This is a good character principle and reminds of one of my new words of the year. ACTIONABLE. Still trying to find out what works for me, but my plan is 2 hrs of reading, 1hr of writing per day.
Love the infographics. Haven’t seen all of them yet, but having a visual is great. As far as Scrivner goes, there’s a lot to learn!
Great post
Thanks
Yes, you’re the poster child for reading this year. Think how many people your reading challenge idea has already inspired this year!
Thank you! I love the story structure database and use it a lot. I didn’t know about the infographics. I’m a visual/read/write learner and love love infographics. I’m excited to dig through them. Thanks!!!
Yay! Glad I was able to introduce you to something new. My work here is done. 😉
K.M., I am new to this site, and I could not have joined at a better time. I am in the process of writing my first novel. The resources that you have included in “in your backyard” are just what I needed to ensure the viability of my novel. Thanks…
Welcome to the party! All the best with your writing. 🙂
The back yard???
No wonder! I’ve been searching remote islands on unmarked maps, digging under every hollow palm tree I could find thereon! Who’d a thought to check the back yard… (so, near the vegetable garden, 5 paces due west of the herbs, is it?) Nope, like an old Scottish golfer, just use the links!
You know how it is, Dorothy. No place like home. 😉
ouch!
*on the one hand… with assumption came adventure! (Dorothy met many [literally] colorful characters) on the other hand, being kidnapped by flying monkey’s is never fun.
Yeah, but think of the stories you get to tell the grandkids!
LOL… very true! “Tell me again, Grandpa, why’d she call you Dorothy?”
“Well, it all began with the flying monkeys… ”
“No it didn’t! You forgot the hollow palm trees!”
“So I did… so I did…”
Just want to thank you for sharing your advice! I’ve been working on my book for some time and it is a masterpiece of chaos, but with your website full of advice, I have been able to straighten it up. Hopefully, I can pull out something worth sharing someday. Thanks again!
“Masterpiece of Chaos”–sounds like a good title! 😀 Great to hear you’re finding the site useful.
Well at least I can say I have been listening to the podcasts.
Thanks for all the resources that you provide with this site, Katie!
The podcast is one that sometimes slips through the cracks, so I’m glad you’re enjoying it!
It’s a great help to us visitors. Thank you for this!
My pleasure! Thanks for stopping by!
Love your website! I appreciate you giving the ‘overview’ as a reminder of what is available here. I visit your site regularly, but even I have missed some of the links and resources.
I am saving the Wordplayer’s Manifesto. And copying into my noteook. And tacking above my desk… you get the picture:)
Thank-you for taking the time to share your expertise, keep the resources updated, and encourage all writers everywhere. My only suggestion is to run a post like this again next January!
Be careful. You’ll be sick of that Manifesto before you know it. 😉
Hello KM Weiland. I have nominated you and your blog for a “One Lovely Blog Award.” Basically, it’s an informal chain game to introduce bloggers to other writers and artists. *Just for fun.
For clarification of the rules, you can visit my site @http://schooloftheroad.wordpress.com/ and click on the latest post. Participation is not required. Thank you for your work. Peace.
-MB
How kind of you! Thank you very much. 🙂
More articles, every week. Because MOAR! 😛
Hah. No worries there. 😉
Do you have any articles/info on how to write/prepare/do an email newsletter, and/or ‘giveaways’?
Do we simply write a newsletter directly into an email?
How do we pick a winner in a giveway?
I don’t have any posts on the subject. I love giveaways. They just a fun way of sharing good stuff all the way around. smile emoticon I use the free service RaffleCopter, since it simplifies the whole process of tracking entries and choosing winners.
As for what to give away, that really just depends on your audience and their interests. Books are always good. Amazon gift cards are sometimes fun. Last summer, I did a (very inexpensive) “reader care package” giveaway (https://www.kmweiland.com/win-a-reader-care-package/) that ended up being one of my most popular giveaways ever. People like gift bundles! I wish you all the best with it!