Looking to unlock new inspiration and practical tools in your fiction writing community? Sharing and recommending resources helps writers grow, but it can be tough to know where to start. Use these ready-made templates to spark conversation and collective learning through resource sharing.
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Recommending resources taps into the collaborative nature of fiction writing communities, where members often seek tools, guides, and inspiration to improve their craft. By inviting members to share what has helped them, you empower everyone to benefit from collective wisdom and reduce the overwhelm of searching for credible materials.
This approach also builds trust and engagement. When writers see peers openly discussing useful articles, podcasts, or software, they feel part of a supportive network that cares about their development. These exchanges foster genuine connections and encourage ongoing participation, as members realize their contributions have practical value for others.
What is one writing tool or app you cannot live without? Tell us how it helps your fiction.
💡 Example: "I cannot live without Scrivener. It helps me organize my chapters and characters."
Share your favorite podcast about fiction writing. What makes it stand out?
💡 Example: "Writing Excuses is my go-to podcast. The hosts cover so many genres and topics."
Has a particular book on craft changed your approach? Recommend it below and say why.
💡 Example: "Story Genius changed how I plan my stories. The exercises are practical and actionable."
Do you use any online forums or communities for feedback? Share your favorite and why.
💡 Example: "Critique Circle is fantastic for getting detailed feedback on short stories."
Is there a YouTube channel that inspires your writing? Drop the link and your favorite video.
💡 Example: "I love Abbie Emmons. Her video on character arcs is a must-watch."
Which grammar or editing tool do you recommend for polishing drafts?
💡 Example: "Grammarly catches so many small errors before I send my drafts to beta readers."
Have you found a plotting resource that truly works? Share the link and how you use it.
💡 Example: "The Save the Cat! beat sheet helps me map out my story structure every time."
What website do you turn to for name or setting inspiration?
💡 Example: "Fantasy Name Generators is my go-to for character names."
Recommend a resource for overcoming writer's block. Explain how it helped you.
💡 Example: "750words.com helps me build a daily writing habit and overcome blocks."
What is the best free resource you have found for fiction writing?
💡 Example: "Reedsy's blog has a ton of free guides and templates."
Suggest a newsletter that delivers great fiction writing tips.
💡 Example: "The Hot Sheet newsletter always has insightful publishing news."
Share a tool that helps you outline or storyboard your novels.
💡 Example: "Plottr is a visual tool I use for outlining all my books."
Do you have a go-to blog for writing advice? Share the link and a favorite post.
💡 Example: "K.M. Weiland's blog is full of detailed story structure posts."
Which app helps you stay focused during your writing sessions?
💡 Example: "I use Forest to keep distractions away while I write."
What is your favorite character development worksheet or resource?
💡 Example: "The One Stop for Writers character builder is my favorite."
Recommend a course or workshop that improved your fiction writing.
💡 Example: "I loved Brandon Sanderson's free lectures on YouTube."
Share a resource that helps with worldbuilding. What do you like about it?
💡 Example: "World Anvil is an amazing platform for organizing my fantasy worlds."
Is there a subreddit or online group you find helpful for fiction writers?
💡 Example: "r/writing on Reddit has great daily prompts and discussions."
What resource would you recommend for learning about dialogue writing?
💡 Example: "Dialogue by Robert McKee is an excellent book on natural conversations."
Share a worksheet or tool that simplifies editing or revising fiction.
💡 Example: "The Hemingway Editor highlights passive voice and complex sentences."
Have you taken any online challenges or writing sprints? Which platform hosted it?
💡 Example: "I joined NaNoWriMo every November for a writing boost."
What is the best Twitter or Instagram account for fiction writing advice?
💡 Example: "Follow @TheWritePractice on Twitter for daily writing prompts."
Which book on publishing or querying helped you the most?
💡 Example: "The Essential Guide to Getting Your Book Published was a huge help for me."
Suggest a resource for learning about pacing in fiction.
💡 Example: "Janice Hardy's blog has a great series on pacing scenes."
What newsletter or blog keeps you motivated to write regularly?
💡 Example: "Writer Unboxed always inspires me to keep going."
Is there a resource you recommend for learning about point of view?
💡 Example: "MasterClass has a great lesson on POV with Margaret Atwood."
Share a writing prompt generator or site you use for inspiration.
💡 Example: "I use Reedsy's prompt generator when I am stuck."
What resource do you use to research historical or cultural details?
💡 Example: "I rely on JSTOR for verified historical articles."
Recommend a resource for tracking writing progress or setting goals.
💡 Example: "Pacemaker is perfect for tracking my word counts."
Is there a tool or app that helps you organize your story ideas?
💡 Example: "Notion is where I keep all my story notes and ideas."
What site or book do you recommend for learning about genre conventions?
💡 Example: "I use TV Tropes to check common genre elements."
Which resource has improved your ability to write compelling villains?
💡 Example: "The Writer's Guide to Character Traits helped me craft better antagonists."
Have you found a resource for learning about self-editing? Share your favorite tip.
💡 Example: "Self-Editing for Fiction Writers has great checklists for revising scenes."
What free online course or webinar helped you grow as a fiction writer?
💡 Example: "Coursera's Creative Writing Specialization is a fantastic overview."
Share a resource you use for tracking submissions or agent queries.
💡 Example: "QueryTracker helps me keep track of all my agent submissions."
What resource helps you with writing believable dialogue?
💡 Example: "Listening to the Scriptnotes podcast improved my ear for dialogue."
Recommend a resource for learning about writing short stories.
💡 Example: "The Short Story Writer's Toolshed podcast is full of practical advice."
Share a resource that helps you brainstorm or mind map story ideas.
💡 Example: "MindMeister is great for mapping out plot twists."
Is there a site or app that helps you format manuscripts for submission?
💡 Example: "Vellum is my favorite for quick manuscript formatting."
What resource helps you stay motivated during long writing projects?
💡 Example: "I use the Written? Kitten! site for instant motivation."
Recommend a resource for learning about writing series or sequels.
💡 Example: "The Serial Fiction Show podcast is helpful for writing ongoing stories."
To use these templates, simply select a prompt that fits your community's tone and goals, then post it as a discussion starter. Encourage members to reply with their favorite resources, providing context or examples of how those resources have helped them. Follow up by thanking contributors and highlighting especially popular or helpful suggestions, building momentum for future knowledge sharing.
These templates are ready for all platforms. For forums, start a new thread and pin it for visibility. In chat-based groups, post during peak hours and tag active members. On social media, use relevant hashtags and invite replies in comments. Always monitor for spam or broken links.
Set clear guidelines on what qualifies as a helpful resource, and encourage members to explain why they recommend it. Monitor posts and remove spammy links.
Thank them for contributing and ask them to share a different resource or a unique way they use the repeated one. This adds new value to the conversation.
Yes, these templates are designed for all platforms. Adjust the formatting as needed for forums, social media, or chat groups.
Aim for once every week or two, depending on community activity. Consistent but not overwhelming frequency encourages ongoing participation.
Reply to member posts, ask follow-up questions, and highlight useful resources in a summary post to keep engagement high.
Yes, it's wise to review shared resources for quality and relevance, and to ensure they do not violate any community guidelines.