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.
Highlight resources specifically designed for world-building, such as map generators, world-building prompt books, or podcasts featuring professional fantasy and sci-fi authors. In your post, mention how these tools address common speculative fiction challenges like consistent magic systems or political structures to directly engage writers facing such issues.
Frame your recommendations as options for writers seeking clarity or those interested in traditional publishing requirements, and acknowledge that experimental styles, dialects, or non-standard grammar can be powerful storytelling tools. Suggest resources that respect creative choices, like guides on writing authentic dialogue or maintaining narrative voice, to support a range of writing goals.
Diversify your posts by including lesser-known resources such as advanced plotting software, industry podcasts, or academic articles on narrative theory. Periodically survey members about their favorite under-the-radar tools or invite guest recommendations from published authors in your community to ensure a constant flow of novel suggestions.
Absolutely! Curate resources that specifically tackle these issues, such as blog posts analyzing ‘show, don’t tell,’ video breakdowns with examples from published novels, or worksheets for balancing exposition. In your introduction, reference recent community discussions or critique threads on these challenges to make the resource immediately relevant.
When recommending platforms, highlight those with clear onboarding processes, robust safety guidelines, and genre filters, so newer writers can find appropriate matches. Provide a brief guide or checklist on what to look for in a critique partner, and offer tips for setting expectations in feedback exchanges to ease anxiety for first-timers.
Spotlight reputable contest directories or submission call newsletters tailored to genres your community writes in (e.g., horror, romance, literary fiction). Include application deadlines and tips for preparing submissions, and encourage members to share their experiences or ask questions about the process to spark discussion and peer support.
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