The Worldwide Web of Writing

I’ve had a look at various websites for writers, in hopes of kick-starting my novel in 2021. My book runs though my head every day – characters, plots, timelines – but it has not hit the page yet. I have some notes and a couple of draft chapters.

I have started to write a journal, and I belong to a small group on WhatsApp called ‘Writing Better’.
But I suffer from acute creative constipation, which is as frustrating as it is mentally painful.

So, here are a few writing sites which I have found or have been recommended to me:

Novelry
“Most writers can write, but so many struggle with 'story'. The Novelry helps writers become published authors by making sure they crack the story first. Enjoy pain-free plotting and lean on the daily step-by-step guidance.”
My inner critic reminds me that many writers build their characters first; plot details follow; and, besides, plot is more relevant from writers of mystery and crime novels. [Is that even true? I’m not sure
https://www.thenovelry.com/the-ninety-day-novel-course

The Writing Coach
Jacqui Lofthouse hosts a site where writers get access to her ‘foundational’ course: Get black on white – 30 days to productivity and confidence for writers. Her website states:
‘Beautifully formatted for ease of use, this course comes complete with permanent access to both the course and our exclusive community. It can be re-taken whenever you need an added boost of writing confidence and can also be taken at your own pace over a longer period.” The course fee is £95
https://thewritingcoach.co.uk/online-writing-course/

The Faber Academy
Publishers Faber offer “the best possible route towards the potential masterpiece in everyone. Our focus is on creating the perfect environment for that to happen – warm and open, rigorous and supportive – for writers to find their story, their poem or their play, and to write it with confidence. That means Faber-standard author care for everyone, tutors and students alike. As one of the great publishers, there is no one better placed to understand what a writer needs.”
My question is: do publishers understand what a writer needs? They rarely seem to help with marketing, unless they have laid out a large advance or the author is a ‘name’. They do know what makes a good (publishable book) but they can judge whether it will sell if it is by an author with no established reputation, For publishers, a sale of 2,000 copies is a decent result.
https://www.faberacademy.co.uk/creative-writing-courses.html

The Arvon Foundation
Traditionally Arvon run residential courses in three locations, specifically for writers, in Devon, Shropshire and Yorkshire. Currently the courses are all online. Arvon promises:
“Our writing houses may be temporarily closed, but Arvon remains very much open: to helping people make space for creativity and to connecting them with the finest writing tutors. We're pleased to share our new Writing Weeks, Masterclasses, Live Guest Readings, Craft of Writing Sessions and Arvon 1-1s, all accessible from the comfort of your sofa.”
I have friends who swear by Arvon. So have a look at:-
https://www.arvon.org/arvon-at-home/

The Writers Digest
This offers articles and snippets of advice / information for writers of fiction and non-fiction. Tips on everything from writers’ techniques, grammar and scores of interviews.
https://www.writersdigest.com

Writing Magazine
I subscribe to the printed version of the magazine, which offers news, advice and competitions with articles on different genres from published authors. A variety of courses writing for books, poetry and journalism cost £170 for subscribers to the magazine and £189 standard price, with a 21-day refund guarantee
https://www.writers-online.co.uk/

Summary
Personally, I’m still reviewing the situation. And I’m asking myself whether I really need a course? Isn’t this just putting off the task of getting down to the task of writing that famously sh*tty first draft of my novel? Or is it that devilish inner critic whispering in my ear and telling me, ‘You’re not worth it, lad. Who will read your novel?’

Three quotes to encourage the writer.
1. William Faulkner: “Get it down. Take chances. It may be bad, but it's the only way you can do anything really good.”

2. Somerset Maugham: “If you can tell stories, create characters, devise incidents, and have sincerity and passion, it doesn’t matter a damn how you write.”

3. Margaret Atwood: “If I waited for perfection, I would never write a word."


Rest assured, dear reader, I’ll keep you posted.