Online tools, resources, and articles

One very useful online source is the Meriam Webster home page, which has a dictionary and a thesaurus.

If you are looking for related words, you can try a reverse dictionary, like this one. Here, you just type a word, and you get back a whole set of related words. Play around and have fun.

Want an even more weird way of looking at related words? Try Panlexicon and see your imagination stir.

Yet another interesting link is that of the visual thesaurus.

Editing help

While no tool can substitute for a good editor’s eye, some sites offer gizmos that could catch out stuff that escapes the bleary eye.

For example, Autocrit offers an automated tool to check for passive language, repeated words and phrases, and other such stuff. Some of the checks can be done free on small files; interested persons can consider buying a membership. Another free checker is available here.

Craft articles

Articles on fiction writing abound over the web. In addition, some sites focus on aspects peculiar to speculative fiction.

A good starting point for speculative fiction references is the SFWA information center, where you can find articles on all aspects of the craft and business of writing, by some of the top names in the field.

Some of the reputed magazines also carry articles on writing, on trends in writing and in speculative fiction, as well as on the science of science fiction.  They may have free communities where writers share information and tips. Many writing workshops also have forums where writers share tips as well as links to craft articles. Often, I find it more interesting to read the stuff on these sites than actually write stories, but that is a risk worth taking

It you have the time and patience, it is also instructive to read the blogs of some of the well-known writers, because they often share tips about writing and editing. Some authors provide links to structured articles, while others have blogs that mix personal tidbits, gossip, and writing craft tips, and therefore need sifting through.

On science

Ideas for Sf can come from anywhere, if one is feeling creative enough. Newspapers and online articles often report discoveries and inventions that can be extended mentally in interesting directions with a mind ready to explore, What If? Here are some places I sometimes browse.

• Nature.com has articles and discussions on the leading edge of science.
• Analog SFcarries articles explaining “the sciencebehind the story” for stories they publish–this can be very interesting and instructive. Analog also has a Hard SF section in its readers’ forum.
• Futurismic.com
• Technovegly.com for knowing where science meets fiction

I”d welcome more ideas for this list. Please write to me if you have any suggestions, by contacting me.

News on the speculative genre trends, publications, authors, etc.

The SFWA site is a useful resource to stay stay informed about what’s happening in the community of speculative fiction writers.

Another way to understand trends is to check the blogs of some of the reputed authors and editors. You can locate their websites by surfing on their names. Some have wikipedia pages that will give information on them. If they are SFWA members (as many would be), you may find their websites by checking their SFWA profile pages.

Writing workshops also have bulletin boards and lists where writers share news. Codex Writers, for example, has a vibrant community.

Most professional publications regularly publish reviews of SF books, and also author interviews. Often, these are available free online. Strange Horizons, for example, has articles and interviews, columns,  and reviews. Fantasy Magazine also publishes interviews and reviews. So does Clarkesworld (articles, interviews). Just keep poking around the websites of reputed magazines and there is enough to read.

Announcement and reviews can also be checked at various blogs and sites, such as SF Revu, IROSF,  and SFSignal.