Writerly Resources: Free and Low-Cost

I love the writer storyline on Fresh off the Boat, and I think we can all relate to Jessica's freak out and desire to leave projects unfinished. The start of something new and shiny is so fun! But, why not set yourself up for success in 2020? Check out these resources! While all of them are great for solo activities, they can also be used in writing groups to help guide workshops.

​Courses

• Reedsy Learning has these fun email courses for free. Get your day started with a mini-lesson!
• Coursera and Wesleyan University have teamed up to offer five courses in Creative Writing and even offer a certificate for a fee. But, you can take the courses for free if you don't want a certificate.  I love the idea of several people taking the courses and discussing them as part of their writing group activities, but the courses are also a great introduction to plot, character, and structure and can be solo activities. 
• Udemy's courses are not free, but they are on deep discount for Cyber Week. They have over 9000 courses in creative writing and while on sale you can get courses for as low as $9.99 and they include lectures and exercises.  And, every course comes with a 30 day money-back guarantee.
• FutureLearn has free courses in Start Writing Fiction and an Introduction to Screenwriting 
• Creative Writing and Critical Reading is free from Open Learn, as is their Start Writing Fiction course.

Resource Lists and Worksheets

• Now Novel has a list of 200 resources arranged in categories including those on structure, creativity, and publishing (both trad and indie).
• Check out "From Start to Finish: 24 Novel Writing Resources" by Dani Lee Collins. While you're there, check out The Writing Cooperative Archive.
• "38 Awesome Free Things for Writers" by Shaunta Grimes includes some great resources including worksheets from various sites.
• Writers' Digest offers a greatlist of worksheets from Novel in 30 Days as well as this great PDF on character development.
• Gabriela Pereira's resource list will get you started, and she also offers a starter kit when you sign up for her newsletter--and her book DIY MFA offers a good introduction to finding time to write as well as considerations for story creation. Be sure to check out herWriter Igniter, too!
• The Novel Factory has a variety of free PDF printable worksheets.
• EA Deverell offers a year's worth of worksheets and more!