which spurred me on. I haven't exactly stopped procrastinating but I do fit far more writing into each month now with more than a little bit of help from

Find Cheryl's sites at

Resources4Writers

This site is well worth the investment if you're serious about your career.  Cheryl's own success and output since she hit the writing scene full time just a few years ago is inspirational.  She responds quickly to queries, is always more than helpful and has now a forum on the site.

The main focus is on finding free or best value resources to help you build a successful freelance business.

Writer2Writer

Cheryl's original site, again with lots of good advice and really useful freebie articles and software tools.  She also has another website specifically for Aussie writers.

AbsoluteWrite   

 Lots of helpful articles and a strong selection of markets. Hunt through the Watercooler Forum for these.  Former editor Jenna Glatzer is a career role model when it comes to non-fiction writing both for her successes and her honesty about rejections. Will she ever achieve a mention in her local paper? Generous with her advice and free ebook offers. Her legacy remains although she has now handed over the reins.

The Motivated Writer   

One of Su Kopil's writing related newsletters. Su runs the best value for money workshops monthly with advice on all aspects of writing craft and marketing from experts in the field.

for helping you push out the words:

Bookinaweek   

 For one week a month, you set your own writing goals and write, write,write. A friendly and helpful global community of dedicated writers in all genres. Always someone around to help and inspire. Numbers are limited and you may have to wait for a place.

Mad Challenge

An enthusiastic offshoot of the above group which sets friendly and over-the-top challenges to to keep its writing community motivated.  Welcoming and supportive yahoo group.

National Novel Writing Month --the November challenge which last year enthused over 59000 writers world wide to drop everything in order to write the 50,000 word novel they had always dreamed of. I am hopefully writing a feature on this for my local newspaper --may write more for that than I've managed on novel word count so far --woe. People join in up till the last minute and 50,000 words in two weeks is now not uncommon. Huh! 

Wrote the feature and here is the clip to prove it.  Interestingly this story engendered ideas for several more articles, one of which I have been contracted to write almost six months after having the idea.  It was then an Easter story and so will also be valuable as an intro for an Easter feature 2008.

Done it before.  Can I do it again? Of course I can.  What happened to the 2004 novel?  Don't ask.  I may look back on it one day and think it's OK.  But now is not the moment.

Writer Gazette

This is a relatively recent find of mine and I love it.  It really seems to supply the kind of markets I like and that like me.  It's important to find ezines you can use as well as enjoy or you'll spend all your time reading and thinking you're a writer rather than being a writer. Depends what turns you on.

The Great Newsletter Experiment

Jessica at Design Doodles has just started this new newsletter.  I know it's not exactly to do with writing but reading between the lines it is.  Her ideas help with layout, making writing readable and marketing, an interactive experience thanks to her new blog.

The Dabbling Mum

Alyice Edrich has a useful ezine full of promotional tips and encouragement to keep yourself on the right track when it comes to your writing dreams.  She also has a markets section  on the site

Worldwide Freelance

For some reason I always find this one a bit disappointing.  The markets don't seem to suit me --too diverse -- and there's a great emphasis on selling.  However the articles can be useful so have a look and make up your own mind.  After all, I still get it so it must have something.

Writing for Dollars

Good articles and regular provision of well-categorised markets.