It’s been  while since I’ve been on placesforwriter.com – I love the site and find it a great resource for writers, and for teen writers too as they have a special section. The site lists places to publish and send work. What I find is that sometimes the callouts for work, inspire me to write something I never would have come up with on my own. Like this one – perhaps you have a crime story inside you?:

Entries are invited for the Margery Allingham Short Story Competition (Crime Writers’ Association UK). Short stories must be unpublished and fit Margery’s definition of a mystery: “The Mystery remains box-shaped, at once a prison and a refuge. Its four walls are, roughly, a Crime, a Mystery, an Enquiry and a Conclusion with an Element of Satisfaction in it.” Prize: £1,000. Length: 3500 words max. Deadline: 4pm GMT March 16, 2014. Entry fee: £10.

• Guidelines: thecwa.co.uk/ShortStory/index.php

[places for writers].

Lots of writers ask me about writing workshops they can take to improve their writing. I’ve taken, and taught, heaps of workshops over the last ten years and I’ve found that some I’ve attended have been incredible. I’ve learnt huge amounts from writers such as Steve Galloway, and through websites such as mediabistro.com and Gotham Writers Workshop. One magazine I subscribe to, both as a teacher, and as writer who wants to learn is Writers Digest. They have a great faculty and loads of terrific tips. One of my favourite books is by agent Mary Kole (find her here). Her book is called: WRITING IRRESISTIBLE KIDLIT: The Ultimate Guide to Crafting Fiction for Young Adult and Middle Grade Readers and it’s outstanding.

I discovered today that Writers Digest teach online too – I knew they had webinars, but I didn’t realize they also did online courses. Now, I’ve never taken one, but I was certainly interested in what they offer. Like this course for aspiring Middle Grade writers.

The reason I take, and teach classes is that I enjoy thinking about writing almost as much as I like writing. It helps me to figure out the best way to say the things that fill my head and the words that I long to get onto the page. I wonder if any of you have tried courses and which you recommend to your fellow writers. Leave me a comment if you have suggestions using the link at the top right corner of the page!

I love, love, love this website. I’ve probably mentioned it before, but I’m going to say it again because it’s so fun for kids, and teachers, and, um, ME!!!! Beautiful illustrations. Poems waiting to be put together. BOOKS asking to be written, inspired by the gorgeous illustrations on offer. You can publish what you write immediately on the site, and share it with friends or family. If you have ten minutes today, head over to Storybird and create something beautiful…

http://storybird.com/create/