It is with a heavy heart that I write this, my final post for Fantasy-Faction. After much deliberation and consideration, I’ve come to the realization that in order to properly re-prioritize my life, a few things simply have to come to an end. I held out here as long as I could, y’all, but I finally realized—I need all the moments I can get to do the things that are really important, and sadly, writing these articles is just too much of a drain on my time.
I did not want to leave you all empty-handed, though, so I put together a list of resources that I have found useful in my writing endeavors.
For grammar and usage questions:
The go-to gal for all things grammar-related is, of course, Grammar Girl. Her site is highly user-friendly, and I always find her answers clear and concise. Also, if you don’t subscribe to her podcasts, I highly recommend them.
The Purdue University OWL website is a terrific place for detailed usage and grammar answers, plus it’s highly useful if you need to cite sources in non-fiction work. Very user-friendly, too.
For advice on craft:
Storyfix.com is a fantastic resource for any questions on structure. Larry Brooks is an engaging writer and speaker, and he takes a highly analytical approach to writing fiction. If you have trouble with pacing and structure, take a look at Larry’s site.
Author Kristen Lamb also writes about craft, and she’s also known in indie author circles as a bit of a social media guru. Her advice is worth checking out.
For advice on publishing, self and otherwise:
A great champion of the self-publishing movement is Nathan Bransford, a former literary agent who is now an author of children’s books and an editor at CNET. His blog, both past and present, is full of advice and inspiration for up and coming authors.
Of course, I would be remiss if I did not mention some of the heroes of the self-publishing movement:
Joe Konrath
Dean Wesley Smit
Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Passive Guy
All of these blogs are worth paying attention to, whether you’re seeking a traditional contract, self-publishing, or pursuing some kind of hybrid business model.
And of course, you can always search my past articles here for advice.
Thank you all for the great discourse over the last year and a half. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as a contributor at Fantasy-Faction, and I wish all of you the absolute best in your future writing endeavors.
Richard Marpole
Kellie Doherty
Sad day for us at Fantasy-Faction.
Been a true honour to have you write for us, Amy. Other than myself, no one has contributed more to the site over the past year and a half and you’ll be greatly missed.
Knowing the background information that has led to this decision, I get it and understand that priorities must be elsewhere. Whatever you decide to do in the future with writing – I wish you the best of luck and hope you’ll continue to be involved in our community as a fan, if not a writer.
All the best!
Huge shame. I’m going to miss your articles. Hope you re-priotize quickly so you can get back to writing, hehe. xD
Adios.
Aww, I’ve loved your articles Amy. Going to miss reading them. Hope all goes well for you in the future and that this helps you get your time prioritised how you want. 🙂
I’m sorry to hear this news. I was always impressed with the quality and consistency of your articles, not to mention how quickly you were able to produce them. Thank you for sharing them.
This makes me sad, as I’ve always enjoyed your articles, Amy. Good luck with everything you do. It’s been a real pleasure reading your work. 🙂
Wow, that’s really a shame. My comment isn’t to guilt you, or try and change your mind; life is what it is, and you must do what you must do.
Instead, my comment is … a thanks of sorts … or perhaps a tribute is the more apt comparison.
I’ve only recent found this website, and just this weekend spent several hours reading through YOUR archives and found them to be informative, and just entertaining enough to keep the ball rolling, without getting in the way of what you were trying to say. For what it’s worth, you have a real gift for writing about writing.
I’ve immensely enjoyed a good number of you posts on craft, and have definite plans to keep reading my way back through your back postings, as I’ve found little bits of (my own) clarity shining through in nearly every one of them.
Good luck in whatever endeavors and/or tribulations are pulling you away, and congratulations of having the courage to prioritize, in spite of our loss.
And thank you for the many posts you’ve made. They are real gems.
Good bye! You will be missed around here. I hope that everything works out for you. And who says this has to be your last article? Maybe you can pop on here once in a while with an article or two.
We’ll miss you. But you gotta do what you gotta do! Good luck and you are welcome to come back whenever you want. And you are always allowed to visit. 🙂
Thanks for all the great articles and support!
~hugs~
Oh, this makes me so sad. I’ll really miss your posts, but I second everything that Gru’ud and others have so eloquently said. I’ll only repeat this much: Thank you, and good luck.
So sorry to hear that you’re moving on, but I do hope that you’ll be back when time allows.
It’s not easy fitting everything in and it is a tough call but I know that it’s important to make that call. Life has it’s way of making things as they should be, so right now, whilst it may not seem it, this is how it should be.
Thanks for so many inspiring articles, that’s your legacy right there and who knows, maybe one of the interviews on here one day will say ‘I learnt so much from Amy’.
Very best wishes xx
Sad news, Amy. Your articles were always entertaining and informative. I hope time allows you to still read and occasionally interact with the other fine folk at Fantasy Faction.
Amy, your articles are great reference material. Your regular posts will be missed. I hope you find the time you need to achieve all your goals.