Or Menu of Internet Guides
Burton Manor Learning Web: Internet Resources for Writers
Tips, Tools & How To's
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Links are provided in good faith, but Burton Manor cannot be responsible for the content of external websites.)
- The BBC Web site has many useful Resources for Writers, including:
- How to Write from the BBC Worldservice Web site. Includes 'How to write....':
- A radio Play
- A Novel
- A Screen Play
- A Memoir Plus:
- Meet the Writers "Writing is a craft and different skills are required for different mediums. Accomplished writers in each writing genre have shared their knowledge on this site. Find out a little more about the individual writers, their background and what they've written."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/arts/features/howtowrite/index.shtml (How to Write.., from the BBC World Service)
- A radio Play
- The (BBC's) Writers Room
"BBC writersroom identifies and champions new writing talent and diversity across BBC Drama, Entertainment and Children's programmes."
"We work with Radio Drama, Television Series, Serial and Factual Drama, CBBC, Television and Radio Comedy, Fictionlab, Animation, Film, Blast, New Media, Film Network and Specialist Factual. "
"Writersroom is constantly on the lookout for writers of any age and experience who show real potential for the BBC. We accept and read unsolicited scripts for film, TV and radio drama, and narrative comedy" More details can be found a Also included on this site:- Submission Guidelines to Writersroom and other BBC departments. This section also includes items on Copyright and unsolicited Submissions and Writing Tips - "Writing for various genres, formats and media can make very different demands on the writer, and on the way you conceive and tell your story. Below are some useful tips and information on writing TV drama, TV narrative comedy, and radio drama."
- FAQ
- Opportunities including various BBC initiatives such as Northern Exposure which "invests in writers in collaboration with theatres, and arts organisations across the North." and a Calendar of Events and Competitions for Writers
- Insight where writers share their experiences
- The Script Archive provides examples of TV and Radio scripts
- The Script Smart "tool is a (free) set of Microsoft Word templates for writers to format their scripts using industry-recognised layouts."
- There is also a useful set of categorised Links (including internal BBC links e.g. see below)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/ (The Writers' Room, from the BBC)
- Digital storytelling (BBC)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/tellinglives/ (Digital Storytelling, from the BBC)
- The Verb "Radio 3's showcase of new writing, literature and performance."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/theverb/index.shtml (The Verb, from BBC Radio 3)
- Get Writing "Improve your creative writing skills. Get Writing gives you top tips and advice on getting your stories, scripts and poems out there."
The site includes:- Mini Courses which "combine advice from The Craft with writing exercises in our short structured courses. " The are courses at beginners, intermediate & advanced levels, and two new courses on genre writing - children's fiction and horror fiction.
- The Craft "Read articles on writing comedy, poetry, fiction, plays and more in this section. We've commissioned articles from top writers on the basics of getting started. We publish a new article every two or three weeks."
- Watch & Listen which includes a Calendar of Literary Events plus online videos and audio interviews with authors.
- Tools & Quizzes " Get inspiration and test your knowledge with our interactive tools" These use Flash, a link to download this free plug-in is provided on the page.
- Read includes Anthologies of "work written by Get Writing members", the work of Past Competition Winners, a section of Special Features (on, e.g. Hosting an Online Writing Group, Writing a BVallad, Writing for radio etc.) and Reviewing 101
- An excellent set of categorised Links both BBC and external.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/getwriting/ (Get Writing, from the BBC)
- BBC Books Index - an index to all sorts of book related resources on the BBC websites
http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/books/ (BBC Books Index)
- Writing Scotland
http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/arts/writingscotland/ (Writing Scotland, from BBC Scotland)
- h2g2 the BBC's own 'wikipedia'
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/ (h2g2, the BBC's wikipedia)
- Songwriting Advice from BBC2
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/soldonsong/ (Songwriting Advice from BBC2)
- How to Write from the BBC Worldservice Web site. Includes 'How to write....':
- Indispensable Writing Resources "A Complete Collection of Writing Essentials" from Quintessential Careers a US based company who state that their mision is "to provide the content and motivation to empower people to achieve their educational goals, find their true career passion, and obtain their ideal job."
Not complete (what could be!) & US biased, but some very useful gems to be found here. Remember US bias, especially in style guides.
Includes a useful Guide to Indispensable Writing Resources "You'll find everything on and off the Net that you could possibly need in writing or researching a paper, including links to all sorts of reference material, links to writing labs, links to Web search engines, and links to writing-related Web sites."
http://www.quintcareers.com/writing/ (Indispensable Writing Resources, from Quintessential Careers)
- Writing for Performance by Robin Kelly (& which requests donations to 'Comic Relief' in exchange for use of the website) sets out to "give a basic introduction to writing for television, radio, stage and film. The film section includes the UK Screenwriters Network FAQ which has hundreds of pages of information."
This excellent, easy to navigate, site is just packed with useful resources, especially if you are fairly new to this type of writing.
http://www.robinkelly.btinternet.co.uk/index.htm (Writing for Performance, by Robin Kelly)
- BookCareers.com 'does what it says on the tin', providing information on various book related careers and how to get one, or another one. Resources/Services on the website include some career descriptions, careers advice (including CVs, interviews etc.), a summary of their Salary Survey 2004 (the full report is available for purchase), a recommended reading list and information on training and further study. The 'Job Seeker' page includes a listing of relevant Employment Agencies and there is their own CV Clearing House where you may register your CV online. Information is also available on the companies Career Development & Career Coaching Services, available face-to-face, or by telephone.
http://www.bookcareers.com (BookCareers.com)
Burton Manor runs a wide range of Lifelong Learning Courses, including Writing Courses, throughout the year. See the Courses Menu at the top of this webpage for details.