Resources for Writers


Feature Writer: Sarah Turner
Sarah K Turner, Dave Jones

Hello writers!

Do you aspire to be the next Stephen King or J.K. Rowling? Tired of stacks of unpublished manuscripts, rejection letters, and the blank page?

For inspiration, we've got writing prompts to help cure your writer's block. Check out our author biographies and interviews with writers to see how others found success. Ready for publication? We've got contest listings, tips on submitting to journals and magazines, writing a cover letter, and finding an agent. We'll also have reviews of writing books and websites and ideas on writing craft and technique. Whether you're a fiction writer or a poet, a freelance writer or a closet playwright, this is the place for you.

If there are any topics you'd like to see covered, email me at resourcesforwriters@suite101.com.

Full Resources for Writers blog

Where writing often ends up, http://us.inmagine.com/168nwm/creatas/cr15213/cr15
feature articles
Sarah Turner

Creating a Writer's Resume

In: Resources for Writers (general)

A writer's resume is an integral part of a writer's portfolio. If your CV is professional and well-written, it should help you get a writing job. more...

How to Promote Your Own Writing

In: Resources for Writers (general)

Learn how to market your writing by creating a writer's website, doing public readings, and being ready for the media. more...

Why Join A Writers' Union?

In: Writer Networks

Freelance writing can be a lonely and isolating profession. Joining a writers' union helps you build connections with other writers and access information and support. more...

Getting Your First Publication

In: Resources for Writers (general)

If you're a new writer with no previous publication credits, how do you get editors to take you seriously? more...

Memoirs Full of Lies

In: Resources for Writers (general)

Margaret Seltzer (aka Margaret A. Jones) is the author of the latest fake memoir. How did the publishing industry allow this happen? more...

All feature articles in Resources for Writers

Suite101: Resources for Writers articles How to subscribe to article feeds

feature blog
Sarah Turner

Apr 29, 2008

Help! My Computer Crashed!

My writing routine has been thwarted by an evil computer crash. Even though I have backups of most of my files, I am lost without my trusty laptop friend.


I didn't know I was addicted to my laptop until it died. I thought I was pretty comfortable writing wherever, whenever. Doing rough drafts on scraps of paper, writing in my journal. Now I see that my laptop is the center of everything writing: it stores all my drafts, the lists of submissions I currently have out, my cv, my photos.

And what about my internet favourites? All those writing sites I've researched and favourited so I can refer back to them? My long list of possible places for submission?

I even miss my desktop image. Sigh.

The crash - of course - occurred just three months past the end of the warranty. The guy in technical services laughed sort of sheepishly, and said, "Yeah, that happens a lot." What?

Then he told me it would cost at least $400 to fix the problem, so I might as well just buy a new one.

Which is what I've done. I bought the cheapest one I could find, convinced it will also crash just past the warranty. After phoning every repair shop in town it seemed like the best idea.

Now the new laptop sits on my desk, and I sit glaring at it. It is not yet familiar: everything looks wrong. It will take a long time to feel like this computer is home. Next step: copy over all the back up files I created.

Then just start writing again.

Full Resources for Writers blog

Suite101: Resources for Writers blogs How to subscribe to blog feeds