“Learn as if you were going to live forever. Live as if you were going to die tomorrow.”— Mahatma GandhiDo you feel that since you have “arrived” as a writer, you are now a master-know all? Then hear American statesman, George Santayana: “The wisest mind has something yet to learn.” The purport of this statement is that you would need to take advantage of other resources to continue growing as a writer. What are they?
Literary Associations
There are so many literary associations around world. You will find some in your country. Why don’t you join them? Apart from getting to know authors, you will learn new skills that might help you to grow. Many of such associations run contests and organize excursions for members.
You could find out other literary associations on Internet. For a comprehensive list, go to: http://www.libraries.psu.edu/gateway/referenceshelf/assocdir.htm
Literary Magazines
Subscribe to literary magazines and learn latest things about writing. Check these two sites: http://www.newpages.com/npguides/litmags.htm http://www.allyoucanread.com/index.asp?idCat=139
Book Clubs
You can read great books at a discount by joining book clubs. Check your favorite genre in these sites and join. http://www.bestwebbuys.com/books/bookclubs http://www.booksonline.com
Writing Seminars / Workshops
There can be no better way of honing your skill and meeting published writers than by attending writing seminars and workshops. Visit this web site and book a date with one of your choice. http://writing.shawguides.com
Book Conferences
In addition to above, there are special book conferences. You could for instance decide to attend a conference on story telling. You can find a list of all such past and present conferences here: http://www.allconferences.com/Arts
Writing Contests / Prizes
You could take advantage of several literary contests and submit an essay, a short story, or a book for contest. The best place for new writers is: http://www.theparisreview.com. You can win up to $5,000 here. Also see following site: http://www.newpages.com/literary/contests.htm
Writer’s Resorts
There are writers’ retreat and vacation places all over world. You can learn something new there and even get a chance to write a new title. Search for one nearest you. For example if you live in United States, you can have best of two worlds—learning and having fun—in Greenville, West Virginia. http://www.creeksideresort.net/retreats.html
If you however want to take a swing in lands where travel writers have been, visit: http://www.globaltravelwriters.com/Resorts.html
Writer’s Tools
A lot of research materials—from reference works to translations—are available on Net. You can find them here: http://www.writerswrite.com/
You can also get writing software to write on any topic under sun. Visit this site: http://www.angelfire.com/ny/writesoftware
The Library
Libraries, termed “one of pillars of civilization” and called memory of mankind by German poet, Goethe, is of immense benefit to writer. So you, writer, can’t do without library—like lady and her handbag. But do you know where libraries are?
Likely, you have a local or school library. The United States Information Service and British Council—rich sources of reading and research materials for writer—could be available to you. What if none of these is within your reach?
Then you could visit Internet, where many web sites have become virtual libraries. The Internet Public Library, www.ipl.org, is one of them. You can even access world’s largest libraries online. First on list is United States’ Library of Congress with its 29 million books, 2.7 million audio and video recordings, 12 million photographs, 4.8 million maps, 57 million manuscripts and a daily inclusion of 7,000 items!
The next is British Library in London with 18 million books; followed by Russian State Library in Moscow holding 17 million books, and 632,000 annual collections of daily newspapers; and fourth is National Library of France where you will find 13 million books.