Tools, Templates and Recommended Reading

Scrivener Templates The first is a download for a scrivener template based on the Nine Day Novel approach (there are links to his books in the recommended reading list), blended with the structural approach from Super Structure and Write Your Novel from the Middle by James Scott Bell. There's a style cheat sheet, a story bible index, and some other useful goodies including an ABC story plot driven chapter outline form for each chapter. An example of how to break chapters into scenes is given as well.  Simon Strange's Nine Day Novel Scrivener Template (Hosted by Amazon Cloud Drive) To import, just open a new scrivener project, go to "Options" in the lower left hand corner of the dialog, and then go to 'import templates...'. Viola. Tools Scrivener - If you don't know about scrivener yet, then welcome to the new world of writing. If you do know but don't use it--you have no idea what you're missing. Available on Mac or Windows, the only things it lacks is an iPad app version and a plugin for ProWritingAid. Maybe that'll change. The versatility, organization, compilation capabilities, just EVERYTHING about this program is wonderful.  ProWritingAid - I cannot recommend this enough. Even if you write in scrivener, the strength of this tool as a plugin for word (here's hoping a scrivener extension is eventually developed, that would be amazing!) means exporting your draft to a word document (as a whole or in parts) and then with a click having access to dozens of illuminating editing suggestions. There is also a plugin for use with Google Docs, but I like the word plugin better. There is also an upload/cut and paste version on the website. The single best self-editing software you can buy in my opinion, well worth the one-time cost. Go get this now. Books on Writing The problem most new writers have is that self-publishing is so easy! You can skip the normal requirement of a professional editor and put your first draft right up for sale. Unfortunately, this leads to a huge pile of poor writing from rushed writers trying to publish for volume instead of quality. You can have both, you just need to master the craft. These are books that transformed how I write each sentence, and how I plan and execute my books.
Sin and Syntax - Constance Hale
Rock Your Plot - Cathy Yardly
Nine Day Novel Writing, the Basics - Steve Windsor
Vex, Hex, Smash, Smooch - Constance Hale
Self-Editing for Fiction Writers - Rennie Brown and Dave King
Super Structure - James Scott Bell
Write Your Novel from the Middle - James Scott Bell
The Emotion Thesaurus - Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi