Sites That Inspired Me This Year

Since it's the end of the year, and the time of year for best-of lists, I'd like to tell you about a few sites that I read regularly and that I always find inspiring. They're not all writing-related, but they all give me unexpected insights into different lives and different worlds, which is really what helps me get story ideas.

The New York Times Lens Blog

I love visiting this blog for the stunning photography and the human stories in each photograph. I love getting a visual impression of the terrible and beautiful things happening around the globe every day, as well as the crystal-clear details of ordinary life that are similar the world around.

Freelance Writing Gigs

If you want to blog or write for money, there's no better place on the web to go than Freelance Writing Gigs. This site has daily leads of all kinds, as well as advice on breaking into the business and transitioning to a work-at-home lifestyle.

Men with Pens

Men with Pens is another excellent freelance writing resource website. Its authors give great advice not only on writing clean copy and getting gigs, but also on web design and working on your web presence.

The Books of My Numberless Dreams

I like popping in on this site because it always has a good book review or a thoughtful commentary on an author to read. While I talk a lot about the tricks of writing here at the Corner, you can also improve your writing by studying the successes of the greats.

Harlanguage

This one is a personal fave because the writer of this blog is a friend of mine, going all the way back to high school. She is a hilarious writer who often has thoughts up on her blog that make me say to myself, "My gosh - that's exactly how I feel."

PostSecret

Like the rest of the world, I regularly visit PostSecret's page. It's a bit of a guilty pleasure, looking at other's secrets, but I'm frequently impressed by the artistry and pathos with which people spill their inner lives on the cards.

Teacher's Diary

Another close friend of mine, this young teacher is writing about her experience as a first-year high school teacher in a struggling city high school. She encounters many challenges and connects emotionally to a lot of the students -- and all of it is fascinating to read out. Don't miss her take on the teaching life.

The New Yorker Book Bench

The New Yorker's excellent literary blog can't be missed by anyone who claims he's up on the literary world. This blog features daily thoughts about new and upcoming books, photos of books and libraries as art, and funny takes on the stranger books being sold these days.

The NY Times' Motherlode Blog

I'm not a mother, and I don't intend to be one for quite some time, but nevertheless I find myself fascinated by the Motherlode blog. It has thoughts about all of the issues modern mothers face while sailing the fraught waters of 21st-century parenthood. If you're writing a story about a modern mother, you should check out the comments and posts on this blog to see what mothers are talking about.

Write for Your Life

In addition to having an adorable site design, Write for Your Life is a fantastic blog that gives thorough and in-depth advice about the writing life. Much like this blog, it has thoughts on the micro side of technique, as well as advice about publishing, agents, and more. Don't miss this stylish and informative site.

Comments

[Sarahthewriter1]

Wow! Great post. I will definitely be bookmarking this to have quick access to your awesome list. Thanks for your creative inspiration!

Sarah Allen
(my creative writing blog)

[Sarahthewriter1]

Great post! I will definitely be bookmarking this to have quick access to your awesome list. Thanks for your creative inspiration!

Sarah Allen
http://fromsarahwithjoy.blogspot.com

[Deb Ng]

Thanks for including us on your list - you inspire me!

[Iain Broome]

Wow - thank you for the kind words. The site is currently being updated to a hopefully even more adorable design!