General Resources for Writers

Having access to an online dictionary and thesaurus is great in a pinch, but in reality if you spend much time writing and editing you'll want to have a good dictionary and thesaurus at hand. I use an old copy of Webster's New World Dictionary, and it's good enough most times.

Now my thesaurus is another matter entirely. I use it all the time, not usually to find substitutes for overused words (although this is a great use for a thesaurus) but for finding that precise word I'm looking for, the one that's on the tip of my tongue, but that I can't seem to pull out of my head without a little encouragement. I refer to my thesaurus a lot. :-) I recommend Roget's Super Thesaurus. It's done me well!

There are also specialized dictionaries that are amazingly helpful. Check out The Describer's Dictionary. When my brain blips, The Describer's Dictionary is a real help with word choice.

• Dictionary.com
• Thesaurus.com
• Dictionary of English Slang and Colloquialisms of the UK
• Common Errors in English
• The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr.
• Jaclyn Reding's Useful Links for Romance Writers and Readers
• Publishers Weekly
• The Writers Store