There are many places online where you can find style and format guidance for writers and editors. However, not all of these sites are created equal, and it’s important to examine each site’s strengths and weaknesses before choosing which one to use.
The Pros And Cons Of Various Style Blogs And Forums
While there are many benefits to having a variety of blogs and forums to choose from, there are also some significant drawbacks. One of the primary drawbacks is that you are not always sure if the information you are getting is objective or subjective. To give you an example, let’s look at the Mad Libs blog and forum run by Lloyd Widdoes. On his blog, you will find numerous Mad Libs style prompts that are accompanied by an incomplete story. When you click on a Mad Libs item, you will see an incomplete version of the story with suggested words and phrases to complete it. For instance, if you click on the item entitled Vacation, you will see this:
Vacation
Incomplete story:
- On his first day of vacation, John Smith bought a hotdog. It was superb, and he decided to buy a second one. On his way to the counter, he met Jane Doe, who was also checking out. She was impressed by his new haircut and bought a rose for him. They both left the store and had a lovely talk on the way to John’s car. After a short chat, Jane invited John to her home for dinner. They had a wonderful meal and enjoyed each other’s conversation. At the end of the evening, Jane gave John a passionate kiss and said, “I’d like to see more of you.” When they parted, John smiled and went home to watch TV.
Here are the pros and cons of using this type of resource:
- Pro: This is a great choice for people who want to experiment with different Mad Libs styles.
- Con: People who need objective, verifiable information may find this type of resource lacking. The story templates are often very limited in scope, and it’s up to the reader to fill in the blanks.
- Pro: This site has a wonderful Mad Libs community that will help guide you through the process of creatively writing stories using these story templates.
- Con: There is no guarantee that the resources on this site are any good. It’s all about what you make of it.
Style Councils, Consulting Editors And Other Writing Institutions
Another great way to learn about different styles and formatting guidelines is to attend a weekly writing conference. At these events, professionals from various fields come together to share their expertise and open up a whole world of possibilities for the attendees. You will gain valuable tips and tricks from the best in the industry, and you won’t have to worry about learning everything on your own. These are often free or have heavily discounted registration requirements.
Whether you are interested in fiction or non-fiction, you will discover new and different ways of looking at the world through what you read and what you make. One way to find the information you need is to visit Style Councils‘ websites, as some of them also have blogs where they post announcements of upcoming seminars and conferences. Some of these style councils even have their own publishing imprints that you can obtain credit for through reputable publishing houses.
Widdoes’ (See above) Mad Libs resources are also available at Consulting Editors‘ websites, which are run by the professionals who decide what goes into the magazine and what doesn’t. If you are looking for a reliable resource for finding information about style, you should visit a consulting editor’s website. These people are often busy, but they will always make time for you if they know you are serious about becoming a better writer. The great thing about these resourceful individuals is that they will often help you find the best way to express yourself creatively in the most efficient manner.
Some of the best writers and editors have learned countless tips and tricks from professionals who have gone before them and helped them become the best writers and editors they can be. If you are serious about being the best writer you can be, why not take advantage of all the help and information you can get.
Which One Should You Use?
As you can see above, there are many different options when it comes to finding information about different styles and style guides. However, not all of these websites are created equal, and it’s important to examine each one’s strengths and weaknesses before choosing which one to use. To that end, here are a few tips:
- Only use websites and blogs that are updated regularly. This will ensure you are getting fresh content that is relevant to what you are looking for.
- Avoid using any website or blog that requires you to log in with Facebook or Google+. These websites and blogs are generally outdated and don’t provide a good user experience. If you are searching for style guides, you will find many websites that are connected to larger publishing houses or magazines. These websites are generally more stable and will not disappear as frequently as smaller blogs and websites.
- Use the resources at your local library. They will often have books and magazines from various periods and styles that can be accessible for you to read and learn from.
- Contact Consulting or Editorial Agencies. They will often have contacts within various publishing houses and can get you in touch with the professionals who edit the material published by larger publishing houses. Most editorial agencies and consulting agencies have very in-depth knowledge about various styles and formats and will be able to assist you in creatively finding the best way to present your ideas in a professional and polished manner.
Hopefully, this article gave you enough information to help you make the right choice when it comes to the various styles and style guides available to writers and editors. If this was helpful, be sure to visit Style Councils‘ websites, as they often have valuable information about various writing and editing styles. If you found this article entertaining, don’t forget to visit Mad Libs online to see what all the excitement is about.