Advice on Writing? Meet the Best Online

THIS TIME OF YEAR is all about taking stock. And as I look back on the bounty of this year, among its many highlights was meeting Jeff Goins. Have you met him? If not, let me introduce you. He’s one of the best online writing gurus I know. 

I began my blog in June of this year, and shortly thereafter went off looking to make friends online. My criteria was fairly high, I admit: Writers with integrity whose websites were invested in the success of other writers. To date, I’ve met several. Jeff Goins is the most recent. He believes in telling better stories and in making a difference in the world. I believe that telling better stories does make a difference in the world, so you can imagine how much we enjoy one another’s work.

I sent him off a copy of my new book, and the results have been lovely. Earlier this month, he profiled me on his website. You can read that here. Just this week, Write to Done, that unerringly marvelous website on writing, designated Jeff number one in the top ten online sites for writers, a designation I heartily endorse.

Also on that list is the incomparable Jane Friedman, to whom I introduced you earlier in the year after she ran an excerpt from my new book on her marvelous blog. Congratulations to Jane. She, too, believes that the world is a better place with better stories, and was gracious enough to include her original excerpt of my work in her “best advice for writers, 2011” year-end round-up. I am delighted.

Have you read my writing resolutions for (any) new year? Add this one as a codicil to those: read Jeff Goins, among the best online writing gurus. You’ll learn something. And learning something is the next step to writing better stories.