Writing Tips

[Susu]

I'm very well aware that not all roleplayers are aspiring writers but I thought I'd still open this up to discussion.
What kind of tips, tutorials, podcasts, etc. do you read or listen to for writing advise. Or, the other way around, what do you like to do to make yourself feel better about your writing?

For me, I regularly listen to the Writing Excuses podcasts. Those guys generally give good advice and the episodes aren't too long, so they don't get boring.
Other than that I usually amuse myself with trudging around the internet reading snarkings of various fanfics and books - namely Gloria Tesch's cause she just sucks.

What about you?

[raindancer]

For me it's generally just reading much, and I too make trips to fanfiction.net to have my giggles (not saying it's ALL badly written, there are few people I stalk because they are so GOOD, but generally I keep questioning myself "Why am I reading this CRAP?") Also, no reading about Harry Potter have sex with Draco and Winnie the Pooh is NOT good idea no matter how amusing it might sound in theory. Whereas reading this was awesome idea - seriously everyone should read it no matter do you like Digimon.

Then there's this blog about "how to write badly well" while reading that I did spot few stupid mistakes I keep making... *working on getting rid of bad habits* >.>

I guess I admit that I also use lots of online dictionaries/translators 'cause my vocabulary is surprisingly limited and there are words I've heard and know how to say it and what it means but fail writing U='_= *goes sit in corner ashamed of self*

[getmygameon]

The one thing I can appreciate about this RP vs other RP's I've been in in the past is that you guys aren't like "RAWR! YOU MUST SAY IT THIS WAY OR ELSE!" if someone makes a simple mistake and I can appreciate the suggestions gently given instead of forced. I try to be as proper as possible being a native English speaker, but even for us, sometimes it can be tough to follow the rules all the time.