I’d like to give you an early Christmas gift.

It’s a list of really useful writing resources. As writers, we’re always learning and these are some great places to start.

1. British Council Learn English website https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/grammar

If you’d like to learn more about English grammar, try the interactive exercises on this fantastic website.

2. Plain English Campaign website http://www.plainenglish.co.uk/

Visit the ‘Plain English tools’ section for handy writing guidance and the ‘gobbledygook generator’…

3. BBC News website https://www.bbc.co.uk/news

This may not sound like a writing tool, but it’s a great place to check the standard British spelling and formatting of words and phrases. If you’re not sure whether it’s ‘prime minister’, ‘prime-minister’ or ‘primeminister’, take a look at BBC News to see how they’re formatting it (the answer is ‘prime minister’).

4. GOV.UK https://www.gov.uk/

This site is a great example of how to explain complicated, formal processes in simple language.

5. The book you get for Christmas

Reading is one of the best ways to improve as a writer. It also goes really well with a glass of mulled wine. Read writers you admire and you’ll pick up their tips along the way.

What are you up to in the days before Christmas? Let me know down in the comments…