Sue Bradford Edwards's Blog, page 100
January 30, 2022
Remove the Filters Between Reader and Story
When we write, whether it is nonfiction or fiction, we want to pull our readers in. It is hard to do this if we remind them that they are reading a story. One of these reminders is often called filtering language. For example, don’t write – Before her, Ada saw the wreck of a passenger … Continue reading Remove the Filters Between Reader and Story →
January 27, 2022
The One Thing Every Writer Needs to Publish
My writing journey is not your writing journey. I learned to format manuscripts as if everything was still being done on typewriters. We weren’t all using typewriters but even on home computers the goal was to create a manuscript that duplicated type. Those days are long gone so if you are tying to break in … Continue reading The One Thing Every Writer Needs to Publish →
January 26, 2022
Breaking Promises to Your Reader
Don’t ask me the book’s title or who wrote it. I simply won’t tell you. I don’t publicly bash my fellow writers. But I will issue warnings. My warning for today? Do not break the promises that you make to your reader. Just don’t. Tuesday, the book club that I’m in met via Zoom. We … Continue reading Breaking Promises to Your Reader →
January 25, 2022
5 Tips for Dealing with Your Inner Critic
Many writers struggle with their inner editor as they try to lay down words. Their inner editor might better be called their inner critic, a nagging voice that tells them that what they are doing is not good enough. These writers write and rewrite a sentence or a paragraph. Their inner editor does little more … Continue reading 5 Tips for Dealing with Your Inner Critic →
January 24, 2022
3 Query Letter Tips
Now that agents are back at work after the holidays, I’m getting ready to start querying. Sigh. Why the sigh? Because that means wrangling a query letter. If you put a little thought into you letter, you’ll have a much better chance of hearing yes. Here are three tips to get a positive response. Check … Continue reading 3 Query Letter Tips →
January 23, 2022
Edgar Nominees Announced
If you love a good mystery, I hope that you take the time to check out the Edgar Award Nominees. These awards are made each year by the Mystery Writers of America and late last week they announced the nominees for 2022. If you write for children or young adults, you are likely most interested … Continue reading Edgar Nominees Announced →
January 20, 2022
Try, Try Again: Creative Pursuits
One of the best pieces of advice that I’ve ever seen for writers is this quote by Joe Chiappetta. Chiappetta is a graphic novelist with a style that is loose and a little messy. He is also extremely prolific. Being willing to take chances has paid off for him. I’ll admit that I hesitated to … Continue reading Try, Try Again: Creative Pursuits →
January 19, 2022
How to Reach The End
Three days ago, a friend dropped off a book. This is something she does periodically, leaving things on our front bench and then texting me to go outside and check. “I just knew this would inspire you.” I didn’t even have to read the back cover before I found myself jotting down an idea. Yesterday, … Continue reading How to Reach The End →
January 18, 2022
Humor: The Spoonful of Sugar
Yesterday while I was puttering along on the treadmill, I watched a brilliant TED Talk by Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas – Why Great Leaders Take Humor Seriously. It isn’t hard to get someone to admit that they love to laugh and why is pretty obvious once you realize something that Aaker and Bagdonas point … Continue reading Humor: The Spoonful of Sugar →
January 17, 2022
Learning about Graphic Novel Design
Who knew studying books was so tricky!? Our first assignment for the graphic novel class is to list what you like and don’t about a favorite graphic novel. Not surprisingly, I got out The Way of the House Husband. I sat down and studied the panels on the first page. Then I went over the … Continue reading Learning about Graphic Novel Design →
