Sue Bradford Edwards's Blog, page 102

How Long Do You Give a Book to Hook You?

This is something that a lot of writers don’t like to think about, but how long do you have to hook the reader? I’ve been to writing events where editors and agents will read to the end of the first manuscript page and then say whether or not they would read on. At some of … Continue reading How Long Do You Give a Book to Hook You? →

How to Get Back into a Project

Before my dad got sick, I managed to work on my novel and my nonfiction book proposal every day. I’d made good progress on both and was on track to be done by the end of the year. But with him in the hospital, I was there 12 hours a day for two and a … Continue reading How to Get Back into a Project →

Show Us Who Your Character Is

Show don’t tell. Say that to me and you are going to get a look. It is one of those phrases I hate because it is . . . ugh! It is so hard to balance showing readers who your character is with creating a scene when a single narrative line would do the same … Continue reading Show Us Who Your Character Is →

What Is Your Picture Book About?

This is one of those questions that you see posed in many workshops about picture book writing. I most really saw it in the workshop with agent Sean McCarthy at the Kansas-Missouri Regional Conference. The way the question is posed is this: What is your story about? What is it really about? If you are … Continue reading What Is Your Picture Book About? →

Research: How Much Is Enough

“How much research do you need to do when you write a book?” This seems to be one of the most common questions that I get an a nonfiction author. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have any easy answer. Many people assume that it depends on the length of the project. Sometimes it does but a 500-word … Continue reading Research: How Much Is Enough →

Picture Books with Inanimate Characters

I request at least one book a day from the library. Novels, graphic novels, picture books. I request a bit of this and a dab of that. In the morning, I love to sprawl on the sofa, drink coffee, and read picture books. I did a double take when I started reading A Home Again … Continue reading Picture Books with Inanimate Characters →

Collage and Copyright

Yesterday one of my students asked about including a collage in her book manuscript. Her book directs students through a number of creative projects, one of which is making a collage. The students can naturally use copyrighted photographs and postcards of art in their collages. This is fair use. But what my student wanted to … Continue reading Collage and Copyright →

Celebrating I Love to Write Day

Today, November 15, is I Love to Write Day. Some of my friends prefer to write in a coffee shop or at the library. I’ve tried that but I spend far too much time people watching. Me? My office is my chosen spot. I can sit or stand at my desk and contemplate the scenery. … Continue reading Celebrating I Love to Write Day →

Protecting Your Time

This has been one of those weeks. I’ve had several editors get back to me with things that need to be done. And I’ve got several extended family members who have figured out that they can ping me through Messenger. It is how my husband and I communicate with our son so it is open … Continue reading Protecting Your Time →

Suspense: Keep Your Reader Reading

Readers, especially young readers, have a lot of distractions. They’ve got homework. They’ve got side-hustles like scouts and sports and music lessons. They’ve got pesky adults telling them to do their homework, work on the requirements for a merit badge, or practice their instrument. So if you want them to keep reading, you have to … Continue reading Suspense: Keep Your Reader Reading →