Sue Bradford Edwards's Blog, page 107

3 Types of Word Lists You Need to Know

This weekend I sat in an educational writing webinar. Among the topics discussed were word lists. Discussions involving word lists can be confusing unless you know which type of list is being discussed. Reading Level Saturday we were discussing words listed by reading level. The book that I’ve always used as a reference for this … Continue reading 3 Types of Word Lists You Need to Know →

3 Things to Do When Overwhelmed by a Rewrite

Today I’m finishing up a rewrite on one of my contract jobs. As is so often the case, the comments from two editors and the content consultent add up quickly. What do I mean? There were something like 94 comments on a 4000 word manuscript. Sometimes they were talking to each other. Sometimes they were … Continue reading 3 Things to Do When Overwhelmed by a Rewrite →

Story Stakes: How to Pile on the Trouble

I am almost exactly half way through my first draft of Airstream, my middle grade science fiction novel. I wouldn’t say that I’m having a problem with the muddle middle but I am having to step carefully. I need to make sure that the stakes are high enough to keep readers engrossed. This is an … Continue reading Story Stakes: How to Pile on the Trouble →

International Literacy Day

Today is International Literacy Day. A big part of literacy is being read to as a child. This helps future readers build their vocabulary. In addition, picture books and graphic novels help build visual literacy. It has always been funny to me how the books kids love often challenge their parents. My parents quickly grew … Continue reading International Literacy Day →

3 Tips for Writing Quiet Stories

I recently read The Night Walk by Marie Dorleans. I wasn’t sure what to expect but a writing friend was over the moon for this book. It is a sweet story about a family that goes for a walk at night. This isn’t just a stroll through the neighborhood or a holiday story. Holiday story? … Continue reading 3 Tips for Writing Quiet Stories →

Labor Day: Recharging My Batteries

In years past, we would head to rural Southern Missouri on Labor Day. Time away from the city and electronics is time to recharge. But our college student just started at a new university. He’s loving it but also feeling the pressure so we stayed in town. For me, it can be hard to recharge … Continue reading Labor Day: Recharging My Batteries →

Diving Deep into Your Setting

A few weeks ago, my husband and I took a long drive “along the river.” In our area, if you say that you are driving along the river, you aren’t really telling anyone where you are, because there are four rivers within an easy drive of my home. The Mississippi You might be driving near … Continue reading Diving Deep into Your Setting →

3 Tips for Dealing with Rejection

I’ve been trying to apply for more writing jobs and send out more work. So yesterday while I was waiting to hear back from my work-for-hire editor, I sent out three manuscripts. The first went to an agent. The second went to an editor who is normally closed but accepted material from people who attended … Continue reading 3 Tips for Dealing with Rejection →

Library Love

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month. I am assuming (insert stern look) that you all have library cards? I also have a library bag and a library shelf. I may have a bit of a problem. I’m sure my mother took me to the library but I don’t remember that. I do remember going on … Continue reading Library Love →

“Do You Worry about Someone Stealing Your Ideas?”

One of my students recently asked me if I worry about someone stealing my ideas if I share a pitch on Twitter. While I wouldn’t post a whole manuscript online as required by some critique events, I don’t worry about posting a pitch. I firmly believe that if you give four writers a prompt, you … Continue reading “Do You Worry about Someone Stealing Your Ideas?” →