Sue Bradford Edwards's Blog, page 115

Tips on How to Focus

I’ve got a book due Friday so, no big surprise, I’ve been thinking a lot about needing to focus. Love the infographic above although I don’t agree 100%. This time of year, 90% of my struggle to focus is seasonal allergies. That means that I need to stay hydrated and, if I still feel like … Continue reading Tips on How to Focus →

Nonfiction Narrative Arc

As in fiction, nonfiction narrative must include a beginning, a middle and an end. But where you begin the narrative and how you present the information to your reader is going to depend on the nonfiction story that you’ve chosen to tell. This means that the beginning of the narrative may not be, chronologically speaking, … Continue reading Nonfiction Narrative Arc →

3 Reasons to Recharge

The next two weeks are going to be super busy. I’ve got a deadline this Friday and another on June 7th. But I’m making sure to spend time outside every day. The more work I have to do the more important this becomes. Refuel Energy Levels Writing may not involve a lot of hefting or … Continue reading 3 Reasons to Recharge →

Rewriting: Cutting the Excess

Whew.  That’s always a lot of work.  I’ve been rewriting which often comes down to making sure I have the strongest nouns and verbs so that I can keep my writing as tight as possible.  Of course, this also involves cutting the excess. The easiest things to cut are excess sentences and paragraphs.  I find … Continue reading Rewriting: Cutting the Excess →

3 Ways to Make the Story Problem Matter

Have you ever picked up a book, gotten two chapters in and thought, “Who cares? Not me?” The author has failed to make the story problem matter. Here are three ways to make your character and your reader care. Make It Personal Your reader isn’t going to care if the story problem isn’t a big … Continue reading 3 Ways to Make the Story Problem Matter →

Reading Level: One Way to Test It and How to Make It Right

When you write for young readers, you often have to pay attention to the reading level of your work. When I write for RedLine, the reading level is always on the spec sheet. A book might need to have a reading level for upper elementary readers and they want me to keep it in the … Continue reading Reading Level: One Way to Test It and How to Make It Right →

Backstory: How Much Do You Need When?

I love my critique group. We write such a wide variety of books from picture books to middle grade novels, TV, and nonfiction. One of the ladies started her story with a page of notes, backstory to help set the scene. At the time, I knew that working this into a chapter wouldn’t work, but … Continue reading Backstory: How Much Do You Need When? →

Introverts: Prepare to Recharge

“Hey, Mom. The CDC says that we don’t need to wear masks anymore.” Really? I have to admit that I’m vaccinated (4 more days until I’m fully charged), but I’m hesitant to jump back into everything. Part of that is because, like many writers, I am an introvert through and through. Yes, I can go … Continue reading Introverts: Prepare to Recharge →

3 Reasons Why You Need to Be a Reading Writer

Her: I don’t read fiction. Me: But you write fiction. Her: Because I don’t like what’s publishing . . . Me: But you write fiction! There isn’t much about being a writer that is easy except, in my opinion, reading. I was the kid who always had a book in my hand. I was either … Continue reading 3 Reasons Why You Need to Be a Reading Writer →

Why Your First Sentence Needs to Sing

Every now and again over at the Gutsy Great Novelist, host Joan Dempsey challenges us to post the first sentence and the first sentence only of our works-in-progress.  Some people explain why they can’t do that, and then post the first paragraph, the second sentence, or whatever. But what they often fail to realize is … Continue reading Why Your First Sentence Needs to Sing →