Sue Bradford Edwards's Blog, page 118

What Writers Can Learn from the I Spy Series

Yesterday I stumbled across the video on how photographer Walter Wick creates the images for the I Spy book series. I have a confession to make. My son had so many of these books! I’m fairly certain that he didn’t enjoy them nearly as much as I did. First, there was the challenge of finding … Continue reading What Writers Can Learn from the I Spy Series →

My Book Robotics in Health Care

I love surprises! Yesterday I was looking for something on Amazon and spotted a book cover. Mine! The book doesn’t come out until August 1, 2021 so I was surprised to see the cover already made pubilc. The publisher is Brightpoint Press and you can find a listing for it here on Amazon. But the … Continue reading My Book Robotics in Health Care →

5 Things To Know When Writing Your Scene

Ever since I took Save the Cat Breaking the Beat Sheet, I’ve been noodling over scenes. Specifically, I’ve been noodling over what a scene is and what it has to have. I think that part of the reason for this is I have a love/hate relationship with scenes and it all starts with the definition. … Continue reading 5 Things To Know When Writing Your Scene →

The 10 Most Challenged Books in 2020

The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom recently released their list of 10 Most Challenged Books in 2020. To prepare this list, they reviewed 156 challenges to library, school, and university materials and services in 2020. Interestingly enough, there were 156 challenges but 273 books challenged. Here are the 10 most challenged. First I’ll give you … Continue reading The 10 Most Challenged Books in 2020 →

Research: How Much Is Enough?

“Just how much research do you need to do?” While I often get this question from my students, it doesn’t have any easy answer. Many people assume that it depends on the length of the project. Not really. A 500-word magazine piece can have as many sources as a book for 3rd graders. A picture … Continue reading Research: How Much Is Enough? →

Is It Really Bad? “Bad” Books and Manuscripts

Last week, I was discussing critique with my mystery writers group. Soon we were talking about the “worst” manuscripts that we’ve ever had to critique. I say “worst” because we all acknowledged that there are just certain things we don’t like to read or don’t know enough to critique well. As a group, our list … Continue reading Is It Really Bad? “Bad” Books and Manuscripts →

Call Me Max: A Picture Book Challenge

April is Celebrate Diversity month. One way we can celebrate diversity is by supporting those whose books are being challenged. It is amazing how many books are challenged because characters are in some way diverse. In March, a teacher in Austin, Texas read Call Me Max aloud to her class. For those of you who … Continue reading Call Me Max: A Picture Book Challenge →

4 Reasons to Use a Themed Word List

This is National Poetry Month. I may be many things — writer, blogger, teacher — but I am not a poet. Still I’m attempting a poem a day as a form of writing play. As I attempt each poem, I find myself noodling over words that have to do with a set topic. One tool … Continue reading 4 Reasons to Use a Themed Word List →

Writing from the Animal’s POV

I absolutely adore sea turtles. I made certain that I worked them into The Evolution of Reptiles. So when I saw a recommendation of Run, Sea Turtle, Run: A Hatchling’s Journey by Stephen R. Swinburne, I checked it out from the library. I was in for a surprise and it started right on the first … Continue reading Writing from the Animal’s POV →

What Your Quiet Picture Book Needs

If you’ve ever tried to market a quiet picture book, you’ve probably heard the warning. “Quiet picture books just don’t sell.” And yet . . . Check out a stack of picture books from the library and you will almost always have at least one that is quiet. Last week, the quiet book in my … Continue reading What Your Quiet Picture Book Needs →