Sue Bradford Edwards's Blog, page 120

4 Reasons to Read Beyond What You Write

I am assuming that all of the writers who read my blog are more than writers. I assume that you are also readers. Most writers read the types of books they write. If they are penning picture books, they read picture books. If they are working on nonfiction, they read nonfiction. But you should read … Continue reading 4 Reasons to Read Beyond What You Write →

3 Ways to Get to Know Your Character

Last week, I read a post on Janice Hardy’s blog about getting to know your character. She pointed out that since she writes science fiction and fantasy, a lot of the questions you are supposed to ask your character just don’t work. Because I write for young readers, I can see her point. What is … Continue reading 3 Ways to Get to Know Your Character →

3 Ways to Deal with Rejection

I love the ease and convenience of electronic submissions. I am much less fond of electronic rejections. In the olden days, if I didn’t get a rejection letter when the mail carrier came, I wasn’t going to get a rejection letter that day. Now? Ping – ping – ping. I’ve got mail. It could be … Continue reading 3 Ways to Deal with Rejection →

6 Fantasy Subgenre

What was the last book that kept you up long past bedtime? For me, it was An Easy Death by Charlaine Harris. You may recognize her name. She is the author of the Sookie Stackhouse series. An Easy Death is set in a version of US history where the country has fragmented. There is magic … Continue reading 6 Fantasy Subgenre →

Dr. Seuss Titles Soar and Why Depiction Matters

Out of the five bestselling books last week, four were penned by Dr. Seuss. Not only did the four books make the bestseller list, they dwarfed their own sales from the same week last year. Cat in the Hat sold about 105,000 copies. Last year? 22,000. Green Eggs and Ham sold about 90,000 compared to 34,000. One … Continue reading Dr. Seuss Titles Soar and Why Depiction Matters →

Tropes in Science Fiction

I hope some of you attended the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Winter Conferece.  Normally held in NYC, this year it was a virtual event.  Something several speakers mentioned were tropes.  Not using your genre’s tropes is bad.  Using tropes without providing anything new?  Also bad.  To fully understand this, it helps … Continue reading Tropes in Science Fiction →

3 Reasons to Write with Detail

Lately I’ve been reading my students’ writing and giving them ways to make it better. Time and time again, I find myself saying, “More detail! Tell me more!” There are several reasons you want to use details in your writing. Pull the Reader In Sensory details help pull your reader in by making your scene … Continue reading 3 Reasons to Write with Detail →

Breaking the Fourth Wall in Picture Books

When I read a picture book in which the author breaks the fourth wall, I get excited. “Look, look!” I’ve never done it in a manuscript but it is tempting to try. The fourth wall is the barrier between the movie or book and the audience. When a movie character, such as Deadpool or Ferris … Continue reading Breaking the Fourth Wall in Picture Books →

3 Sources for Story Ideas

Some writers have more story ideas than they know what to do with. Others come up with one viable idea and work on it until it is done. Then they look for another. I’m in the first camp but partof the reason for that is I’m good at finding inspiration. Here are three of my … Continue reading 3 Sources for Story Ideas →

3 Musts when Writing a Picture Book about Math

Recently I read two of the picture books that won the 2021 Mathical Prize. I posted about the prize here. The books were the Pre-Kindergarten winner, Lia & Luis: Who Has More? by Ana Crespo (Charlesbridge) and the Grades 3 – 5 winner, Seven Golden Rings: A Tale of Music and Math by Rajani LaRocca … Continue reading 3 Musts when Writing a Picture Book about Math →