Sue Bradford Edwards's Blog, page 163

Creating a Flowchart: Zen Flowchart

Monday when I wrote about receiving my author’s copies, I mentioned having to create a flowchart.  I used Illustrator which I realize not everyone has.  I got it as part of a package so it wasn’t cost prohibitive. Fortunately, there is also a free online program called Zen Flowchart.  With it, I made the chart […]

Why We Need Diverse Books Matters

Frankly, I’m more than a little disappointed that this is something we still need to explain.  Studies have shown that it is important for young readers to see themselves mirrored in the books they read.  Yet other studies have shown that reading about characters unlike yourself helps promote empathy. So why am I bringing this […]

Author Copies

It is like Christmas in August right now.  My son and I were making lunch when the doorbell rang.  I was expecting an order from Hanes and hurried to the door but instead of a mailer found a box.  A box with an Abdo sticker.  Author copies!   Woo hoo! When I write a book, sometimes […]

Series Characters: What It Takes to Bring Your Reader Back

I’ve been thinking about series characters a lot as I get back to work on my cozy mystery. What is it that makes them appealing? It isn’t that they grow and that’s a fact that until recently really bothered me.  Isn’t that how a character arc is supposed to work?  Character has a problem, solves […]

Inspiration: What Goes Into a Picture Book

I have to admit it.  I love getting to see videos about how different authors and illustrators work.  This video with Yuyi Morales, the creator of Dreamers, is a great companion piece for yesterday’s post on writing nonfiction today. Dreamers is based, in part, on Morales own experiences as an immigrant and mother of an infant.  […]

Children’s Nonfiction: Changing with the Times

The world is a rapidly changing place but this isn’t a post about trends.  Okay, I guess it is in a way.  But it isn’t a post about chasing trends in nonfiction. Instead, it is a post about writing nonfiction for today’s young readers in today’s world.  What does this mean?  Keep the internet in […]

Facts Matter: Accuracy Is Essential Even in Fiction, or Is It?

Recently, my book club read a book by a New York Times top ten author.  I had never read anything by this person and wanted to see what all the fuss was about.  I’m not going to name names because I still don’t get why her work is so popular. When you write for children, […]

Essay Writing: The Hermit Crab

Most of the writing that I do at this point in my career is children’s nonfiction.  But I’ve also written book reviews, done test writing, and created how-tos for both children and adults.  I read all types of writing and like to learn new techniques.  After all, you never know when something will come in […]

Word Count: How Much Can You Write Per Day?

Recently, one of my students contacted me.  She was going to be late handing something in because she had thought she could research and write 1000 words/day.  Reality was closer to 500. She then asked my advice about how she could write faster. The number of words you can write per day is going to […]

Research On-Line: Help Make It Possible

One of the great things about writing in the digital age is the vast amount of research information we can find online.  One of the best sources of information is the Library of Congress through which you can access a variety of photographs, posters, post cards, letters, diaries and more.  The library is constantly adding […]