Sue Bradford Edwards's Blog, page 18

Dear Writer, Practice Your Pivot

Before my husband and I went out of town late last week, I announced that I was going to buy every piece of Fiestaware I saw. Well, except for the pink stuff. I’ve been talking about collecting it for years. But I’ve never bought any. I finally decided to go for it. I saw precisely … Continue reading Dear Writer, Practice Your Pivot →

Include Surprising Setting Details

Recently I read a newsletter written by my friend Chris Eboch. The newsletter is called Write Better Right Now. The specific post was “Pitches and Queries: Be Specific with the Hook.” You can read it here. In this newsletter she writes about how we should avoid vague phrases in our queries and instead go for … Continue reading Include Surprising Setting Details →

Taking the Day Off

Ooops! Sorry. I meant to let you know that I am taking today off. Because I’m having a birthday this weekend, I spent last night eating pie and drinking marvelous Marmalade Earl Gray tea. We are making a quick run down to the lake and I’ll tell you more about that next week. Have a … Continue reading Taking the Day Off →

Updating My Work Space

I’ll admit it because it is impossible to deny. My workspace is an enormous mess. When I am at my desk, I am writing, researching, doing email or gaming. When I am done, I get up and leave the room. But recently I was forced to start updating my space. My husband bought me a … Continue reading Updating My Work Space →

Two Ways to Tell I Need to Stop Revising

This meme always cracks me up. The funniest thing about that is that I generally am not this writer. If anything, I tend to be a little too gutsy. I’ll show my critique group a first draft. I know it is a first draft and will need to be revised but I really don’t have … Continue reading Two Ways to Tell I Need to Stop Revising →

3 Types of Series

Although I don’t write spooky, at least not yet, I did really enjoy the MasterClass with R.L. Stine. I find myself contemplating several points that he made including the idea that there are multiple types of series. When I tell you what they are you will mostly likely nod your head. “Right!” So let’s get … Continue reading 3 Types of Series →

The Wordless Picture Book and Visual Literacy

I absolutely adore wordless picture books. This past weekend, I just added a new one to my list – MOON BEAR by Clare Helen Welsh. Okay, I feel I need to admit that this one isn’t quite wordless. It opens with one line of dialogue when Ettie’s mom tells her it is time for bed. … Continue reading The Wordless Picture Book and Visual Literacy →

How to Write Your Denouement

I’ve managed to write openings that hook my readers. I’ve composed clever titles that make it to publication. But never have I ever created a picture perfect ending on the first try. Not once. My problem is not generally the climax of the story. I’m actually fairly good at that particular part of the story. … Continue reading How to Write Your Denouement →

All the Things to Consider when Self-Publishing

At first I wasn’t sure why this memory popped into my head. Everyone in our presbytery was invited to read the same book and discuss it. One of the former teachers in our congregation asked what I thought of it. It quickly became a case of how do I tell someone I write nonfiction without … Continue reading All the Things to Consider when Self-Publishing →

Support Your Fellow Authors

As an author, you likely know a lot of other authors. How can you support them all? It isn’t like your bank account is limitless, although, if it was think about all the book you could buy. Fortunately, there are other ways to support the authors you know and adore. So, what have I missed? … Continue reading Support Your Fellow Authors →