Sue Bradford Edwards's Blog, page 207
October 31, 2017
Before You Write: Read, Read and Read Some More
Picture Book Month begins today and continues throughout November. One of my goals is to read 50 new picture books this month. Why? Because I write picture books, it’s important to know the picture books that are being published today. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t read old favorites. I’d never deprive you of your […]
October 30, 2017
Music and Video: Another way to connect with young readers
As writers, we are constantly on the lookout for ways to connect with young readers. Even if we have a social media presence we may not be sure what to include on our web sites, blogs or Twitter feeds that might appeal to our readers themselves vs. their parents, teachers or librarians. This can be […]
October 29, 2017
What Do You Have? An idea, a premise or a plot?
Today I had two ideas that I jotted down on my annual list. Yes, I keep a list. It helps me move forward with my current project but also gives me plenty of food for thought when it comes time to develop something new. Although I call everything on the list an idea, I’ve long […]
October 26, 2017
Picture Book Month
Picture Book Month was the brainchild of Diane de las Casas, an awarding winning author and storyteller who died as a result of smoke inhalation in August of this year. Fortunately, a group of her dedicated friends have stepped forward to keep this initiative alive. For those of you who haven’t taken part, Picture Book […]
October 25, 2017
Mind Your Tone: 3 Ways to Teach without Preaching
Last week, I checked Her Right Foot out from the library. I wanted to see how another author handled a patriotic theme that could easily become preachy. Why? Because I’m getting ready to try my hand at a patriotic book. I wanted to see how another author handled a similar topic. Here are three things that […]
October 24, 2017
Danger: Attachments in Yahoo Groups
Are you a member of a Yahoo Group? I belong to . . . six? Eight? In fact, I use one when I teach my class. Sending messages through the group is easier than hoping my students, and I, remember to include everyone on every e-mail. But I won’t be using the group the next […]
October 23, 2017
Interiority: What It Is and Why It Matters to Writers
Monday, I learned a new-to-me term. Interiority. Interiority consists of a character’s thoughts, feelings, and emotions. It is the stuff that is going on inside her head. Interiority matters because, without it, our character’s actions don’t always make sense. And this is a problem because some of us, myself included, work so hard to show […]
October 22, 2017
Plot: From Simple to Complex
Your character wants something. She tries to attain it and fails. She tries again and fails. Third try for the win! Denouement. That’s plot at its most simple. I’d love to say that mine are far more complicated than that. And sometimes they are. In chapter one. Maybe even all the way through chapter three. But by […]
October 19, 2017
5 Things to Do when You Don’t Have Enough Tension
On Thursday, I spotted a Tweet from Angela Ackerman. It was a graphic about story conflict – Elevate Story Telling Through Added Conflict. I just finished a draft of my early middle grade fantasy. It is a true first draft in that it needs a lot of work. If it was real estate the agent […]
October 18, 2017
Webinars: Writing Events You Can Attend from Home
I love taking MOOC. These online classes offer me the opportunity to learn from university and museum faculty from all over the world. And I can do it from my desk which means that I can sit here and knit while watching lectures. (It drives my husband nuts but I really do focus better if […]
