Sue Bradford Edwards's Blog, page 218

Parents in Children’s Literature

Early in my writing career, we used to joke that you definitely did not want to be a parent in a Sharon Creech novel.  Something bad was sure to happen to you to get you out-of-the-way of a great story. And that’s one of the toughest parts about writing for children and teens.  You have […]

Character Arcs: Four Ways You Can Go

“Your character needs to grow.” That was one of the pieces of writing advice that I repeatedly received early in my writing career.  The problem was that not all characters grew at least not as I defined it.  Changed, yes.  Grew, no. Recently I stumbled on a blog post by Veronica Sicoe that explained it […]

Writing Humor: Know What Your Reader Thinks Is Funny

Whether you plan to write humorous fiction or work humor into your nonfiction, it pays to know what your audience finds funny.  Part of that is a matter of personal taste.  Even when his classmates were rolling around on the floor over the latest antics of Sponge Bob or Captain Underpants, my son couldn’t be […]

Know Your Audience: Write What They Know

“Write what you know.” It doesn’t matter if you are trying to make your first sale, collect additional clips or having problems with writers block.  Sooner or later someone is going to give you this bit of advice.  Someone other than me. I’m much more likely to advise you to write based on what your […]

Memorial Day

I’m not sure what it is about Memorial Day and rewrite requests.  Last year, I had to tell an editor that I couldn’t have a rewrite done as early as they wanted it because I was taking the weekend off. Right now, I’ve got three book contracts: The Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL); Advertising Overload; and […]

Your Writing Space: Does It Reflect the Real You?

Recently I read a column written by author Christina Katz about whether or not your home reflects the real you.  She encourages writers to express themselves in how they decorate their homes because, as she says it so well, “expressiveness begins at home.” That made me look around here in my office.  Does it reflect […]

Concept picture books: I had to broaden my idea of “concept”

Concept picture books.  It isn’t a new phrase but I have to admit that only recently have I developed a full understanding of what this category of books contains. For those of you not familiar with the term, a concept picture book explores an abstract idea or process.  Alphabet books are concept books.  Counting books […]

Picture Book Writing: It Started with a Title

Yesterday I was piddling around doing something else, talking to my teen when a phrase popped into my head.  “Yeti yoga.” “Sasquatch swimming, what’s your point?” “I’m not sure.  What would yeti hope to get out of yoga?” Fortunately he’s grown up with Writer Mom so this didn’t particularly phase him.  I wasn’t sure what […]

Winners Announced: SCBWI Announces Winners of the 2017 Crystal Kite Awards

I was so excited when I saw the notice for the annual Crystal Kite Awards.  The Crystal Kite awards are peer-voted in that members of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators bestow this award for excellence in children’s books on their fellow writers and illustrators.  Winners are voted on and awards made with […]

Writer’s Web Site: Let People Find You

Recently, I read a Writer’s Digest post on writer’s websites.  One quote from editor Robert Lee Brewer really stood out.  “My two most important rules for building a platform: 1. Be easy to find,” said Brewer,” and 2. Be easy to contact.” When I was writing for Children’s Writer newsletter, I wrote articles based on interviews with […]