Sue Bradford Edwards's Blog, page 245
May 19, 2016
Here’s My Superpower — What’s Yours?
Lucky for me that I read Debbie Ridpath Ohi’s Inkygirl.com. Her post alerted me to a book-based contest, “Draw the Line: What’s Your Superpower?” The contest is based on Laurent Linn’s novel, Draw The Line. In the book, the main character creates a superhero version of himself, Graphite. Graphite uses art to fight brutality and Adrian […]
May 18, 2016
5 Things Productive Writers Do
“I’m so impressed by your energy!” Irony, oh sweet irony. On the day that I got this message from another writer, I was virtually draped across my desk. Spring allergy abundance guaranteed blurry vision and a stopped up nose. Yet here I was writing. Sort of. I was at my desk but I had no […]
May 17, 2016
SCBWI Summer Reading List
On a wet rainy day is Missouri (I’m writing this on Tuesday), I am almost literally walking on sunshine. Black Lives Matter by Sue Bradford Edwards and Duchess Harris is on page 48 of the SCBWI Summer Reading List. Woo-hoo! A resource for libraries, teachers and bookstores, this is a listing of books published by SCBWI […]
May 16, 2016
Characterization: Verbal cues, facial cues and lying
How do your characters behave when they are lying? In my reading I’ve come across characters who glance down or away, shift from foot to foot, can’t keep their hands still or have a nervous smile. I’ve also come across a number of adult characters who are veritable lie detectors. In my own work I’m […]
May 15, 2016
Take Your Time: Working in an Electronic World
The convenience of working electronically is that I can send things to my editor without having to go to the post office. I can answer a message any time of the day or night. I can send something off the moment I get the message. But the true beauty of working electronically is that I […]
May 12, 2016
Characters: Keeping Everyone in Play
I’m about fifty pages into my middle grade novel which is, I suspect, about 2/3 of the way through the plot. As I move forward, I’m noticing a few issues. I’m really good at keeping my main character busy. She’s always on the go and keeps the plot moving forward. Unfortunately, about 90% of the […]
May 11, 2016
Books in Translation
Why is it important to read books in transation? For many of the same reasons that Grace Lin discussed in The Windows and Mirrors of Your Child’s Bookshelf. It is one way to build empathy in ourselves and in young readers. But translating is a balancing act. On the one hand, you are translating books from another […]
May 10, 2016
Voice: Nonfiction vs Fiction
In yesterday’s post, I mentioned that I don’t like to read middle grade fiction while I’m writing middle grade fiction. When I do, the other author’s voice has a tendency to sidetrack my character’s voice. Annoying! That said, I don’t have the same problem when I write nonfiction. That’s a good thing since I read […]
May 9, 2016
Reading as a Writer
Not long ago, I pointed out to my critique group that since I’m writing an early middle grade novel, I shouldn’t read middle grade fiction. “What do you mean that you’re writing middle grade but you never read middle grade?” Sigh. No. Right now. Right this moment. For the next month or so, I probably […]
May 8, 2016
Symbols: How to use symbolism to bolster your theme
If you want to make me shudder mention symbolism and theme. The pair together could easily end my love of literature. The problem is that I am such a literal person. I believe some people would use the term rational. Put a vase in your story and I see a vase. It is useful for […]
