Sue Bradford Edwards's Blog, page 248
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 […]
May 5, 2016
Deadlines Dead Ahead: Don’t Forget to take a break and recharge
As you read this, I am most likely at the doctor’s office with my Dad. That was the plan long before I had three deadlines on the calendar (picture book, nonfiction chapter, nonfiction outline). To put it mildly, days like this are interesting. Some people deal with these kinds of days by putting their butt […]
May 4, 2016
Librarians’ wish list
I love it when someone puts out a wish list from publishers. Publisher’s Weekly recently ran an interview with two librarians on what they’ve love to have on their shelves. Jennifer Hubert Swan is the director of library services at Little Red School House and Elisabeth Irwin High School in Manhattan. She has been on committees for […]
May 3, 2016
Twitter Abuse
Not too long ago, I finally gave in and joined Twitter. I wanted to check out the Manuscript Wish List (#MSWL) but the new site was still under construction. The old site was not being updated. If I wanted to see what was what, I need to birdie up and Tweet. Now that I’m on, […]
