Sue Bradford Edwards's Blog, page 42

Note to Self: Revise or Keep Writing

I have a book due this week. This isn’t a particularly long book – only about 4000 words. But therein lies part of the problem. I have so much information to work into such a small space! As I write, I realize that one section is too long. As in, it is about twice as … Continue reading Note to Self: Revise or Keep Writing →

Pomodoro: A Productivity Technique to Help You Focus

I have got so much to get done. I have a chapter and outline due today. I have a revision due Monday. I have a book due Wednesday. Fortunately deadline number 1 and deadline number 3 are short books. Number 2 is just a matter of adding 10 pieces of information and smoothing the transition. … Continue reading Pomodoro: A Productivity Technique to Help You Focus →

Who Inspired Me to Write? Pat McKissack Lit the Fire

Unlike many people who write for children, I didn’t come into this through teaching or working as a librarian.  My BA is in anthropology and while working on my degree I illustrated archaeological reports.  My MA is in history.  I earned my second degree because I wanted to learn to research so that I could … Continue reading Who Inspired Me to Write? Pat McKissack Lit the Fire →

Taking Time to Recharge

Last weekend, I was out of town for 3 days. I have a revision due today. I have a chapter and an outline due Friday. But I didn’t save source material to a drive. This would be necessary to work since cell service is patchy at best. I didn’t get together the cabling to take … Continue reading Taking Time to Recharge →

The Calculating Stars as Alternate History

I finished reading this the night before the eclipse. For those of you who don’t know the book, in 1952, a meteorite fell to earth. Washington DC vanished. Tidal waves swept the East Coast. It is only a matter of time before climate change hammers the planet. Elma York and her engineer husband reach safety … Continue reading The Calculating Stars as Alternate History →

Take a Day…

See everyone tomorrow! We are . . . eclipsing? Is that a word?

The Unreliable Narrator vs the Trickster

I just finished reading Yellowface last week. As much as I eventually loved the book, it took me two tries to get into it. I find it very difficult to love unreliable narrators. And that’s kind of strange, because I love tricksters! An unreliable narrator is a narrator who cannot be trusted. Somehow, someway, their … Continue reading The Unreliable Narrator vs the Trickster →

What to Do with a Rejected Manuscript

You struggled to get the first draft of your manuscript down. The flashing cursor was so intimidating. But you did it! Then you rewrote it. That first rewrite was huge! Next came multiple rewrites, each targeting a specific feature — characterization, setting, pace. Finally it was ready to go out into the world. You got … Continue reading What to Do with a Rejected Manuscript →

Publishing As a Team Sport

This week I am working on three different revisions based on comments from various editors. One revision was on a chapter and an outline. The next was on a 3500 word biography of five chapters. The last is on 15,000 words for tween and teens. “How do you keep it all strait?” asked a friend. … Continue reading Publishing As a Team Sport →

When and Where Do You Love to Read?

Honestly, there isn’t a time of day that I won’t read. But there are times and places that are more common than others. I start most mornings with a glass of water and some time with my latest audio book. Then at lunchtime I listen to a bit more. How much more? It depends. If … Continue reading When and Where Do You Love to Read? →