Sue Bradford Edwards's Blog, page 47

Guiding Your Reader, Step by Step

I have to admit that before I agreed to take on this particular project, I took a good hard look at the guidelines. What did the editors want me to include? There is so much guilt and self-hatred when it comes to diet and body that I didn’t want to add to that. After all, the reality is … Continue reading Guiding Your Reader, Step by Step →

Looking for Picture Book Ideas? Start with Word Play

Yesterday I read a stack of picture books. That’s something that I do every now and then because the books I’ve requested tend to arrive at the library in bunches. Or, since they are books, I should probably say stacks. So I gathered together something to drink and my library books and settled down on the sofa to … Continue reading Looking for Picture Book Ideas? Start with Word Play →

How and Why to Create a Picture Book Dummy

If you write picture books but have never dummied your work before, give it a try. A dummy allows you to test out your manuscript. It will help you see: If you’ve never created a dummy? Here is how I do it. Staple together 16 pieces of paper.   Wait a minute. Isn’t a picture … Continue reading How and Why to Create a Picture Book Dummy →

My Path To Becoming a Writer

When I was a new children’s writer, I made an uncomfortable discovery. It seemed like everyone else who was writing for young readers was a teacher or a librarian. They had kids. This was their world!  Me? I had always loved books. I loved stories even before I could read. My father, also a committed reader, discovered early on that … Continue reading My Path To Becoming a Writer →

How Many Projects at Once?

Yesterday another nonfiction writer posted that she is currently working on four projects. She said that she can do this because they are very different from each other. This made me wonder – how many projects am I working on at once?  1 – Contracted Nonfiction: Teens and Tweens My primary focus right now is a … Continue reading How Many Projects at Once? →

Interior Dialogue: What Characters Say to Themselves

“What does your character think about what just happened?  What does he feel?” I hate it when I get this question on a manuscript. Generally when someone says this, I know the answer. I think the information is in the story, but my reader just doesn’t get it. One of the ways to get this information across … Continue reading Interior Dialogue: What Characters Say to Themselves →

3 Things to Remember in Creating Your Author Website

I’ve spent the last several weeks revising the Books page on my site. I did a quick search on my blog and ended up giggling. In December 2021, I wrote a post about the frustrations of updating my site. The issue? My ugly Books page. I have finally come up with a layout that I like!  Note: I like it but … Continue reading 3 Things to Remember in Creating Your Author Website →

Butt-in-Chair Requires Self-Care

As we head into the last 7 days of January, I’ve already signed contracts for 4 books and am teaching. I am also getting ready to take a class or two. Both the classes I teach and those I am taking are online. Between the classes and the books and everything else I have to get done, … Continue reading Butt-in-Chair Requires Self-Care →

Taking the Sting Out of Rejection Letters

Rejection letters! No one likes them, but they are a fact of life for writers. Sometimes they still really upset me. That concern has been in the back of my mind as I send out my nonfiction proposal. Last week, I listened to the podcast Writing Class Radio. The episode I listened to was HERE’S WHY I … Continue reading Taking the Sting Out of Rejection Letters →

“I Want To Write Books for Kids”

When I started writing books for young readers, I was beyond clueless. No, really. I did not have a clue. Unlike many people who write for young readers, I’m not a teacher or librarian. I have always loved books and I wanted to buy fantastic books for my nieces. I couldn’t find what I wanted to buy, so I started … Continue reading “I Want To Write Books for Kids” →