Sue Bradford Edwards's Blog, page 53

Working with Dictation

Dictation has been working pretty well in terms of adding word count to Countdown to Murder. That’s my Write Till Christmas project. But I have to admit that given my current crazy schedule I haven’t been reading and correcting after I finish a dictation session. I need to get caught up on that. If I … Continue reading Working with Dictation →

How Not to Create Episodic Fiction

Not long ago, I read a mystery that felt really episodic. As happens with many cozies, the main character had just moved to town. She would work in the family business and then the murder happened. She went about her new job, talking to the people she met, and just happened to stumble across one … Continue reading How Not to Create Episodic Fiction →

3 Reasons to Set Your Manuscript Aside

Put your manuscript aside for a month.   Whether you write novels, picture books, or poems, you’ve probably been given this advice.  Put your work away.  Gain some distance.  Then it will be much easier to see what needs to be fixed. One of my annual goals has been to finish a proposal and manuscript for … Continue reading 3 Reasons to Set Your Manuscript Aside →

What Makes You Stop Reading an Author?

Yesterday I finished listening to an audiobook. Admittedly, I don’t read a lot of horror but I like horror for teens and what I consider old-fashioned light horror. These are my own descriptions but what I like is an atmospheric story that isn’t too gory. That doesn’t meant that there can’t be blood, but a … Continue reading What Makes You Stop Reading an Author? →

When It’s Time to Revise

I would love to say that I never find this type of mistake in my own writing. I would love to say it, but it isn’t true. And that’s probably why I laughed when I saw this. I’m not likely to write “to funny,” but I am very likely to write “right” instead of “write.” … Continue reading When It’s Time to Revise →

Outlines Don’t Eliminate Surprises

Last week, I started working on my cozy for NaNoWriMo. Actually, I’m not trying to get it done in November. I’m following my friend’s advice — Write Till Christmas. But this still means that I need to write about 900 words a day. Some days I accomplish a bit more. Other days I accomplish a … Continue reading Outlines Don’t Eliminate Surprises →

Celebrate Picture Book Month with a Twist

November is Picture Book Month. And, really? Who doesn’t love a great picture book? But writing and selling a picture book manuscript is brutal! Breaking into the picture book market is tough. Part of the problem is that there are so many great picture books out there. This means that even if a topic is … Continue reading Celebrate Picture Book Month with a Twist →

Review of Secrets Laid to Rest by Cathy C. Hall

When a group of paranormal investigators gives a ho hum presentation at the local library, four women decide they can do better. Together they form SPI (Southeastern Paranormal Investigations). They find their first case when a farmer and his wife visit Betsy’s husband because the woman thinks her antique doll collection is haunted. Because it … Continue reading Review of Secrets Laid to Rest by Cathy C. Hall →

Interview with Joan M. Griffin, author of Force of Nature

Last week, I reviewed Joan M. Griffin’s Force of Nature. You can read the post here. Today she is back to answer a few interview questions. Welcome, Joan! Let’s get started. Sue: What compelled you to create a written account of your journey? Joan: I had such an amazing experience hiking the John Muir Trail … Continue reading Interview with Joan M. Griffin, author of Force of Nature →

Why You Need to Be a Reading Writer

Her: I don’t read fiction. Me: But you write fiction. Her: But I don’t like what they’re publishing today. Me: They why do you write fiction. There isn’t much about being a writer that is easy. What’s the exception? Reading! Yet, I talk to a lot of writers who aren’t readers. Some don’t read anything … Continue reading Why You Need to Be a Reading Writer →