Sue Bradford Edwards's Blog, page 56
August 24, 2023
Outlining Made Easy-ish
Yesterday, I sat down to outline my cozy and . . . where are my story notes? I’ve been making notes for months. I named the aerospace company and the town. I named my main characters and some of the backstory characters! I’m not sure why I had so much trouble finding this because it … Continue reading Outlining Made Easy-ish →
August 23, 2023
Story Stakes: Does Your Story Have What It Takes?
“Your story stakes have to matter.” That’s the sort of advice that fiction writers hear all the time. But how can you know when you’ve succeeded? It all starts with identifying the stakes in your story. First things first, what are story stakes? The stakes are what is at risk for your character. What will … Continue reading Story Stakes: Does Your Story Have What It Takes? →
Story Stakes: Making Sure Your Story Has What It Takes
“Your story stakes have to matter.” That’s the sort of advice that fiction writers hear all the time. But how can you know when you’ve succeeded? It all starts with identifying the stakes in your story. First things first, what are story stakes? The stakes are what is at risk for your character. What will … Continue reading Story Stakes: Making Sure Your Story Has What It Takes →
August 22, 2023
Free University Level Courses
It’s no mystery that I love to take online courses and that my tastes are varied. I take history classes, paleontology, and archaeology. Occasionally I take philosophy and once I accidentally signed up for an chemical astronomy class (or something like that). Not only do I learn a lot in these classes but I come … Continue reading Free University Level Courses →
Avoid Creating a Contrived Story
Yesterday I was poking around, reading book reviews, and trying to decide what to read next. One reader called a book that I was considering contrived. Yes! That was the exact word that I needed to describe the book that I was reading. But why? What is it that makes a story feel contrived? 2-Dimensional … Continue reading Avoid Creating a Contrived Story →
August 20, 2023
Review of Yvonne Morgan’s Gypsy for God
I may as well admit this up front. When I started reading Gypsy for God by Yvonne Morgan, I thought it was a memoir. I was so impressed by this woman who had picked herself up after loosing her job at fifty and starting a new career as a travel agent. NOTE: I have no … Continue reading Review of Yvonne Morgan’s Gypsy for God →
August 17, 2023
2 Picture Book Myths
I’ve been watching some of the sessions from the recent SCBWI conference. It’s always interesting to hear what agents and editors day vs what authors and illustrators believe. Two of the things that I’ve heard comments on this year involve picture book publishing. Author/Illustrators Have an Edge This is one that I’ve been wondering about … Continue reading 2 Picture Book Myths →
August 16, 2023
Black Cat Appreciation Day
August 17th is Black Cat Appreciation Day. Way back when I took a graphic novel course with Melanie Faith, I played around with the idea for a comic for writers called The Mews. But as so often happens, it feel by the wayside. But I live with a cat so I periodically find myself reconsidering … Continue reading Black Cat Appreciation Day →
August 15, 2023
Why a Stellar Synopsis Is a Must
Recently one of my students e-mailed me. “I’ve said all I have to say about my plot in the query. Does anyone still ask for a synopsis?” In short, yes, they do. A synopsis reveals whether or not you know how to craft a plot. From your synopsis, the agent can see if you know … Continue reading Why a Stellar Synopsis Is a Must →
August 14, 2023
The Marvelous MacGuffin
Several months ago I attended a challenge hosted by a writing coach. One of the devices that he talked about what the MacGuffin. It was something that could be used to move the plot forward. But I didn’t entirely get what he meant and tried to find a better explanation. Then yesterday I was reading … Continue reading The Marvelous MacGuffin →
