Sue Bradford Edwards's Blog, page 59
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 →
August 13, 2023
A Wee Panic Re: The Fun & Games
If you’re at all familiar with story beats ala Save the Cat, you’ll recognize the term Fun and Games. This is the beat that is half way through the book. It is also 20 to 50 percent of the total story. You read that right. 20 to 50%. The way that I think about it … Continue reading A Wee Panic Re: The Fun & Games →
August 11, 2023
Droughts, famines, poverty, earthquakes, hurricanes, war! Guest Post by Yvonne Morgan
Words like these inspire fear within us as we ponder the impact of these kinds of events. News reports bring visions of them into our homes on an almost daily basis. These problems of the world appear overwhelming. Sometimes I feel lost at the enormity of each problem. Can I stop them from happening? No. … Continue reading Droughts, famines, poverty, earthquakes, hurricanes, war! Guest Post by Yvonne Morgan →
August 9, 2023
Recharge by Being Creative
Early last week I had contracts for three books. I sitting down to draft #2 when I got the revision letter for #1. As I was turning that in, I got another email and an hour later had contracts for #4, #5, and #6. I’m done with #1. This week I’ve been rewriting #2 to … Continue reading Recharge by Being Creative →
