Sue Bradford Edwards's Blog, page 64

Writing STEM for Young Readers

For some reason, we adults frequently assume that young readers cannot handle complex scientific topics. Isn’t picture book STEM all about shape hunts and sprouting seeds? Not that there is anything wrong with those topics but there’s also a need for things that are deeper. For an example of what I mean, check out Melissa … Continue reading Writing STEM for Young Readers →

Surprise! Story Ideas Come When You’re Out in the World

I love museum exhibits. I always come away with at least one story idea. Yesterday we finally made it to the armor exhibit at the St. Louis Art Museum. Among the pieces that really grabbed my attention were were the engineer’s helmet and a set of jousting armor. What caught my attention with this engineer’s … Continue reading Surprise! Story Ideas Come When You’re Out in the World →

Poem or Picture Book?

Since this week was Children’s Book Week, I thought I’d end the week by writing about another amazing children’s book — REMEMBER by Joy Harjo. This picture book began life as a poem by poet laureate Joy Harjo. Not every poem can become a picture book. How do you define what a poem is? I … Continue reading Poem or Picture Book? →

How to Conduct an Interview in 5 Steps

As I get ready to interview another author, I thought I’d write up a post on how to do an interview. We tend to think of it as pretty easy. But getting someone to open up about their work can be tricky. Especially if this person is an introverted author. Pick an Interview Topic It … Continue reading How to Conduct an Interview in 5 Steps →

Own Your Experiences as a Writer

Yesterday I popped over to Twitter and saw a post from a friend. She just moved from one country/continent to another with her young daughter. Her writing career is going well but this has been a stressful time. To help pull herself through the stress, she decided to focus on the joy. So when people … Continue reading Own Your Experiences as a Writer →

The Only Survivors and Backstory

I just finished the audiobook of THE ONLY SURVIVORS by Megan Miranda. WARNING: Do not pick up this book if you have things to get done. Sweet mercy. It isn’t because the characters are likable. There is just something about them that grates on your nerves. But the story itself pulls you in and makes … Continue reading The Only Survivors and Backstory →

Children’s Book Week 2023

This is Children’s Book Week. I thought I would celebrate by posting about the last children’s book I read — SCHOOL TRIP by Jerry Craft. As much as this series makes me laugh, I learn something with every book I read. For those who are unfamiliar with the series, Jordan is a student at a … Continue reading Children’s Book Week 2023 →

Indie Bookstore Day is 4/29

For those of you unfamiliar with this term, an independent or indie bookstore is a bookstore that is independently owned. It is a small business. I always feels like I’m preaching to the choir when I post about indie bookstores but then I discover that there are writers who don’t support their local indies. They … Continue reading Indie Bookstore Day is 4/29 →

A Matter of Taste or a Problem with Your Manuscript

Whenever I turn in a manuscript to my editor, I know I’m going to get numerous comments back. Ninety percent of the time, she asking me to address matters of clarity or consistency or a question that popped into her head while she was reading. Sometimes I’m asked to change things to create a consistent … Continue reading A Matter of Taste or a Problem with Your Manuscript →

Project Playlists Aren’t for Me

So many of my writing friends have project playlists, special music that they listen to while they work on a specific manuscript. I almost never listen to music while I write. The problem is that I will try to sing along with virtually anything. Now, don’t get me wrong. Sometimes I need to listen to … Continue reading Project Playlists Aren’t for Me →