Sue Bradford Edwards's Blog, page 64
June 15, 2023
How to Make Your Readers Care
“I like to start with action so how do I make readers empathize with my character?” This is something that writers often ask. And it can be tricky. We want to start with drama and action and danger! But when we do that and the reader doesn’t yet know our character, they don’t care as … Continue reading How to Make Your Readers Care →
June 14, 2023
Revision: Working with Reading Level
Tippy-tippity-tap. I’d like to think that as I’m revising this week the words are just flying. But I’m fine tuning reading level so that just is not my reality. It seems like 90% of the time I can drop my text to a fourth or fifth grade level with no problem. But getting it down … Continue reading Revision: Working with Reading Level →
June 13, 2023
5 Essentials for a Picture Book Biography
When a friend recommended Make Way, I knew I wanted to read it but how was it going to fly as a children’s book? After all, I adore Make Way for Ducklings but does it still have a big enough draw? The answer, especially where this book is concerned, is yes. But part of it … Continue reading 5 Essentials for a Picture Book Biography →
June 12, 2023
5 Must Have Artifacts
I’ve been taking place in writing coach Kevin T. Johns’ Story Plan Intensive. Although I have the basics of story structure down, this has been useful to me just because he looks at things a little differently than I do. For example, in our first assignment, we had to come up with 5 pieces of … Continue reading 5 Must Have Artifacts →
Book Bans: Is the Government Getting Involved?
On May 22, 2023, the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights contacted Forsyth County School Superintendent Dr. Jeff Bearden to inform him that the schools removal of 8 books from school and classroom libraries. Initial complaints were that the books contained inappropriate sexual content but in the board meetings preceding the removal some comments … Continue reading Book Bans: Is the Government Getting Involved? →
June 8, 2023
Responding to Critique
So how did it go earlier this week when I ran my new picture book past my critique group? About as well as can be expected! While I always hope that they’ll tell me I’m brilliant, they told me what they liked, but they also told me what I needed to fix. The best feature … Continue reading Responding to Critique →
June 7, 2023
Why Is This Your Story to Tell?
Lately I’ve encountered multiple conversations online about submitting to agents, periodicals, or publishers. Many are now using submission forms, some on Submittable. And there is one question that seems to thoroughly annoy a large number of writers. Why are you the person who should tell this story? Or, another variation, why is this your story … Continue reading Why Is This Your Story to Tell? →
Before Revising Give Yourself Some Space
Friday afternoon, I managed to bang out a picture book first draft. It wasn’t a huge struggle because I’d been writing and revising in my head for a whole week. Still, I know the piece needs some work. I need to send it to my critique group today so it was really tempting to get … Continue reading Before Revising Give Yourself Some Space →
June 6, 2023
Interview with Regina Buttner
You’ve probably noticed that over the last year I’ve taken part in a number of book blog tours. In my not-so-humble opinion they are a great way to expose you, my readers, to a wider variety of insights than I would have on my own. It is time for a tour with a book about … Continue reading Interview with Regina Buttner →
June 4, 2023
Life as Writing Research
If you had asked me to write a story set on a university campus, I would have felt secure in proceeding without a great deal of research. While in high school, I had a summer session at one urban university. I attended another in an inner suburb. My son attended a grade school academy at … Continue reading Life as Writing Research →
