Sue Bradford Edwards's Blog, page 70

Sometimes You Don’t Know Until You Try

Look what just came into my life! Not the cat. He’s just helping the card catalogue settle in. I’ll have to admit that I’m not sure what will go inside. I’m still at the phase where I could use it for drawing supplies, needlework, knitting needles, jewelry, beads, or all of the above. There are … Continue reading Sometimes You Don’t Know Until You Try →

Read the Fine Print Before You Register

Whether you are looking at a certain writing class or an event or workshop, take the time to read everything that you can on it before you sign up. It can help you avoid buyers remorse. Back when I signed up for Melanie Faith’s class on graphic novel creation, I failed to do this. It … Continue reading Read the Fine Print Before You Register →

10 Commandments of Detective Fiction

The other day, I cam across the 10 Commandments of Detective fiction by Ronald Knox. He was a mystery writer who belonged to the Detection Club, a society that included Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers. Admittedly, I haven’t read Knox’s books but I found his commandments intriguing. I’m not going to include all of them … Continue reading 10 Commandments of Detective Fiction →

Tormenting Your Characters

Last week, I wrote about 4 Ways to Create Story Tension. As writers, we know that the key to creating tension is to put obstacles in our character’s paths. Or, as I like to call it, we can resort to tormenting our characters. There are so many ways to do this: Create Limitations One way … Continue reading Tormenting Your Characters →

Historical Fiction vs Alternate History

Last week, someone on a Facebook writing group asked about a story he is writing. He wants to fictionalize the sinking of the Lusitania. The name of the ship will be changed as will the names of everyone on board. The date the ship sinks will be changed. His question was… Is this alternate history? … Continue reading Historical Fiction vs Alternate History →

4 Things to Know about Sidebars

Back when I was writing about the Ancient Maya, I had to work in a wide variety of information about their history, culture, and science. The problem was that with so much to cover, not everything could fit into each chapter. That’s how I ended up with this sidebar about jade. Not familiar with sidebars? … Continue reading 4 Things to Know about Sidebars →

4 Ways to Create Story Tension

A story needs to have tension. It is one thing to know that and another to take advantage of the various ways that you can add necessary tension. Where to start? Start with a Simple Seeming Problem The very first place to start creating tension for your story and trouble for your character is a … Continue reading 4 Ways to Create Story Tension →

Why You Need a Google Alert

Do you have a Google Alert set up to scan the wilds of the Internet for your work?  If not, you should. I use this basic Google function to search for my name.  Because I sign blog posts as SueBE and use Sue Bradford Edwards as my byline on print and non-blog electronic materials, I … Continue reading Why You Need a Google Alert →

Making New Plans

As a freelance writer, you need to be able to pivot. This week was supposed to be Spring Break. We’d make a run to the lake, come back for a birthday party, and then do fun things around town. I planned to do a little work but not much. And the universe laughed. Let’s just … Continue reading Making New Plans →

How to Condense a Vast Topic

When Red Line contacted me and asked me to do two books in their new Essential Library of Countries series, I didn’t hesitate to say yes. Little did I know what a study in contrasts I was setting myself up to experience. The Australia book was relatively easy to research. The Australian government has a … Continue reading How to Condense a Vast Topic →