Sue Bradford Edwards's Blog, page 73

Story Spine: An Outline in 9 Steps

Although I sometimes write fiction, I loathe outlining a fictional story. Unless we are talking picture books. I get picture book structure. When the time comes to outline a picture book, I get out fourteen post-it notes and my story board and get to work. But a novel? It just feels so big and unwieldy. … Continue reading Story Spine: An Outline in 9 Steps →

Creating Tension with Story Stakes

Make things difficult for your character. That’s one of those pieces of advice that we hear again and again. The reality is that if the stakes aren’t high enough, your reader just won’t care. Think about it. So your character wants to do well on a test. Pfft. Tests aren’t all that unusual. You have … Continue reading Creating Tension with Story Stakes →

Researching Publishers for Your Manuscript

If you don’t have an agent, with the start of a new year you are probably thinking about submitting some of your manuscripts. Here are four things to consider as you look at publishers online. Publish What You Write First things first, make certain that they publish what you write. One of the complaints that … Continue reading Researching Publishers for Your Manuscript →

Setting Goals and Getting Things Done

Many writers that I know set annual goals. I tried it and I have to say that my results are unimpressive. A year is just too long for me to wander around aimlessly. Last year I gave monthly goals a shot. They worked for a while. I don’t think that I need to go into … Continue reading Setting Goals and Getting Things Done →

Before You Start Writing

Hopefully I will soon be working on a project for a new client. But there are things that I need to do before I get started. As exciting as it may be to immediately start a new project, it is important to make sure that you and the person you are working for are in … Continue reading Before You Start Writing →

Thank You, But No. When Not to Apply for a Job.

Right before Christmas I turned in a book manuscript. It was for my last contracted job. Sure, I’m probably going to have rewrites to do, and I’m still waiting for a few checks, but I don’t have another contract. These are the times that I seriously look at agents and also apply for various assignments. … Continue reading Thank You, But No. When Not to Apply for a Job. →

Finding Comp Titles

Who actually enjoys finding comp titles? I doubt seriously that any of you are waving your hands while chanting “Me! Me!” For me, the tricky bit is that I can usually come up with one title but the second one proves illusive. It is either far too like the first or . . . I’ve … Continue reading Finding Comp Titles →

Storystorm 2023: Let’s Get Those Ideas Flowing

Normally I have more writing ideas than I know what to do with. I think of new ideas while I am reading. Ideas definitely come to me when watching TV or a movie, especially if I am watching nonfiction. Museums are a hot bed of ideas and I snap photos of exhibit descriptions and more. … Continue reading Storystorm 2023: Let’s Get Those Ideas Flowing →

Have Yourself a Merry Christmas!

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas. I know, I know. This is actually the day after Christmas. But Christmas is a multi-day event here. Day 1: Christmas Eve and singing the Christmas cantata. Day 2: Christmas Day service and Christmas dinner with my family. And a phone call from the fire department because … Continue reading Have Yourself a Merry Christmas! →

You Need to Take a Break When…

I have a deadline today. Yesterday as I was working through the last two chapters on-screen, the Christmas blizzard hit. I live in Missouri so think “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Blizzard.” I don’t think we got more than two inches of snow bet it spent a lot of time traveling horizontally. And, disturbingly, the power … Continue reading You Need to Take a Break When… →