Sue Bradford Edwards's Blog, page 89
May 25, 2022
Getting Creative with Cozy Crime
If you were writing a quirky modern mystery, how would your murderer commit the crime? Cozy mysteries tend have quirky characters that live in unique locations. What they don’t have are “on screen” murders, swearing, or on-screen sex. Sound tame? Not really. Think about Murder She Wrote and Cabot Cove. The tv program wasn’t gory … Continue reading Getting Creative with Cozy Crime →
May 24, 2022
Cover Reveals and Pen Names
Several times a week, I check to see if my book covers are up on Amazon or my publisher’s site and late last week my persistence was rewarded. I’m not lying to myself. I know I’m not patient. Any-hoo, these are the books for which I needed a pen name. The publisher requested that everyone …
May 23, 2022
Reading to Write
Read 1000 books before you start to write and submit. Picture book authors, mystery writers, and middle grade fiction writers have all heard similar advice. Sometimes the number changes. Read 500 books or 5000. Read four books a month. So how many should you read? I don’t know. I know excellent writers who never read … Continue reading Reading to Write →
May 19, 2022
The Last Step in my Self-Editing Process
Before I declare a piece of writing done, I need to hear it read aloud. That may seem like overkill to you but it is a great way to catch repeated phrases, typos, and places that are just awkward. I could read it aloud myself, but I really can’t. No. I’m being serious here. I … Continue reading The Last Step in my Self-Editing Process →
May 18, 2022
Writing about Things You Don’t Know
Do you always play it safe and write about things you know? Hmm. That sounded a little snotty and it shouldn’t. A lot of writers make a living writing about whatever they are an expert in — cooking, decorating, publicity, etc. Honestly? Capitalizing on what you know is a smart thing to do. But a … Continue reading Writing about Things You Don’t Know →
May 17, 2022
An Interview with Author Beth Bacon
Today’s post is a little different in that I’ve got a Q&A with author Beth Bacon. Beth and I live in the same metro area and I ran into her electronically when she submitted news for our local SCBWI newsletter. She graciously agreed to answer my questions about her book, The Book No One Wants … Continue reading An Interview with Author Beth Bacon →
How to Write Picture Books about Abstract Concepts
Earlier this week I read I am Love: A Book about Compassion by Susan Verde. A quick summary – in this first person story, the narrator comes upon a girl who is going through a storm both figuratively and literally. The narrator shows compassion by approaching the girl and sheltering her with an umbrella. Again … Continue reading How to Write Picture Books about Abstract Concepts →
May 15, 2022
Characterization Exercise
Recently I saw a Q&A in Real Simple magazine where readers were invited to share their most controversial food opinion. There was the woman who doesn’t like potatoes and another who dislikes warm cookies. Another felt that lobster is overrated but another woman felt that the most overrated food is ice cream. Best food ever? … Continue reading Characterization Exercise →
May 12, 2022
Science in Fiction and Nonfiction
I have to admit that I was immediately hooked when I saw the Publisher’s Weekly headline, “Sci-Fi for Kids is a Missed Publishing Opportunity.” Not only am I writing a science fiction novel for middle graders but I like including science in my nonfiction books. Any young reader who picks up The Dakota Access Pipeline … Continue reading Science in Fiction and Nonfiction →
May 11, 2022
Weeding Our Repetitive Words
Yesterday I took a webinar with Natascha Biebow on self-editing your picture book manuscripts. If you get the chance to see the video recorded by CBI, take it. This was a top-notch webinar in which she discussed both big picture edits, which she calls micro edits, and small picture edits, or micro edits. One of … Continue reading Weeding Our Repetitive Words →
