Sue Bradford Edwards's Blog, page 94
April 21, 2022
Celebrating Earth Day Every Day
Earth Day is a big deal around here, meaning my home and office. I work at home so if it is a big deal one place, it is a big deal in the other as well. We use cloth napkins & avoid plastic utensils and straws and paper plates. We recycle and repurpose. As a … Continue reading Celebrating Earth Day Every Day →
April 20, 2022
Writing about Current Events by Taking a Step Back in Time
I just finished reading Traitors among Us by Canadian Ukrainian author Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch. It is set in the aftermath of World War II when two Ukrainian sisters, Krystia and Maria, are trying to reach safety in Germany so they can ultimately move to Canada where their aunt and uncle live. They are captured by … Continue reading Writing about Current Events by Taking a Step Back in Time →
April 19, 2022
Time Blocking or Pomodoro: A Productivity Technique that Helps You Focus
When I came upon Chaunie Brusie’s post on time blocking, I didn’t know that I had already used the technique under a different name. Essentially, time blocking means that you set aside blocks of time to do one task or another. Perhaps you set aside 30 minutes to blog, 30 minutes to work on a … Continue reading Time Blocking or Pomodoro: A Productivity Technique that Helps You Focus →
April 18, 2022
About the Author: What to Include in Your Biography
With every book I turn into to my editor, I have to turn in a biography. It would be really easy to go the ho-hum factual route. “Sue Bradford Edwards is a nonfiction author who writes about culture and history, including the history of ancient peoples. She is the author of 21 other titles from … Continue reading About the Author: What to Include in Your Biography →
April 17, 2022
Rewriting: You Have to Nail the Order of Operations
Whenever I had to work math problems, I loved applying the order of operations. That’s the order you have to tackle the various steps to get the correct answer. It was like doing a complex puzzle. Rewriting is much the same. It doesn’t make sense to double check your spelling and punctuation before you tackle … Continue reading Rewriting: You Have to Nail the Order of Operations →
April 14, 2022
Marketing a Manuscript that is Eerily Precient
Honestly, it just happens. I sign a contract to work on a book about someplace in the world and . . . “Tonight at 10, events in (fill in the blank).” Suddenly it is in the news. Or I’m working on a story about a topic and then see something like it on the “Publisher’s … Continue reading Marketing a Manuscript that is Eerily Precient →
April 13, 2022
Conflict Needed. Yes, Even in Picture Books
I hope that I didn’t visibly flinch. A new writer was sharing her picture book idea with me. “That’s a premise, but you don’t have a plot.” I never could get across to her that even picture books need conflict. I understand that she just wanted to write a sweet story but really? Even picture … Continue reading Conflict Needed. Yes, Even in Picture Books →
April 12, 2022
Follow Directions: How to Make a Good First Impression
I’m currently working on the next edition of the KS-MO SCBWI newsletter, Scribbles. I’m not editing articles yet, I’m just compiling member news. Just. As much as I love seeing everyone’s news, I hate this part of the job. Although I ask for print or copy ready announcments, that is seldom what I get. I … Continue reading Follow Directions: How to Make a Good First Impression →
April 11, 2022
How Many Sources? How Much Research Is Enough?
“How many sources do I need? How much research is enough?” When my students ask these questions, I know they won’t be 100% satisfied with my responses. There is no easy answer. Many people assume that it depends on the length of the project. Sometimes it does, but a 500-word magazine piece can have as … Continue reading How Many Sources? How Much Research Is Enough? →
April 10, 2022
Types of Poems for National Poetry Month
It has been quite a while since I played around with writing poetry. I don’t lie to myself. Poetry is not my strength. I am far too literal, and yet I like checking out the many type of poetry out there. One of my favorite nontraditional forms is the Book Spine Poem. Every line in … Continue reading Types of Poems for National Poetry Month →
