Friday, March 31, 2017

Descriptions

Several ways to edit descriptions to avoid both over- and under-writing.

http://goteenwriters.blogspot.com/2017/02/how-to-edit-description.html

Thursday, March 30, 2017

Picture Book Agents

This list contains 170+ agents who accept picture book (usually as well as other) manuscripts.

http://www.sharischwarz.com/kidlit-agents

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Scene Issues

Three common reasons why a scene might not be pulling its weight and how to fix them.

http://jamigold.com/2017/01/editing-tips-top-3-scene-issues-guest-naomi-hughes/

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Underdeveloped Characters

Here are some ways your character might not be a fully developed as you'd like.

http://www.thisincandescentlife.com/2014/02/10-signs-of-underdeveloped-characters-in-your-novel/

Monday, March 27, 2017

Luck and Getting Published

What may look like luck to an outsider actually is created through hard work.

http://blog.janicehardy.com/2010/07/golden-oldie-luck-be-lady.html

Sunday, March 26, 2017

Query Letter Basics

All you need to know to write a query letter that represents both you and your work.

http://scotteagan.blogspot.com/2017/02/query-letter-basics.html

Saturday, March 25, 2017

Author Blogs

Here are some good reasons why authors should or should not have a blog.

http://annerallen.com/author-blogs-5-bad-reasons-for-authors-to-blog-and-5-good-ones/

Friday, March 24, 2017

Fact-Checking

Whether you write fiction or nonfiction, here are some places you can go to check that all the facts you present in your story are correct.

https://groggorg.blogspot.com/2017/02/finding-fault-with-manuscript.html 


Thursday, March 23, 2017

Difficult Subjects

How do you write a picture book biography about someone who's had difficult issues?

http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2016/09/06/the-nuanced-picture-book-biography/?mc_cid=c562c1112a&mc_eid=72a7ec0748#_

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Middle Grade or Young Adult

What factors determine the age level of your manuscript?

http://writeoncon.org/2017/01/25/greatest-hits-differences-between-ya-and-mg/

Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Monday, March 20, 2017

Revising for an Editor/Agent

When an editor or agent suggests revisions without offering a contract, it's up to you to decide if your should make them.

http://scotteagan.blogspot.com/2017/01/doing-revisions-for-just-one.html

Sunday, March 19, 2017

Flexible Outlines

Just because you've written an outline, that doesn't mean you have to slavishly follow it.

http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/7-steps-to-creating-a-flexible-outline-for-any-story

Saturday, March 18, 2017

Writing Hints

You can learn a lot about writing by observing editors.  

Friday, March 17, 2017

Query Letter Rejections

There are reasons an agent might pass after only reading a query letter.

http://scotteagan.blogspot.com/2017/01/why-i-pass-after-only-query-letter.html

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Starting Your Story

There are many ways to start your story, including the unexpected, an image, and action.

https://blog.reedsy.com/how-to-start-a-story

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Character Flaws

There are four types of characters flaws: core, lesser, tragic, and fatal.

http://writershelpingwriters.net/2013/11/the-four-types-of-character-flaws/

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Monday, March 13, 2017

Conference Packing List

It's easy to forget, so here's a handy checklist of things to bring to a writers' conference.

http://www.writersdigest.com/online-exclusives/apr-17/essential-writing-conference-packing-list

Sunday, March 12, 2017

All About Agents

Everything you wanted to know about agents, but were afraid to ask.

http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2012/01/24/25-things-writers-should-know-about-agents/

Saturday, March 11, 2017

Record Keeping

No one likes paperwork, but these downloadable templates will help you keep better track of who has seen your manuscript.

http://www.writersdigest.com/online-exclusives/feb-17/free-writing-trackers

Friday, March 10, 2017

Starting and Finishing

You'll never have a publishable manuscript unless you start writing it and eventually finish doing so.

http://smack-dab-in-the-middle.blogspot.com/2017/01/how-to-start-and-finish-project.html

Thursday, March 9, 2017

Contract Options

There are parts of a standard publishing contract that you may be able to negotiate.

http://writersinthestormblog.com/2017/01/negotiating-options-in-publishing-deals/

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

After a Conference

What do you do when you get back home after taking advantage of everything your writers' conference had to offer?

http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/not-attending-writers-conference

Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Why Don't Agents Explain Rejections?

There are several reason agents send form rejection letters, not the least of which is they need to spend their limited time on their clients.

http://www.booksandsuch.com/blog/dont-agents-explain-rejections/

Monday, March 6, 2017

Agents and Marketing

Your agent's role doesn't end when a publishing contract is signed.

http://bookendsliterary.com/2017/01/05/a-literary-agents-role-in-marketing/

Sunday, March 5, 2017

Inner Editor

Though we're often advised to ignore our inner editor, sometimes it's worthwhile to pay attention.

http://writershelpingwriters.net/2016/11/when-its-ok-to-listen-to-your-inner-editor/

Saturday, March 4, 2017

Picture Book Revision

When revising your picture book, it may help to ask these questions about your manuscript.

https://rachelhamby.com/for-writers/

Friday, March 3, 2017

Agent Pet Peeves

You might want to make sure you're not hitting any of these pet peeves when you query agents.

http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents/pubtips-pet-peeves

Thursday, March 2, 2017

Writing Books

As writers, we need to keep learning, and here are some craft books to help you do just that.  

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Openings

It's not always easy to figure out where your story actually starts.

http://writershelpingwriters.net/2016/12/finding-the-sweet-starting-spot-for-your-story/