Connecting with Readers

Don't make these mistakes when you're marketing your book. 

http://www.rachellegardner.com/2013/11/connecting-with-readers/

Classical Design

The post illustrates a classical story design by using Toy Story. 

http://ingridsnotes.wordpress.com/2013/06/10/classical-design-breaking-it-down-with-toy-story/

Nonfiction Matters

School Library Journal maintains a blog for those interested in nonfiction. 

http://blogs.slj.com/nonfictionmatters/

Endings

Three rules to write an ending satisfying to your readers. 

http://thewritepractice.com/ending-rules/

Character Development

How do you write the arc for your character to change and develop? 

http://www.musik-therapie.at/PederHill/Character.htm

Poetic Terms

Here's a quick reference to the many terms used in poetry. 

http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072405228/student_view0/poetic_glossary.html

Book Marketing Basics

Now that you're book is being published, how do you attract readers?

http://scratchmag.net/free-preview-issue/book-marketing-basics/

Parents

Parents just seem to get in the way in children's books. 

http://rateyourstory.blogspot.com/2013/11/pitching-parents-in-your-kidlit.html

Revision

Who better to give advice on revision than Laurie Halse Anderson. 

http://kathytemean.wordpress.com/2013/11/06/laurie-halse-andersen-on-revision/

Fiction Writers Online

Even if you don't write nonfiction, you can still build an online platform. 

http://thewritelife.com/yes-fiction-writers-can-develop-awesome-online-platforms-too/

Professional Writing Organizations

Writing organizations help to both improve your craft and increase your chances of getting published. 

http://scotteagan.blogspot.com/2013/11/a-reason-to-join-professional-writing.html

Impressing Librarians

It's always nice to be friends with your local children's librarian. 

http://www.literaryrambles.com/2013/11/tip-tuesday-174-sj-lomas-on-impressing.html

Add Interest to Your School Visits

Using a puppet in your school presentation will grab children's attention. 

http://wwwpamcalvert.blogspot.com/2013/10/new-rumpelstiltskin-puppet-and-school.html

English Usage

How many of these common errors in English usage are lurking in your manuscript?

http://public.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/errors.html

Hero's Journey

Using the hero's journey is a common method of storytelling. 

http://writeworld.tumblr.com/post/38827211927/the-monomyth-the-idea-of-the-monomyth-also-known

Common Core Toolkit

Links to more than you ever wanted to know about the common core.

http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/digital/retailing/article/58986-the-common-core-toolkit-september-2013.html

Marketing for Newbies

Your first book is about to be released. Now what? 

http://www.literaryrambles.com/2013/10/kit-grindstaff-on-marketing-for-newbies.html

Gay Young Adult Novels

An interview with Brent Hartinger and Bill Konigsberg about writing gay-themed young adult novels. 

http://www.thebacklot.com/so-you-want-to-write-a-gay-young-adult-novel/10/2013/

School Visits

Keep these five points in mind when you do a school visit. 

http://schoolvisitexperts.com/?p=952

Sub-Plots

Seven ways to weave subplots into your novel. 

http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/7-ways-to-add-great-subplots-to-your-novel

Avoid Cliches

Here's a list of twenty-five cliches to avoid in your writing. 

http://writewithfey.blogspot.com/2013/10/chrys-writing-rules-avoid-cliches.html

You're the Expert

How to get publicity by being an expert. 

http://www.thedailymuse.com/toolsskills/how-to-pitch-yourself-as-an-expert-to-the-media/

Social Media and YA

Use of social media can help boost the sales of your young adult novel. 

http://www.thebookseller.com/news/social-media-boosts-ya-sales.html

Agents Looking for MG/YA

Several agents at the Knight Agency are looking for middle-grade and young adult novels. 

http://kathytemean.wordpress.com/2013/10/29/agents-at-the-knight-agency-looking-for-mg-and-ya/

Book Proof

Here are some last-minute things to check on your final book proof from your publisher. 

http://www.darcypattison.com/revision/9-items-to-check-on-your-books-proof/

Picture Book Dummies

Even those of us with no artistic ability should still dummy out our picture books.

http://www.darcypattison.com/picture-books/how-to-mock-up-a-picture-book/

Scene Cards

You can make writing a scene easier by planning it out ahead of time with a scene card. 

http://ingridsnotes.wordpress.com/2013/10/22/scene-cards/

Tips for Writing Young Adult

Eight highly-successful authors suggest habits for ya writers. 

http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2013/10/the-8-habits-of-highly-successful-young-adult-fiction-authors/280722/

Writing Humor

When all else fails, you can always put in a bit of scatalogical humor. 

http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/2013/10/guest-post-ron-bates-on-tips-for.html

Chaptering

You don't always have to put your chapter breaks at the end of a scene. 

http://www.literaryrambles.com/2013/10/tip-tuesday-172-j-curtis-mace-on.html