Good Verbs

Using an active voice and sparkling verbs will help pull your reader into your story. 

http://www.institutechildrenslit.com/rx/ws05/goodverbs.shtml

Picture Book Length

You can probably cut a third of the words from your picture book manuscript without missing them. 

http://www.darcypattison.com/picture-books/cut-picture-book-mss/

High Concept

If you can sum up your story in a few words, it may be high concept. 

http://www.ninahess.com/high-concept-hook/

YA Science Fiction

If you think you aren't a science fiction person, you might want to take another look. 

http://lareviewofbooks.org/essay/yac-hit-list-young-adult-science-fiction?utm_source=Publishers+Weekly

Bad Beginnings

Literary agents weigh in on how not to start your story. 

http://thewritelife.com/the-worst-ways-to-begin-your-novel-advice-from-literary-agents/

Fluency

Wordiness and common sentence structures are two impediments to the fluency of your story. 

http://scotteagan.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-fluency-of-story-can-ruin-everything.html

Marketing a Series

How do you keep up the interest in your books after the first one comes out?

http://www.literaryrambles.com/2013/12/anna-stanizewski-guest-post-on.html

Character Descriptions

Rather than giving a long laundry-list description, it's better to show your character's essence. 

http://writershelpingwriters.net/2013/12/character-descriptions-learn-pros/

Children's Books Reviews

There are many blogs you can visit to read reviews or get your kidlit book reviewed. 

http://www.kidlitosphere.org/reviews/

Twitter Guide

Learn what twitter hashtags to use and when to use them in tweeting about writing. 

http://inkygirl.com/writechat-directory/

African-American Interest

Here's a list of 2013-2014 titles with African-American interest. 

http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/60278-african-american-interest-young-reader-s-titles-2013-2014.html

Character Strengths

Where do character strengths come from? 

http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/2013/12/guest-post-giveaway-becca-puglisi-on.html

Chapter Books

What are chapter books and what are the challenges in writing them?

http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/2013/12/cover-reveal-author-interview-dori.html

Book Apps

What's involved in planning and producing a children's book app?

http://kathytemean.wordpress.com/2013/12/03/creating-a-childrens-book-app/

Plot Diagrams

Confused about the different types of plots. Here are several common ones combined into one diagram. 

http://kidswriterjfox.blogspot.com/2013/12/i-have-always-had-trouble-with-plotting.html

Permissions

When do you need to get permissions and what is "fair use?"

http://janefriedman.com/2012/01/23/permissions/

Writing Workshops

Here's a list of upcoming writing workshops. 

http://vonnacarter.com/wordpress/?page_id=9255

Twitter Etiquette

Whether you're an old hand at twitter or a newbie, it's important to know twitter etiquette. 

http://12most.com/2013/11/29/basic-twitter-etiquette-tips/

Passive Voice

Just because you see the word "was," that doesn't mean the sentence is in the passive voice.

http://sally-apokedak.com/2013/11/20/passive-voice/

Publishers and the Common Core

At Book Expo America, a panel of publishers gave their opinions about the Common Core. 

http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/59720-publishers-respond-to-common-core.html

Revise and Resubmit

If an agent or editor asks you do to a revision "on spec," should you?

http://querytracker.blogspot.com/2013/12/in-need-of-some-r.html

First Person

Here are some of the limitations of writing in first person.

Synopsis

Five things to consider when you're writing a synopsis. 

http://carlywatters.com/2013/11/04/how-to-write-a-book-synopsis/

Character Quirks

In moderation, quirks can convey a character's personality. 

http://jodyhedlund.blogspot.com/2013/12/character-building-using-quirks-to.html

Blogging for Writers

If you're new (or even not-so-new) to blogging, then this resource guide is for you. 

http://janefriedman.com/2011/08/24/blogging-for-writers/

Sub-Plots

Seven ways to add sub-plots to your novel. 

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

Social Class

The discussion of diversity in children's books also needs to includes diversity in social class. 

http://www.cbcdiversity.com/post/68979098613/dumpster-diving-an-observation-on-class-in-childrens

Prolific Authors

How does it affect your career if you write quickly and/or writer often?

http://querytracker.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-prolific-author.html

Grammar Writers

When you're reading about grammar, beware of these common mistakes grammar writers make. 

http://www.arrantpedantry.com/2013/11/18/12-mistakes-nearly-everyone-who-writes-about-grammar-mistakes-makes/

Book Launch

Six steps to a successful book launch. 

http://selfmadewriter.blogspot.com/2013/11/how-to-market-your-book-six-components.html

Heroes

Make your hero complex by making sure to include the right flaws. 

http://childrenspublishing.blogspot.com/2013/11/craft-of-writing-make-your-hero-complex.html

What Should Your Synopsis Do?

Your synopsis should let someone know what your book is about by hitting the main points of your story. 

http://scotteagan.blogspot.com/2013/11/what-should-your-synopsis-really-do.html

Conflict vs. Tension

Conflict and tension are not the same, because conflict without emotion doesn't lead to tension. 

http://writershelpingwriters.net/2013/11/conflict-vs-tension-2/