Writing Out of Sequence

There's no law that says you have to write your rough draft in order from the first word through to the last. 

http://www.darcypattison.com/revision/writing-out-of-sequence/

Blog Tour Tips

Here are some tips to help you have a successful blog tour. 

http://sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com/2014/01/blog-tour-tips-reminder-or-new-ideas.html

Writing Group Rules

Hints from members of a writing group that has been together for twenty years. 

http://smack-dab-in-the-middle.blogspot.com/2013/12/writing-group-rules-by-claudia-mills.html

Creating Active Characters

What does your character want, what does she need to do to get it, and what stands in her way? 

http://writersrumpus.com/2014/01/17/creating-active-characters/

Opening Scenes

We need to care about your character in your book's opening. 

http://www.darcypattison.com/revision/muggle-world/

Fantasy Novels

Ignore the trends and don't write a "me too" novel.

http://www.institutechildrenslit.com/rx/ws06/appleorange.shtml

Research Links

Links to government, university, library, and other sites for doing research. 

http://www.institutechildrenslit.com/rx/wt06/getstarted.shtml

Query Dos and Don'ts

Agent Rebecca Sherman tells what you should and shouldn't do when querying. 

http://ingridsnotes.wordpress.com/2010/05/24/querying-dos-and-donts-from-agent-rebecca-sherman/

Write Great Dialogue

Ten tips to make your dialogue more believable. 

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/19/how-to-write-good-dialogue-ten-tips_n_2159311.html

Worldbuilding in Science Fiction

How to create a universe for your story without using the dreaded infodump. 

http://malschmitz.hubpages.com/hub/How-to-Build-a-Universe

Revising on Spec

What to consider if an agent asks for revisions before offering representation. 

http://querytracker.blogspot.com/2010/04/agent-requested-revisions-interview.html

Subplots

Weaving a subplot into your novel will help bring out more facets of your characters. 

http://www.fictionfactor.com/articles/subplots.html

Rules for Writing YA

Teens despise fakes and won't read a young adult novel unless it feels real. 

http://www.guidetoliteraryagents.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents/5-rules-for-writing-ya

Midwest Book Review

A description of one journal's way of doing it, gives insight into the book review process. 

http://www.midwestbookreview.com/bookbiz/advice/system.htm

Character Building

Use this online tool to see which archetype your character is. 

http://writeronline.com/

School and Library Visits

Get your understanding for the visit in writing using these forms as a template. 

http://groundreport.com/how-to-publicize-your-writing-by-speaking-in-schools-libraries-and-shopping-malls/

Reader Age

Though this article was written about magazine articles, it's also applicable to books.

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

Researching Agents

The Literary Rambles blog keeps adding to its interviews of kidlit agents. 

http://www.literaryrambles.com/2009/03/introducingagent-spotlight.html

Suspending Disbelief

Make it so your readers can't help but be carried along by your story. 

http://www.omnivoracious.com/2012/01/stacy-whitman-on-writing-cross-culturally-.html

Cross-Cultural Fantasy

It's important to be respectful of all cultures when you write fantasy. 

http://www.omnivoracious.com/2012/01/stacy-whitman-on-writing-cross-culturally-.html

Secondary Characters

Supporting characters tend to fall into certain archetypes. 

http://diymfa.com/writing/archetypes-for-supporting-characters

Inspired Openings

The more you care about your character, the better you can make your opening. 

http://childrenspublishing.blogspot.com/2013/12/inspired-openings-care-about-your.html

Successful Dialogue

Tips from playwriting can help improve the dialogue in your manuscript. 

http://writersrumpus.com/2013/12/20/how-to-write-successful-dialogue/

Bad Query Letters

If your query contains some of these, an agent might pass without even reading your manuscript. 

http://scotteagan.blogspot.com/2014/01/why-we-pass-on-projects-without-reading.html

Battles

How do you write a realistic and gripping battle scene when writing for children? 

http://writewithfey.blogspot.com/2013/11/writing-about-battle.html

Biographer's Challenge

In a biography, how do you make your character more than just his or her accomplishments? 

http://thewholemegillah.wordpress.com/2013/12/29/the-biographers-challenge-guest-post-by-catherine-reef/

Mapping Your Story

This simple method will help you keep track of multiple storylines. 

http://diymfa.com/writing/mapping-out-your-story

Character Chart

You can use this very detailed chart to learn more about your character. 

http://www.epiguide.com/ep101/writing/charchart.html

Trends in YA

Agents share how they view the upcoming market in young adult titles. 

http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/59297-new-trends-in-ya-the-agents-perspective.html

Beginnings

Here are some hints to creating a good beginning for your stoyr. 

http://katiaraina.wordpress.com/2013/12/17/an-honest-promise-of-a-great-beginning/

Emailing Submissions

Formatting an email submission takes some work on your part. 

http://www.institutechildrenslit.com/rx/ws04/postage.shtml

Picture Book or Short Story

It's important to know if your manuscript will work as a picture book. 

http://kidlit.com/2010/07/26/picture-book-or-short-story/