Descriptions

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

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

Picture Book Agents

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

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

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/

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/

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

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

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/

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 

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#_

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/

Tax Tips for Writers

Here's a timely post about writers and taxes.

http://www.adventuresinyapublishing.com/2017/03/tax-tips-for-writers-with-writer-and.html

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

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

Writing Hints

You can learn a lot about writing by observing editors.  

http://lithub.com/what-being-an-editor-taught-me-about-writing/

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

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

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/

Revision

Here are some ways to clean up your manuscript.

https://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/2017/02/03/save-money-on-professional-edits-6-easy-ways-to-clean-up-your-own-manuscript/

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

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/

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

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

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/

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

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/

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/

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/

Picture Book Revision

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

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

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

Writing Books

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

http://www.signature-reads.com/2016/10/the-27-best-books-on-writing/

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/