Best Articles This Week for Writers 7/16/10

This week's tour of the blogosphere included some amazing articles. Here's the run down on what we found -- but of course, there's a lot we must have missed.  Do you have an announcement, article, or good news that you don't see below? Please put it in the comments!

Inspiration

• A Monkey Could Have Written That [CBA Ramblings] We've all read bad books. But can we learn something from them?
• Seven Ways to Stay Motivated in Tough Times [Secret Archives of the Alliterati] Camille LaGuire offers tips for staying positive.
• What to do When Our Writing Routine Gets Disrupted [Jody Hedlund] Realistic pieces of advice for tackling that issue of not enough time to write.
• 6 Personality Types Who Will Fail as Writers [A. Victoria Mixon, Editor] This sounds negative, but you'll be surprised how much better this will make you feel because hopefully, you AREN'T these!
• Stuck in the Middle with WIP? [Buffy Andrews] Nice tidbit of inspiration if you need encouragement.
• Tip Tuesday #45 [Literary Rambles] Original and clever tip courtesy of Ammie Hart- create a soundtrack to your WIP to push through writer's block.
• Guest Post: Frankie Diane & The Art of Query Wars [Write Brained] Frankie Diane Mallis shares her story of becoming represented by Andrea Brown Literary Agency.
• Adjust Your Thinking [Elana Johnson] A positive perspective can make all the difference.
• 2 Concrete Ways to Keep Your Writing Career Moving Forward [There Are No Rules] Jane Friedman welcomes guest blogger Justin Kramon to impart some words of wisdom.
• You Have to Work Everyday [AdviceToWriters] Words of wisdom to keep the juices flowing.
• Writer Wednesday: The Best Writing Tips Ever from Alan Ginsberg [HuffingtonPost via @Freelancing_Job] 83 profoundly true thoughts/quotes on writing.
• 100 Great Writing Tips from the World's Top Bloggers [OnlineColleges.net via @nicolagrayling] Some seriously good stuff, and NOT just for blogging!
• Avery Aames on Perseverence [BookEnds, LLC] A Writer's Journey: Say Cheese!
• How Can a Busy Mom Make Time For Writing? [Jody Hedlund] Jody gives us pretty practical advice. Heck, if she can write while homeschooling 5 kids, what's our excuse?
• Seeing the Forest and the Trees [CBA Ramblings] Guest blogger Joyce Magnin reminds us that time apart can make the heart grow fonder.

The Craft of Writing

• Bending the Rules of Dialect [Writer's Alley via @ElizabethCraig] How to write accents without making your reader have to work too hard.
• Enemy Mine [Janice Hardy] Run-down of the antagonists your MC can face to keep your story enticing.
• 4 Steps for Organizing Plot Ideas Into a Novel [Jody Hedlund] Ideas for laying out your plot.
• 6 Reasons a Premise Sentence Strengthens Your Story [Wordplay] K.M. Weiland guides us through the importance of strengthening your novel's premise.
• The Three-Act Structure: Part 2 [Chatterbox Chitchat] How's your middle?
• Title Tips [Book Dreaming] Author Bethany Roberts gives tips on title selection.
• The Power of Weather in Your Story [Fiction Groupie] Add another layer of symbolism to your story. Great intro and examples.
• Are your characters falling through gaps in your writing? [Plot to Punctuation] Cliffhanger endings and recaps can alter the readers perception of your character in ways you may not have planned.
• ARM Yourself and Your Characters for Confrontation [Julie Musil] A quick recap of the nuggets from James Scott's Plot & Structure: Action, Reaction & More Action.
• Busted! Stephanie Meyer Caught Doing Something Right [The Blood Red Pencil] It wasn't just an accident. Tension on every page and pole-to-pole character reversals make the Twilight saga compelling.
• Nail Your Novel: A Beat Sheet [Fuel Your Writing] Troubleshoot your novel in one pass.
• Conflict: Basic Principles of Writing [Socialpolitan via @WritingCraft] Lajos Egrii explains the four types of conflict and the importance of visible character transformation from pole to pole. Excellent!
• Mental Real Estate [Wordplay] Make use of an iconic character that already exists in people's heads. Why writing about the familiar is important.
• Writing with Multiple POVs  [First Novels Club via @robinbenway] Robin
  suggests you, 1) Let your characters tell you who they are, 2) Let them tell you their unique story, and 3) Write each character one at a time.
• When to Use a Flashback [Plot Whisperer For Writers and Readers] Don't cram too much up front and other great tips.
• Novel Outlining 101 [Paperback Writer] An older post with a timeless message.
• Guest post: Creative but not cliched by Jody Hedlund [Not Enough Words] Advice on avoiding the cliche trap.
• Plot-The Middle [Bekah's Stories] Short piece with a gem of a tip. Have you ever considered making your mid-novel plot complications come at the worst possible time for your MC? And on a related note, what about adding the worst possible location to layer on even more problems.
• Everything I Know About Writing I Learned From Zombieland [Constant Revision] Simon C. Larter makes the case!
• When Writing a Novel, Details Do It [C. Patrick Schulze] How details influence the overall impression of your writing.
• Using Poetry Techniques to Polish Your Fiction [There Are No Rules] This post from last week is one you won't want to miss.
• You Tell Me: Why is it So Hard to Tell if Our Writing is Good? [Nathan Bransford] Wouldn't we all like to know the answer to this one!
• Finding the Formula for Tension [YA Highway] Michelle Schusterman reminds us that it's "not akin to "sh*t blowing up."
• Handling the Baggage [The League of Extraordinary Writers] Making your scenes believable for the cynical reader.

Self-Editing

• Um, About Those Revise and Resubmits [Long Distance Drive] Every writer in the submission process won't want to miss this article. 
• Before You Submit [The Kill Zone] Excellent list of what you should check before submitting your ms.
• Keeping Track of Details [Rachelle Garnder] Editorial style sheets are for writers too!
• The Language of Emotion [Not Enough Words via @thoughtscom ] Excellent post on how and why to dig deeper into the way your characters experience and communicate emotion.
• On Writing Characters [You Tube via @MackleenStories] Joyce Carol Oates on how to start and develop character in your novel and create setting as character.
• Steal This Idea [Arg Ink] Jennifer Crusie's link to an interesting perspective on stealing ideas, er solutions. Works for writers too.
• How Do You Know When Your Novel Is Finished? [AuthorCulture] K.M. Weiland tells the sometimes-painful truth, and breaks it down to simple questions.
• I Can Feel It In My Bones [The Literary Lab] Does your WIP have the x-factor?
• Revisions, Revisions, Revisions: How Much is Too Much? [The Secret Archives of the Alliterati] Something we all struggle with. How do you know when enough is enough?
• Finding Tips on Self-Editing at The Blood-Red Pencil [The Blood-Red Pencil] Links to the series, Self-Editing One Step at a Time.

Critiquing

• In Praise of Harsh Words by Phoebe North [YA Highway] The case for being Simon Cowell. 
• 7 Things I've Learned So Far, by Macie Smith [Guide to Literary Agents via @inkyelbows] How editing the work of other writers can help you (among other tips).

To Market

• 10 Tips to Writing a Great Query and Contest [Candyland] Agent Gina Pannetieri offers sound advice on querying.
• How do we know you're lying? Wellll..... [Getting Past the Gatekeeper] Eeek... touchy subject. Something every writer should read before querying!
• Q&A With Tina Wexler of ICM [Literary Rambles] Great discussion on a variety of topics.
• Successful Queries: Agent Elana Roth and Eli Stutz's ''Pickle Impossible'' [Guide to Literary Agents] Detailed explanation of what makes the query provided work.
• Queries and Synopsis: How to Get an Agent Salivating to Read Your Manuscript [Ingrid Sundberg] Outstanding run down of notes on a talk given by Jill Corcoran of the Herman Agency. A must read whether you are submitting to Jill or to any other agent. SO much information!
• Conference Etiquette [Redlines and Deadlines via @elizabethscraig] Detailed post on doing a conference justice.
• The Number One Mistake New Writers Make... and why we make it [Anne R. Allen] This is SO true!
• Sometimes It's Not About Your Book [CBA Ramblings] The cold hard truth of supply and demand.
• SCBWI TEAM BLOG Pre-conference Interview: Jennifer Rees [Alice Pope's SCBWI Children's Market Blog] The Scholastic Press editor shares what she's reading right now, and what she's looking for.
• Pseudonymus Bosch [Getting Past the Gatekeeper] Advice on using a pen name.
• The Latest Trends in Query Letters and Sample Pages [PubRants] Kristin Nelson does her recap of overly-common items in the slushpile.
• Five Ways to Get Rejected [Samhain Publishing] No matter how long you spent writing your novel, these things will make sure it's never read.
• The Author Background Check: Cautionary Notes [The Book Deal] Editor Alan Rinzler provides the inside scoop on what publishers check before signing off on a book deal. And it seems they check it ALL.
• I've Got an Agent, Now What? [Write on Target via @RileyCarney] Deborah Schubert points out that, 1) Getting an agent is the beginning and not the end of the journey, 2) There is no 'right' way to find an agent, so trust your instincts and follow your own path, and 3) Don't give up!
• Stuff You Pay For [CBA Ramblings] Wow, interesting information on what you are financially responsible for in your book.
• SCBWI TEAM BLOG Pre-Conference Interview: Ginger Clark [Cuppa Jolie] Interesting interview with literary agent Ginger Clark, who will be in attendance in LA.
• Investment Tips For the Aspiring Writer [Huffington Post via @elizabethscraig] Tin House begins accepting unsolicited manuscripts. But there's a catch... 
• No Pay & Low Pay - Your Opinion? [Julie Musil] The hidden benefits behind these seemingly unsavory writing assignments.
• Working a Writers Conference Part II: Getting the most out of your money and time [Bob Mayer] Advice on getting the bang for your buck at a conference. Don't miss part I, too!
• How Do Agents & Publishers Make Decisions? [Rachelle Gardner via @IainBroome] A logical breakdown of the guesswork.
• Dr. Writer & Mr. Hyde [Paranormal Point of View] What not to do when you get your 432nd rejection!

Congratulations

• Terry Lynn Johnson signs with Caryn Wiseman at Andrea Brown! Congrats :)
• Kathleen Peacock's HEMLOCK has sold to HarperCollins! Yay!
• Anastasia Hopcus and Egmont on the launch of Anastasia's first novel, SHADOW HILLS.
• Congrats to Twitter’s #kidlitchat for its one year anniversary and thanks to @gregpincus for making it happen regularly on Tuesdays at 9 PM Eastern/6 PM Pacific.
• Jill Corcoran announces Anastasia Suen's 4-Book Deal to Kane/Miller!

Contests

• Celebration Giveaway! [Anna Staniszewski] She generously celebrates her book deal with a giveaway! 
• ARC Giveaways [Confessions of a Wandering Heart] Suzie Townsend has giveaways at the top of her blog for ARCs!
• Giveaway: Box O' ARCs [WORD for Teens] Win many good books!
• Winter Flings giveaway - 10 packs of 5 books each up for grabs! [Steph Bowe's Hey! Teenager of the Year] Cool books for the taking!
• THE DUFF and LIVVIE OWEN LIVED HERE ARC Giveaway [Roots in Myth] PJ Hoover gives us more reasons to love her- ARC prizes!
• Blogoversary and I'm Back Giveaway ($50 Gift Card) [Bookologist] Who doesn't want a gift card to buy more books?
• Invincible Summer: ARC Contest [Hannah Mosk via Sisters in Scribe] Win an ARC!
• ARC Giveaway! (Clockwork Angel, Paranormalcy, Delirium and more) [21 Pages] Many great ARCs to win!
• Thank You So Much [Oasis for YA] Win books and gift cards!
• 400 Followers Contest! [Forever Young: A YA Lit Blog] Win signed and personalized copies of Shiver and Linger.
• 500 Followers of Summer Contest  [Reading Teen via @Seesmic] Win White Cat, Nightshade, Matched, or other books!!!
• Dog Days of Smmer Flash Contest [Not from Here Are You via @mjsolender]  101 words including "summer" and "heat."
• Holly Cupala, TELL ME A SECRET Blog Tour and Prizes! [HipWriterMama] Great concept for a contest!
• Jennifer Sturman Prize Pack Giveaway [Bookologist] Another excellent opportunity to win books!
• Light My (Blue) Fire Contest [The Other Side of the Story] Win a copy of the BLUE FIRE ARC!
• Cassandra Clare Interview + Giveaway! [Frenetic Reader] Win an ARC of CLOCKWORK ANGEL!
• Operation "I Heart Joy Like BR80" Contest [The Misadventures in Candyland] A wonderful opportunity to donate to a great cause, and win kick-ass prizes all the while.
• It's My Birthday! Giveaway [Out of the Blue] Birthday + book giveaway = awesomeness
• You WANT The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff. AND I WILL GIVE IT TO YOU! [Michelle Hodkin] She's right! We do!
• WTF Thursday - Now with an ARC Giveaway! [Carrie Harris] ARC giveaway when you subscribe to her newsletter.

Trends and Issues

• The Success of Paranormals: Why Is the Genre Taking a Big Bite Out of Publishing Sales? [Tor Publishing via @ElizabethCraig] What has made paranormal sales surge 30%? Could it be that little bit of magic? Or simple escapism? Or do readers just enjoy the endless what-if possibilities?
• Fighting with Teenagers: A Copyright Story [Jason Robert Browne via @RachelleGardner] "Awesome scary/funny/sad post on copyright protection."
• The Author Takes a Star Turn [New York Times via @BobMayer] Although only 0.2% of bookbuyers surveyed discovered the book they bought through a book trailer, modern authors are jumping through hoops to add trailers to their marketing arsenals.
• Need Funds to Promote Your Artistic Project? A Kickstarter Review [Guardian Cats] "Kickstarter.com is the grass roots version of a patron of the arts." "It's based on two premises: 1- the idea that a good idea, communicated well, can spread fast and wide and 2-a large group of people pledging small amounts of money (pledges can start at $1) can create the capital needed to get your project off the ground." How cool is that?

Twitter, Blogging, and Social Media

• Answers to Your Deepest Questions [Elana Johnson] Question one addresses authors blogging, or starting a website. Question two is helpful, too.
• 5 Mistakes You Make When Writing A Blog Post [Fuel Your Writing] Suzannah Freeman outlines what makes a blog post stronger.
• Starting Out With Your Blog [Mystery Writing is Murder] Elizabeth Spann Craig shares her own blog journey and offers some practical tips for starting your own.
• 30 Twitter Tools For Managing Followers  [Pelfusion Via @Bookgal] Reviews and links. 
• What Are Your Favorite Blogs? [Alice Pope's SCBWI Children's Market Blog] Check out the comments, where people note blogs they enjoy following.
• How to Create an Engaging and Effective Bio Page [Work Awesome via @elizabethscraig] So much terrific advice on tackling this task.
• Interview with Author/Platform Expert Stephanie Chandler [QueryTracker] How to build an audience for your purposes and other excellent advice.
• Writer's Guide to Twitter Updated [Inkygirl] Check out this helpful resource.
• Three of the Best Industry Blogs You Might Not Be Reading [Michelle Hodkin] Some unexpected names here.

Just for Smiles

• QUERYPOLITAN PRESENTS: What You Can Tell From a Fiction Novel's First Line [Grab a Pen] Don't judge a book by its first line, after all. 
• Book Buyers Anonymous (July) [Candace's Book Blog]This could actually be under a sub-title called "Self-Help"!
• From LiLa-ctionary: Edit Brain [Lisa and Laura Write] A whole new phrase we can all use.
• Five Tips for Writing the Breakout YA Novel [Querypolitan] Michelle Hodkin, is that you? Or has Tahereh invaded your body?
• Give Us 3-Dimmensional Characters or Give Us Death [Girl in Between] A funny post about teen-sterotypes in YA literature, but a great reminder for all YA writers. Might really belong in self-editing, but the humor got me!
• Querypolitan Presents: 5 Things Agents Notice Instantly [Grab a Pen] Tahereh, notice a trend here in this category?

Other Weekly Round-Ups:

• Favorite Tweets for Writers This Week [All About Writing] Nicole Humphrey Cook's round-up of writing tweets. (Delayed until Monday, July 19th this week)
• Jane Friedman of Writer's Digest also does a wonderful list of best tweets of the previous week. 
• Alice Pope does a Wednesday Tweet Roundup for the SCBWI Children's Market Blog.
• Northern Colorado Writers do This Week in the Writing World every Friday.
• Jennifer Roland does a Writing Roundup on Fridays.
• Ricki Schultz does an "In the Blogosphere" post on Fridays where she lists posts she's stumbled across during the week.
• Elizabeth Craig has started posting a weekly list of all her helpful Twitter posts.
• And don't forget to check Nathan Bransford's blog later this morning for his weekly recap of publishing news and information.
• Saturday Link Party [Forever Young] Jessica rounds up fun and interesting links.
• Stina Linddenblatt does a Cool Links Friday. This week, she caught a lot I wish we had on ours. I know what I'm doing for the next few minutes!
• DuoLit does a weekly list of links with some emphasis on self-publishing and marketing.
• YA Highway's Friday Road Trip hits the high points of the publishing industry, writing craft, submissions process, and other fun stuff.
• Cynthia Leitich Smith at Cynsations does a Cynsational author and book news review.

Did we miss anything? Anyone? Please leave a comment!

Happy reading and joyous writing,

Martina & Marissa