Inspiration
- Feeding Your Spirit to feed Your Writing [WOW! Women On Writing Blog] Focus on the positive to keep your inspiration and enthusiasm going.
- Keeping Creative Without Burning Out [Mystery Writing is Murder] It's okay to vary the pace, but do keep writing.
- Best Writing Exercises, Part VI [The Divining Wand] Six writers share great tips.
- So you want to write? What’s stopping you? [Not Enough Words] Two must reads.
- You want to write: which voice will you obey? [Time to Write] We all have negative inner voices as well as positive.
- Tip Thursday: Inspiration Amnesia [Angels and Demons and Portals. Oh My!] How to capture those great ideas.
- SCBWI TEAM BLOG Pre-conference Interview: Author Sara Zarr [Alice Pope's SCBWI Children's Market Blog] Don't forget the joy that first led you to write.
- What's In A Name? [Renae Mercado] Where to find inspiration for naming your characters.
- Comparison Doesn’t Work [Rachelle Gardner, Literary Agent] You're on your own journey.
- Remaining Thankful for Your Writing [Excuse Editor] Count your writing blessings.
- Three lessons from a not-so-wimpy author [Time to Write] Nine years before it hit. Persevere.
- Is the joy of writing missing in action? [Time to Write] Write because it's fun.
- The Powerful 'P' Words [The New Author] More Ps for your writing life. And yes, patience is still here.
- Symbolism Thesaurus Entry: Beauty [The Bookshelf Muse] Infuse your writing with symbols for beauty.
- Psychology in Writing: Front Page News [NouveauWriter] Finding inspiration for fiction in papers and magazines.
- Basic Writing Tips – 6 Ways to Improve Your Writing Skills [Quips and Tips for Successful Writers] Make your writing better with these pieces of advice.
Craft of Writing
- J.K. Rowling's advice... [Buffy's write zone] Be ruthless about protecting writing days.
- Amazing Resource for Writers: THE WRITER'S GUIDE TO PSYCHOLOGY [QueryTracker.net] This sounds interesting!
- 3rd Annual International Plot Writing Month -- Day One [Plot Whisperer for Writers and Readers] The Character Emotional Development Profile
- The 6 Degrees of Show vs. Tell, Rated by Quality [A. Victoria Mixon, Editor] Excellent, interesting perspective.
- YA character advice [Dystel & Goderich Literary Management] Would your MC still be a hero without special powers?
- Scene Questions [JULIE BUSH] 22 Questions to drop kick you back into your story.
- Get Dangerous [JULIE BUSH] Push the edge, so long as you stay true to your audience and your voice.
- Symbolism Thesaurus Entry: Borders/Barriers [The Bookshelf Muse] Writer's guide to roadblocks, literal and not.
- T3 - The Drama Triangle [The Character Therapist] Pinging back and forth between Persecutor, Rescuer & Victim.
- The Teen Brain [Write-Brained] And how it makes YA unique to write.
- Books on Writing [Sisters in Scribe] Stephen Kind's On Writing and Bell's Plot and Structure.
- 3rd Annual International Plot Writing Month -- Day Two [Plot Whisperer for Writers and Readers] More about subplots and hidden treasures.
- Keeping Track of Story, or My New Toy [Magical Words] Using a magnetic whiteboard...
- National Novel Writing Month Writers Produce 2,799,449,947 Words [GalleyCat] Links to all the craft advice + NaNoEdMo
- Writing Advice From Agatha Christie [The Literary Lab] Ideas, characters, and setting. Where do you find them?
- Tip Tuesday #65 [Literary Rambles] Outlining by Subplot
- Put the hero through hell, not the reader [James Killick's Blog] Putting your MC through hell, but in a reader-friendly way.
- Creating Characters--Shannon Style [Shannon Whitney Messenger] Shannon shares her crafty tricks to making her characters real.
- Planning a Series Can Be Dangerous [Babbles from Scott Eagan] Think of ways to expand instead of planning.
- Grab that reader in the first 10 minutes [Ripping Ozzie Reads] Fabulous article!
- Writing Is More Than Using Technique [Babbles from Scott Eagan] Learn the technique then internalize.
- 4 Ways To Deal With Fictional Parents [Anna Staniszewski] Excellent list.
- Resources For Writers [Paranormal Point of View] Six online stops any writer should make.
- Description: Friend or Foe? [Wordplay: Helping Writers Become Authors] Provide a few perfect details to let the reader see the scene.
- Conflict, Keep It Up Front, WAY Up Front [tracy edward wymer] The first sentence matters.
- Basics 101 : Character Creation [Write Anything] Given life, characters pursue experiences you would never dare.
- Active vs. Passive Voice in Writing - blog - ourlittlebooks [www.ourlittlebooks.com]
- How to Write the First Draft – 6 Writing Tips From Writers [Quips and Tips for Successful Writers] Nice tips.
- Question about character motivation and action [edittorrent] Really interesting writing question.
Self-Editing
- Revision Checklist [YA Muses] Nine steps to a better manuscript.
- Pop Quiz! The Page-69 Test [The Sharp Angle] Great tip. Read page 69 for voice and interest.
- Not My Type: Formatting Your Manuscript [The Other Side of the Story] Oh, go ahead. Use italics.
- Re-Write Wednesday: Send up the (Red) Flag: Words That Often Spell Trouble [The Other Side of the Story] FANTASTIC post that will change your writing.
- Do You Get My Meaning?: Providing Emotional Clarity [The Other Side of the Story] Add onto the emotional reaction words.
- Thoughts on Revision, by V [YA Muses] Love this: Own your story. Know it like your skin.
- From the Style Guide: Who/Whom [edittorrent] Tune up your grammar skills.
- Revisions Week - Outlining & Plans [unedited] Another option -- outline after drafting.
- Crafting Powerful Sentences [Writer Musings] Pare them down!
- Friends Don't Let Friends Overwrite* [* Fiction Groupie *] Seven things to look for in your own writing.
Critiquing
- 4 Ways to Find a Critique Partner [Author, Jody Hedlund] Great advice.
- A Question of Betas [QueryTracker.net] Where to find them and what makes them right.
To Market
- Successful Queries: Agent Lauren MacLeod and ''Real Mermaids Don't Wear Toe Rings'' [Guide to Literary Agents] Helene Boudreau's brilliant query! YAY Helene!
- First Impressions by Melissa Jeglinski: December Edition [The Knight Agency Blog] An agent's perspective on a first page.
- Agent Spotlight: Adam Friedstein [Literary Rambles] Looking for loud voices, captivating characters, books that make statements.
- Submission Etiquette [Let The Words Flow] Good thoughts on querying and submitting.
- New Agent Alert: Stephanie DeVita of Dystel & Goderich [Guide to Literary Agents] She seeks YA among other genres.
- Agent Bob Silverstein On: Query Letter Tips [Guide to Literary Agents] Four things that make a great letter.
- How I Got My Agent: Flynn Meaney (and a Free Book Giveaway) [Guide to Literary Agents] Good inspiration and information on Dan Lazar.
- Agent Advice: Uwe Stender of TriadaUS Literary Agency [Guide to Literary Agents] Looking for women's fic, high concept YA & strong MG.
- When multiple agents make an offer [Let The Words Flow] FANTASTIC post with all the answers.
- ’Tis The Season To Query? [QueryTracker.net] Are you wondering?
- So You Want To Write A Novel [kt literary] -- Don't quote this to an agent.
- How To Pitch A Book Series [BubbleCow] Your approach may depend on how many books you've written.
- (title unknown) [YA Highway] Good article on deciding who and how to query.
- Getting The Call Means Your Work Gets Harder [Babbles from Scott Eagan] Be sure you are ready to go pro.
- Agent Spotlight: Ann Behar [Literary Rambles] Looking for children's PB to YA as long as it's beautifully written.
- MY AGENT HATES MY WIP! #@*&%# [Jill Corcoran Books] What to do when your agent's just not that into your WIP.
After the Sale
- What is Your Slingshot? [Rachelle Gardner, Literary Agent] One size does not fit all.
- How Publishers Can Use Social Games [GalleyCat] Tie-ins for book launches within games like Mafia Wars?
- 5 Things Writers Should Do BEFORE Release Day [Guide to Literary Agents] Outstading tips to move out on now.
- Reversion of Rights [Rachelle Gardner, Literary Agent] Important questions with excellent answers.
- Author Blurbs [GENREALITY] Great tips on blurb etiquette.
Book Reviews
- Middle-Grade Review: Brixton Brothers and the Case of the Case of the Mistaken Identity [Great Books for Kids and Teens] Tongue-in-cheek look at mysteries.
- Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl [The Bibliophile's Journal] Intricately weaves paranormal with romance, humour and heart pounding action.
- Book Review: The Dead Boys by Royce Buckingham [/- LA FEMME READERS -/] Phantasmic yet spooky concept.
- Bookanistas: REVOLUTION [Laura and Lisa Write] Tragedy, heartbreak, obsession, Paris, revolution, time travel. Wow.
- Bookanista Review: Anna and the French Kiss, by Stephanie Perkins--and a GIVEAWAY! [Shannon Whitney Messenger] Incredible pacing, delicious moments & more.
- hooray, awesome LIKE MANDARIN review! [Kirsten Hubbard: YA Author + Travel Writer] "Passionate, multifaceted and intense."
- Book Review: The Mockingbirds [Oasis for YA] The aftermath of date rape, with a thread of hope.
- Book by Book - Vote Now! [Never as the crow flies] Vote every day until 12/31.
- Early Review: Wither by Laren DeStefano [Confessions of a Bookaholic] Five stars-complex and rich with emotion.
- Meagan Spooner - What is Dystopian Fiction? [meaganspooner.livejournal.com]
- Review of: The DUFF [Young Adult Books Reviewed] One that can be read again and again.
- How many have you read? BBC List of 100 books [Write Me!] Try this for fun!
- Best Novels of 2010: A Literary Mixtape [GalleyCat] Best books with sample chapters. Love this idea!
- December's Debut Author~Saundra Mitchell [Heather's Odyssey] Revisiting Shadowed Summer.
- Matched & Other “Breathless Reads” from Penguin Teen [Novel Novice] Great reviews for books to read this holiday season.
Congrats
- Happy Release Day, ANNA! [kt literary] Congrats to Stephanie Perkins--wow reviews on release day!
- Congratulations! [Musings of a Penniless Writer] Congrats to Ellen Booraem and Kate from The Scribbling SeaSerpent!
- Thursday Squee-day [Marianne de Pierres - Burn Bright] BURN BRIGHT's beautiful cover!
- Woo! [Coffey. Tea. And Literary.] Congrats to Kody Keplinger for making the Indie Next List
Contests
- Seasoned Agent + Critique Auction = Donation [Words from the Woods] Irene Goodman to auction off 15 partial critiques for good cause.
- Dear Readers, A Bagful of gifts for YOU! [Clara Gillow Clark] Win critiques--enter by 12/15/10.
- REAL LIVE BOYFRIENDS ARC Giveaway! [ROOTS IN MYTH] Enter by 12/10.
- Contest, Contest, Contest [The Story of a Writer] Enter by 12/6
- Great Contest Opportunity [My Bloggish Blog Thing] Great op for 100K edit from CA Marshall.
- December Debut and SECOND EVER ORIGINAL SIN ARC Contest! [Personal Demons] Enter to win the sequel to Personal Demons.
- Holiday Readathon is here! [Young Adult Books Reviewed] iDrakula giveaway. Enter by 12/5/10.
- Win a Critique! [* Fiction Groupie *] First 5 pages or query crit. Enter by 11/30.
- Contest Monday - For Writers and Readers! [Sisters in Scribe] Great roundup -- two agents plus giveaways.
- The most stress-free giveaway you will ever enter! [The Publication Follies of Alexandra Shostak] Enter by 12/15
- Marvelous Middle Grade Monday--The Secret Series (and a Giveaway!!!) [Shannon Whitney Messenger] High marks for this series and 3 books up for grabs!
- Want to win some free books? Here’s your chance … [Novel Novice] Three book giveaways. Enter by 12/5.
Issues
- Crack Is Whack (Or Awesome) [a heart on a wire] Are you willing to pay for Wikipedia?
- Democratization or Disinformation? [Writer Beware™ Blogs!] Don't fall for unrealistic assumptions!
- Literary Dialect [TheWriteGame] Good analysis of a serious question for writers.
- Is Speech Recognition Software The Next Step In Writing? [www.publetariat.com] What do you think?
- December Is NaNoEdMo - National Novel Editing Month [The Sharp Angle] Wait, I thought this was in March?
- Genre Sales 2: Children's/YA (Part 2 of 8) [Pimp My Novel] Better money in YA than adult?
- Will You Ever Buy Mostly E-books: The Results [Nathan Bransford - Blog] The numbers are climbing steadily.
- You Tell Me: Will You Ever Buy Mostly E-Books? [Nathan Bransford - Blog] How are your reading habits changing?
- The Hunger Games Budget Set at $60 Million [GalleyCat] Compared to $37 for Twilight, is this enough? Too much?
- The C-Bomb [The Kill Zone] What stops you reading?
- Amazon Book Reviewer Feuds Profiled in The Daily Mail [GalleyCat] Buying Amazon reviews and grudge matches.
- Free speech: V.S. Naipaul, Hari Kunzru and WikiLeaks [Jacket Copy] Censorship, free speech, or public service?
- Facts and Fluff and Ferocious: YA Non-Fiction [YA Highway] Why does YA fiction get all the love?
- forty miles from atlanta, this is nowhere [Ghost Medicine] Sex in YA is practically unavoidable.
- The Great F-Bomb Debate [The Kill Zone] To bomb or not to bomb? Will it affect your marketshare?
Social Media, Twitter & Blogging
The Gifts of Blogging Confidence [Confident Writing] What has blogging given
you?
Be Yourself Online [Where Fantasy and Love Take Flight] Food for thought. It's
easy to hide online.- Creating the Destination Blog [Ara's Blog] In a world of blogs,
what keeps 'em coming back? - The Numbers Tell the Story: Why Social Media Matters [Author Marketing
Experts, Inc. » BLOG] Simple fact- book buyers are online. - How to Start a Blog: The Basics for Non-Geeks. [Anne R. Allen's
Blog] Have you been thinking about it? - The Changing Face of Publishing: Author/Illustrator Elizabeth Dulemba [Write
About Now] Creating apps. Are you ready? - Twelve Ways To Scare Away Twitter Followers [* Fiction Groupie
*] Excellent list! - BACK TO BUSINESS MONDAY: Labels & Plans [Writer on the
Side] Make your blog searchable. - How To Keep Blogging From Being a Popularity Contest [Author, Jody
Hedlund] 'Relate with real people in real ways.'
Just for Smiles
- GETTING YOUR MANUSCRIPT AT A DISCOUNT [Grab a Pen] Does cutting words make for a better sale?
- Plot Holes [The League of Extraordinary Writers] We all know we have to fix ours. But some are famous.
- 7 STEPS TO SUCCESS WITH YOUR NANOWRIMO NOVEL [Grab a Pen] Click on this- trust us!
- THE 11 STAGES OF EDITING A NOVEL [Grab a Pen] Kind of like grief. Which would be number 12.
- Simon & Schuster Offers Groupon Discount [GalleyCat] $40 in books for $20, plus unlimited shipping.
- Why Alpha Males are ASSHOLES [Hello Ello] Great post about stereotypes and unrealistic characters.
- 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.
Happy reading and joyous writing,
Martina & Marissa
Wow, again...ladies. Nicely done!
ReplyDeleteWow, there's a lot that I missed this week, even from my favorite blogs!
ReplyDeleteSheesh, how do you have time for ANYTHING else??? Thank you so much, both for the mention, and for the great suggestions.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing list, I have a lot to catch up on! Thanks for including my post about Twitter. :)
ReplyDeleteAs always, an amazing list of resources! I'm so flattered to be on the list in such great company. : )
ReplyDeleteWow, I always miss a ton without you. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteAwesome job - as always.
ReplyDeleteThanks for mentioning my free edit contest! <3
ReplyDeleteI never thought I'd be in one of your roundups, but there I am! *squee!*
Thanks for mentioning me!
ReplyDeleteI love this list--I've never gone through it without finding a new website or blogger to follow, and I always learn something new. Thank you for maintaining it.
Wow. Good thing you put these Friday lists into categories. If anyone has an idea how to comb through this list, get all the "pertinent" stuff, and not spend all morning/day about it, please let me know. LOL
ReplyDeleteThanks for the mention, ladies! Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteAngela @ The Bookshelf Muse
Wow. This is amazing. Thanks for the link but, even more, thanks for compiling this amazing and useful list! - Stasia
ReplyDelete251 retweets? Seriously? OMG! You guys rock. Thanks for all the amazing links. I appreciate your hard work.
ReplyDeleteHey girlfriends, great job as usual. Amazing list here -- again. Thanks for the mention and I hope you can pop over and check out my other blog. It's new and can be found here: http://www.yorkblog.com/buffy/
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Buffy
Hi guys! Great list as always. FYI I kicked off a new series on my blog. It's a How I Got My Agent for picture book writers. First up was the amazing Corey Schwartz. Here is the link: http://wp.me/pIkHt-Y7
ReplyDeleteSeriously, do you guys ever sleep? This list is amazing! Thanks for including the article on Elizabeth Dulemba. Cool stuff she's doing!
ReplyDelete