16 Best Articles This Week for Writers 9/17

Inspiration

• When Dreams Become Expectations [Nathan Bransford - Literary Agent] Don't let your dreams float too far from reality.
• T3 - Types of Grief, Part 1 [The Character Therapist] LOVE these posts! Thanks for the insight.
• Khaled Hosseini likes to read a few lines from a favourite novel before he starts to write [Inkygirl.com: Daily Diversions For Writers - by Debbie Ridpath Ohi] Great way to stay REALLY humble :D.
• A Bestseller's Rejection Story [Dystel & Goderich Literary Management] Rejection to bestseller- Tatiana de Rosnay.
• You Tell Me: Have You Faced Writer Burnout? How Do You Escape It? [Nathan Bransford - Literary Agent] Need to vent? Recharge? Find solutions? Tell @NathanBransford or see what others have to say.
• 7 Ways to Avoid Burn Out [.W.I.P. It] Tricks to keep yourself motivated.
• 7 Things I've Learned So Far, by Thomas W. Young [Guide to Literary Agents] Writing lessons from military aviation.
• The First One Is Only Practice [The Sharp Angle] Your first novel may never see print, but it teaches you to write the next.
• The Bride’s Guide to Manuscript Monogamy [Write It Sideways] Keep writing and resist the temptation to stray.
• How to get more of your writing time. [Angels and Demons and Portals. Oh My!] Sit down at least an hour a day. Write, don't edit. Plan on multiple drafts, so don't worry about the first one.
• Are Writing Routines Important to Success? [Author, Jody Hedlund] A writing routine can keep your dream on track.
• Unconscious Competence [How to Plan, Write, and Develop a Book] Abraham Maslow's famous theory on how people learn and how it applies to writing.
• The Hunger Games: Why Is It Such A Fantastic Series And Lessons For Writers [The Creative Penn] What makes the series great and what we can learn as writers.

Craft of Writing

• Symbolism Thesaurus: Unity [The Bookshelf Muse] Using symbols to foreshadow unity.
• Plot and Predictability [Ingrid's Notes] Words of wisdom from Gail Carson Levine.
• Before You Write a Single Word: Develop a Reader Profile [There Are No Rules] Identify what your reader wants.
• Thirteen Ways to Make Characters Lovable [Dark Angel's Writing Website] Endearing qualities that make your MC likable.
• Serial Comma Drama: Which Side Are You On? [Write It Sideways] Some insight on providing clarity: by mandate or by inspection? What's your choice?
• Grammar and You [The Other Side of the Story] Seven things you can learn to elevate your skill level as a writer.
• Inciting Incidents [Mystery Writing is Murder] What event sends your MC out of their ordinary world?
• The Offer S/he Can't Refuse [Alexandra Sokoloff] Locked your MCs into the action with high stakes or an “Offer They Can’t Refuse.”
• Unique Comparisons, aka the Un-Cliche' [The Sharp Angle] Using comparisons unique to your characters is one of the best ways to keep a reader engaged.
• Plotting from Character [edittorrent] Exaggerate or turn a character trait around to provide the backbone of a scene.
• Character Stereotypes: The Victim [The Character Therapist] What to avoid and how to make it creative.
• Drafting in Writing [Oasis for YA] What NASCAR can teach us about writing.
• Why Hypocrites Make Excellent Bad Guys [Wordplay: Helping Writers Become Authors] Why a hypocrite can get under a reader's skin just as must as a classic bad guy.
• Moving Right Along: The Ins and Outs of Plot [iggi & gabi] Man goes on a journey, or stranger comes to town.
• Tip Tuesday #54 [Literary Rambles] Blogging really CAN inspire your writing!
• Finding Goals [Bekah's Stories] Your MC's goal must be clear within the first five pages.
• Dialogue - It's More Than Simply Talking [Babbles from Scott Eagan] Your characters have to act and behave like humans for us to believe your story.
• The Hero’s Journey [Let The Words Flow] Excellent overview of the Campbell/Vogler phases of the journey.
• Seven Ways to Develop Compelling Characters [Ingrid's Notes] Know their role, know their reactions, know them, and then show us.
• 5 Ways to Make Your Novel’s Climax Unforgettable [A. Victoria Mixon, Editor] Resonance. Fuses. Cause & effect logic. Surprise. Inevitability. Simple when Victoria explains it.
• In Search of Structure [Write About Now] The Plot Whisperer's newest project--and how it can help your writing.
• The First Page [The Blood-Red Pencil] Where you decide to start your story has everything to do with success.
• Word Counts for Children's Books [Literary Rambles] Is your WIP breaking the limits?
• Mind Mapping [iggi & gabi] Visual thinkers will thrive on this technique.
• Sentence Strengthening Sunday--Metaphors and Similes [YA Highway] Make them clear and avoid cliche.
• Research: When in Doubt, Make It Up [Wordplay: Helping Writers Become Authors] Fake it, for fiction's sake.
• Morphological Forced Connetions [iggi & gabi] Using a matrix to come up with unique ideas.
• Rewriting: Pay Attention To Sequences! [Alexandra Sokoloff] Movement within a sequence and into the next sequence. And is there a big set change between the two?
• The End [The League of Extraordinary Writers] Is a less than happy ending requisite for a dystopian novel?
• Avoid Clichés Like the Plague! [. . . . . . . ~© The Writer's Den ©~ . . . . . . .] Long list of cliches to avoid.
• The Scene Deck – a story-building technique [James Killick's Blog] 'The difference between Story – what happens, and Plot – why it happens.'
• Manuscript Problems—Which to Jump on Right Away [Mystery Writing is Murder] Elements of your story to actively consider as you write.
• Please don’t use “Guardian” as a name for a rank, group or series [Superhero Nation] Avoiding the term like the plague.
• Giving Useful Critiques [iggi & gabi] 5 easy rules to be a better crit partner.
• What I Learned from Chopped [Elana Johnson, Author] 'Put your head down and work harder.'

Self-Editing

• Revision and Editing [Ripping Ozzie Reads » Revision and Editing] Stay open to changes while keeping your vision.
• Sweating Your Way to Success - NYTimes.com [opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com] Another argument in favor of repetition over talent. via @AnneMazer
• The Cart Before The Horse [Between Fact and Fiction] Fantastic post about remembering why we write! via @NatalieWhipple
• Getting Published is Not a Crap Shoot [Writer Beware® Blogs!] Write a good book, do your research, be smart & persistent....
• The key question E. L. Doctorow asked this writer [Time to Write] Are you writing something YOU would want to read?
• When It Looks Like We’re Headed for a Crash [Author, Jody Hedlund] You can’t quit when things get tough.
• How to Publish Your First Novel [Writers' Ally aka ➔ sa larsenッ] Equip yourself with business savvy and patience.
• Writing Tips From Famous Authors – How to Become a Writer [Quips and Tips for Successful Writers] 'These writing tips from famous authors will help you learn how to become a writer.'
• Distance and Lists in the Editing Process [Novel Matters] Your love affair with your words needs distance and this post.
• Deal Breakers: Do You Know What Yours Are? [* Fiction Groupie *] Where's the line for changes you're willing to make, and those you won't?
• Rewriting: Stuck? Make a list. [Alexandra Sokoloff] Keep lists of the most hot, tense, heart-pounding scenes you've read and use them for inspiration.
• Boring is not a four-letter word…but it might as well be [Dystel & Goderich Literary Management] Is your manuscript boring? Whatever the reason, that's the kiss of death.
• Confession [Editorial Ass] Editorial Ass signs off.

Critiquing

• A is for Accepting Criticism [Michelle Teacress] How to take criticism with grace and efficiency.
• Interpreting criticism [Seth's Blog] What needs to change in the world for your idea to succeed?

To Market

• Agent Spotlight: Cari Foulk [Literary Rambles] She seeks YA and MG.
• YA publisher looking for Unsolicited Submissions [Angels and Demons and Portals. Oh My!] What are you waiting for?
• Goober Writers Anonymous--Carol Riggs [Stepping into Fantasy] GREAT cautionary tale to take to heart.
• Self-Publishing Book Expo Will Feature On-Site Manuscript Critique [mediabistro.com: GalleyCat] Self-Pub event w/ the right recipe to help produce a good book that sells...
• Self-Publishing: The Numbers Game [The Blood-Red Pencil] Breaking down the numbers.
• A Writing 101 Production - Part 11: Beating Your Submission Letter Into Shape [Scribble City Central] Four harsh realities when you submit your ms.
• Sara: On requested manuscripts [Crowe's Nest] What keeps agent Sara Crowe reading?
• Back to Accepting Queries [BookEnds, LLC — A Literary Agency] Follow all her submission guidelines before sending!
• Interview with Literary Agent, Kevan Lyon [Dark Angel's Writing Website] She represents YA among other genres.
• How to Get a New York Publisher [Author Marketing Experts, Inc. » BLOG] 83% of Americans want to write a book, and 800 books are published each day. Do the math.
• Succeeding as a Writer: Confidence and Determination [QueryTracker.net] Learning to deal with rejection is the first step. You'll get it from readers and critics too. Pick yourself up and just keep going.
• Pitch It! Pitch It Good! [* Fiction Groupie *] Don't stop believing...
• How I Got My Agent: Corinne Bowen [Guide to Literary Agents] Things rarely happen fast in this business, but often the pace is for the best.
• Losing Out on a Hot Commodity [Kidlit.com] Multiple offers from an agent's perspective.
• In Search of Specific Information [Rachelle Gardner, Literary Agent] 'It's the writer's job to come up with the best book idea they can.'
• New Agent Alert: Victoria Marini of Gelfman Schneider Literary Agents [Guide to Literary Agents] She is specifically looking for YA.
• Interview with Literary Agent Elisabeth Weed, Part 2 [Writer Unboxed] What to put in your query and what she wants to see.
• Talking to Agents at Conferences [kt literary] The dos and don’ts of pitch sessions.
• The epic post of query goodness. [Jade hears voices] Query link madness!

Blogging, Twitter & Social Media

• TWITTER FOR AUTHORS - PART 5: HASHTAGS and #FF [Help! I Need a Publisher!] Hashtags for dummies.
• Which Social Media is Most Effective in Reaching Readers? [Author, Jody Hedlund] Any form of social media is only as effective as you make it.
• A List Of Blogs For Writers [BubbleCow] A one stop shop for writing sites!
• 7 Ways to Improve Your Blog's Readability [Between Fact and Fiction] Simple formatting tricks can keep people reading.
• Why I Hate Social Media - But Will Do It Anyway [Babbles from Scott Eagan] Compare the time you spend on social media to the time you've spent writing this week. You might be surprised.
• 7 Reasons You Need A Facebook Fan Page [www.publetariat.com] Use Facebook Pages (Fanpages) instead of a profile to promote your writing.
• Why You Should Make Wealth — Not Money — With Your Blog [Blogussion] It turns out that what's important is doing something that matters.

After the Sale

• Carrie's Guide to Getting Blurbs [Carrie Harris] How to approach your favorite authors...
• How Can You Tell How Well Your Book is Selling? [Rachelle Gardner, Literary Agent] Using Bookscan and asking the publisher can help track the real numbers.
• The secrets of the writer's platform - part one [Time to Write] Practical tips for tackling your platform.
• Author Readings and Literary Events [iggi & gabi] Creative ideas for finding literary events.
• On the Experience of Seeing Your Cover for the First Time [Nathan Bransford - Literary Agent] The uber agent turned writer on how it feels to release your baby into the world and realize it's no longer yours alone.
• Giving back [Dystel & Goderich Literary Management] Once you are successful as a writer, supporting others enhances what you are doing.
• The Many Faces of Rejection [Rose Cooper] Rejection doesn't end with an agent or even an editor. Chin up. We love you, @RoseCooper.
• Make Your Readers Work for You [BookEnds, LLC — A Literary Agency] Are they helping you create a buzz?
• What is book tour really like? [Mad Woman in the Forest] Fun. Tiring. Hectic. Necessary. Unpaid. Not posh.
• PEEING YOUR PANTS IN PUBLIC [Grab a Pen] What do you do when your book goes into print?
• Working with an Out-of-House Publicist [Writer Unboxed] An outside publicist can organize your blog tour, score big hits, and more.

Book Review

• Bookanista Review: The Mockingbirds, by Daisy Whitney [Shannon Whitney Messenger] This sounds like an excellent, if difficult, read. On my list.
• GCC: Bringing You Lucienne Diver [Elana Johnson, Author] Lit agent Lucienee Diver has a new YA book out about an undead fashionista. Elana's looking for it!
• Book Birthdays!!!! [A Blog about Nothing] Three great books ready to buy!
• Reading for Writers: WRITING GREAT BOOKS FOR YOUNG ADULTS [Kidlit.com] Book review of the Regina Brooks collection of editor essays. @Kid_Lit says it deserves a shout out!
• Book Review: Mistwood by Leah Cypess [THE BOOK BUTTERFLY] Such a beautiful book -- read the review then go buy it! @LeahCypess

Congrats

• A Reason to Smile! [Suzanne Young] Congrats Trish Doller for the sale of your book THE NEW NORMAL to Bloomsbury!
• some VERY big news [allyson condie] Congrats on the MATCHED film deal. WOW!
• Super sekrit revealed. [Jade hears voices] Congrats Tere Kirkland for signing with Rosemary Stimola!

Contests

• Contest: Hush by Eishes Chayil [The Bookologist] This one ends October 7th!
• LIKE MANDARIN ARC giveaway!! [Kirsten Hubbard: YA Author + Travel Writer] It's arrived! Some come win it already!
• The Bookinistas: NIGHTSHADE CITY by Hilary Wagner (comment and win!) [Lisa and Laura Write] Interview and giveaway!
• Signed w/Love [unedited] Firelight- SIGNED! Woo hoo!
• Signed ARC of The Revenant by Sonia Gensler [WriteOnCon.com] Another terrific book up for grabs!
• ARC and Pre-Order of Moonglass by Jessi Kirby [WriteOnCon.com] Don't miss the chance to win this great contemp!
• Signed Copy of RIVAL by Sara Bennett Wealer + Critique [WriteOnCon.com] Such a wonderful opportunity! Hurry!
• Signed ARC of The Liar Society by Lisa and Laura Roecker [WriteOnCon.com] Excellent giveaway from @LandLRoeker & #writeoncon -- Enter and provide your support!
• Pre-Order of Hourglass by Myra McEntire [WriteOnCon.com] More awesomeness you can win from @MyraMcEntire and #writeoncon
• Pre-Order of Mercy Lily by Lisa Albert [WriteOnCon.com] Another great #writeoncon giveaway!
• Signed Copy of Broken Wings by Helen Landalf [WriteOnCon.com] More giveaway awesomeness. Just support #writeoncon
• THE NECROPOLIS ARC Giveaway [ROOTS IN MYTH] PJ Hoover is giving away one copy each week until release in 3 weeks. WOOT!
• Low Red Moon by Ivy Devlin- Giveaway [Confessions of a Bookaholic] Enter by September 29th!
• Hungry for HarperTeen Contest!!! *INTERNATIONAL* [The Undercover Book Lover (Not Really)] 4 prize packs up for grabs!
• Signed Copy of The Eternal Kiss from Author Robin Bridges [WriteOnCon.com] This entry is a two-for-one win!
• Pre-Order of Memento Nora by Angie Smibert [WriteOnCon.com] Great contest to help out WriteOnCon!
• Signed Books from Author Randy Russell [WriteOnCon.com] Win Ghost Dogs of the South and Ghost Cats of the South!
• Critiques, Books, Preorders, Oh My! (from Kendare Blake) [WriteOnCon.com] Win Sleepwalk Society, Anna Dressed in Blood, and more!
• Pre-Order of WARPED by Maurissa Guibord + Unicorn Charm!! [WriteOnCon.com] Contest ends September 26th!
• Between Shades of Gray ARC (by Ruta Sepetys) + Swag!! [WriteOnCon.com] Let's make WriteOnCon even more awesome!
• ARC of CHARLIE JOE JACKSON’S GUIDE TO NOT READING by Tom Greenwald [WriteOnCon.com] As Elana would say, Dude, come enter!
• Critiques + Bad Taste in Boys (by Carrie Harris) Swag! [WriteOnCon.com] Another great giveaway in the name of WriteOnCon.
• Book Review + Giveaway: Songs For A Teenage Nomad by Kim Culbertson [/- LA FEMME READERS -/] Contest ends September 25th!
• Signed Copy of Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers [WriteOnCon.com] More amazing swag from #writeoncon. Go comment to win, and please donate (optional).
• Giveaway: Low Red Moon [WORD for Teens] Enter by 9/21 to win Ivy Devlin's new book. Read the review, too!
• WriteOnCon Amazing Amazingness [Elana Johnson, Author] Hurry and enter for a great cause!
• Die Cut Business Cards Giveaway [The Bookologist] Contest closes September 29th!
• Ednah Walters Back-to-School Pack Giveaway! [/- LA FEMME READERS -/] Signed ARC up for grabs!
• Book Review + Giveaway: David Inside Out by Lee Bantle [/- LA FEMME READERS -/] Enter by September 27th!
• Read the first chapter of LIAR SOCIETY and Win a 50 page Manuscript Critique [Lisa and Laura Write] Contest closes September 18th!
• The Epic Giveway of Epic Epicness!!!!!! [Shannon Whitney Messenger] Prizes you DON'T want to miss!
• Opportunity for Writers [» Opportunity for Writers] Announcing the Scribe Fiction Prize!
• Awakened Giveaway [Confessions of a Bookaholic] Signed ARC, t-shirt, pen & notepad. And wait til you see the cover. Enter by 9/16.
• Contests Reminder: Lots of chances to win books & prizes! [Novel Novice] Three great contests. Check them out!
• Secret Agent Contest [Buffy's write zone] Heads Up! Science Fiction and Fantasy genres coming up in September.
• Epic Announcement Monday - Our very first LIAR SOCIETY ARC Giveaway [Lisa and Laura Write] WriteOnCon continues AND giveaways!
• The Reapers Are the Angels by Alden Bell Review and Giveaway! [Candace's Book Blog] Contest closes September 30th!
• Friday Fav. Giveaway with E.J. Stevens [Book Crazy] All things SHE SMELLS THE DEAD, including a signed copy. Winner picked 9/24.
• Young Adult Book Giveaway--Blogfest!!! Opens Sept 10 at 12am EST and Closes Sept 12th at 11:59p EST [Reading, Writing and Waiting] Dead and Gone and Hex Hall up for grabs.
• Six Month Blogoversary Giveaway – Thank You! [Voracious YAppetite] So many books up for grabs, you won't want to miss it.

Trends & Issues

• On Writing and Neuroscience With Livia Blackburne [The Creative Penn] Science geeks that write- this is a cool post!
• Barack Obama to Release Children's Book [mediabistro.com: GalleyCat] Book will release November 16th.
• Getting Out More [Mystery Writing is Murder] Distracted? It's not your fault, creative one.
• How To Pick The Correct Genre For Your Book [BubbleCow] An exhaustive list of genres.
• Frontlist, Backlist, Midlist [Jennifer Represents...] You are probably midlist.
• MG vs. YA [Invincible Summer] Terrific discussion about what makes middle grade different than YA.
• This Week in Publishing [Nathan Bransford - Literary Agent] The best of the week's posts and issues by @NathanBransford.

Just for Smiles

• The absolute funniest post you will read this week! - Updated Link! [ROOTS IN MYTH] Trolls and a laugh? Can't pass it up.
• IDEAS ARE ON SALE FOR NOTHING DOLLARS [Grab a Pen] Need blogging inspiration?
• 18 Easy Steps to Becoming a Writer [Guide to Literary Agents] Kiersten White breaks it down.
• "The The Impotence of Proofreading," by TAYLOR MALI [Rachelle Gardner, Literary Agent] Any writer can appreciate this.
• FIVE STEPS TO QUERYING SUCCESS [Grab a Pen] Priceless.

 Other Weekly Round-Ups:

• Favorite Tweets for Writers This Week [All About Writing] Nicole Humphrey Cook's round-up of writing tweets.
• 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