Best Articles This Week for Writers 9/24/10

Inspiration

• How To Make a Point Without Being Preachy [Rachelle Gardner, Literary Agent] 'If you want to change the world, write a powerful story.'
• Timeless & Core Writing Knowledge: 3 Strengths for Success [There Are No Rules] Regardless of your medium of writing, Jane identifies 3 crucial elements.
• Dealing With Rejection [Renae Mercado] Six steps to getting past rejection.
• The Big Lie [Julie Musil] You can coach yourself to publication.
• Guest Blog Post: How Deliberate Practice Can Make You an Excellent Writer [Writer Beware® Blogs!] Active, critical reflection of your writing process is necessary.
• Guest Post: Holly Schindler and the Path to Publication [YA Highway] 'Good rejections will help you revise with purpose.'
• Don't let your rituals kill your creativity [James Killick's Blog] 'The key is to focus on flexibility, not rigid systems.'
• Inspiration for Writers [Sisters in Scribe] A nice collection of quotes!
• Writing Advice. Not mine. Part I. [The Michelle Show] Michelle rounds up inspirational quotes for writers.
• A writer who uses a typewriter? (Here's why) [Time to Write] After reading this, you may pull yours out!
• Are You a "Happy" Writer? [ELUSIVE SANITY] Post by Nathan Bransford.
• The Best Way to Measure Your Growth as a Writer [Write It Sideways] What will you find when you open those old files?
• Six New Thoughts That Will Get Your Book Published [BubbleCow] Reality check times six.
• Building a Writing Practice That Helps You Realize, Access, and Sustain Your Creativity [How to Plan, Write, and Develop a Book] 'Practice leads to developed skills.'
• The Two Kinds Of Inspiration [Writer Unboxed] Getting inspiration in easy ways.
• Are You a Writer? [Wordplay: Helping Writers Become Authors] You are a writer! Shout it to the world!
• Happy Writers Society: Embracing The Fear [Between Fact and Fiction] 'Courage isn't the absence of fear; it's moving forward despite the fear.'
• the penguin five: interview with brenna yovanoff and giveaway! [allyson condie] Great interview. And the passage quoted from the book? Lovely!
• A Fine Line Between Book Love & Hate [Glass Cases] What have you read that you HATE. Why? Are you making any of the same writing mistakes?
• In Defense of Dead/Absent Parents in Children's Literature [Nathan Bransford - Literary Agent] This can sometimes be symptomatic of lazy writing.
• How To Make A Living As A Writer [BubbleCow] Bubblecow keeps it real.
• The Differences Between Hobby & Professional Writers [Author, Jody Hedlund] Interesting points raised about these categories.

Craft

• Symbolism: Vulnerability [The Bookshelf Muse] Symbols from nature and society that evoke this emotion.
• TEN TIPS on Pace & Structure of a Thriller [The Kill Zone] Advice any writer can use to up the ante.
• What's my tense? [Jade hears voices] Present versus past tense.
• Love Scenes 101: Don't Be Corny or Porn-y* [* Fiction Groupie *] Make readers remember that moment long after putting down the book.
• It's About Time [edittorrent] Prologue problem- too much time between prologue and chapter one.
• Bad Words in Books: A Different Perspective [The Blood-Red Pencil] Vulgarities can limit your audience.
• Give Your Character Someone to Talk To [Wordplay: Helping Writers Become Authors] 'Giving a character someone to talk to allows you to impart important information.'
• Technical Tips for Writing Dialogue [iggi & gabi] Crash course in writing dialogue.
• Flirting Fails [The Bookshelf Muse] Ouch! The signs of flirting disinterest.
• Authentic Details Reflect Character's Inner Life & Change within the Story [Plot Whisperer for Writers and Readers] How to focus details in the beginning, middle, and ending of your story.
• Stuff To Consider About Writing Sequels [Between Fact and Fiction] Questions to ask yourself before venturing down the path.
• Your Voice is Your Voice: Keeping It Real [Ingrid's Notes] Excellent post on the ins and outs of voice.
• Elmore Leonard's Ten Rules of Writing ... [. . . . . . . ~© The Writer's Den ©~ . . . . . . .] From the New York Times, Writers on Writing Series.
• The Unity of Opposites [Let The Words Flow] 'This tool ties the protagonist and the antagonist together.'
• Journaling Techniques to Improve Your Writing [The Creative Penn] 'Journaling can be the best supporting discipline in your tool kit.'
• Sentence Strengthening Sunday--Making Sentences Sing [YA Highway] 'Crafting sentences in your story is just as important as plot and characters.'
• 12 Dos and Don'ts for Introducing your Protagonist [Anne R. Allen's Blog] You probably can't get away with some of these don'ts.
• Don’t flood readers with mundane visual details [Superhero Nation] Avoiding description that weighs your story down.
• Reading in the now [Dystel & Goderich Literary Management] Present tense- annoying?
• Writing Dialogue [Writers in the Sky E-zine] Dialogue should move the story forward while bringing your characters to life. If it doesn’t, cut it out altogether.
• SECONDARY CHARACTERS OR PLOT DEVICES [Help! I Need a Publisher!] Avoid introducing someone or something just to get your story from A to B.
• Fiction Friday: What Makes Great Fiction? [The Daily Harrell] What makes YOU turn pages, and is that what you are writing?
• What A Romance Should Really Be... [Babbles from Scott Eagan] Scott Eagan wants to feel more thrilling, total-immersion, first-love style romance in his subs. Remember to raise goosebumps.
• Don't Rush to the Finish Line [The Literary Lab] Slowing down in the first draft can open you up to opportunities you might miss in revision.
• Creating Compelling Characters [The Blood-Red Pencil] Fantastic tips to ensure full character development.

Self-Editing

• Guest Post: 5 ways to avoid annoying your copyeditor (and why you should care) [PhD2Published] How to avoid making their job harder than it has to be, and why you should care.
• Beginning the Editing Process (Part 2) [.W.I.P. It] 'Editing- start at the base and build up from a solid platform.'
• 5 Things A Writer Always Overlooks [A. Victoria Mixon, Editor] Which of these are you guilty of committing?
• Writing and Revising in Layers [Mystery Writing is Murder] Working in stages can help keep you focused.
• How I Got My Agent: Nikki Katz [Guide to Literary Agents] Nikki shares how she made the most of feedback.
• Guest Post: Merrilee Faber Writes About Creative Revision [iggi & gabi] You're still creating during revisions.
• Fancy is Not Always Better [Author, Jody Hedlund] Striving to get each and every word right is not always better.

Critiquing

• F&FW: What To Give [www.publetariat.com] The most important thing you have to give to any writer is your honest reaction.
• Taking Critique [iggi & gabi] 5 rules for handling critique.
• Providing Useful Critique [Let The Words Flow] Any reader can critique.
• The Do's and Do Not's of Feedback [The New Author] Discerning constructive criticism from negative feedback.
• Critique Partner Relationships [Let The Words Flow] Think about phrasing of feedback you give. Elicit the feedback you need.
• Bookish Loyalties [Writer Unboxed] Trust your instincts when revising. Stay loyal to your story in the face of feedback.
• Your Ego is Not Your Friend – How to Take Criticism [Let The Words Flow] 10 tips for protecting your writerly ego.
• 7 Links To Encourage The Writer In You [www.publetariat.com] Links on time management, inspiration, self-editing and more.
• 7 Things I've Learned So Far, by Colin Falconer [Guide to Literary Agents] 'Never believe anyone who tells you there are only seven things you have to remember.'

Contests

• JD's 250th Follower Contest! Come! Enter! [Justine Dell] Many prizes waiting to be won!
• Author Spotlight on: Matthew J. Kirby [Write About Now] Interview + win an ARC of The Clockwork Three.
• New contest alert [Buffy's write zone] Dear Lucky Agent Contest for paranormal romance and urban fantasy!
• Guest Post and Giveaway: Natalie Standiford on Censorship [Emily's Reading Room] Chance to win two great books!
• ACROSS THE UNIVERSE ARC Giveaway [ROOTS IN MYTH] This book won't even debut until January, but you can get it now!
• Welcoming the Fall Giveaway! [Candace's Book Blog] Nine chances to win!
• The AUTUMN GIVEAWAY EXTRAVAGANZA continues! [Claudia's Blog] Firelight and The Unidentified are up for grabs!
• Holy *&^%, yesterday was my 100th post! [The Michelle Show] Win Beautiful Darkness and The Eternal Ones!
• Review & Contest: Guardians of Ga’Hoole by Kathryn Lasky [Novel Novice] Win this gorgeous book!
• Q & A: Erin Bow + GIVEAWAY of Plain Kate [21 pages] Enter by October 10th!
• Speak Loudly: Wesley Scroggins Can Suck It + Giveaway! [/- LA FEMME READERS -/] Deadline is October 1st!
• Blog Tour & Giveaway: Art post by Cheryl Rainfield [Confessions of a Bookaholic] Win a copy of Scars!
• Giveaway: CSN Giftcard [WORD for Teens] Contest closes September 27th!
• Review and Giveaway: Blue Fire by Janice Hardy [YA Highway] Contest closes September 26th!
• Clare B. Dunkle: Prelude to a Haunting [In Bed With Books] Win a Bronte-themed prize pack!
• #SPEAKloudly + Giveaway [Frankie Writes] Support the book AND win it!
• 7 Free-to-Enter National Writing Competitions That Impact Your Career [There Are No Rules] You won't want to miss this list.
• September Secret Agent Contest [Buffy's write zone] YA and MG welcome!
• Book Review & Perfume Giveaway: The Haunted by Jessica Verday [THE BOOK BUTTERFLY] Come enter to win a unique prize!
• JUST FYI: Write, Win and Publish! [Cornell DeVille - from writer to author] Deadline for entries is January 5, 2011.
• 1000 Followers Contest & Mentorship Opportunity! [The Bookshelf Muse] AWESOME opportunity for any writer! Hurry. Ends 9/29 via @AngelaAckerman
• Book Review: Low Red Moon by Ivy Devlin [THE BOOK BUTTERFLY] Easy entry to win a wonderful book!
• Speak Loudly and Enter a Sasquatch Giveaway…Sort of [Carol's Prints] Books and bracelets among the prizes!

To Market

• Does Selling All Rights Mean I Can't Use the Same Topic Again? [Writer's Digest Questions and Quandaries] Something all writers should consider.
• RMC-SCBWI Conference [Stephanie Blake] Takeaways from Letters & Lines Conference.
• 5 Things I’ve learned about building a personal brand and why everything you’ve heard is bogus [10,000 Words] Be nice and other simple guidelines to follow.
• Choosing the Right Conference [iggi & gabi] Attend the conferences that suit your purposes best.
• Is a Writer’s Conference Worth the Money? [Author, Jody Hedlund] Interesting discussion about attending these networking events.
• Super-Powered Book Proposals Secret #4: Give the Publisher Room to Negotiate [There Are No Rules] Indicate flexibility.
• What Agents Are and Aren’t [Magical Words] Where agents draw the line.
• How to Write a Query Letter in Five Easy Steps [Writer Unboxed] Breaking down Shawn Klomparens' successful query.
• Successful Queries: Agent Janet Reid and ''Numb'' [Guide to Literary Agents] Rare glimpse into an agent's thoughts on a successful query.
• (title unknown) [Getting Past the Gatekeeper] Multiple books- no problem. Multiple pitches- problem.
• Gauging Your Story's Marketability [The Sharp Angle] The 4 C's: Concept = Character + Clear Conflict.
• Why, Oh Why, Did I Get Rejected? [Rachelle Gardner, Literary Agent] An agent is not obligated to help a non-client with their book.
• The BubbleCow Guide to Academic Book Pitching: Part IV [PhD2Published] Outlining your end-user and providing a survey of comparables.
• To Multi-book, or Not to Multi-book [Jennifer Represents...] Pros and cons of striking a multi-book deal.
• What I Learned About ''The Call'' [Guide to Literary Agents] '"The call" is the beginning, not the end.'
• Another new agent alert [Buffy's write zone] Dystel & Goderich welcome John Rudolph!
• Guest Blogger: Andrew Neudecker--His Self Publishing Journey [Justine Dell] Inspiring road to self-publication.
• 10 Ways to Annoy a Literary Agent [Rachelle Gardner, Literary Agent] Using a generic greeting, accosting them in the bathroom, and more.
• Resubmitting a Revision [Kidlit.com] Wait, do they want to see that again? Just ask.
• Waiting on an Agent's Reply [QueryTracker.net] While you wait, query.
• Query Auto-Response [BookEnds, LLC — A Literary Agency] BookEnds, LLC institutes the auto-response to your query.
• 11 Questions for Crafting a Pitch [Rachelle Gardner, Literary Agent] Questions that will help you identify crucial elements of a good pitch.
• New agent alert [Buffy's write zone] Joan Slattery will join Pippin Properties as literary agent and contracts manager.
• New Agent Alert: Logan Garrison of The Gernert Company [Guide to Literary Agents] Logan is seeking kids fiction for children and young adults.
• Guest Post: Michelle Davidson Argyle Discusses Self-Publishing [iggi & gabi] Choosing genre, writing and editing, and taking a leap of faith.
• Query Series: Kaitlin Ward & Elizabeth Jote [YA Highway] Love Elizabeth Jotes' commentary on the conversation!
• All About Execution [Kidlit.com] Strive for a Hollywood high concept idea and deliver on the promise with a well-written, killer book.
• When Persistence Becomes a Vice [Writer Beware® Blogs!] Putting your writing on hold while submitting is one of the worst things you can do.
• The Professional Waiting Society [Kiersten Writes] Kiersten defines obsession -- as only a writer can.
• FRIDAY FREESTYLE: MINI AGENT INTERVIEW [Oasis for YA] Gina Panettieri weighs in on trends in YA, what she looks for, and more.
• The 5 Questions Every Book Proposal Must Answer [BubbleCow] Your book proposal should include these elements to make a convincing case.
• Perfect Pitch « Write Up My Life [writeupmylife.com]
• Recap of the 2010 SCBWI LA – Agent Panel [Ingrid's Notes] Ginger Clark, Josh Adams, Lisa Grubka, and Ken Wright share their insights.
• Looking for an Agent—Thoughts and Resources [Mystery Writing is Murder] Super-sized round-up of agent resources.

After the Sale

• Brand and platform building basics [Dystel & Goderich Literary Management] It needs to be strategic.
• Back-to-Business Monday: THE HONORARIUM QUESTION PART III - Promotions and Incentives [Writer on the Side] Have an objective in mind for school or library appearances.

Congrats

• SCBWI Awards $12,500 in Work-in-Progress Grants [Alice Pope's SCBWI Children's Market Blog] Congrats to all the winners!
• The One Thousandth Post Giveaway [Nathan Bransford - Literary Agent] Congrats are in order for Nathan Bransford!
• I'm in Print! [Where Fantasy and Love Take Flight] Congrats to Nicole--she's in the Bloody Carnival anthology out this week!
• Cece Bell's early reader RABBIT AND ROBOT to Candlewick.
• Tricycle Press picks up Stephanie Gwyn Brown's PB Professor Aesop's THE TORTOISE AND THE HARE.
• Vallery Hyduk's YA novel SINK OR SWIM set to publish in fall 2011 by James Lorimer.
• YA writer Sarah Beth Durst's DRINK, SLAY, LOVE to Margaret McElderry Books in a two-book deal.
• Bourne Identity meets ancient mythology and paranormal in Lesley Livingston's trilogy STARLING, nabbed by Harper Children's.
• Cecilia Galante's first four books in her LITTLE WINGS series to Random House.
• TAP TAP BOOM BOOM, a picture book by Elizabeth Bluemle, to Candlewick.
• Beach Lane books grabs Mary Lyn Ray's DEER DANCER.
• Michael Roy's MG novel THE VERY HEART OF THE THING to Delacorte Children's.
• Antony John's ELEMENTAL YA trilogy to Dial.
• Delacorte picks up MYSTIC CITY by YA author Ted Michael.
• Marley Gibson's RADIATE, a YA contemporary, to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Book Reviews

• Book Birthdays: DRAW THE DARK, MERMAID'S MIRROR & MAGICIAN'S MUSE [Jennifer Represents...] Three October releases you won't want to miss.
• YOU are so right! [Janet Reid, Literary Agent] Charles Benoit's excellent novel gets a thumb's up.
• BOOK REVIEW: The Eternal Ones [Oasis for YA] Great characters and a tight ending.
• Fifteen and Longing: A Look into DARK WATER [Carol's Prints] Glowing review from Carol!
• Review of: Kiss Me Deadly: 13 Tales of Paranormal Love [Young Adult Books Reviewed] 'This book had everything a paranormal reader would want.'
• LOSING FAITH by Denise Jaden [Elana Johnson, Author] Fast-paced and unnoticeable use of present tense.
• bookanistas: PARANORMALCY by Kiersten White [Kirsten Hubbard: YA Author + Travel Writer] Fun, flirty, and dark.
• Review: The Keening by A. LaFaye [Emma Michaels] 'There is something about this novel that is so special and unique.'
• Book Review: Gone [Breaking the Bookshelf] One word/phrase sum up: slow then exciting.
• Firelight by Sophie Jordan--Review [Reading, Writing and Waiting] A positive review for Firelight.
• The DUFF (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) by Kody Keplinger - Review [Book Crazy] 'The DUFF offers a real look at teen life today.'
• Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel: Taylor’s Review [Novel Novice] 'Infinite Days is a(nother) vampire novel worth reading.'
• Review: The House of Dead Maids [In Bed With Books] 'THE HOUSE OF DEAD MAIDS acts as a prelude to WUTHERING HEIGHTS.'
• Review of: Torment [Young Adult Books Reviewed] 'If you liked the first book, this one will not disappoint.'
• Shadow Horse by Alison Hart [Frenetic Reader] 'Cute, unique read that will appeal to even those who aren't rabid horse fans.'
• Review: I Now Pronounce You Someone Else [In Bed With Books] Light-hearted, but stylistic choices that hindered the experience.
• Review: The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han [Confessions of a Bookaholic] Confessions of a Bookaholic awards it 4 out of 5 stars.
• Janet Gurtler- The Weight of Bones....COVER!!! [Jill Corcoran Books] Another GORGEOUS cover. Wow. via @JillCorcoran
• Friday Fabulousity [Lisa and Laura Write] Lisa and Laura share links for 6 amazing book bloggers.
• Jamie Reviews: Terry Pratchett—”I Shall Wear Midnight” [Burn Bright] Sounds like a great read! Adding another to my list.

Blogging, Twitter & Social Media

• Blegos, Tweegos and Reagos [The Misadventures In Candyland] Are yours in check?
• A 5 Word Tagline Can Say More Than 5 Words. The Crucial Need for Power & Voice. [Blogussion] How to make your mark.
• TWITTER FOR AUTHORS - PART 6: THE DANGERS [Help! I Need a Publisher!] From those oops moments to dodgy urls, beware.
• how small steps can make you a published writer and social media ninja [Tribal Writer] 'Social media and writing have this in common: you have to stick with it.'
• Ideas for Blog Posts – How Bloggers Can Rewrite Old Articles [Quips and Tips for Successful Writers] Reslant, tweak, and edit old blog posts.

Just for Smiles

• NEW Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows Trailer [Novel Novice] It's arrived!
• I HOPE YOU HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE [Grab a Pen] What your writerly symptoms are trying to tell you.
• YOU KNOW YOU HAVE A WRITER-FRIEND WHEN [Grab a Pen] We can all relate!
• Words That Don’t Exist in the English Language [Steph Bowe's Hey! Teenager of the Year] Interesting post on concepts we know, but English labels don't exist.
• Goober Writers Anonymous--Ishta Mercurio [Stepping into Fantasy] Now THIS is a great idea!
• QP PRESENTS: FIVE SIGNS AN AGENT IS THE ONE FOR YOU [Grab a Pen] A working email address-- sort of important.
• #SpeakLoudly: Your Comments = Donated Copies of SPEAK [Lisa and Laura Write] Proactive campaign- comments = copies of Speak in schools and libraries!
• SPEAK up. [WORD for Teens] Unbelievable.

 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