Best Articles This Week for Writers 5/20/11

After the Sale

• Launching a Book [Mystery Writing is Murder] An excellent resource on all things launch publicity.

Book Reviews

• Review of Moonglass [Carolina Valdez Miller] Excellent review & signed giveaway of @JessiKirby's MOONGLASS
• Liz's Corner: Intertwined [WORD for Teens] 5 out of 5 stars for Gena Showalter's INTERTWINED. A refreshing read with a bit of meat to the plot.
• Tantalizing Future YA Releases! [/- LA FEMME READERS -/] Eleven great YA reads!
• YA: Then vs. Now [Glass Cases] The evolution of YA and the four books that defined the genre.
• First Page and Giveaway: POPULAR [First Page Panda] Read the first page of POPULAR and enter by 5/31 to win it.
• Book Trailers (1) [WORD for Teens] Three more book trailers to drool over or add to your example list.

Contests

• Get Your First 1,000 Words Critiqued By Agent [There Are No Rules] Want a free 1000 word crit of your ms by agent Kristin Nelson?
• Win a copy of Viola in the Spotlight by Adriana Trigiani! [THE BOOK BUTTERFLY] Enter by 5/28 to win VIOLA IN THE SPOTLIGHT.
• Win Critiques from Agents and Editors [Where Fantasy and Love Take Flight] FANTASTIC opp for 3-hr conversation w/agent @Ginger_Clark & more at Brenda Novak auction!
• Marvelous Middle Grade Monday--The Goose Girl (and a Giveaway!!!) [Shannon Whitney Messenger] Win THE GOOSE GIRL by Shannon Hale. Enter by 5/21.
• THE CONTEST THAT GIVES YOU MONEY [Nothing Cannot Happen Today] Win Amazon gift cards. Enter by 5/20.
• Celebration and Giveaway [Seeing Creative] Win WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL or 1st chapter crit. Enter by 5/29.
• Free Money-Oh Yeah-Contest [Nothing Cannot Happen Today] What's your favorite YA novel? Answer & follow to enter this contest to win an Amazon gift card!

Craft of Writing

• How to earn your info dump [The Blood-Red Pencil] Research deserves inclusion only if it's interwoven into the fabric of your story.
• Five ways to know your characters before you even meet them [James Killick's Blog] Forget the story until you know the characters and their motivation.
• Information. Where? When? How Much? [Between Fact and Fiction] Drop information seamlessly into your ms. Make it relevant.
• Why Plotting Sucks and How to Make it Suck Less [YA Highway] Five ways to unstick your plot and free your writing self.
• 9-Act Screenplay Structure - Novel Plotting Resource [The Kill Zone] Stumped for plot? Divide your novel into nine sections like a screenplay.
• Write The Fight Right [Write Anything] Writing a fight scene? Here's a book you might find helpful.
• Embracing the Dark Side... of Character [Paranormal Point of View] Excellent post on bringing out the dark side of your character. (and Damon!)
• Where Does My Book Fit? Figuring Out Your Genre [The Other Side of the Story] Seven questions to help you nail your genre.
• The Antagonist [GENREALITY] A good antagonist has goals that conflict with the hero's goals.
• Creating the Non-Stereotypical Character [Seeing Creative] Great trick for creating unique and quirky characters.
• Why You Should Spend More Time on Character Than Action [Wordplay: Helping Writers Become Authors] Good post on why character is important even in high-action fiction.
• Resist the Urge to Explain [The Blood-Red Pencil] Great post on Show vs. Tell and R.U.E.
• Interiority vs. Telling [Kidlit.com] What's the difference between telling and character insight? See these examples.
• Worldbuilding, part 3: The Secret to Worldbuilding Success (according to me). [Dancing with Dragons is Hard on Your Shoes.] In fantasy, mirror the real world with deliberate exceptions.
• 5 Things The Great Books Taught Me About Writing [There Are No Rules] Four things great authors know, and one way they get there.
• Part 2: A Deeper Understanding of Craft [storyfix.com] Four things to master: dramatic tension, vicarious empathy, pace,compelling appeal.
• Introducing...the Character Traits Thesaurus [The Bookshelf Muse] A brand new writing tool--the Character Traits Thesaurus!
• Greyhaus Guest Blogger - Battling Themes Causing Bi-Polar Characters [Babbles from Scott Eagan] Pick your theme and stick to it or your readers will suffer whiplash.
• Anatomy of Conflict [Kristen Lamb's Blog] Scene structure: goal -> conflict -> disaster -> sequel.
• The Rule of Three [Alexandra Sokoloff] Things often come in threes--especially in ficton.
• How to get better at writing descriptions (advanced - 3 of 3) [Time to Write] Learn description by example--the second time around.
• Wordcount Dracula [Jennifer Represents...] Guidelines on word-count, with examples and sweet-spots.
• Tell Me a Story: Three Ways to Improve Your Storytelling [The Other Side of the Story] Make your characters, problems, and solutions more interesting.
• Giving Voice to a Monster [Paranormal Point of View] Writing is ALWAYS about the human condition--even when your mcs aren't human.
• What to Do With Thoughts [Writer Musings] Italicize direct thoughts? Interior monologue? Switch from past to present?
• 100,000 Reasons Why You Probably Can’t Banish Envy (and May Not Want to, if You Write) [Writer Unboxed] Great post on channeling your envy to make things happen--in your writing.
• Putting On Airs [Kidlit.com] Subtle telling--and why it still doesn't work.
• Use Manuscript Markers for Your First Draft [Daily Writing Tips] Marker techniques to keep from getting stuck while drafting.
• How to get better at writing descriptions (part 2 of 3) [Time to Write] Tips to help you brainstorm better descriptions.
• Author Janet Gurtler on VOICE + GIVEAWAY [The Bookshelf Muse] The importance of voice and a chance to win I'M NOT HER. Enter by 5/19.
• Worldbuilding, part 2: By the Power of Grayskull...I mean Research! [Dancing with Dragons is Hard on Your Shoes.] Five research tips to help you breakout of cliche and stereotype.
• Inconsistencies [Write Anything] Is your character behaving... out of character? Inner contradictions are part of real life, but make sure it doesn't confuse your readers.
• DEALING WITH BACK-STORY [Help! I Need a Publisher!] Backstory is like coffee: it's better when it's drip-fed, and you may need less than you think.
• Little Darlings & Why They Must Die..for Real [Kristen Lamb's Blog] Mistaking complexity for conflict and melodrama for connection.
• Sci-Fri [Fantasy Faction] The impossible made possible: the link between sci fi and fantasy.
• What part of your writing to cut (& what not to write in the first place) [Time to Write] Write your first chapter, get to know your character. Then cut it.
• Viewpoint Character and the Need to Choose Wisely [The Editor's Blog] The reader's connection to story is fragile. Choose your POV character wisely.
• Subtext—Revelation of the Hidden [The Editor's Blog] What do your mc's hide from others or themselves? Use subtext to reveal it.

Inspiration

• Your Conference Commandments [YA Muses] Intimidated & insecure at conferences? This post will inspire you, guaranteed.
• Investing in You [GENREALITY] Conferences & classes are the best way to invest in yourself as a writer at every stage of your career.
• Greyhaus Guest Blogger - How Setting My Timer Helps Me Pursue My Dream [Babbles from Scott Eagan] This homeschooling mom of 5 finds time to write, blog, & social network, 10 minutes at a time. WOW!
• Never Give Up. Never Surrender. [Adventures In Writing] Great Butler quote: You start out writing crap and thinking it's good stuff...
• MANAGING YOUR CONFERENCE EXPECTATIONS [YA Muses] Do's and don'ts to help you create a create conference experience.
• The Power of Words [The Character Therapist] Change your words, change your world. You MUST see this video!!!! Seriously.
• Getting Published Is All That Matters - Not always... [Babbles from Scott Eagan] Determine your writing goal. Stick to it. Don't take settle for less.
• Do You Tell People You Write? [Nathan Bransford, Author] Four types of people who make you want to keep your writing goals a secret.
• Writing Obstacles Be Gone! 3 Ways to Keep Falling Forward [Quips and Tips for Successful Writers] Love this: Stay focused on your vision, not your circumstances.
• Ideas are like puppies [Rebecca Gomez] Are the best ideas the ones that come to you, or the ones you have to chase?
• Make your brain into a story ideas machine [Time to Write] Train your brain to spin out possible story ideas.
• This is Doubt calling. Can you hear me now? [Julie Musil] Eight ways we let doubt win. Great post!
• Tenacious Tuesday [GotYA] Janet Evanovich went through every agent and publisher in New York. Twice.
• Writing Myths Busted [YA Highway] Four writing myths, including three we wish were true.
• Greyhaus Guest Blogger - Publishing is a Waiting Game, and it hurts sometimes [Babbles from Scott Eagan] Use waiting time to do what you love: write the next, even better, book.
• Adapting To The Changing World (Of Publication) [The Literary Lab] Love: The path to success is a path, not a destination.
• Dealing with Discouragement [The Editor's Blog] Challenges don't last forever. Barrel through your roadblocks.
• Why Writers Need Writer Friends [iggi & gabi] Five reasons your writer friends are above the price of rubies.
• What's Stopping You? [Plot Whisperer for Writers and Readers] Lost your writing way? Seize your power and move forward.
• The Writer's Journey, From a Turtle's POV [Words and Such] We are writing turtles crossing the road. Don't be afraid to stick your neck out.
• Rejection [Class of 2K11] Rejections are proof that you're stretching yourself.
• How writers can get lucky [Time to Write] Turn bad luck to good by persevering. Great example from William Golding.
• Creativity can come from pain [Time to Write] "Use tension and pain to drive and perfect." Julie Burstein
• The Only 12½ Writing Rules You'll Ever Need [NouveauWriter] Great poster for writers. Put it in your office!
• Writer’s Block Is For Pussies– or how I Never Run Out of Ideas [www.marsdorian.com] Expect you can deliver and psyche yourself up to be creative.

Issues, News, and Trends

• BEA Survival Tips [iggi & gabi] Health & fitness tips for BEA? You bet!
• Introducing ’5 Things You Need to Know This Week’ [GalleyCat] Need to catch up on the buzz? MediaBistro is doing a video "5 Things You Need to Know."
• Is Dystopian Lit Still Going Strong? [GalleyCat] Is the trend for full-up? Is Greek myth next?
• Battling the Stigma of the YA Writer [Anna Staniszewski] The truth about writing YA -- and what people assume it says about you.
• No-Weights Arm Workout for Writers by Melissa Paris [iggi & gabi] Got writer's arms? Tone them up without weights or special equipment.
• More agents to explore publishing models | The Bookseller [www.thebookseller.com] More agents to e-pub out-of-print books. Good news? Or more confusion?

Just for Smiles

• Thoughts for a Thursday [Laura Jane Cassidy] Love this graffiti. Wonder if my family would respect it?
• Laughing It Up Writer!! Blogfest!! [Writers' Ally aka ➔ sa larsenッ] How many screenwriters does it take to change a lightbulb?

Self-Editing

• The Revision Process: How I Prepared My Book for Publication [Guide to Literary Agents] Seven tips for revising your manuscript.
• 10 Actions You Can Take To Improve Your Proofreading [www.publetariat.com] Ten proofreading tips to help you create stronger, cleaner looking documents.
• 10 Comma Cases in Which More Is More [Daily Writing Tips] Great examples of sentences that need an extra comma.
• Do You Copy? Tips on Copy Editing Your Own Work [The Other Side of the Story] Five things you should check before sending out your manuscript.
• Writing Profanity [Mystery Writing is Murder] Eight tests to see if cursing belongs in your manuscript.
• Why It’s Good For Writers to Love Then Hate Their Books [Author, Jody Hedlund] Love your first draft. Then turn on your inner -hater.
• Great Novels Aren't Written--They're Rewritten [QueryTracker.net] Nine things you need in your rewrite toolbox.
• Using an editor? Two questions so you don’t shoot the messenger [Nail Your Novel] Getting an independent edit? Brace yourself.
• Over Editing [Julie Musil] Edit like you'd prune a rosebush. Clip the dead ugly branches but don't make it a colorless stump.
• 5 Fixes for Pop-Culture Pile-Ups [Daily Writing Tips] Make sure your pop-culture references are airtight, or risk humiliation.
• In Review: DARedit Editing Software from AutomatedEditing.com [WOW! Women On Writing Blog] WOW! Have you tried DARedit? Easy-to-use automated editing software for writers.

Social Media

• Facebook Publishes Guide to Social Marketing Best Practices [ReadWriteWeb] Promoing on social media? Pick up Facebooks new PDF on guidelines.
• Twitter Tuesday #17 [Kristen Lamb's Blog] YOUR NAME + YOUR CONTENT = YOUR BRAND. Are you unique?

To Market

• Agent Advice: Deborah Grosvenor of Grosvenor Literary Agency [Guide to Literary Agents] Great interview with agent Deborah Grosvenor.
• Agent Spotlight: Michelle Wolfson [Literary Rambles] Considering submitting to Michelle Wolfson? Here's everything you need to know.
• Exclusive Q&A with Divergent editor Molly O’Neill [Novel Novice] What sold @VeronicaRoth's editor @molly_oneill on DIVERGENT.
• New Agent Alert: Susan Finesman of Fine Literary [Guide to Literary Agents] New agent Susan Finesman is accepting queries.
• Ta-Dah!!! A New Series of Posts on Bent on Books [Bent on Books] Lovely, inspirational story from a Bent on Books client.
• The Epic Post On Trends (YA & MG) [Author/Agent Mandy Hubbard] The definitive review of what editors want and how to tweak your ms for better odds.
• Agent Sara Megibow is Teaching "How to Hook an Agent With Your Query Letter" on May 26, 2011 (and There is a Free Critique!) [Guide to Literary Agents] Query writing workshop with agent Sara Megibow starts May 26th.
• Workshop Wednesday [BookEnds, LLC — A Literary Agency] Another great query dissection.
• Publishing Insiders Wrap-Up: Literary Agents and Their Evolving Role in Publishing [Author Marketing Experts, Inc.Get Published Tips and Book Marketing Advice from Penny Sansevieri] Great discussion with agents Katharine Sands and Jason Ashlock about agent roles.
• Difficult Conversations II [Rachelle Gardner, Literary Agent] How do you and your agent decide what to do when your project doesn't sell?
• Craft an Exceptional Elevator Pitch [Author Marketing Experts, Inc.Get Published Tips and Book Marketing Advice from Penny Sansevieri] Take time to draft, craft, rehearse and internalize your elevator pitch.
• What the Agents/Editor Want to See [Falling Leaflets] Three wish lists from WriteOnCon's live chat with two agents and an editor.
• Synopsis Example: ''Ransom'' (Thriller) [Guide to Literary Agents] Writing a short synopsis? Here's an example.
• Is the E-book the New Query? [Anne R. Allen's Blog] Is the slushpile dead?
• Conference Preparation Checklist [YA Muses] Six things you must do before the conference.
• Agent Spotlight: Vickie Motter [Literary Rambles] Learn all about one of our fave agents, @Vickie_Motter, and what she's looking for.
• Agent Scott Eagan is Teaching "How to Target Agents and Editors: Market Your Novel to the Right People" on May 19 (and It Includes a Critique) [Guide to Literary Agents] Great op! Agent Scott Eagen to teach course on how to target an agent.
• How I Got My Agent: David Halperin [Guide to Literary Agents] You find your dream agent by being ready.
• Good advice for pitching--and for life [Time to Write] Pitch for twenty seconds to two minutes, then let pitchee do the talking.

Other Weekly Round-Ups:

• Jane Friedman of Writer's Digest 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 enjoyed during the week.
• Elizabeth Craig posts 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 and Clara