Current links for writers - July 31

The Power of Touch by Livia Blackburne at *A Brain Scientist's Take on Writing*

Welcome Riley Adams this morning at The World of Book Review - on Small Town Settings

Braincandy for Writers Post #1 by Angela Ackerman at The Bookshelf Muse

Are you exceptional? - Janet Reid's thoughts on queries

Comic: Misplaced Apostrophes by Debbie Ohi at Writer Unboxed

CONTEST

I Didn't Go To RWA Nationals Weekend Edition at Seekerville - a NO WHINING ZONE SURPRISE PACKAGE

Current links for writers - July 30

Prime Real Estate at Kidlit.com

What Star Wars teaches us about character introductions at Plot to Punctuation

What is Writer's Voice? at Rants & Ramblings

Hocus Pocus Focus at The Blood-Red Pencil

The Art of Critique by arizela

Golden Oldie: Luck be a Lady at The Other Side of the Story

When More is Less at Coffey. Tea. And Literary. - about queries

Paying it Forward by Anne Brown at Writer Unboxed

CONTEST

Pipes and Drums all summer long (giveaway!) at Scotland for the Senses

Current links for writers - July 29

Some Tips for Writing a Series at Guide to Literary Agents

When the set piece has to be UNBELIEVABLY AWESOME... at TalkToYoUniverse

The Pipeline = Panic Reducer? at Writer's Corner

Managing Expectations at Rants & Ramblings

Platform – to have or have not? at Behler Blog

Spending Money to Make Money at BookEnds

CONTESTS

Dorks and Lip Gloss Anyone? at Book Dreaming - Dork Diaries International Giveaway!

August Contest Update at Seekerville

Current links for writers - July 28

PAULINE IN PERIL: Creating a Sympathetic Heroine at Seekerville - plus a drawing for a $10 Barnes & Noble gift card

Conflict or Tension? at Book Dreaming

Shooting Glances at Kidlit.com

Color me blue... or red or yellow or... by Sandra Parshall at POE'S DEADLY DAUGHTERS

Re-Write Wednesday: Overcoming Adversity Through Adverbs at The Other Side of the Story

SELF-EDITING - MY GUIDE at Help! I Need a Publisher!

Don't Be Spam at QueryTracker - with good points in Comments

The Positive Side of Rejection by Angela Ackerman at The Bookshelf Muse

Rejections! and what they mean, from The Rejecter

Mythbusting at Rants & Ramblings

Mastering the Elevator Pitch at BookEnds

How to Write a Synopsis by Elana Johnson

CONTEST

3 Books + Giveaway at Paperback Writer

Current links for writers - July 27

Brainstorming Beginnings at Chandara Writes

IN SEARCH OF THE FIRST PARAGRAPH at Fantasy Author's Handbook

Setting with distant POV by Jordan McCollum

Write Small at Book Dreaming

Write It Again, Sam: A Few Thoughts on Revision by Deborah J. Ross at Book View Cafe

I will or will I? by Sharon Wildwind at POE'S DEADLY DAUGHTERS - about encouragement traps

How I Found an Agent and Editor by Therese Walsh at Writer Unboxed

PNWA conference at Behler Blog - an editor's thoughts on writing conferences

Part I: The Dreaded Macro Edit at The Roving Editor

Current links for writers - July 26

INSPIRATIONAL

A Chance to Be Creative at Book Dreaming

Surrender Yourself by Elana Johnson

My Annual "We're All Losers" Post by Stephen Parrish

Writing with Sneakers at The Alchemy of Writing

WRITING TIPS

Part 3 — 5 things I’ve learned about writing — Grow a thick skin at The Magic District

Writing Nowadays–the Perfect Wedding by Steven Harper Piziks at Writer Unboxed

Mental Health Monday–Fake It ‘Til You Make It at Diamond–Yup, Like the Stone

Medical Mondays: A Tale of Two C's at The Word is My Oyster

10 Steps to a Better Story at The Blood-Red Pencil

some very quick thoughts on the present tense at Editorial Ass

The First Line Should Kick a Novel Into High Gear at The Roving Editor

AGENT THOUGHTS

Ask Daphne! About Conference Prep at KT Literary

I love it when I'm right at Dystel & Goderich Literary Management - business news

CONTESTS

My Sister and Me Mega-Contest by Therese Walsh

Giveaway!!! at Written in Blood

Current links for writers - July 25

5 Rules for Writing YA at Guide to Literary Agents

In defense of modifiers at edittorrent

Questions on the Case of Pronouns also at edittorrent

Moving the Plot at Cassandra Jade in the Realm

Feet and Shoes across cultures at TalkToYoUniverse

How Acting Can Help You Write Those Troublesome Scenes by Laura R. Espinosa at Writer Unboxed

Not Everyone’s Cup of Tea at Mystery Writing is Murder - Dealing with rejection

And now a word from...Intern X at Bent on Books - about queries

“Should my agent let me know which publishers/editors have read my work, and provide me with copies of the rejection letters?” at Ask a Literary Agent

Sub Op Ten at Paperback Writer - Ten Things About Submission Opportunities

Social Media--What's the Point? by Elizabeth Riley Adams at HEY, THERE'S A DEAD GUY IN THE LIVING ROOM

5 thoughts on book promotion by The Intern

Contests and Give-Aways! via The Sharp Angle

Current links for writers - July 23

The Golden Rule of Professionals: Be Specific & Ask Good Questions at Writer Unboxed

Similarities to Existing Clients at Kidlit.com

Headshots at Mystery Writing is Murder - Tips for headshots

Our Friend The Book Distributor by 'S' at Seekerville

CONTEST

The Epic Contest With No Name at * Fiction Groupie *

Current links for writers - July 22

Psychology in Fiction Q&A: Splitting and Alter Egos by Carolyn Kaufman at Archetype Writing

Cause and Effect in Plot at Plot Whisperer for Writers and Readers

Layers at Seekerville - Layers will life your book out of the rejected pile.

Symbolism Thesaurus Superstitions and Signs: Bad Luck Omens by Angela Ackerman at The Bookshelf Muse

Troubleshooting Headers and Footers at The Blood-Red Pencil

Revise First, Celebrate Later at Elaine English Literary

Whoops! There It Is at The Other Side of the Story - Mistakes, especially in a query

Guest Blogger: Jim Warner-Rejection Blues: Part 2 at QueryTracker

Selling Category at BookEnds - especially catagory romance

Current links for writers - July 21

Withholding for suspense at edittorrent

Time flies...or crawls...in a series by Sandra Parshall at POE'S DEADLY DAUGHTERS

Setting is about people by Jordan McCollum - my ah-ha moment of the day!

Every Character Needs Motivation at The Roving Editor

Using informal language, accents and slang. at Something Persuasive

The Case of Pronouns at edittorrent

Do Unpublished Writers Have Blog at Kidlit.com - She meant to say: Do Unpublished Writers Need to Have a Blog?

Querying for a Series at Linn Prentis Literary

Ouch! My Hands Hurt! by C.E. Bailey at AuthorCulture

CONTEST

Pay it Forward - Awards at Market My Words
Comment today and win a few ebooks: You, Guys Read, The Ivy, and Paranormalcy.

Current links for writers - July 20

Cloud Profiles at Paperback Writer - interesting tool for characterization

Setting Up and Winding Down at The Other Side of the Story

TOP TIP 2: VARY SENTENCE STRUCTURE at Help! I Need a Publisher!

Is it towards or toward? by Katie Salidas at Written in Blood

Tip Tuesday #46 at Literary Rambles - finding annoying words in your Word MS

Silence is not criticism by Davin Malasarn at The Literary Lab

8 Things No One Told Me About Being a Writer by Elizabeth Craig/Riley Adams at InkSpot

Five Self-defeating Recession Behaviors at The Blood-Red Pencil

Over writing by Janet Reid, Literary Agent - watch points for your queries & MSS

Another Reason To Nail Your Query Pitch Paragraph at Pub Rants

The Learning Curve That Never Ends at Rants & Ramblings - even published writers get rejections

THE FANTASY AUTHOR’S HANDBOOK INTERVIEWS VI: LOU ANDERS - an interview with Hugo-nominated editorial director of Pyr books

CONTEST

Liminal Space at Seekerville - giving away a copy of Cheryl Wyatt's Steadfast Soldier.

Current links for writers - July 19

Mental Health Monday–I didn’t know I wasn’t pregnant at Diamond–Yup, Like the Stone

Medical Mondays: An Eye for an Eye at The Word is My Oyster

When Plots Go Astray at The Other Side of the Story

The Charles Darwin Moment vs. The Ta-da Moment at Behler Blog

Part 2 of “5 things I’ve learned about writing” — You gotta want it BAD at The Magic District

Review: A Dash of Style at The Alchemy of Writing

Query Red Flags at BookEnds

Leaving Your Agent at Kidlit.com

The intangibles in weighing publishing offers at Dystel & Goderich Literary Management

Writing Nowadays–Writing Smackdown, Part 2 by Steven Harper Piziks at Book View Cafe - what to do when editors change your work

A Taxing Profession at Pimp My Novel

Free Online Writing Conference via QueryTracker

CONTESTS

Teen Panel - Part One at Market My Words - Today's giveaway is a lot of boy's books

Contest Ten at Paperback Writer - Ten Things About Writing Grants and Contests

Clarity of Night is Open via Stephen Parrish

Rejectionist Anniversary Uncontest Announcement! at The Rejectionist

Current links for writers - July 18

5 Screenwriting Tips All Writers Can Learn From at Guide to Literary Agents

Why Your Character’s Motive Matters at Wordplay

Ten Things I Don’t Want to Read About by Sherwood Smith at Book View Cafe

Has Your Writing Routine Become A Writing Rut? by Suzannah Windsor Freeman at Writer Unboxed

Pitfalls with Scene and Sequel at Seekerville

Author-Speak Cheat Sheet also at Seekerville

Current links for writers - July 17

Maggie's Inflammatory Blog Post About Parents in Books by Maggie Stiefvater via Maripat at M.S. Sluyter

Secret Emotional Triggers for Your Writing (Capitol City Writers Recap) at There Are No Rules

Breaking All the Rules at Bent on Books

Comic: Writers On Vacation by Debbie Ohi at Writer Unboxed

Current links for writers - July 16

By Any Other Name at Paperback Writer

The Honorary Male by Marie Brennan at Science Fiction & Fantasy Novelists

Paying Attention to a Problem at Mystery Writing is Murder

That awesome line you just wrote... at TalkToYoUniverse

Internal Consistency and Rules at Something Persuasive

Being Trendy at The Other Side of the Story

Agents: An Editor's First Line of Defense at The Roving Editor

The Myth of the Evil Editor by Victoria Strauss at Writer Beware

The Pros and Cons of Self-Publishing - Scott Nicholson at The Blood-Red Pencil

Book Trailers 101 — plus WU special offer at Writer Unboxed - My question: does anyone actually watch book trailers? I certainly don't, but I know some writers put a lot of time into them. How about you?

CONTEST

This week's writing contest! at Janet Reid, Literary Agent

Current links for writers - July 15

Use All the Colors at Book Dreaming

Don't Hold Out For a Hero at The Other Side of the Story

Three Ways To Avoid Pantser Pitfalls by Roni Griffin at * Fiction Groupie *

Plot Planner at Plot Whisperer for Writers and Readers

Seeing the Forest and the Trees by Joyce Magnin at Rants & Ramblings

So You Want To Commit Novel #7: Revisions by Phyllis Irene Radford at Book View Cafe

Getting an agent by Grant E Brazell

Query Don'ts at BookEnds, LLC — A Literary Agency

Please reply to this message with a copy of your query, synopsis/proposal, manuscript/sample chapters, and proof that you're human. at Getting Past the Gatekeeper - see point 3. - a letter for submitting requested materials

Career Killers: Speed Writing at Books & Such

ARCs 101 at Gabrielle Edits

18 Things I’ve Learned About Marketing at Confessions of a Watery Tart, via Mystery Writing is Murder

Buying Buzz at Paperback Writer - beware of marketing scams

Current links for writers - July 14

6 Personality Types Who Will Succeed as Writers at A. Victoria Mixon

Oh brother, oh sister by Sandra Parshall at POE'S DEADLY DAUGHTERS

Finding Tips on Self-Editing at The Blood-Red Pencil by Patricia Stoltey - a great list of links!

Career Killers: Playing Around the Edges at Books & Such

Bookscan Is Great—Except When It’s Not at Pub Rants

Interview with Author/Platform Expert Stephanie Chandler at QueryTracker

What Do Authors and Editors Talk About? at The Roving Editor

CONTEST

Agent Pitch Contest starts today! at Market My Words

Current links for writers - July 13

Adjust Your Thinking by Elana Johnson

The Internet, Your Brain, Your Writerly Self by Therese Walsh at Writer Unboxed

Know Your Character Inside and Out at TalkToYoUniverse

Getting the character in at Something Persuasive

Tone-Deaf Writing by Scott G. F. Bailey at The Literary Lab

When to Use a Flashback at Plot Whisperer for Writers and Readers

The Top 10 List of Things Editors Talk About by Barbara Scott at The Roving Editor

Career Killers: Sloppiness at Books & Such

Stuff You Pay For from Rants & Ramblings - publishing costs handed to the author

Peer-to-peer by Sharon Wildwind at POE'S DEADLY DAUGHTERS - about blogging.

PublishAmerica's "Brand New Start": Independence Books by Ann C. Crispin at Writer Beware

CONTESTS

Agent Pitch Contest with Suzie Townsend! Wednesday at Market My Words - also, comment on her post for a chance at an ARC of PERSONAL DEMONS

Light My (Blue) Fire Contest at The Other Side of the Story

Current links for writers - July 12

Title Tips at Book Dreaming

The reality in fiction at Chandara Writes

Mental Health Monday–Pb and Heavy Metal Poisoning at Diamond–Yup, Like the Stone

Medical Mondays: La Bella Donna at The Word is My Oyster

I Killed My Classmates (And Made Them Laugh) at The Alchemy of Writing

What makes you put a book down? by Jordan McCollum

Writing Nowadays–Edit Smackdown by Steven Harper Piziks at Book View Cafe

Starting Out With Your Blog at Mystery Writing is Murder

Good vs. "Those Guys" at Neverending Page Turner - How do you know an agent is legit?

Sometimes It's Not About Your Book at Rants & Ramblings

The right time at Dystel & Goderich Literary Management - Is there a "best" time to submit?

How to shoot your own foot at Behler Blog - what you should never put in a query letter

The author background check: Cautionary notes at the Book Deal

JUST PLAIN INTERESTING

The Bog by Stephen Parrish - bodies found in Germany's bogs

Coevolution by Judith Tarr - how horses and humans have coevolved

Current links for writers - July 11

How Do You Know When a Story Is Finished? at AuthorCulture

Writers on Writing: X#$!%^&!! by Sherwood Smith at Book View Cafe

Vision: A Resource for Writers by Lazette Gifford - a wonderful eZine for writers

6 Reasons a Premise Sentence Strengthens Your Story at Wordplay

Fighting the Sag in 10 Steps by Therese Walsh at Writer Unboxed

My Husband as My Publisher by Christine Lemmon at Writer Unboxed - a self-publishing success

CONTEST

Blood-Red Pencil Best Mystery Ever Contest at The Blood-Red Pencil

Current links for writers - July 10

Nip/Tuck Your Novel at Writer's Corner

Genres - Alternate History at The Blood-Red Pencil

Focusing On Our Strengths at Mystery Writing is Murder

Female gladiator remains found in Herefordshire at Archaeology Daily News

CONGRATULATIONS

The Dust Girl by Sarah Zettel at Book View Cafe

CONTEST and CONGRATULATIONS

Honey, I came up with a new way to kill somebody! by Avery Aames at POE'S DEADLY DAUGHTERS

Current links for writers - July 9

Becoming "A Writer" at TalkToYoUniverse

TOP TIP 1 - WRITING FOR KIDS / YA at Help! I Need a Publisher!

Enemy Mine at The Other Side of the Story

A Monkey Could Have Written That at Rants & Ramblings

How do we know you're lying? Wellll..... at Getting Past the Gatekeeper

Writing as an Art—March to the Beat at The Blood-Red Pencil

Business vs. Art at Kidlit.com

Tchotchkes, Latte and Books at 5rivers News, Views and Points of Interest - a possible future for bookstores

CONTEST

Who Wants an ARC of The DUFF? at Confessions of a Wandering Heart

Current links for writers - July 8

So You Want to Commit Novel #6: A Slap Dash Ending by Phyllis Irene Radford at Book View Cafe

The Name Game by Helen Ginger at The Blood-Red Pencil

Stop and Think at Elaine English Literary - Know your audience

What I’m bringing to the ACFW Conference at Story Sensei - LOL! A list for those nervous about a writer's conference

"Here's my revision, will you read it?": How to Submit A New Draft at Getting Past the Gatekeeper - How to get an agent to say "Yes!"

The Rejection Ballet at Rants & Ramblings - Guest Blogger: Daniel Friedman

You and Your Publisher: A Marketing Dream Team at Books & Such - communicate!!!

The Year in Review: Part 2 at Pimp My Novel - Today: covers!

Why You Can’t Buy An eBook In English Outside The U.S. at Pub Rants

CONTEST

Giveaway: Works of Byron at Forgotten Bookmarks - love old books? These were printed in 1825!

Current links for writers - July 7

Keeping Track of Details at Rants & Rambling

It’s Not the Cougar by Donald Maass at Writer Unboxed

The Formula for Story Success at The Sharp Angle

Querying is a Game by Elana Johnson

Tips from Muse and the Marketplace at *A Brain Scientist's Take on Writing*

How to Fail on the Internet Without Really Trying: AuthorForSale.com by Victoria Strauss for Writer Beware

Rebel Tales: My War For The Midlist at Pocket Full of Words, Writing Diary of Novelist Holly Lisle

CONTEST

It's Greek Week GIveaway! Double Date Review at Market My Words

Current links for writers - July 6

How to Become a Better Writer: 11 Completely Non-Writing-Related Ideas - at Rants & Ramblings

Can Bad Spellers Be Good Writers? at Gabrielle Edits

When Writing Friends Aren’t: Sabotage and Self-Image by Deborah J. Ross at Book View Cafe

From the Vault: Going long at Dystel & Goderich Literary Management

fyi: Postal Service Proposes Broad Rate Increases via NPR

CONGRATULATIONS!

Release Day—and Contest Results at Mystery Writing is Murder

CONTESTS

Expanding Universe Contest at sharonleewriter.com via Et in arcaedia, ego.

Marvelous Marketer: Dan Ehrenhaft (Friend is Not a Verb) at Market My Words

DECEPTION contest - UPDATE at Neverending Page Turner

Agent-judged Contest for Adult Fiction at Query Tracker via Shooting Stars

Current links for writers - July 5

Medical Mondays: Some Don't Like It Hot at The Word is My Oyster

Finding Your Writing Voice at Chip's Blog

The Crowded Pages at Justified Lunacy - secondary characters

Re-Write Wednesday: Look! It's An Idea at The Other Side of the Story - Wednesday came a little early this week. ;-)

I have issues at Behler Blog - about non-fiction proposals

You and Your Publisher: New Best Friends? Not! at Books & Such - esp. see the bulleted points

One Last Self-Publishing Post at Kidlit.com

The Way We Market at Mystery Writing is Murder

CONTEST

The Healing Spell Giveaway by Elana Johnson

Current links for writers - July 4

NAILING YOUR CHARACTER at Help! I Need a Publisher!

Is the Thesaurus Your Friend? at Wordplay

OUTLINE YOUR NOVEL IN THIRTY MINUTES by Alicia Rasley

Current links for writers - July 3

Do I have a story? at TalkToYoUniverse

Narrowing Down Our Project at Mystery Writing is Murder

Know thy thoughts at Chandara Writes

Setting Thesaurus Entry: Courtroom at The Bookshelf Muse

Pacing 101: Sentence length. at The Writer's Arsenal

Dropping the Namedropping at Editorial Anonymous

The 70% Option at The Blood-Red Pencil

CONTESTS

Hear Ye, Hear Ye! via Book Dreaming

Current links for writers - July 2

Formula . . . The Bones of Your Story at Brenda Drake Writes . . .

How to part a fool from his money at Plot to Punctuation

Playing the Games at Book Dreaming - Re: Critique Partners/Beta Readers

To Build A Fire by Amy Sterling Casil at Book View Cafe

Doing it All Wrong at Mystery Writing is Murder

A Story The Editor Will Never Know at Pub Rants

Friday Funny at Fire and Silk - Love me them LOLcats!

CONTESTS

Writing Contest! by Janet Reid

Publishing Pulse: 6/2/2010 at QueryTracker - Tuesday pitch contest reminder

Current links for writers - July 1

So You Want to Commit Novel: #5 Muddle In The Middle by Phyllis Irene Radford at Book View Cafe

Another Paragraphing Point, Sort Of at edittorrent

Cutting Characters You Love by Anna Staniszewski at Vision: A Resource for Writers

Slowly, slowly by Juliet Marillier at Writer Unboxed - a planner's take on writing

Symbolism Entry: Danger by Angela Ackerman at The Bookshelf Muse

Feedback Frenzy at The Other Side of the Story - some critique "rules"
(side note: I got three fantastic crits back over the last two days, and I'm stoked!)

How to Stop Word Messing with Your Manuscript at The Blood-Red Pencil

Does It Get Any Better? at BookEnds - Do you ever get past the rejection part of the query process?

The Mystical Blue Yonder (Or, Book Publicity) at Editorial Ass

Beware of Book Publishing Spam by Victoria Strauss for Writer Beware

Free E-book by Anne Stuart, via Paperback Writer